Mercure Winchester Wessex Hotel

Great location just off Winchester high street and next to the cathedral. The reception area is bright and smart and the bar and restaurant areas are nicely decorated and immaculate. The room I stayed in was very dated and, although clean, in need of refurbishment and upgrading, especially the bathroom. The bed was comfortable and fine for a few nights with the good breakfast buffet and location making up for any shortfalls

In nearly 40 years of travel, this is without question the most run-down hotel I have ever stayed in. The property is in appalling condition and should not be operating in its current state. The bathtub was stained and surrounded by rust. The carpets were filthy. The bedding was worn. The heating unit was broken, with only a space heater shoved in the closet as a substitute. Even the phone didn’t work—the dial tone came through, but none of the buttons responded. The key card was a constant nuisance, failing after just a couple of swipes and requiring repeated trips downstairs to be recharged. Every corner of the room gave the impression of neglect. As if that weren’t enough, one evening after returning from entertaining, I found the front door locked. I rang the buzzer and had to wait 20 minutes before anyone came to let me in. When they finally did, they were completely unapologetic. The next morning, I complained to the manager about this incident as well as the deplorable state of the room, and he actually dismissed me by suggesting I was “probably drunk” when I came back. That level of rudeness and disregard for guests is beyond unacceptable. This was a horrific experience overall. After the first night, I considered leaving but convinced myself I could tolerate it for one more night. I now deeply regret not walking out the moment I saw the condition of the room. My advice: keep as far away from this place as possible. It should be condemned. UPDATE: RESPONSE TO OWNER MANAGER Your account is completely manufactured, utter lie and slander!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! Aside from my being extremely frustrated for being locked outside for 20 mins while there was no person managing the desk, all of the disgusting allegations you have made are FALSE as witnessed by colleagues -you sir are a liar, a miserable care taker, should be terminated and the property condemned!