The Blue Keys Hotel, Southampton

This property is not what it is advertised as — it is a rooming house in a middle-class neighborhood. It is not a charming English inn. Outside are is run-down. Given the lack of a true reception/office and staff on the property, it is questionable as to whether they truly are running a legitimate business.

Felt very unsafe and left.

there was no one there when I arrived, the keys were in a lock box and I had no code. there was supposed to be a restaurant and bar, they did not exist. There was no elevator, I didn't even look at my room, I found another hotel and now I'll get my credit card company to deal with getting my money back.
Be aware, this is not a real hotel but a boarding house and the rate is a total rip off. Also, it was in the suburbs so there were no restaurants within walking distance.

I don't recommend this place. Don't be fooled by the old reviews on this site, or the hotel web pages!

It is advertised as a hotel, bar and a restaurant, but it is closer to a self service hostel without a reception. Unfortunately we stayed in this place a month ago and had a subpar experience. You check-in online via a form and get the keys from a lockbox. The place is rundown, there is no restaurant in the premises any more, no breakfast, any services, nor staff. Common areas had dirty footprints from some shady looking maintenance crew that was occupying most of the parking lot when we arrived. Most of the common areas I assume were lounge or restaurant previously were locked down. The room we stayed in reeked of strong cleaning chemicals and were bare.

They advertise "Free private parking on-site", however, upon asking for a permit that was required by signs, they never brought one and instead said we would be allowed to park there. Next morning we received a £60 parking notice. When confronting the company via phone, they said "a manager" will take care of it, not to worry. After multiple days and calls later I never received a written confirmation the issue had been taken care of nor was their "manager" ever available to discuss the topic. After the appeals with the parking management company failed, I had to pay the notice myself.

In a week time i still didn't receive an invoice from the owner.

The hotel is current operated in Airbnb mode. No staff station in the hotel to service customer and guest can call staff by mobile for assistance and in general they staff is polite and friendly.

When I arrived I was confronted with a locked door, surrounded by cobwebs. I had to phone a mobile number and gain access via a key safe. There are no staff in the premises and no facilities. If an establishment is calling itself a hotel but isn’t offering any sort of meal or on site facilities then this should be clearly stated. The room I booked was listed as a standard double, but the double bed was pushed up against a wall due to space. This makes it a small double. It had no desk, no glasses for water and there wasn’t even anywhere to hang clothes. The bathroom had an unpleasant smell and a bottle of Radox was the toiletries. The only positives were that it was clean and the shower was good. All in all overpriced and not to be recommended.

Short break away for retail therapy

Totally fantastic stay, lovely room great facilities , lovely staff at breakfast , cannot fault the hotel , will stay again

Very friendly and professional staff. Breakfast was plentiful and good. Rooms large and bed comfortable.

Delightful accommodation. Family run with great food!

The staff were very friendly and helpful. Property was very close to the train centre as well eithin walking distance to the theatre.

The staff wete friendly anf efficient . Wonderful breakfasts. Thr hotel was a terrific find. Highly recommended.

Very nice facility, only draw back is no lift or elavator. Very nice breakfast, very friendly staff. Clean and a goog location.

Excellent accommodation. Modern, immaculate, excellent service and great breakfast.

Excellent Inn and onsight restaurant. Breakfast was excellent and dinner was very good. Very quaint room and lovely staff. Room needed a mirror near an outlet to use a blow dryer and curling iron. Mirror was too far away. Bathroom needed a shelf to put toiletries on. All in all a lovely stay in Southampton.

Nice friendly hotel, food good, bar nice and live music which was unexpected. 2nd floor rooms a bit dated and need attention.

We reserved a room with a king bed and breakfast. All was terrific! Our room was the one with the bay window at the bottom right of the photo. We would stay here again if/when we cruise out off Southampton again.

Overall, the Blue Keys is an excellent small hotel. It does not have an elevator, and rooms 7-10 are three levels up, so pack your necessities in a smaller bag, and leave your large bags at the ground level. Excellent restaurant! My wife and I realized after an excellent breakfast, we should have eaten at the hotel the evening before.

Food very good also public area well decorated and relaxing.Our bedroom need updating e.g.New carpet and paintwork Shower needed to be cleaned better

Clean, excellent food from the restaurant, very flexible to change the menu according to me needs ( I am diabetic). Breakfast was delicious with fruits, cold cuts, cheese, yogurt. Towels were huge, shower strong and hot. Hotel was quiet. Staff were extremely friendly. I will need to return to Southampton soon, and will stay again in the same hotel.