The Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone - "Britain's Worst Hotel"

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This video is half history documentary and half hotel review. (Hotel Review starts at 15:00)
Overlooking the English Channel, in the coastal, former port town of Folkestone resides the 550 room Grand Burstin Hotel. A hotel that the UK media have labelled : "the Worst Hotel in Britain", this claim is backed up with over 1300 'Terrible' reviews and complaints on Trip Advisor, and numerous negative local media stories. Alleging, dirt, crime, decay and poor food and service.
The hotel is currently owned by the controversial Britannia Hotels group, who have been voted the worst hotel chain in the UK 9 years running by consumer group 'Which?.
So is there any truth in this claim?? Is this hotel a complete disaster?? Well the only way to find out was to stay there myself and document the result,... so in February 2022 I booked myself into a Premier Room on the top floors of the hotel
.... this video is a record of what I found.
Also this video covers the hotel's historical back story that goes back to the Victorian age of the 1840s. Before the Burstin was constructed in 1974 -1984, in its place once stood the beautiful 5 Star Royal Pavilion Hotel , a hotel once frequented by Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens. #worstrated
Chapters:
3:23 History Section
15:00 Hotel Review
33:50 Summary

Опубликовано:

8 апр 2022

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Комментарии : 65

@davidmclachlan6592 2 года назад

We stayed here recently for a long weekend, the room was ok, the food was ok and most of the staff were ok..... But some of the guests were appalling , feral children left to run riot while their parents got drunk at the bar, fights screaming,, swearing and shouting just outside the reception door between midnight and 4.a.m. evidence of drug taking and noisy neighbours than can be heard through very thin bedroom walls . A hotel is only as good as it's clientele, we won't be staying here again.......ever !

@davidrobinson4553 11 месяцев назад

I had to laugh to myself when I spotted the tittle, I was a Coach Driver for a few years and if a tour came in staying here there would be a collective groan. I did one tour here, the amount of complaints from my passengers was pretty overwhelming, the hotel staff seemed unable or unwilling to solve any problems, bearing in mind I had to be up early to drive the tours my room was next to the lift shaft and sleep was nearly impossible. "No room change was allowed" I was told. Two nights asleep in the bunk on-board my coach enabled me to get some sleep. The Busted Hotel as it was known in the trade was probably the worst hotel I was ever stuck in whilst working (Just beating one in Woolacoombe) that's including some gems around Europe. It seems things have only got worse.

@markshaz8691 2 года назад

How Britannia Hotels are allowed to buy anymore hotels is a crime in itself.

@supremeenlightenedtramp1080 2 года назад

I would say the review was fair and balanced, but one thing think you got wrong was blaming management for the poor state, im sure the buck stops with the owners, i would imagine these same points were raised with the owners by management but quickly fell on deaf ears, at the end of the day you can tell the owners about issues all you like but if all they are interested in is margins then what could they do .

@madwatermelon1316 2 года назад

I agree. Most Britannia hotels are dives to my knowledge. The management are simply following orders from a soulless, greedy owner called Alex Langsam.

@harrisongrant8558 2 года назад

I'm glad you provided some history on this place, because if it were up to me, the stucco slab hotel would be torn down and only the remains of the Royal Pavilion left standing as a standalone restaurant (Which is a shame because if it were left on its own, it might do quite well, but it has the curse of being attached to this fugly building like a tumor with poor management). This hotel has a terrible history and is in a dire state, and if there's any hotel in the world that deserves the wrecking ball, it's this one.

@patrickjmorgan 2 года назад

Hilarious review and IM sure an honest one! I have worked for many hotel chains across EMEA and obviously have an expectation. I have also had to pay my own way on occasion and not surprisingly,drop my standards and expectations- but this hotel is bargain basement and until a multi million £ upgrade and new owners, it’s not going to change. And to change it must have aMarket that I think has long gone. I worked in what was the Mount Royal Hotel in Marble arch in the 70’s. This place was dire and 1950’s. It took millions to change that perception in the late 90’s by Thistle Hotels. Grand Met, the previous owners held onto their money.

