A HOTEL chain, which has been voted the "UKs worst" for the eighth-year running, has attracted hundreds of reviews at its sites across the North-East.
Britannia Hotels, who run venues in Sunderland, Newcastle Airport and Gosforth, were earlier this month voted the worst in the UK by the Which? consumer group.
The chain, which was was the only one to receive one just out of five for cleanliness, was slammed after venues up and down the country were described as "filthy."
READ MORE: Britannia Hotels ranked the UKs worst hotel chain for EIGHT years running
But it seems some guests visiting the chain's venues in the North-East have been left less than impressed after a visit at one of the three.
The hotels have attracted thousands of reviews from guests, with varying levels of opinion on whether they had a good night's stay.
We've looked at TripAdvisor to see what people are saying about the hotels and have picked out some of the most scathing reviews.
Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport
The hotel, which offers rooms from £29 per night, scores 3 out of 5 and is described by TripAdvisor as "average."
Out of 1,473 reviews, it gets almost 560 "poor" or "terrible" reviews - with the latest damning review being left in September this year.
'Do not stay here'
One user, Tenthead2 left this scathing review urging people not to stay there after visiting earlier this year.
They said: "Do not stay here. Tired, old, slightly unclean, creepy clientele, broken TV in the room, preposterously loud foyer music, 1970s decor, 1970s furniture, absolute lowest end quality rooms, amazed the place is still running, suspect if it didn't have the huge car park and offer airport parking it would close in a week.
"If this website allowed me to give 0 out of 5 instead of 1 as the lowest option, I would select that. No matter where I stay in future, I'll always be able to count my blessings that it's not here."
'The corridor had a strong smell of insect killer - the bed stunk'
In September, user Wickhamhenboy left this review suggesting he was disappointed by his visit to the hotel.
Part of his review, which was critical of the room and food offering available, said: "The room was strange and very dated. Metal framed single glazed windows. The corridor had a strong smell of insect killer. The bed stunk.
"Needless to say the food available in the bar was nothing much, burgers and such like. It turned out that the dining room was open, just not to us."
In response to the review left by Tenthead2, the Manager at Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport, said: "Thank you for your review, we are very disappointed to read your comments and to receive such a low rating.
"We'll take your feedback onboard and use them to make future improvements."
The Grand Hotel in Seaburn, near Sunderland
The hotel, which offers rooms from £65 per night, scores 4 out of 5 and is described by TripAdvisor as "very good."
Out of 1,031 reviews, it gets just 89 "poor" or "terrible" reviews - with the majority being classed as "excellent or very good."
'Our room smelt damp'
Brockhall left this damning review after a stay at the former Marriott-run hotel in Seaburn in July this year.
While they said they were impressed by the staff, their remarks said the hotel is "dropping to bits."
They said: "Our room smelt damp but didn't complain however next morning the bathroom had a little pool going on.
"We were moved to another room which was fine. Next morning the toilet wouldn't flush. We had to us the toilet in the reception area not ideal.
"No maintenance personnel available. I expected a refund for what is not acceptable.
The good thing about this hotel are the very friendly staff pity the place is dropping to bits."
'We woke up to a random man unlocking our door and walking in'
But the experience wasn't positive for Ugh, who claimed a man had walked into their room during a stay at the Grand Hotel Sunderland.
In a review left in February 2020, they said their stay was a "bit of a let down" after celebrating their anniversary.
They said: "I stayed here last night with my partner for our anniversary and it was a bit of a let down.
"Have stayed before and loved it but got put in a room right at the back of the hotel, the room was clearly not renovated and old.
"We were a bit in-impressed with the room because we have stayed in a lovely room before.
"The windows wouldn’t open or lock. Tried to open it but then the handles snapped off with ease, almost like it had been placed on.
"The bath didn’t work as the plug wouldn’t actually close. And couldn’t have shower because the water was cold
"The bathroom door didn’t lock. But then I shut it from the outside and it locks us out. We had to call the night porter who had to use a screwdriver, after bashing his elbow onto it five times.
"We would of loved a better room but felt it was too late at 9pm.
At about 8:30am we woke up to a random man unlocking our door with keys and walking in. Without knocking. We got the fright of our lives."
In response to the reviews, the manager apologised that both guests had felt "dissatisfied" and would "ensure" feedback is relayed to "make improvements."
Grand Hotel Gosforth
The hotel near Newcastle offers rooms at £75 per night and scores 4 out of 5 and is described by TripAdvisor as "very good."
Out of 1,365 reviews, it gets 163 "poor" or "terrible" reviews - the majority are classed as either "average, excellent or very good."
'Gone to the dogs'
A review left by Diromu from a stay in February this year touches on the hotel's leisure facilities, threatening to "find somewhere different" in the future.
They said: "We have stayed at this hotel regularly and in the time since the new owners have taken it on it has gone well and truly down hill.
"Clearly, Marriott hadn’t done much updating as they were looking to get rid of it, but it’s now a shadow of what it was.
"The car park is full of holes. It’s also near impossible to get a space to park as it is always crammed full of vans."
The review goes on to describe the leisure facilities and said: "(They) are beyond tired, they’re exhausted. The towels are threadbare.
"The whole feel of the place has gone from somewhere you were proud to visit to a cheap motorway motel.
"It’s sad to watch and I think the time has come to find somewhere different in future."
In response to the reviews, the manager apologised that both guests had felt "dissatisfied" and would "ensure" feedback is relayed to "make improvements."
"It is true that the hotel had no investment from the former owners prior to the sale and we do indeed have a number of areas that now require attention.
"We have a several on going projects including collecting quotes to make improvements in the car park.
"Due to the amount of local building projects in the area we have seen an upturn in the amount of work vehicles in our car park and we are currently discussing better arrangements for the parking of larger vehicles.
"Your feedback regarding the leisure facilities has been noted and in the first instance the Leisure Club Manager is looking into purchasing a further supply of towels."
What Britannia Hotels said about the recent findings by Which?
In response, the chain said in a statement: “We are totally committed to providing a safe environment for visitors.
"We have so far spent around £2m on Covid-19 precautions, but we accept there is more to do.”
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