Royal Victoria Hotel - Saint Leonards-on-sea

Katie

I absolutely loved my stay here, the hotel is beautiful with attention to detail with plants and photos along every hall & in the rooms. I had a lovely sofa, an amazingly comfortable bed and fresh sheets. The bath was deep and the water was hot! I loved the sea view even though the window was small, the sound of the waves came through perfectly.

Only complaint is the radiator smells dusty when used but it goes away quickly. Lovely staff, friendly receptionist and concierge came to let me back in after hours. Nice location, with a lovely pizza place a few minutes walk

Dave S.

My wife booked us in for 2 nights over new year's eve to celebrate my 70th birthday. We wish we'd never bothered. The room, 204, was very spacious with the bathroom and wardrobes being accessed down three slightly steep steps but with no handrail. We then found that the electric heater (which was thick with dust behind it) didn't actually work and the room was very cold. They ended up supplying us with blankets and two free drinks from the bar as there was nobody around to fix the heater. On closer inspection of the room we noticed paint peeling off the ceiling, a damp patch on the ceiling above the bath, a blocked sink, a toilet that didn't flush properly and a large patch of paint missing behind the curtain in the window bay. |We ventured down for dinner but the restaurant was cold as none of the radiators worked. Our table had a red wine stain on the table cloth and we noticed others had food stains. My wife ordered the continental platter but was served a meat platter instead, although they did change it but by that time I was already half way through my meal. The waitresses were all quiet young but helpful enough but one wore leggings and a short top which meant she served people with her stomach showing. For breakfast the next morning we had to sit in the bar area to eat as it was warmer than the restaurant. We had to serve ourselves and noticed big lumps of egg shell in the scrambled egg. We booked ourselves out straight after breakfast and got a refund and stated that when it was a Best Western hotel it was immaculate. We would never recommend this hotel to anyone.

Heather S.

The kinder reviews describe this hotel as 'faded grandeur' and that's probably right. We booked it, late in the day, as a dog friendly hotel whilst visiting family in Hastings. We didn't expect a great deal which was probably about right. The staff are very helpful and pleasant - 'flattening' the revolving doors for us to totter in with two large dogs, a couple of bags and a husband on a stick (v recent hip replacement). Our room was large with enormously high ceilings and stairs leading down to a dressing room and bathroom. I believe this hotel is a Best Western (though I can't find where I read that now) and they tend towards the 'quirky'. It was very plain (very grey) - one small picture on the wall and elderly repro mahogany furniture. If the room was tired, the bed was exhausted and though we slept well, it was best to keep away from the edges lest we ended up on a dog sleeping on the floor below. I should say that, whilst the dogs were made welcome (and they are extremely well behaved, well trained working retrievers) and were allowed in the Piano Bar, the charge of £40 for one night's stay for two dogs, I felt to be excessive. I defy the most meticulous of cleaner to find any evidence of their stay. I suppose we were paying for less careful owners which is a bit unfair. The room was spotlessly clean - but there is only so much a cleaner can do with a room in desperate need of a refurb. As an aside, I noticed the huge mirror on the stairs was also spotless - the sign of a good cleaning team. We had a sandwich and a drink in the Piano bar that evening - both good but we couldn't help noticing how much work needed to be done to the amazing Victorian decor - from large ceiling cracks to threadbare carpets to drunken lampshades. I'm sure there's a huge storeroom somewhere and a clever designer could unearth all sorts of treasures to improve the look - but I suspect the hotel needs a considerable amount of money to be spent - and that would have to be recouped. Hastings and St Leonards, despite slowly 'coming up' aren't trending on the wealthy visitor scene so where would the money come from? We breakfasted looking out to sea - a table was set for us in the Piano bar, tea and cutlery brought and an invitation to help ourselves at the buffet. Sadly, the buffet, which had been basic to start with, despite being in the middle of service, had run out of many food items and there was little sign of much being replenished. White bread (had I wanted it) had run out I was told by the harassed staff. Frankly, we struggled to find anything very much to breakfast on and that really shouldn't happen. We checked out without problem and certainly won't go back. But largely because it was an expensive stay and just wasn't value for money. A couple of points to note. The hotel must be struggling financially as it has very obviously rented out a few rooms to the local authority for social care clients. It wasn't a problem for us - but it will be for some people. It's a sad indictment of society that the best that can be done for citizens needing supported housing is to put them into a hotel and leave the staff to cope. Also some odd notions of decoration with a life sized blow up of a footballing teddy 'Happy Christmas' Santa immediately adjacent to the cabinet displaying Queen Victoria's signature!? And it's not a good look when visitors, checking out, have to wait for the receptionist who is just outside very obviously 'having a fag' - it just doesn't give the right impression no matter how pleasant and helpful they are.

Toby J.