@DavidBChannel Год назад

Wow you got one of the nice rooms. Mine was absolutely awful. Dead bugs all over the walls, rotting toilet seat, run down furniture, etc...

@6rett 2 года назад

An excellent and well researched history and review of the Burstin. Have stayed there at least 7 times in the last 14 years. Deserves more than Britannia can give it. The only brutalist building I kind of admire.

@johnkelly1083 Год назад

Thanks for your time putting this together. Very thorough. The building is clearly no longer fit for purpose, and should be bulldozed (apart from the original Victorian section).

@jamesgrant1028 Месяц назад

All the critical feedback on this place is valid. I live five minutes away and can see it from my road. By necessity I had to spend a couple of nights there a few years ago while my house was being refurbished ; the only other hotel within walking distance couldn't offer me as many nights accomodation as I needed. This short stay was long enough for myself and the missus to be covered in bites ( possibly bed bugs) by the time we checked out. At present the place is encased in scaffold whilst external decoration and renovation work is being undertaken. This is partly due to an incident of falling masonary injuring a coach driver. I'm guessing too that owing to some high end residential projects being undertaken in the vacinity pressure has been put on Britannia Hotels to at least give the place a lick of Dulux. The new high end residents won't want to spend in excess of a million quid to see this eyesore from the high end windows of their high end appartments.

@stellakitty2755 2 года назад

Great film it’s a shame about the lovely old building I worked in the queens hotel hastings. When that came to a end it was turned into flats and looks lovely . Your room looked alright better then a lot!!

@cherienafo7676 Месяц назад

Australia here/ THANK YOU Andy- best laugh I,ve had in ages !! 😆🤣😂 Just glad I wasnt about to eat a meal !! -after seeing the breakfast and your wonderful descriptions of the smells etc !! Love your humor !!

@matthewbeumer3168 2 месяца назад

Stayed there in February with my partner and two dogs they updated us to a premier room which was clean and great. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.

@John01GM40 Год назад

thank you for this excellent video. I had no idea that Hotel Burstin dates from the late 1970s. I supposed as a child on those bucket and spade holidays you so correctly identify as the norm for those times I would not have been aware of a hotel as we had a holiday home in Hythe and came to Folkestone for day trips. Have just been reminiscing on another YT video of Folkestone and hence become aware of this hotel, so your extensive history segment is most appreciated. Had also looked at room prices wondering about giving it a go as "treat" for myself, since the holiday home is long sold off. Therefore, to see your review from as recently as last year is very useful as I'd assumed its poor reputation was now a part of its own history, but it seems not. Not going to spend my own money on an "indulgent" visit to a 2 start hotel that shows it is exactly that. Had enough of that in Bournemouth when I used to work down there and could only afford such coach party hotels. Love your classification as a cookhouse mess, exactly how I think of them, limitless buffet or not! Now off to find out the current reputation of the Imperial at Hythe - way out of price bracket when I was younger, but maybe that will make a suitable indulgence this time.

@williamruss8157 11 месяцев назад

Generally I avoid reviews of hotels but yours of the Grand Burstin is fascinating. Thanks for taking the time to put all of your good works together.

@pwolffilms 2 года назад

Fairly made video, we really enjoyed it. Thank you for all the work and added information!

@richardgraham65 Год назад

Good video thanks - Notice they couldn't even sort the restaurant name out! As you walked in it says "Victorian" restaurant and above the very next door it says "Victoria" restaurant.

@Truthseeker1515 2 года назад

Very good summary, I lived between Dover and Deal from 1981 and 1989 and when we did visit Folkestone (albeit, not very often, Canterbury was always the magnet), we would go to Debenhams in the upper town. Back then, the city centre was buzzing. Very rarely we would venture to the port and when we did I always thought how ugly and out-of-place that hotel was, overshadowing the old harbour which is a shame. I was not aware of the brutalist architecture at the time, popular in the early 1970s. How was planning permission ever granted!

@colinwright4488 Год назад

I remember going on a coach trip from here in Edinburgh down to Folkestone with my Mum for a week and staying in the Grand Burstin in July 2010 when I was 17. Our room had a view for the back of the hotel and the local chippy. I will say that the gym/swimming pool was nice as was the bar.

