Skegness OYO Royal Hotel

We stayed here for 4 nights, as part of a coach group, which appears to be their main source of income, so it is mainly geared for people of a certain age (elderly and/or infirm). Entertainment, not every night, was aimed accordingly. Good location, opposite the beach, although you can't see it - or currently access it, as metal gates fence it off - from the hotel. About 10 minutes level walk to the clock tower/shops. The Royal is a lovely, attractive building, but is in need of major refurbishment. Everything, from carpets to an extremely dilapidated red leather sofa, in the bar lounge, which is a danger to sit on, needs replacing. But "you gets what you pay for" so, if you book The Royal, don't expect anything more than 2-3 star. The whole hotel seems very under-staffed. We were on a dinner, bed and breakfast deal and the food wasn't great and some of it was inedible, but we didn't starve! Breakfast (buffet style) was better than dinner, but, if you aren't an early bird, don't expect it to be more than just off cold, as the heat trays don't do a good job. None of us saw any cleaners during the whole time we were there and we think rooms are only serviced when you ask for it and, even then, it's haphazard and half-hearted... i.e. day after arrival, room not touched at all, next day (after informing Reception), beds pulled over, bin emptied, clean towels, but cups unwashed and dirty wet towels left in shower tray, 4th day beds roughly pulled over, dirty towels left, cups still dirty, not enough towels left. During our entire stay, a hoover wasn't seen by any of us throughout the whole hotel. The staff we did encounter were, for the most part, helpful and friendly and a gold star to the night porter (the one married to the lovely bingo caller), who also worked tirelessly in the bar - a credit to the hotel. On the negative side, one senior member of staff, who worked in the bar and restaurant (and we all know who she is!) needs, in our opinion, to go on an anger management course. I'm sure that, when not working and not stressed, she is a perfectly nice lady, but, in the restaurant and behind the bar, she is rude, abrupt and bossy to the customers most of the time. An announcement was made during the evening on the first night saying that people must be polite to the staff (which I totally agree with!), but that works two ways and this particular member of staff needs to take that on board.

Stopped for 1 night, the room we had was comfortable and quiet. The hotel is only a short walk to the main strip, it was what we was needing. Also there was plenty of parking both at the front and rear of the hotel. Only small issue was there was a lack of staff around breakfast time.

Avoid at all costs! This hotel does not look like the advertised photos! It is awful! From arriving in the car park to overgrown borders full of weeds a kitchen bin sat out at the front, plastic plants in the doorway that should be in a skip! Carpets threadbare and full of marks and stains. Walls with dirty marks all over and dusty cobwebs in the bathroom! No staff and a complete lack of customer service!

If you could rate a hotel a 0 then this would be it . Do not be fooled by the pictures of this hotel as this does not reflect the current state of this hotel. From arrival to leaving ,the whole experience went from bad to worse . Rooms double booked , then downgraded and then down graded again . Very little staff and service is like something out of Fawlty towers . The rooms are dated and full of cobwebs. There isn’t a carpet which isn't thread bare and a trip hazard . The seating area in the bar area is old , dated and ready for a skip . Breakfast is self service and the dining area is filthy .

Sad to say after many years of visiting we will not be returning. Rooms are not clean and everything appears 'grubby'. Used to love staying here but it needs a lot of care.

Great location 10 minute walk to the Centre. Free Car Parking Breakfast and breakfast included. Although the decor is dated it is spotless clean and comfortable. It just need updating and modernising. The staff are very good and helpful We will definitely stay again.