Grand Hotel Swanage

No air conditioning though they did provide fan and window opened wide

Lack of air conditioning in room

Some areas needed smartening up.

Parking

I feel as though it functions more like a B & B rather than a hotel. Room was small & cramped, we were actually asked if we wanted our room cleaned every day, which I found bizzare - surely everyone wants a clean room everyday. You cannot really order food to the room like normal hotels, there is a gym advertised which in terms of facilities is great but opening hours start really late. I like to get my workout done 7 in the morning and then start my day - I didn't want to wait around until 9am and 10am on opening for gym on weekends. No AC, which in this weather is tough to cope with. A little dated in decor but as soon as you walk into the garden and see the beach all is forgotten. Needs to be bought up to date a little to be a real competitor.

Shower Water pressure could be better.

A number of things could be improved.

The reception staff were very rude on arrival and due to the fact we had booked through booking .com we wasn’t welcome and was quite happy to point out breakfast wasn’t included. We were told on arrival that restaurant booking for that day was limited so we booked there and then. When we tried to book for other evenings they were fully booked. Over the stay we noted that the restaurant had tables free on all evenings so don’t know why we couldn’t book.
There is no air conditioning in the rooms they just supply a fan in this very hot weather.

Breakfast rather disappointing - my husband ordered an omelette but it failed to appear.
However we were compensated for this when we checked out.
There seemed to be a shortage of staff.
Lovely to meet and talk with a delightful member of staff in the bar, whose name we can't remember.
Staff very friendly.

מלון ישן בלי מיזוג, לא היה מקרר בחדרים. בהתחלה קיבלנו חדר עם חלון אחד קטן בצד ולא ממש נוף לים החדרים לא אחידים וצריך לבדוק טוב איזה חדר מקבלים לא כל החדרים נראים כמו בתמונות. ארוחת הבוקר הייתה בהגשה ונאלצנו להמתין לה הרבה זמן.

Nothing in particular.

Parking facilities could be better for disabled people. The live band was extremely loud.

The lack of car parking spaces was a real issue. The hotel had warned there were only a few spaces. The situation is exacerbated by people parking on the surrounding roads to visit the beach.

We were expecting a larger spa area. The gym equipment was acceptable but the pool was very small and there wasn’t a steam room. The hot tub and sauna were lovely though.

For >£200 per night (room only) we expected rather more. We stayed 2 nights but the room was not visited in the middle day so bed not made and tea and milk not topped up. I don't expect to be told either that the water from the bathroom taps is OK to drink if we boil it(!). I accept it is an old (well Victorian) building and the pressure from the tap seemed sufficiently high so maybe they were playing safe but, again, for the price why not have bottled water in the room rather than having to take up a jug from the bar? The swimming pool is very small and with tiny shower cubicles in the male changing room with the unpleasant prospect of having to pass very closely to two urinals between the shower and the changing area. When we checked out and paid for drinks and meals we weren't asked whether we had enjoyed our stay, just thank you for your payment.

We paid for a 'Superior Double' Room which was small and in that context, poor value and below expectations. We also paid for e 'Deluxe Double (Twin)' room, which was even smaller, also not particularly good value for its size.
Facilities were consistent with a 3 Star Hotel but small things like a kettle that boiled under the TV and a coffee machine with a detachable water tank, right next to 13A electrical sockets, did not impress.
The en-suite shower room became dripping with condensation, after each use. The floor becoming dangerous and slippery, when wet. The extractor fan just seemed to make nose and do very little extracting.
The shower drain blocked after first use. This was however resolved in an afternoon, by the hotel.
The noises from the adjacent room toilet, sink and shower, were loud and extremely intrusive.
Having to get drinking water in jugs, from the bar was a bit of pain. Guests are advised not to drink the tap water.
Car parking is limited.