The Carlton Hotel

AVOID unless you're desperate! Booked double room for a few days in July 2026. It's a very big and very old building; the exterior, interior and rooms are now decrepit. We arrived very late. The night receptionist checked us in and was polite and helpful, but did not offer help with our bags. Four burly, bearded, middle-eastern looking men that he seemed to know were huddled together in the reception area playing close attention to what sounded like a live feed of USA aircraft movements played on one of their phones, which felt intimidating. The only lift was not working and had been out of action for at least three weeks - in peak season. The stairs from ground to first floor -the main thoroughfare in and out of the hotel - were dirty, dangerously worn and slippery and have shallow treads - and lighting is poor. An accident waiting to happen, particularly heading downwards. Our room was on first floor, with a view of a derelict waste area and a noisy ventilation system - that sounded like hail on a tin roof - immediately outside; that started up at 6am. The door was insecure, held shut only by a Yale-type snap lock. There was no safe. The room was easy to enter without a key so we wedged a chair against the door at night and kept our valuables on us when out. The room had a walk in shower (the door of which flashed with the sink when half open). If we wanted hot or warm water (as most of us do) we had to *wait for it to come through with tap running for at least ten minutes* (confirmed by staff). Bed was a short, narrow double and comfortable enough. We secured a move to another room two days later, but that was little better and every morning we saw other guests complaining about their rooms and the appalling state of the place. There is no longer a bar or any entertainment at this "hotel", it's just a cheap and nasty flop house and there seemed to be middle Eastern migrants staying there as well as holidaymakers. Breakfast is available for an exorbitant £15 per night each (but don't bother, on previous visits we found it crap - a decent breakfast is available cheaper elsewhere, try Sarah's Tearoom across the road!). All staff we saw were Turkish and male, including those making up the rooms. Presumably the hotel has been taken over and been admitted to go to the dogs by its new owners and the local council.

Unfortunately I’m disabled and there is no lift so being told we were on the second floor was a nightmare for me as I have to travel down stairs backwards.

It’s a Victorian hotel so don’t expect modern setting but it’s very good value for money and very good location

We booked sea view rooms. They wasn’t. I was abruptly told there was nothing we could do. There was no manger on site. The place is a shambles. Don’t bother