The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone has had its fair share of bad press over the years, and this week the chain that runs it was ranked the UK's worst for the 10th year running.

But is it really that bad? We sent reporter James Pallant to stay the night to see what all the fuss is about...

When my editor asked for volunteers to review the "worst hotel in the country", the response among reporters was tepid.

I would have much rather taken on a story on traffic regulations, or even a parish council planning meeting.

But after an unfavourable coin toss, I begrudgingly booked myself a one-night stay at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel.

Doom-scrolling TripAdvisor, a recent review entitled, ‘Stay here at your peril’, did little to lift my spirits.

“The bed was a mass of broken, uncomfortable springs and the toilet didn't flush,” recounted one guest.

“There was a very strong smell of damp cats,” added another.

If you were to make a word cloud based on the reviews the terms ‘mould’, ‘smell of urine’, and ‘never again’ would make a sizeable appearance.

So it’s fair to say, my expectations were low.

It was dark when I arrived so all I could see of the hotel from the outside was that it was very large.

Grand in at least one sense, then.

The main entrance opens directly into a small reception area opposite an arcade of flashing games.

Dozens of golden Christmas baubles hung from a dropped ceiling, and worn carpet led quickly towards lifts, dining rooms and the hotel bar.

Waiting in line to check in, I noticed a framed sign on the wall that read: “We’re sorry if you experience any reduced service levels during your stay … please bear with us, we’re doing our best.”

A little defensive off the bat, no?

After a short wait, a smartly dressed man invited me to step forward and asked for my name.

“How’s it been this week, busy?” I asked.

“Nah, not really, it’s been all right,” he replied, tapping on the keyboard.

After confirming my booking, the receptionist offered me a larger room at no extra expense. I happily accepted.

I was told: “Dinner will be served from 5.30pm to 8pm in the Victoria dining room and breakfast tomorrow will be in the Harbour restaurant from 7.30am to 10am.

“You’re on the second floor, room 203. Enjoy your stay.”

I took the lift upstairs and followed signs down a narrow corridor covered with the classically gaudy carpets seen only in hotels and casinos.

A green light flashed as I inserted a key card and pushed the door open.

After all the bad reviews I had read, my first impression of the room was of pleasant surprise - there was no mould, no bodily fluids, and not a whiff of damp cat.

I found a spacious and spotless room, neatly arranged with plenty of towels and extra pillows.

A kettle sat on a small shelf besides mugs filled with teabags, single-serving milk pots and sachets of sugar.

There was a desk, a coffee table with two chairs, an iron and ironing board, a fan and a small TV affixed to the wall.

Individual reading lights were above two single beds, with a third bed off to the side by the window.

I lifted up the sheets to check for dirt, stains or hair - all clear.

Inspecting the bathroom, I was pleased to see everything was clean and functioning properly.

The bath-shower had great water pressure and the basin was complete with miniature bars of soap, bottles of lotion and plastic cups.

The decoration was very dated and I could tell the furniture had been heavily used, with a couple of scratches and rips here and there, but overall the room was perfectly adequate.

After freshening up, I made my way downstairs for dinner.

The Victoria dining room was a large area decorated with long paisley curtains and not much else.

There were about fifty tables, three buffet stations and a handful of waiters to take drink orders.

The main buffet featured an array of options. On one side, battered cod and chips, beef stew, steamed carrots, broccoli, tomato soup - on the other side, salad, couscous, bread rolls and hummus.

It’s fortunate I don’t have any dietary restrictions because as far as I could see nothing was labelled with ingredients.

On the far side of the room I found a cheese station with crackers and grapes besides a selection of fruits, cakes and other desserts.

I made myself up a plate of fish and chips, veggies and salad and sat down at a table to eat.

It wasn’t the most flavourful food I’ve ever tasted - the chips weren’t all that crispy, the fish was a bit chewy, but all in all, it was decent.

For dessert I had cheese and biscuits before treating myself to a slice of cake, which I was surprised to find had a bizarre bubble-gum-flavoured frosting.

I went to the bar area to see if I could find any other guests to talk to.

It didn’t take long before I was playing cards with an elderly couple, Michael and Ann from Yorkshire.

After a couple games I let on that I was writing a review of the Grand Burstin, and asked them what they thought of the place.

“We think it’s great,” said Michael, a retired fire department engineer.

“It annoys me when people come to these sorts of places, expect the world and then write bad reviews.”

“The rooms are immaculate,” interjected Ann.

“The staff are all very friendly, there’s a good happy hour, and you get a hot dinner and cooked breakfast - what more do you want?”

Michael says he’s had some great meals at the hotel - baked salmon, tender steak - although he doesn’t like the way they cook the bacon in the mornings, 'But that’s just a preference', he says.

“For what we’re paying, I think it’s a great deal.”

I tend to agree - for two meals and a large room for one night I paid £57, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a discount for a longer stay.

And yes, you have to pay extra for parking, in-room internet, use of the swimming pool, but for a basic package I think it’s fair - I mean you’d easily spend the best part of £40 for a three-course meal at most restaurants.

I returned to my room and went to bed.

I have to say the mattress was rather hard, the TV didn't work, and judging by the clarity with which I could hear conversations in the room over, the walls must be pretty thin.

On a busier night, with a particularly rowdy house of guests, I can imaging getting a peaceful night’s sleep might have been a challenge, but I woke the next morning well-rested, albeit a bit stiff.

Breakfast was so-so, the coffee was bitterly burnt and the poached eggs were cooked to death, but I really enjoyed the fruit and there was plenty to choose from.

Similar to dinner the night before, the area was set up with a number of different buffet stations: cooked breakfast, fruit, pastries, porridge, cereal.

Check out was as simple as dropping my key card in a metal post-box by reception.

I only stayed for a night, and I had pretty low hopes going in, but the Grand Burstin is all right in my book.

Folkestone is a great town to visit with beautiful scenery and lots to do.

Especially if you’re looking for a budget option or don’t plan to spend much time in the hotel, I would recommend giving the place a try.

Ratings

Comfort:★★★

Food:★★★

Service:★★★★

Location:★★★★

Value:★★★★★