What is it like to stay in a hotel that has been branded the very worst in the United Kingdom for twelve consecutive years? I decided to find out, checking into a Britannia hotel with a UV torch in hand, prepared for the grim reality that has become the stuff of legend for British travellers.
A Legacy of Disappointment: The Britannia Story
Fifty years after opening its first property, the Country House Hotel in Didsbury, Manchester, the Britannia chain has expanded to around 60 locations across the UK, even taking over the Pontins holiday camps. However, its growth story is far from a fairytale. For over a decade, it has consistently ranked last in customer surveys, accused by guests of turning once-grand buildings into grimy, unpleasant, and poor-value budget accommodations.
My first encounter with Britannia was in 2022 at its Bournemouth hotel, a stay characterised by stuck windows, a thick smell of paint, and signs of neglect like a drained pool and discarded nitrous oxide canisters. With that memory fresh, I approached my next visit to the Britannia Hampstead in North London with significant trepidation to see if anything had improved for the UK's worst hotel chain.
The Hampstead Experience: Bleak, Bland and Windowless
Walking into the six-storey Britannia Hampstead the week before Christmas was an eerie experience. The building, large enough for a 350-person business suite, was completely deserted. The fairy lights twinkled pointlessly in an empty lobby, setting a tone of profound bleakness.
My room, booked for around £90 with breakfast, was windowless—an upgrade to a room with a view would have pushed the cost to £100. While it was superficially cleaner than my Bournemouth room, a strong chemical smell hung in the air. My UV torch found no hidden biological horrors, likely subdued by the aggressive cleaning fluids. The furnishings were dated and bland, a sea of brown that, combined with the lack of natural light, created a strangely carceral atmosphere. I slept, woke, and felt a profound sense of escape upon leaving.
Stark Contrast: The Coaching Inn Group's Winning Formula
To understand what separates the best from the worst, I compared my stay with a visit to The Manor in Blakeney, North Norfolk. This hotel is part of the Coaching Inn Group, which was voted the UK's best large hotel chain of 2025 by Which? readers.
The difference was night and day. At The Manor, the vibe was warm, friendly, and busy even in late November. Staff, many with over a decade of service, were engaged and knowledgeable. The room, while classic budget fare, was solid, clean, and cheerful. Located metres from the River Glaven in a beautiful coastal village, it offered genuine value for its average £128 price tag, scoring four stars for value in the Which? survey—a feat matched only by Wetherspoons' hotels.
Back at Britannia Hampstead, the location was another weak point. It's neither near Hampstead Heath nor Camden, offering little of the city-centre convenience that might excuse its shortcomings. The staff were pleasant but seemed as adrift in the empty hotel as I was.
The Verdict: A Model Built on Neglect?
Nothing from my stay suggests Britannia is poised to shed its unwanted title. With an average room price of £84 across the chain, it offers very poor value for money even in 2025. The chain's model appears to be acquiring grand old properties and running them on a shoestring, avoiding the costly renovations needed to bring them up to modern standards.
In stark contrast, the Coaching Inn Group demonstrates that for a similar price point, guests can enjoy charming locations, warm service, and comfortable rooms. The choice for the budget-conscious traveller is clear. Based on my experience, Britannia is almost certain to secure the bottom spot for a thirteenth consecutive year. The chain was contacted for comment regarding this article.
