Signature House - Contemporary Studios in Coventry City Centre, free parking, by COVSTAYS

Property was easy to access and good location for concert

Didn’t sleep all night as flat next door was playing bass music all hours

Location and clean

Not enough onsite parking, had to park on a nearby road. Room advertised as having a double bed but only a small double and the mattress was uncomfortable. The quilt was a single bed, not big enough for 2 people sharing.

Self check-in was fairly straight forward and the room itself is quite well presented.

I booked this property at the last minute while travelling and did not have sufficient time to fully review the listing beforehand. Upon arrival, neither the advertised parking location nor the alternative option was available, forcing me to park on a nearby industrial estate approximately five minutes away on foot. Before releasing the check-in instructions, the host insisted on taking a “holding deposit” for potential damages, which immediately raised concerns. Unfortunately, I was already within the cancellation period. When entering the building, I was met with a strong smell of marijuana, which persisted throughout my stay in the corridors. There were also questionable individuals loitering outside the property late at night, giving the impression that illegal activity may have been taking place. Although the room initially appeared well presented, I quickly noticed that the floor had not been properly vacuumed. When I raised this with the host, my concerns were dismissed and I was effectively accused of being dishonest. More concerningly, the bedding was visibly stained with what appeared to be either blood or faeces, which left me feeling extremely uncomfortable and disgusted. Later that evening, I noticed damage to the bathroom wall, including dents and holes, which I had not caused. Due to the late hour and checking out early the next morning, I did not report this immediately. Following my departure, I received a series of unpleasant WhatsApp messages accusing me of causing both the wall damage and the stained bedding. Despite attempting to contact the host to deny these allegations, it became apparent that they were determined to retain the holding deposit regardless of the facts. I strongly believe this host’s conduct is dishonest and should be investigated by Booking.com as a matter of urgency. I will not accept false accusations or being treated as though I caused damage that clearly pre-existed my stay.

Location and facilities

Cooking smells from other apartments. But suppose that can't be helped

It was a nice clean tidy room with a lot of things like dishes, iron, fresh towels, and everyday utensils.

It’s price was a little high but overall the property was pretty good.

The property itself is fine. The studio is well furnished, the bathroom is new and spotless, and the kitchenette is equipped with some essential items (two forks, two knives, a pan, etc.). Guests are asked to leave the place clean, as a £100 deposit is required and part of it may be retained if the property is left dirty or damaged. However, no cleaning products are provided apart from washing-up liquid, which makes this requirement difficult to meet, so I had to stop at a supermarket to buy a multi-surface cleaning product. Check-in is organised by phone: on arrival, you have to call someone who provides a code to open the key box, where you collect the key and the fob to access the main door. This system works, but it is not ideal if you need to speak to someone in person, as there is no reception. The location is not one of the best areas in Coventry.

THERE IS NO PRIVATE PARKING. Despite what is stated in the description, the property has only a very limited number of parking spaces (around five or six), which are always occupied by building residents. As a result, you either have to pay for parking in the large, empty parking area belonging to the nearby pub (which is quite expensive) or try to find a spot on nearby streets, hoping one is available. What I really dislike is that guests are informed about the parking situation only after the booking is confirmed, and just 48 hours before arrival, when cancellation is no longer possible.

I had a pleasant stay in this studio. It was spotlessly clean, bright, and very well equipped, with everything I needed - from kitchen utensils to a comfortable bed and good Wi-Fi. Everything worked perfectly, and it’s clear that the place is well maintained and cared for. The kitchen is particularly well equipped, with a microwave, hob, oven, fridge, toaster, and kettle, which was really convenient. It’s also evident that the room is not brand new - there are a few marks on the walls and some scratches on the furniture - but for a short stay it’s absolutely fine. Since guests are asked to leave the place clean and tidy, it would have been useful to find some cleaning products in addition to the washing-up liquid. The residence itself is quiet and feels safe, ideal for a short or medium stay, and I really appreciated the fact that there is a lift, which makes things easier when arriving with luggage.

The description says “free parking.” Indeed, the parking is free, but it doesn’t mention that there are only five or six spots, and they are always full (ALWAYS). The rest of the parking area is private and cannot be used. You can park on the street, but it’s quite stressful to arrive late in the evening and have to look for a parking space in the neighbourhood without knowing the area. The area isn’t the most picturesque, with some industrial buildings nearby, but overall it felt ok. As it’s part of a residential complex rather than a private rental, there’s a £100 deposit, which I always find a bit uncomfortable - you never know if something small might be counted against you at checkout, even when you’ve taken good care of the place.