Stratford Limes

I’m not sure who is writing these 5 star reviews but, if they are legitimate, the writers certainly weren’t staying at the same property we visited last week. Our disappointment began as we entered the car park. Ominously, ours was the only car. There was a skip containing a dirty mattress and broken furnishings in full view. There were rat boxes near the decking area which in itself was in a sad state of deterioration. The limited grounds were full of weeds. On entry it was clear that the property is in need of a total refurbishment both inside and out with dirty, worn carpets, furnishings and just generally tatty all round. In every corner, on every windowsill and in the public loo area lay copious amounts of dead flies. The reception area (certainly not very welcoming) looked like a run down student digs circa 1980s ‘ The Young Ones’ with scuffed walls, gaps between the flooring and skirting boards and ripped covers on seating showing exposed woodwork underneath. The manager gave us the room keys. He explained that there was no food on site but we could get a Chinese takeaway and eat it in our room if we wished. Generously, he said he’d provide plates and a fork. Mentally, we both declined the hospitality. At this point, the glances we were exchanging with each other showed that we both understood we’d been misled …. This was definitely not ‘boutique’ or ‘deluxe’ - instead its best description ought to be ‘ crumbling flop house’. The worst was yet to come. On entering our “Deluxe” room, we were greeted by a large blue bottle which was obviously missing its many friends that lay dead in every corner of the room. A quick overview of the room and we both concluded that we were definitely not prepared to sleep there. The window did not open properly - barely an inch. The furniture was worn and grotty with dated fittings and dirty carpets so, with the worst suspicions confirmed, we decided leave pronto. We did not have anywhere else to stay at that point but we were absolutely not sleeping in that room. So, after just less than 15 minutes of being in the entire property, we left the room and asked the Manager for a refund. He asked what was the problem and we explained the premises was grotty with dead flies everywhere. The manager did not understand the word ‘grotty’ so the definition was provided and he did not argue. We were given a number to call for a supposed 24/7 customer service helpline , but (at 3pm) the two calls we made remained unanswered. We spoke to the manager again who, after communicating with someone else via What’s App, agreed that we would be refunded in 2 to 3 days. The refund never arrived and so, after several email exchanges with the shirty Customer Service representative Nitika, we have received an apology that the room “didn’t meet our expectations” but that, in this case, they decided our complaints do not warrant a refund. We have therefore been left with no other option but to raise a Chargeback on the creditcard used to pay for the booking. The pictures shown on TripAdvisor are not representative of what the hotel looks like now and must have been taken at least ten years ago. The hotel is described as “Boutique” on its website and the room we booked as “Deluxe” but the hotel is anything but “Boutique” and the room we booked certainly not “Deluxe”. In fact, the use of these terms by The Limes Hotel Stratford is a blatant infringement of the Trade Descriptions Act. Luckily, after our hasty retreat from The Limes fleapit we found a gem of a hotel with a fabulous restaurant, a room available, and no more than two minutes away from the shambles we left in our rear view mirror. We have reviewed this better hotel with our honest appraisal which left no complaints. The Limes proprietors should be ashamed of themselves and should look to their neighbouring business to see how hospitality should be done. The photos are from when we had left the room and were taken whilst asking for a refund in reception. We should have had the presence of mind to take more, but be sure … it was as bad as we’ve described!

Location perfect for us as visiting nearby although access to Stratford easy with car. Quiet hotel with clear instructions sent if late check-in required. Car parking at back of hotel. Downstairs and upstairs rooms but no lift. Tea/coffee making facilities and biscuits in room. Good value for price.

Nice clean accomodation 1.5 mile pleasant walk into centre of Stratford No complaints about accomodation except minor issues : 1 . No plug to stainless steel sink 2. Front entrance door in poor repair and not particularly secure - warrants replacement 3. Door Handle rose to bedroom was loose Otherwise excellent and we enjoyed stay Owner was pleasant