@richardpearce2314 2 года назад

This hotel was pretty cruddy 35 years ago, bed linen stank and the room we were in was greasy on the carpets. I took a pillow-case off and wish I hadn't. Thank goodness we went for only one night on a day trip to France. Surely people read reviews regarding this hotel, all I can say is that one day someone will burst this boil on Folkstone's bottom and finally get rid of it.

@lukanw 2 года назад

I seriously don’t understand Britannia hotels. In all my time in the tourism industry, they’ve always been the bottom feeder. They’ve got the money though,they just choose not to spend it. It’s an embarrassment to the UK market. What would save this hotel is selling off the 80s extension for conversion to housing. Use the money to refurbish what’s left, train the staff and refresh the ancillary products. One thing that does get me riled up is signage, it should be free flowing, intriguing and relevant. Those big block capital letter signs are awful but live in each and every Britannia hotel, swap them for something engaging. And those signs in the bathroom? Why? They need to ask the main questions ‘is it relevant’ and ‘is it over intrusive’. Do you really need to explain to people how to use a bathroom?

@fishypie 2 года назад

me and my wife stayed there twice about 5 years ago, hotel and food was fine, nice walks around the old railway line

@JAY61ish Год назад

Did my Training there as a Junior Bleeder..I.m pretty sure they were building it then. .My Mum's Aunt lived in cheriton and we spent many holidays in Folkestone in the 60's/70's.. loved the rotunda and the dodgems on the beach.. ironic that i ended up at Shornecliffe in sept 77 .to begin my 8 years in the Grenadier Guards ha ha

@SarahJB288 Год назад

We stayed in the same room as you the following year and yeah your right, the seagull poop and the mess was disgusting, wouldn’t go there again if you paid me

@mjc5509 2 года назад

AMAZING ARCHITECTURE. REMINISCENT OF SOVIET BRUTALISM..I have stayed there several times.,however I wouldn't recommend FEBRUARY For any costal break.I AGREE breakfast is best avoided I suggest Weatherspoons is a better option and just a short walk up OLD HIGH STREET (a converted SALEM CHAPEL)

@MrGrumpygit488 2 года назад

The parking signage looked like it had the dreaded parking eye name on it, and trust me they will harass you until you pay.

@willowwren7752 Год назад

You were brave to actually stay overnight; but ty for the review; I just subscribed and will be enjoying the rest of your travels 🇺🇸

@lazerpeabody8062 Год назад

In my and probably everyone’s opinion the grand bursten needs to be pressure washed on the outside & repair that broken hand dryer form 2005 hehe

@marymarable2165 2 года назад

A fair review of the Grand Burstin Hotel. Have visited this hotel many times.The Victorian restaurant is lovely and the food is extremely tasty.

@k.leeuwenburgh8844 2 года назад

The Victorian restaurant is the only part left from The Royal Pavillion Hotel, so a lovely piece of history.

@georgecollins2412 Год назад

This hotel appeared in the background of a Tom Scott video!

@kathymaxted9485 11 месяцев назад

The music and the undepth description of the burstin has made me partially depressed, but a very good informative video. History of this hotel was interesting

@barrytipton1179 Год назад

It was used lots by smugglers from London etc making multiple daily trips on hovercraft leaving their booty in their rooms when you could buy duty free in each direction . Customs locked it down on raids I don’t know how many times . Stayed there on a coach trip to Belgium it was okay

@lindaruljancich8291 Год назад

So sad and depressing when a town, and everything in it, gets passed by. Brave of you to even stay there! Linda Australia

@kmiarfishing2107 2 года назад

Stayed there a few years ago, and agree with everything, hard uncomfortable bed, think I would have been better sleeping on the floor! Food is good on the restaurant, I am glad to say breakfast was better than you experienced. It is shabby though.

@marlimeful Год назад

Have you seen any pool for adults there?

