I have recently stayed at the Clifton, Scarborough for two nights. This was a solo trip with my dog. The hotel is in a good location, close to the beach and other amenities. Parking costs £8 per night which is good value given the location, you can reserve a space by emailing the hotel. The room was clean, good view of the sea and had good facilities. The floor does creak, some of the boards where missing but the hotel is old, so this is to be expected. I did not eat at the hotel, so couldn’t comment on the food. My only issue with this hotel was the staff, one. The receptionist called Tracy.
It was my last day at the hotel, and I took my dog out for a walk, an hour before checking out. Tracy stopped me as I was leaving and asked what I was doing. I explained that I was taking my dog out for her last walk. Tracy asked for the key to my hotel room, I explained that my belongings where in the room still and had an hour to check out. Tracy then became very rude and abrupt, stating that I needed to give my key to reception every time that I left the hotel, due to fire safety. This was never explained to me upon my arrival, or during my two-night stay, I often passed reception and this was never explained. I said this to Tracy, she replied, “that should have been said to you” she then demanded my key. She then said, “what did you do when you came here, you came to reception and got your room key, that’s what you need to do every time you leave”. Tracy was very rude towards me; I was alone with my dog and didn’t know what to do or say. I asked why I needed to give her my key. Tracy said, “I’ve just told you. If there was a fire, we need to know who is staying in that room and where you are, in case you come back and enter the building”. Again, this had never been explained to me and instead was shouted at my and was treated like a child. Tracey then stared at me and demanded my key again, asking me where I was going, who was staying in the room etc. Tracy then said, “just do what you want, crack on” and shooed me out the door, like I was a child. I then took my dog for a walk, trying to process this interaction.
Upon check out, Tracy stood up from behind her desk, which was intimidating. I asked for her name and job role, which she provided. I explained that I was not happy with the way she had spoken to me. Tracy said, “well, I was only explaining the policy”. I corrected her, saying that it was not an explanation and it was poor service. I asked why she felt the need to speak to me like that, Tracy denied any wrongdoing but admitted to saying, “just do what you want, crack on”, she denied saying anything else to me. She then started to argue with myself. I was trying to hold my dog and several bags at the time and was becoming very stressed. Tracy said, “it’s all on CCTV anyway, so put a complaint in, I don’t care”. I asked if the CCTV had sound, Tracy said, “that’s not my job to know”. Tracy then started to laugh at me, I asked what was funny, she just shrugged. I did not want to argue any further, so went to walk away. Tracy then became very sarcastic, telling me to enjoy my trip home. This was all said in front of other guests and another member of staff, which was very embarrassing.
I would return to this hotel, as one member of staff would not put me off. But I will remain cautious of the staff at the Clifton.
GB