Royal Victoria Hotel

My impression of the hotel is that it falls far short of the description given on the website, “faded splendour” giving way to “becoming tatty”. Very disappointing! I had booked a suite and was given room 214 on arrival. Entering the room, I found it to be soulless and minimally furnished - not warm and welcoming at all. Seeing the spiral staircase leading to the upper area which contains the bed, bathroom and wardrobes I realised that the cases would have to be carried up the stairs – a daunting and difficult task for people nearing 80. So returned to reception to explain the problem and request another room without this feature, only to be told that no other was available. OK, so if an at level suite was not available, another type of room could have been offered but it was not. In view of the stated difficulties, I would have expected some offer of assistance with luggage, but none was forthcoming. With some difficulty, the cases were taken up and clothes unpacked. The room itself. As said, it was sparse and unwelcoming but the following features also became apparent: - • A sea view but over the untidy roof of reception also made difficult by the salt caked windows. • No practical sea view from the bedroom. • Furniture that was becoming “tired” – chipped and worn. • Peeling and chipped paintwork. • Paper peeling from the ceiling above the bed. • Mould in the bathroom on the tiles and behind the grab handle of the bath. • A chip in the enamel of the bath. • A small raised area at the top of the stairs with a step up and down when crossing and down into the bathroom – a serious potential trip hazard, particularly during the dark. This did nothing to improve our initial impression. With the weather being wet and two out of the three restaurants I had shortlisted from web research, it was decided to eat in the Sea View restaurant, Reception advised that due to the shortage of staff (one person only serving and tending the bar) an early booking was advised. The food was of poor quality and the menu and wine list bore no relationship to that on the website. The scallops I ordered were overcooked and with much too much accompanying sauce. The breaded cod turned out not to be cooked so was rejected and replaced after a wait, only for it to be equally bad. The assembly of undercooked vegetables with the dish was bizarre and unrelated to the fish. All in all, not the quality experience promised in your website. The receptionist took payment for only two of our planned 5-night stay - “in case of problems” - and I am glad she did. The next day we advised of our earlier departure and used up one day of our holiday riding over to Rye to find and book another hotel. I have to say that the reception staff were indifferent. On our return from Rye, we were faced with a terrible chemical smell in the room which turned out to be a faulty refrigerator. which was eventually removed but the hotel staff such as they were seemed to have no grasp f the signif