Hastings House

The property features clean, well-appointed rooms with modern amenities and friendly service. Guests appreciate the delicious breakfast and convenient location near the beach and town. However, there were no negative comments.

I arrived to find the building dark and a note on the door telling me to call for entry. I spoke to a lady who explained the owner had been called away on a family emergency and the b&b was unattended. I got the key via the key box and found my way to my room on the second floor. As a lone traveller I was already very uncomfortable with the whole set up but even more so to find my bedroom door wide open for anyone to gain access! The room itself was adequate but no hand soap or mini bar and it was utterly freezing! I called again and was told I’d need to go downstairs and put the heating on myself. I was already dressed for bed but I was too cold to relax so I got dressed and went in search of the thermostat which was located in reception. Another couple arrived into the building and they assisted me as we couldn’t even find the lights. The thermostat had been left at 15 so obviously they had ensured the guests would have no heating all night. The next morning I came downstairs for breakfast to be asked whether the heating had come on when I said it hadn’t the lady retorted that the rest of the hotel was like a sauna when she arrived in the morning - lucky them! Breakfast was full English, poached eggs or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. I prefer a lighter breakfast, fruit and perhaps a pastry but this wasn’t an option so I went for the poached eggs. Pretty hard boiled unfortunately but the coffee was good. Finally when I came to leave and pay, the card machine was broken so I was asked to leave my card number, including the three digit security number. I quickly realised I’d made a silly mistake doing this and had to cancel my card, later making arrangements for a bank transfer into the owners personal account (upon their request!) I’m felt like I’d spent a night at Fawlty Towers to be honest. As a business traveller, my safety is a priority and this place failed on so many levels. When emergencies happen, the business owner should have a contingency plan, not leave guests to fend for themselves!