@daveudon2850 Год назад

It is a bit of a dive but had some good times there on trios to france

@thomascrown3320 Год назад

great detail thanks

@nitamorley54 Год назад

The worst hotel I've ever stayed in

@Theholmesreport 8 месяцев назад

I grew up in Folkestone. Its soul was ripped out in 2003 when they demolished the famous Dome and Rotunda Amusement Park and Rides. I emigrated to Australia in 2009 and only been back once. Its a shit hole

@bassplayer3974 2 года назад

Good history lesson thanks. probably end up going to de haan in the end sat on till council finally pass another eye saw development.

@liamkatt6434 10 месяцев назад

Great well balanced review. Sadly, Britannia are not good house keepers. One of their better efforts at Gatwick Airport where I have had some great stays is not under government contract.

@ianb9729 8 месяцев назад

Shitannia Hotels: We're brazenly rubbish and don't give a monkeys. I stayed in their Manchester offering last year and I think this one sounds quite good in comparison!

@truthiskey8625 2 года назад

Amazing this is the worst hotel in the UK I wonder what the best one is too lol but jokes aside no one should go in a hotel if its that bad in reviews for anyone to see but it's good that brave creators such as you are willing to try it if the reviews are true as well hope you make more videos like this in the near future and good luck to your next hotel you stay in your next video

@johnguest7541 Год назад

I stayed in this hotel around 20 years ago, and could see it slipping down the scale of neglect then. Every waiting person were immigrants who really couldnt care a toss whether they served you or not, but as you looked around folkstone, that has also been left to almost dereliction. I would not go to this town or hotel again. But on another note, most of the English hotels in seaside resorts are badly in need of restoration, with many still trading almost in dereliction. The age of Britains people staying in Great Britain for weekends or holidays is rapidly coming to an end because of the lack of real investment in these buildings. It seems to me that the various seaside councils and owners of any buildings etc do not really want people to go to their areas for holidays anymore, or they would seriously do something about the shambles which they have left to deteriorate over the years.

@mouro92 Год назад

I live in Folkestone, this building is an eyesore. Food's nice though.

@DAGO58 Год назад

Fuck me that was depressing 🤣

@LernenhochzweiDeNachhilfe 9 месяцев назад

I feel sorry for all the elderly people who have probably been booked into that hotel (and similar ones) by an agency who organized their bus tour.

@sharononeill8049 Год назад

Well what can I say but oh heck I'm going to stay there on Monday what will I find lol x

@GlenCooper-sj4lh 10 месяцев назад

"Looks like the center of downtown Mogadishu." Almost as bad as the Full English breakfast.

@maddoctor99 2 года назад

New Sub. Enjoyed this! “Every flat surface is covered with seagull shit” - come on, stop copying lines from Gloria Hunniford’s Holiday show!

@Dunkcanio 11 месяцев назад

I've wanted to stay in Britannia's Liverpool Adelphi for the same sort of reason, the history of the place, and to see what it's become, but I really couldn't bring myself to give them the money.

@71ibanez 2 года назад

The “Worstin”😉

@ivorharden Год назад

What an ugly building the hotel became

@kennixox262 2 года назад

Tear it down.

@dricci658 7 месяцев назад

Used to deliver a van full of meat here 2x a week .. Not a bad free breakfast for me .. bit run down .. just lacks investment really

@edwardsnowdenofficial 11 месяцев назад

I love Folkestone, had a nice stay at the Burstin with a lovely seaview of the harbour during Lockdown. Key worker I paid £60 for two night stay with a Seaview, place is shabby but I enjoyed the holiday! Love the history part of this, superb thanks for putting together. Never knew there was a theme park there or ferry port amazing to see! Subbed!

@oliverstemp9132 Месяц назад

You’d think this was a 60s hotel, not an 80s hotel. It could be so much better. The building could be nice.

@wdpremises611 Год назад

My three brothers and our wives stayed there a few years ago and it was truly awful. What a dump! dirty rooms poo in one of the loos. Don't stay there

@dancronin8265 2 дня назад

I hear nothing but good things about this lovely hotel strong smells of skunk weed no one careing sound as a bell and the view who cares about a bit of bird #### wonderful

@ZGryphon Год назад

As unimpressive as that place is, I have to believe that those people who think it's the worst in the country have never been to a _truly bad_ hotel. I mean, you didn't even get tetanus. :)