Okay so one thing that drives me nuts is poor customer service. So on my recent trip to Criccieth in North Wales, a trip that was difficult to start with as it was for my grandmothers funeral, I booked myself into what looked a good hotel, The George IV. My experience however was a nightmare. On checking in they claimed to have no booking for me, when I stated I had booked it over the phone and received email confirmation I was told that this was impossible as they didn’t have email. I pulled out my iPhone and pulled up my email and showed them the email I had received, oh they said yes she does have “the email”. They then asked how I would like to pay, I once again showed them the email and how it stated that I had paid in advance.
After checking in I was advised that the room wasn’t ready and it would be an hour or so, my mind being else where I asked if I could leave my luggage. They agreed I could leave it in the room, and sat there and pointed me in the direction of the lift. Well, I should have known at this point that I was in for a bad experience but as I said, my mind was elsewhere.
The lift looks like it was very much an afterthought and was more representative of a broom cupboard than anything else. I opted to struggle up the two flights of the stairs and found my way down the narrow corridors to the room.
The room was basic, but I didn’t intend on spending much time in it so I dropped off my bag and then made my way to my Nan’s house.
Later that evening I made my back to the hotel and was in desperate need of a beer and headed for the bar with my laptop to catch up on email. I was just settling into my second pint when I felt a drip on my neck. Before I knew it the staff were running in with buckets as water started to pour through the light fittings.
I quickly grabbed my laptop and placed it in its case. I asked the staff what was going on and they simply shrugged. I asked to see the manager and this disheveled Italian man appeared. I asked what was going on and if it was safe and it assured me that it was a small leak and suggested I go to bed and not worry about it. I told him that I wasn’t convinced and that water and electricity generally didn’t work well together and asked him to reassure me that it was safe. At this point he lost it and ordered me to go to bed. I wasn’t persuaded but headed to my room. When I saw that not only was water dripping through the light fitting in my room, but it had gone all over the suit that I was due to wear to the funeral I completely lost it. I collected my belongings and left.
I checked myself into the Marine Hotel and I received a lovely welcome. I explained what had happened and they looked knowingly at me. I had a fantastic stay there and the couple that run it were very pleasant and accommodating. The hotel itself was lovely and clean, and the rooms were very homely and comfortable. The price was significantly less that the George, and breakfast was included.
