It goes without saying that the North East has some fantastic places to lay your head, however, there are some places that miss the mark entirely.
We’ve pulled together a list of hotels, B&Bs and apart-hotels that have received negative reviews on TripAdvisor and what people have been saying about these venues.
Many places on this list are scoring below three stars and aim to offer a great night’s stay for a fair price.
However, for some reason or other, many reviewers have criticised these venues for their services.
Here’s what people have been saying about some of the worst-reviewed places to stay in the North East on TripAdvisor.
1. Darlington Apartments, Rymers Court, Darlington
This venue has received just two-and-a-half stars on TripAdvisor and has scored very low in most aspects including location, cleanliness, service and value.
Described as “spacious and stylish” apartments, they can be found just two-miles from Darlington town centre and offer free parking.
Each is set to have an open-plan and fully equipped kitchen with a modern lounge area as well.
Read more: Darlington’s top 7 places to have Sunday dinner according to TripAdvisor
However, some reviewers feel the apartments are not luxury at all.
One person said: “Myself and a friend stayed here for a few nights. Well I wish we hadn’t bothered.
“Definitely not a luxury apartment like stated a whole mix and match of furniture nothing really went together looked like it had been bought randomly at a charity shop.
“There was left over bits and pieces in the kitchen from other guests crumbs in draws definitely hadn’t been checked after each stay.
“Lots of dust behind furniture could definitely do with a deep clean. Having only one shower in the en suite bathroom made things very difficult at times.
“After returning to the property after a day out we definitely got sense that somebody had let themselves into the property nothing had been taken but doors and belongings had definitely been moved but for no clear reason other than snooping.
“This did feel like a violation of our privacy and we definitely didn’t give consent of this. After this incident we definitely did feel like we couldn’t relax.”
2. Tees Valley Apartments, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
Also scoring just two-and-a-half stars, this apart-hotel has been criticised for being dirty by reviews.
Despite this, the venue has scored well for location and value, whereas cleanliness and service have scored fairly low.
One person said: “Poorly maintained and violates fire safety regulations:
“1. No smoke alarm inside the apartment
“2. Smoke alarms (two) missing In the corridor just outside the apartment. The base plates “were there but the detectors were absent.
“3. Several lightbulbs missing from sockets
“4. Inadequate heating. I had to ask for a portable electric heater.
“5. Poor Internet connection and speed
“6. Poor staff support: unavailable during out of office hours. They provided a mobile number “for this, but no one answered despite numerous calls
“Would not return or recommend.”
3. Goosepool Hotel, Aviation Way Teesside International Airport, Darlington
Also sitting at two-and-a-half stars on TripAdvisor, this business has scored very low in most aspects with one-star in location, cleanliness and value and one-and-a-half stars in value.
This 18 room hotel is located on the former RAF Goosepool site and offers a licenced bar, a function room and “our famous Sunday Carvery”, according to its TripAdvisor description.
The most recent reviews have been fairly positive, however, some reviewers were not so kind.
One person said: “A shocking place.
“Cold water
“Cold rooms
“Food sometimes OK sometimes inedible
“Dregs clientelle - drunk swearing shouting waking you up at all hours
“Sometimes breakfast sometimes not
“Smells funny
“Staff clearly unhappy, management clearly don’t care
“WiFi DREADFUL despite claims it is high speed
“Mould on walls
“Complaints ignored
“Room had not been cleaned properly
“Wish I had taken photos - though who would have believed them I do not know
“Would I go back.
“No way.”
4. Alaxander Apartments, West Wear Street, Sunderland
This apart-hotel has received just two stars on TripAdvisor, with just one-stars in location, cleanliness and service.
Receiving five reviews four of them are just one star with many claiming that the business is in fact a “scam.”
One person said: “Booked at the last minute on Booking.com after finishing the C2C. Sat on the doorstep of the property (no sign or property name), outside was run down, peeling paint, looked unused) unable to get entry.
“Called the number provided in the auto response email. Rang out on 1st attempt, then straight to voice mail for the next 10 attempts to call them.
“Also sent an email. After sitting on the doorstep for 30 mins, cold, tired, decided to book another property ( directly, not through Booking.com).
“Property have taken my money. DO NOT USE THIS PROPERTY.”
5. Hartlepool Studios, Scarborough Street, Hartlepool
Described as “well-equipped accommodation” this apart-hotel as just one-and-a-half stars on TripAdvisor.
Again this venue has just one-star in location, service and value.
The building is just 3km from Seaton Carew Beach and 37km from Stadium of Light.
One person said: “Stayed here with my partner and nearly had to sleep outside. Probably would have preferred that as it was vile inside.
“First room had spiders on the walls, holes in the door, stunk of crap, dirty pillowcases. Everything was just horrible.
“Had a nightmare finding the place, paid nearly £20 for parking when we were told there was free parking available.
“It's so difficult to get hold of any "staff" for help. Key code on door for access was temperamental so we got locked out for 40 minutes at 3 in the morning and the contact number was 0 help.
“Would not stay again. Tried to complain but still haven't head anything back. Worst nights stay of my life by far.”
6. Alexander Prestige, Clayton St West, Newcastle upon Tyne
Another accommodation with poor reviews with just two-stars on TripAdvisor.
Reviewers have slammed the business for being “crooks” and “scammers.”
Alexander Prestige has received four reviews on TripAdvisor and three of them are one-star
One person said: “They cancelled our first booking as we were driving up at about 11am. They offered 3 replacements, 2 of which were out of the city centre. The replacement apartment was a one room studio.
"However, this was then also booked up - we learned this information as we arrived as there was no key in the lock box.
"It was 6pm at this point, so we were literally facing a night on the streets. Last option offered was a random house in Gateshead.
"No thanks, not what we booked, and I’d lost all trust and respect for these con artists.
"Customer service from start to finish was an absolute disgrace. They refused to give us any details about the property in the 2 weeks leading up to arrival.
"Clearly this is because they didn’t know where we’d be staying themselves.
They obviously overbook properties and just try and blag it on the day with each customer.
"The team of ‘receptionists’ were about as useful as a set of chocolate tea cups and were confused and hostile when I asked them complex questions such as ‘how many beds are there’ and ‘what is the parking situation’.
"The guy constantly refused to pick up the phone and speak to us, and the one time he did, he was extremely rude and told my partner to stop talking when she was telling him how terrible the customer service had been.
I have travelled across many continents, stayed in 3rd world countries and had to hurdle linguistic and cultural barriers when booking hotels in the past.
"However, this is categorically the worst experience I have ever had with accommodation booking."
The Northern Echo approached all establishment for a comment.
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