The good points about the La Rosa Hotel: The building, rooms and décor are amazing. It’s great to see that someone has fully gone through with their vision of how they would like somewhere to look. Its themes and quirkiness are some much more in keeping with Whitby’s history, the literature and the people who have visited. This place is such a world away from all the other normal and slightly naff establishments in Whitby.
My girlfriend and I stayed in the Sacre Coeur room and for a romantic weekend away it was absolutely perfect. The rooms although small, are well thought out and the bed and bedding were amongst the most comfortable I have ever experienced. The view from our room was fantastic, looking straight across the harbour and with Abbey greeting us each morning. We both really appreciated the lack of phone or television in the room; mobiles are cheaper and who goes on holiday to watch TV anyway?
However, there were some issues with our stay, that at £120 a night for the room you’d expect not to be the case Firstly, the breakfast, this comes in the form of a hamper delivered to your door each morning. This contains a couple of boiled eggs, two scones, fruit cake, two yoghurts, some apple drink from the Co-op and a cafetiere. This did not change for either of our days, was bit meagre and seemed to be something that had gone from being a great idea to just a token effort. Also no milk for coffee! I actually heard another guest have to chase the person leaving the hamper to ask for some.
Secondly, they did not clean room. My girlfriend, a seasoned traveller, stated that she has stayed in £10 a night hostels where they clean the room. This meant that we still had the used cups from when first arrived and full rubbish bins for the time that we stayed. We had to provide the plastic bags for the bins too. Once again, pretty standard stuff.
I really think that this is a great idea and you’ll get people to go once just see the place. But in order to get people to come back you’ve got to provide some of those things that you get when paying these sorts of prices. Otherwise, people won’t come back and they won’t recommend to others and that’s what keeps you in business.
I agree totally with the comments above. In addition I would say that the man who hustled us and other guests out of our room at bang on the time we were expected to leave and were just about to walk out of the room have lost this hotel a return visit from us. He was rude and seemed to have no appreciation of hospitality. That, and the very poor breakfast are the reason we will not visit this hotel again. its a shame as its location, the themed rooms and the comfy beds are in ever other respect, great.
we went out and bought grapes and apples and cheese and crackers to supplement the meagre breakfast.
While I understand that NOBODY can please EVERYBODY, the small number of staff at La Rosa work exceptionally hard, not only to accommodate, satisfy and make their guests stay enjoyable, but also to maintain La Rosa, not just as the name of a business, but as an environment and personality. The compliment books on reception burst with enthusiasm and support. As regarding the price of a room, if you don’t like it, don’t book it! I really feel for the people who try so hard against adversity to keep this place going. If you’d prefer to stay in a faceless mainstream corporate hotel/ B&B/ holiday cottage then please do so. It annoys me that its too easy for the public to exercise their opinions of unsatisfactory service and not really fully appreciate the hard work, heart and vision that it takes to make La Rosa what it is.
of course the staff work hard etc etc but this is a business not a charity. I spent good money staying at the hotel and for that I expect a good level of hospitality. The idea behind La Rosa is great. I am sure the people are lovely and the guest book is indeed full of compliments. However, a business that cannot take fair criticism and look to improve is either not healthy or not honest. I am sure La Rosa will do well to attract business because of the themed rooms and that’s its problem. There is probably no need for the hotel owners to bring it up to a standard of excellence. And that is sad for it could be truly fab. However, there is enough evidence on this site alone that the staff have had ample opportunities to address the issue of the paltry breakfast, and the cleaning etc. Until that changes I will not be returning as there are other places just as interesting that I can give my custom to and they do provide clean rooms, a sensible if not substantial breakfast, and hospitality that is truly deserving of the name.
if you are keen on supporting your friends at La Rosa perhaps you could point them in the right direction. I have a funny feeling though that, if that man is anything to go by, they will not appreciate it.
I forgot to mention that I am fully appreciative of the hard work, heart and vision that it takes to provide a good service and that is exactly why I have written what I have written. We all live in hard times and therefore people who offer hospitality at a price should make sure that people get what they pay for. I paid £120 because I thought that I would get £120 worth of value. I didn’t and I feel sad for the hotel that they can’t live up to the image they project. After reading your response I will definitely never stay there again.
Dear Karen
I’m nothing to do with La Rosa but I have stayed there and think £120 is great value for what you get. The location os perfect. The rooms are mega-comfortable, individual stylish and the baths are brilliant – we had a massive wooden one and a beautiful roll-top on the 2 occasions we have stayed.
The price is reflected in the quality of the accomodation and the fixtures fittings and fabrics used in the rooms not to mention all the props and great things that are there as well. I’ve stayed in hotels costing 2 or 3 times that much and not been as comfortable or welcome – and the cleaning was absolutely fine as well as discrete.
As regards vacating on time, you strike me as being the first one to complain if your room wasnt ready because of the previous guests – you can’t have it both ways…
Support La Rosa – it is a rare thing these days – bland not corporate sameness but a hotel with style indivduality and character – just like the staff.
Phil
Dear Phil
You presume too much. As it happened our room wasn’t ready but we didnt complain either to the hotel or amongst ourselves. It really didnt matter too much.
I agree entirely about blandness too. My criticism is not of the decor or the comfort of the beds. It is purely and simply about hospitality.
I am not alone on commenting about the breakfast. I don’t expect to be treated dismissively by staff when I was not actually late in vacating the room. I’m afraid that in business you need to treat your customers with respect or the day will come when you find that you don’t have any.
I’m glad you found the hotel good value for money. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I did too up except for the points aforementioned. I’m happy to respect your opinion so please respect mine.
In the hospitality industry if you can’t offer hospitality then you are not delivering.
I don’t stay in hotels often but when I do I expect a decent breakfast and good quality customer service.
Was just going to reccomend this to a friend till I read this, then I read these; http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186345-d658755-r29317803-La_Rosa_Hotel_Campsite-Whitby_North_Yorkshire_England.html such a pity, it looks lovely!