Sandown, Carlton Hotel

After an holiday was ruined last year by the quality of the hotel we stayed at not far from the Carlton I decided to have a closer look at the reviews this year .They were fifty-fifty good and bad .We were allocated a very clean and tidy room at the Carlton which was located at the rear of the building .However I was travelling with a group of friends who were given rooms at the front with balcony for the same price as we had paid and this is my only complaint. I did not make any fuss over this because our holiday was booked through a coach company.I would add that all the staff at the Carlton were first class, the entertainment very good covering a range of tastes especially the comedian on Friday evening.Summing up it was good value for the price we paid.

I think in future I will make sure I have some indication of our likely location within the hotel

Stayed at this hotel for many many years, dont be put off by other reviews, wouldnt go back 2-3 times a year if it was that bad. Couldnt be closer to the sea, there are beautiful views. Recently had a lot of refurnishing done which looks good. Meals are quick and have many choices, you certainly wont go hungry. Sophie the manager manages the hotel really well and is always there to help, all people have to do is ask. All the staff work really well together and are very friendly and welcoming. Great value for money. We are a large family and take other families with us all of them love it just as much as we do. There is a good swimming pool and leisure centre 5 minutes walk away from the hotel.

My friend and I stayed at the Carlton Hotel as part of a coach group. The first room we were given was a twin as I had booked. I had emailed the hotel to request a sea view room as my friend had never stayed in a hotel with a sea view, but we were given a room at the back of the hotel and had a dreadful view. I asked if we could change to a sew view room as some of our group had been given sea view rooms and had not requsted one!! We had to spend 2 nights in the first room and then moved to a sea view room ,it was a lovely room and the view was superb, thanks Carlton Hotel staff you were all polite and very helpful. The 2 girls we had waiting on our table were both lovely and very helpful. The rooms were clean, although the only bathroom toiletries supplied was small bars of soap, I don't think I have ever stayed in a hotel where shower cream was not supplied. Food was good, although the dining room we were in was so noisy, no curtains, carpet or table cloths to absorb the noise, also we had been put on a table with an elderly couple who were hard of hearing which was hard work!!

All in all we ahd a great time and would stay in the Carlton Hotel again, but only in a sea view room!!

My wife was bitten by bed bugs in this hotel. A dirty unclean room doesn't help, bugs like that environment! Not cleaned properly during the day, not vacuumed, and on one occasion, bed not made properly, perhaps the cleaner saw a bug and ran!

I know it was exceptionally cold winter, (Jan) but if they wish to open in winter they need to fix the loose windows, and replace the shot double glazing fronting the hotel. Very cold in lounge, dining area, even the performers complained!

The only good thing about this hotel is the willing and helpful staff, and the reasonably good food.

Never again!!!!!!!!!

Our stay at this hotel was an enjoyable experience.

The room was very clean and reasonably well appointed.

All members of staff were very polite and most helpful. The Hotel is in an excellent position, directly overlooking the seafront.

All food was of an acceptable standard and the bar prices competative.

All in all excellent value for the small amount we payed to stay there.

Well done Carlton Hotel!

Our stay at the Carlton Hotel Sandown was very enjoyable, the food was great and the staff were yery pleasant. The rooms are spotless. Very good value - great all round holiday. Sept 2009.

a terrible single room

no comfort

never slept in a worse room

breakfast poor

out of date service

tables with no clothes or mats

cutlery and crockery not very clean

needs to update their service in every way

carlton hotel is worst i have been in for years

Food and catering staff excellent at the Carlton Hotel. Restaurant facilities were excellent. Clean and well catered. I would recommend this hotel.

When people pay for this kind of break I cant believe that they can moan. I think its society in general especially the older generation they seem to want more and more yet only want to pay very little.If these old people want a break with 5 star silver service restaurants and room service then I suggest they smash their piggy banks open and and go and spend 500 pounds on a weekend break not a hundred pounds.I really cant believe what people found wrong with the Carlton Hotel me and my family enjoyed it immensely.Although it could do with a few dollars spending on it you pay for what you get and we were really happy with it and would definitely book again.

The outside of this hotel is shabby and unkept. Our balcony door would not lock neither would our actual door. Food was cold and was poorly presented. Hoovers were left in the corridors and my elderly mother tripped over a dirty towel left in the way. When I asked to speak to management, I was told no-one was available to talk to me about my complaint. Also heard 5 members of staff talking about smoking. I was appalled by the attitude of the chambermaids and the waiting staff.