I stayed at Scarborough's notorious 'hell hole' hotel - here's what I thought
The Scarborough Grand Hotel, a well-known establishment in the seaside town of North Yorkshire, has a reputation that some might describe as notorious rather than famous.
On TripAdvisor, a go-to resource for many travellers, it holds a modest two-and-a-half star rating. However, with over 10,000 reviews, there's certainly plenty to discuss - something I found out during a summer visit to Scarborough, timed to coincide with Johnny Marr and The Charlatans performing at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre.
A quick glance at the most recent TripAdvisor entries for the Grand Hotel (at the time of writing) perfectly encapsulates its polarising status. Two one-star reviews, including one titled 'do not book this hell hole', are followed by a glowing five-star review.
While opinions may differ greatly, it's hard to deny the historic beauty of the Britannia-run venue, located on St Nicholas Cliff. Inside, there's a sense of traditional elegance, oddly reminiscent of The Overlook's ballroom from The Shining.
And with some guests recounting horror stays, though not quite reaching the depths of Stephen King's dark imagination, the comparison isn't entirely misplaced, reports Yorkshire Live.
Many complaints have been lodged in recent years about the long check-in queues at Scarborough Grand Hotel, a point also noted by one of my former colleagues in a review a few years ago. While I personally find a 4pm check-in somewhat late, I'm happy to report that there were attentive staff across the reception area who quickly provided our group with keys for our lads' seaside Saturday.
Observing the hustle and bustle of the Grand operation, I couldn't help but notice a slight Fawlty Towers-esque charm on a couple of occasions. Understandably, this won't appeal to everyone, but I found it rather endearing.
The iconic Grand Hotel has been a fixture in the town's South Bay since 1867, standing mostly proudly. In recent years, there have been significant claims from customers and political statements about what needs to be done to restore the shine to this Grade II-listed building that truly deserves to impress.
As you ascend through the hotel's staircases and corridors, it's hard to deny that the Scarborough Grand Hotel could do with a fresh coat of paint. This sentiment was echoed in the twin room I shared with my friend.
The room can best be described as functional, albeit a bit worn. But then again, I've been called much worse things.
The venue, which once hosted Winston Churchill during a party conference and King Edward VIII, offered a significant upgrade from my previous stay. On that occasion, the only available room was a windowless basement dwelling during Lionel Richie's visit to Scarborough.
This time, I had a room with a sea view. Despite the 'dynamic pricing' lessons we've learned from Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, the £105 I paid for a summer event Saturday didn't seem too steep. Anyone who has tried to find accommodation on a Scarborough Open Air Theatre event day will likely agree that prices can be much higher.
The hotel boasts restaurants, cafe bar areas, and a 400-seater cabaret ballroom. Its best feature is probably the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea - just beware of the bold Scarborough seagulls.
After returning from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, where The Smiths' music echoed across North Bay, I must commend the hotel staff. They were incredibly helpful when one of our group found himself feeling a bit rough after the night's celebrations.
When faced with the choice between friendly staff or pristine facilities, it can leave you feeling torn. However, I'd always opt for the former.
That said, a bit of investment could certainly help the Grand Hotel in Scarborough improve its facilities. The modestly sized single bed provided the necessary rest to recover from a hangover and muster the energy for the journey south.
In terms of the quality of experience, when compared to another Scarborough establishment like The Crown Spa Hotel, there's no contest. But it would be unfair not to mention that the Grand met all the basic requirements for my trip.
I left feeling satisfied after an enjoyable weekend. While this may sound like faint praise, based on my recent visit, the hotel wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.
All jokes aside, I believe everyone wants the Scarborough Grand Hotel to reclaim its past splendour. Although it still has a long way to go, it served its purpose during my visit to the North Yorkshire seaside...and that's at least a start.
If you fancy giving the venue a whirl, you can book a stay at the Scarborough Grand Hotel here.
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