Prior to this damning report, I have stayed at this hotel on many occasions, including during the first week of covid Shutdown. I have always previously stayed whilst on business in the area and so have opted for a lesser priced room at the rear of the hotel. in doing so I could find no fault with the hotel and the staff which is why I had decided to leave this lesser good review for some weeks since my last visit. I did this to allow the management time to address my serious complaints from my most recent visit. Sadly despite this length of time they appear to have seen my complaints as something of no interest, even though they include serious matters of potential health and safety issues as described below:|On my more recent visit I had with me a female companion and so decided to treat her by upgrading from my usual basic back of the hotel room to one with a sea view.|No I don't blame them for the boring coastal view, but I did expect some sort of an upgraded room rather than one which was considerably of a much lower grade.|The damp was running down the walls and consequently the paint was peeling off the ceiling in places and the walls and carpets were stained in places from previous unventilated damp occurrences. This some may say could be expected in an old building in October / November. |However what is the most worrying is that the electrical safety testing labels are considerably out of date. A fire in the waiting. |The TV was labelled and admittedly still just in date, however the electric towel rail in the bathroom where your body meets directly with water, the verry best electrical conductor was according to it labelling last tested for safety in 2018. The kettle which should be tested every year had no test labelling at all. I did not however check the hair dryer.|I made this observation and notified reception at the time. I asked specifically that they returned to me on the matter and in view of my numerous successful stays over the years, I wished to act fairly towards them by allowing them time to respond. They haven't, and do it appears they have no interest in the issues being resolved. |my advice is if you stay check your room electrical appliances and stay near the lower floors to gain a fast exit in the event of an electrical fire.|Or better still stay somewhere else until they can confirm safety has been addressed

Dave M.

I came on 28 Dec for my 80 th birthday treat with three others. The worst cream tea I have ever had. Sandwiches virtually empty and tasteless, scones were nice but the mini cakes were soggy and obviously just defrosted. That was it ! Appalling waste of money.Lovely large room overlooking the sea but we were the only diners ( not surprising ) Such a shame as it’s a beautiful old building, but a bit shabby but that wouldn’t matter if the food was better.and some effort was made to make you feel welcome. One star for the scones !

Tania D.

Comfortable bed, clean and staff were lovely but it was like going back in time. Faulty towers comes to mind. Very dated and tired. If you want 80’s british seaside hotel , this is your place!|Very expensive compared to much better hotels in the area and breakfast was poor quality.|Despite being told we could have a late check out, it was then cancelled and our room key was blocked which was a bit odd even when there was still an hour to go until standard check out.|Last minute booking but not rushing to return.

Colin C.

The Royal Victoria Hotel in St Leonard’s on Sea is a bit of a blast from the past, but in the best way! Yes, it’s got that faded glamour look—think vintage charm with a few miles on the clock. But at £130 for a huge suite complete with living room, bedroom, and bathroom, I’d call it a first-class 3-star that’s well worth the ticket.

Our suite was spacious enough to stretch out like a transatlantic long-haul, with views over the sea that could rival any business class window seat. The bed? Very comfortable, with all the essentials on hand—nothing over the top, but everything you need for a pleasant stay.

The decor might be a bit tired, but that almost adds to the charm, giving you the feeling you’ve stepped into another era. And let’s face it, sometimes a bit of nostalgia makes the experience. For what you pay, this hotel is pure value. Sure, it’s not a five-star luxury spot, but it’s a comfy, no-fuss option for those who appreciate a bit of character with their seafront views.

After a long day of exploring Hastings, it was the perfect place to come back and relax. If you’re after glamour, maybe look elsewhere—but if you want a spacious, comfortable stay with a touch of history, the Royal Victoria offers a memorable layover by the sea.

steve B.

My impression of the hotel is that it falls far short of the description given on the website, “faded splendour” giving way to “becoming tatty”. Very disappointing!||I had booked a suite and was given room 214 on arrival. Entering the room, I found it to be soulless and minimally furnished - not warm and welcoming at all. ||Seeing the spiral staircase leading to the upper area which contains the bed, bathroom and wardrobes I realised that the cases would have to be carried up the stairs – a daunting and difficult task for people nearing 80. So returned to reception to explain the problem and request another room without this feature, only to be told that no other was available. OK, so if an at level suite was not available, another type of room could have been offered but it was not. In view of the stated difficulties, I would have expected some offer of assistance with luggage, but none was forthcoming. With some difficulty, the cases were taken up and clothes unpacked. ||The room itself. As said, it was sparse and unwelcoming but the following features also became apparent: -|• A sea view but over the untidy roof of reception also made difficult by the salt caked windows.|• No practical sea view from the bedroom.|• Furniture that was becoming “tired” – chipped and worn.|• Peeling and chipped paintwork.|• Paper peeling from the ceiling above the bed.|• Mould in the bathroom on the tiles and behind the grab handle of the bath.|• A chip in the enamel of the bath.|• A small raised area at the top of the stairs with a step up and down when crossing and down into the bathroom – a serious potential trip hazard, particularly during the dark.|This did nothing to improve our initial impression.||With the weather being wet and two out of the three restaurants I had shortlisted from web research, it was decided to eat in the Sea View restaurant, Reception advised that due to the shortage of staff (one person only serving and tending the bar) an early booking was advised. The food was of poor quality and the menu and wine list bore no relationship to that on the website. The scallops I ordered were overcooked and with much too much accompanying sauce. The breaded cod turned out not to be cooked so was rejected and replaced after a wait, only for it to be equally bad. The assembly of undercooked vegetables with the dish was bizarre and unrelated to the fish. All in all, not the quality experience promised in your website.||The receptionist took payment for only two of our planned 5-night stay - “in case of problems” - and I am glad she did. The next day we advised of our earlier departure and used up one day of our holiday riding over to Rye to find and book another hotel. I have to say that the reception staff were indifferent.||On our return from Rye, we were faced with a terrible chemical smell in the room which turned out to be a faulty refrigerator. which was eventually removed but the hotel staff such as they were seemed to have no grasp f the significance or danger of the event and basically did not make any positive response apart from allocating another room. There was an uninterested response from reception staff and absolutely no offer of assistance to move rooms. It was the same when we checked out and I was not provided with a copy of my bill or credit card receipts.|I have been in touch with t e duty manager by email and the managing director by post but have received neither an acknowledgement or reply.