Dave Garrard
Google
VERY DISAPPOINTING STAY SUMMER 2024.. Will definitely not be staying here again. It is difficult for me to be so negative; previous stays had been fine, as my early postive reviews will confirm. But things have changed drastically. After using this accomodation for a number of years to attend Edgebaston test matches, the gradual reduction in the quality of the experience means we will not be returning. The rooms and decor had always seemed dated, but we could tolerate this because they were always clean. But things have gradually gone down hill. Our bookings used to include a cooked breakfast. Then it was reduced to a cereal. Then it was reduced to make your own breakfast in the kitchen. Our booking always included the night before a test began and the first three days of the test itself, with further days if it went to four or five days. It was clearly understood from the first visit that our bookings required a degree of flexibility due to the variables of play. However, for some reason, this year our host repeatedly put pressure on us to be precise about the duration of our stay, even though the establishment had always previously accepted our bookings on the clear understanding that the duration of our stay would be determined by the days of the test match. We assume this change of approach by our host is because they no longer cater primarily for visitors such as ourselves in favour of more long term bookings from people dealing with immigration issues. One final issue is outside the influence of our hosts: the immediate surroundings, which have deteriorated considerably. We were propositioned on a daily basis by prostitutes at the corner of the street and chose not to use the local store because it meant encountering the large group of drug addicts and drunks who gathered outside. We also encountered cars with smashed windows after being broken into. The police were even called to our accomodation after one of the cars on the small parking space outside was broken into. Despite claims on their website, this accomodation is definitely not 4-star or, indeed, a hotel. It is at best a guest house. So we can no longer recommend this accomodation.
