KeithRobson14

“Hotel from Hell”

This is the first review I’ve ever posted online, but I had such a terrible experience at Samson Hall Hotel it feels like my duty to warn other potential customers. What was meant to be a wonderful celebration felt more like an episode of a bad comedy show!

Samson Hall is not the kind of place we’d usually stay, because I don’t earn much as a library assistant and my wife only works part-time. But our silver wedding anniversary was approaching and I wanted to take Pam somewhere special. When I saw an advert offering half price rooms during November I thought, why not push the boat out for once? The place looked magnificent in the photos, surrounded by parkland and with a real log fire in the reception. I booked three nights and couldn’t wait to surprise my wife.

As the holiday weekend came around, I made the three-hour drive from our home town to the hotel, but I didn’t tell Pam where we were going. I think she was a bit nervous! But as we turned off down a country lane and Samson Hall came into view, she looked thrilled. I was excited, too, imagining a hearty dinner and reading in front of that gorgeous fire.

The outside of the hotel was impressive, but when we walked into the entrance hall we got a nasty shock. It was dim, the fire wasn’t lit, and we actually shivered though we were wearing coats. There was nobody behind the reception desk. Pam waited in the lobby and I wandered down a corridor until I found the kitchen, where two women in black were standing on chairs. An anxious-looking man had a broom over his shoulder.

It took me a moment to understand what they were doing, but then it dawned on me: there was a rat, or a mouse, or – well, something that shouldn’t have been in a food preparation area. I probably should have picked up our bags and driven right home. But instead I kept quiet about what I’d seen, and reassured Pam that someone was coming in a minute. I suppose I wasn’t ready to accept I might have wasted a lot of time and money.

After 20 minutes we finally got the key to our room, which was a bit dusty but spacious, at least. We had just lain down to relax before dinner when the phone rang. I answered it, with a rising sense of panic.

“Hello, this is reception. I’m afraid there won’t be any restaurant service tonight. There’s a problem with the, uh, oven. I’m very sorry about that.”

A problem with the oven! A problem with four-legged guests, more like. I covered my frustration as I told Pam I’d read about a fantastic Chinese restaurant in town, and that I thought she deserved a treat. Put your best dress on! I smiled tightly. She seemed pleased with the suggestion and padded into the bathroom. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Almost as soon as the shower started up, I heard a scream.

Dashing into the room, fearing Pam had injured herself, I followed her eyes to the floor of the bath and saw the pile of dirty bandages. Even now I can’t imagine what they were doing there, but it was a disgusting sight. I decided right then that we were leaving. We told the receptionist about the bandages and he didn’t even seem surprised. He apologised, of course, but didn’t offer us another room, or a discount, or any of the things you might expect. It was like the staff had received no training at all.

In the end, we went to that Chinese restaurant – the Crystal Inn – and their hot and sour soup comes highly recommended! I wish I could say the same about Samson Hall, but our special weekend turned into a nightmare. I did learn one important lesson: it’s wise to be suspicious of bargain offers! Next time I’ll stick with a cheap and cheerful guesthouse.