The Cumberland - Norwich, United Kingdom 

I stayed here as part of a group who had a function in the function room annex. The function room was fine and the food all ok etc., but the main hotel was absolutely awful. Our room had doors that would not pass a fire safety test: they only opened enough to let a thin person squeeze through. There was no hot water, the bathroom was dirty, the bedroom stank of smoke and we couldn't open the window. We left after an uncomfortable night and didn't even stay for breakfast. On checkout the staff didn't seem to care at all when we told them our room was bad (we'd been fobbed off the night before with the "It's all we've got and we're full" excuse) and the hotel had a cheek to charge us the price of a 3* room when it was clearly just scraping 1* if that. Don't go there!!!!

Booked for one night via tourist hotel web site. PICTURES LOOKED GOOD. But then they would because they are the only selling point this flea pit has to its name. Check in was ok, but I kept wondering why the lighting was so low. Paid up front which was a big mistake. Shown to our room, and I stood still in silence for some minutes aghast at our sudden trip back in time. One poor bulb struggled to illuminate our damp, smelly, antiquated room. The carpet must have been laid down in 1971 or before. The bath room really upset my wife it was a shock to see damp, wallpaper peeling off, and mould growing in every corner. After some discussion we decided to leave and seek a refund. Our request for a refund was met with various excuses, but we did look at another room, with was no better. The only member of staff tried to speak with the manager but no luck. I spoke to the French supervisor who said without the manger present no refund could be offered. Come back in the morning when the manager is back in. Finally we were offered a room in the next building. My wife went and checked this out, came back and said in view of the late hour we had better take it. When I saw the room I had to laugh. The luggage rack only had 3 straps, curtains falling off. Windows which would not close, hot water eventually, shower head blocked with lime scale, dirty shower, mould again. But the best part was the bed, you could feel the springs in the mattress trying to burst throught the fabric and impel themselves into your back. We got a online discount for a double at £49.00 normal rates are at around £69 a double room. Dont waste your cash ! Book the Travel Inn or Holiday Inn. Breakfast is not included thank God ,with rooms in such poor conditions I was grateful no to try the food no doubt cooked in damp mouldy conditions. On departure surprise surprise, no manager. This is not value for money and I pity any poor sole who ends up staying at castle Dracular. Yes they will take your blood and money. Dont ignore your internal alarm bells like we did, don't pay for a room until you have seen the accommodation first. The decor in this hotel has to be seen to be believed, everything bodged and cheap. Furniture which I last saw in my great Aunts house back in 1964 and she was 88 then. I wish the Hotel Inspector from the Mail On Saturday would stay a night and write this one up. In a straight contest Faulty Towers would win this battle, indeed it would win the war.