2/10 Terrible
Jonathan, Guildford
9 Feb 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Bland, dated and massively overpriced. We checked out early with a sigh of relief.
It was meant to be a treat. I booked the best suite at Greyfriars for a weekend away with my wife. It was a Christmas present and we paid £720 for two nights. For £720, I could've bought her a Hermes scarf and had change. We could've gone to somewhere sunny for a week, but no, I booked us into Greyfriars in Colchester. I don't think my relationship will ever recover.
When you pay £720 you do expect a certain standard, a level of luxury. You don't expect to have to pay a security deposit of £50 as you check in, but that's the "welcome" that we got on arrival.
The decor was dated, stuck in the 1970s, all swirly carpets and peacock curtains. The furniture felt like it been bulk bought from Beefeater Inns. There was no hint of luxury.
The first suite (Suite 1) to which we were shown was unheated (and the heating couldn't be made to work), a higgledy-piggledy mess spread out over three floors. We got switched to Suite 17. It was at least heated (for now), but still a random collection of rooms and bathrooms dysfunctionally organised.
The meals were fodder rather than a pleasure.
The staff were pleasant enough, but I think that they would be happier if they could work in a place of which they could be proud
Jonathan
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025