The Britannia Hotel in Coventry has been described as resembling a "dirty prison cell," according to a travel expert's review. The hotel, part of a chain that has been named Britain's worst for the 12th year running by consumer group Which?, offers rooms starting at £49.
The exterior of the Coventry location is characterized as a "dirty concrete jungle." Upon entering, the atmosphere is tense, with limited English spoken by both guests and reception staff. Notices at reception warn of 24-hour audio and video surveillance and require photo ID for check-in, with a strict "no chip and pin means no check-in" policy.
The assigned room, number 521, was reached via a "grubbiest of lifts." Inside, the inspector found a loose bath panel, a flickering ceiling light, a dangling shower attachment, and windows too dirty to see through. The room was also equipped with only one bedside lamp, a small bottle of water, and a creaking mattress.
Attempts to dine at the hotel's restaurant, Bentley's, proved challenging. Despite dinner service reportedly running until 9 p.m., staff initially claimed nothing was available due to a prior coach party. After a brief confrontation between reception and the chef, the inspector was allowed to serve themselves from a buffet that included roast gammon, fishcakes, roast and mashed potatoes, soggy broccoli, and gravy.
Breakfast was also a difficult experience. The "room only" rate meant paying an additional £12.50 for breakfast, which included fried eggs swimming in fat, baked beans with a crust, and instant coffee from sachets. The restaurant manager directed the guest to a box of Nescafe sachets when asked for coffee.
Britannia Hotels is owned by Alex Langsam, who is reportedly worth £400 million. Langsam founded the chain nearly 50 years ago and also purchased Pontins in 2011. An email request for comment to the head office regarding the Which? report received no response. Langsam was quoted in 2011 stating the company's record of adopting "neglected properties" and making "the necessary investment to restore them to their former glory." However, the inspector's experience at the Coventry hotel suggests a lack of recent investment and a continued state of neglect.