Radisson Blu Portman Hotel

The hotel is situated in a good area if you are there for tourism.

Staff is polite and nice, especially at the bar in the evening.

Rooms are clean and confortable.

The only thing is that at Breakfast they are probably understaffed during the weekend, we had to wait more than 15 minutes for 1 cappucino.

The hotel was OK, but not great. The food (breakfast) was particularly weak, not much choice, and rather plain. The room was small and "old" The location is great, close to everything, and that was important to me.

Firstly let me tell you about reception. I am in a good place to judge as it took me 3 attempts and 1 hour before I finally got a room.

When I arrived I had to wait for 10 mins to check in as there was a queue which was not surprising given that I was checking in at 7pm which is normally a popular time. However when I got to the desk the concierge without acknowledging me went over to the receptionist and started arguing with her about a taxi he had been asked to call for a customer. I waited another 2 mins whilst they bickered and eventually was asked my name. I was given my key and directed to my room.

When I arrived I discovered I had a room opposite the lifts and the ice machine (always a good spot for a comfortable nights sleep – not) and also that I was in a single bedded room. When I book my rooms I always book a double room for single occupancy and this is what I had on my confirmation. I went to reception and waited another 10 mins for service. During this period I was treated to the concierge lecturing one of his team on recording his overtime. I know it is difficult but surely such conversations should be had out of the hearing of guests!

When I got to talk to the second receptionist and asked for my double room I received a quite indignant lecture from her on the “policy” of the Radisson being to always give a single room to a single person. When I showed her my confirmation she relented but was clearly not happy I had not agreed to follow her policy. This was despite my paying a double room rate.

Up in the lifts again – I then arrived in I think what are call their oriental styled rooms. This just means a big wooden painted headboard (which I doubt is comfortable) and a lacquered table. However, the room was disgusting. The table was stained. The floor was stained and the carpet was so bare in places there were gaps exposing the floor. The shower was dirty and the fan above the shower was thick with dust. I rang reception to complain and was asked to go back down.

Third time down I was preparing myself for the usual 10 minute wait and for the insights of the concierge but fortunately the first receptionist spotted me and gave me a key to a new room. Back up in the lifts again. The third room was cleaner than the first although it had marks over most of the paintwork and an opened shampoo bottle in the shower. Frankly though I was so exhausted with the whole process I thought I would just stay put and turned the lights on. Only to discover only one of the three lights worked. I called reception to be treated to a lecture on the Radisson “policy” of every day checking the lights worked. At the end of this I was then offered another room but I would have to go back to reception which I could not stand or they would send an engineer. He arrived after 10 mins and changed the bulbs which were not working.

There were some positives. I could not face going out after it took me so long to checkg in so I ordered room service and had the most delicious bolognaise. It came with spaghetti rather than the tagletelli I had asked for but in any event it was fabulous. However on top of the price advertised for room service I was also charged a £3 tray charge!!!

The barman was nice and very knowledgeable letting me sample wines before selecting a glass and the breakfast was lovely.

However – I would not stay there again for all the tea in China. In my opinion they need to focus more on service than on the CSR messages they have around the hotel including a television channel which tells you all about Radisson and its policies. Also no way is this four star. The three rooms I had were all worst than you would get in a Travel Inn.

Save your cash and go somewhere else - unless you have fond memories of Basil Fawlty and want to experience a similar level of service.