I paid £180 for one night at Alexander House, and with that price tag, my expectations were high.
Unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing. The room decor (Chelsea) was tired, dated, and in a shocking state of disrepair (see attached photos).
Chipped tiles, threaded carpets, cracked paint, worn furniture, water-damaged artwork, and general stains were just some of the obvious problems. These issues clearly weren’t recent, indicating long-term neglect and a lack of attention to maintenance – something the management should be ashamed of, as it shows guests are not being prioritised.
Additionally, the swimming pool required an additional £40 payment since it’s in the spa area, which felt like a cheap money grab given the already steep room rate. The garden sauna, which could have been a small consolation, wasn’t heating properly either.
When I raised these issues with the duty manager a few hours after check-in, he was friendly and professional. He explained that in ‘similar situations’ an upgrade was often offered. While the second room we moved to was in better condition, it was frustrating and inconvenient to have to repack and move across the hotel, especially during what was meant to be a rare, relaxing break with my partner.
Disappointingly, other areas of the hotel showed similar signs of poor maintenance – from broken tiles to stained carpets. Given the price and the hotel’s supposed reputation, this stay fell far below expectations.
