Reviews of Camelot Castle Hotel, Tintagel, England

Worse bedroom I have ever seen

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Samy

Comments:

Arrived at the hotel 5pm on Friday the 21st November 2008, left at 5.30pm. On arrival we were given the key to Room 115 (no offer to show us to the bedroom) luckily I had a torch on my car keys, it was needed to find the light switches in the dark corridors. On finding the bedroom I have to say it was the worst room I have ever seen. In my previous employment I virtually lived in Hotels and Guest Houses all over the UK and the continent and this was the worst. There was no lampshade just a singly bulb hanging from the electric cord. The wallpaper was peeling, the furniture mismatched and damaged. The only window was sealed shut with mastic and painted over with the fastner removed. The bathroom if you could call it that a plastic pod was horrible. I went to Reception to say that we did'nt like the room and was given keys to rooms 107 and 109 - these rooms were no better so we left.

We found accommodation at the Wotton House Hotel which was like a Palace in comparison. That evening sitting in a Pub in Tintagel we got talking to another couple who had also booked into the Camelot Castle Hotel and were complaining bitterly about their room, they decided to do the same as us and leave as soon as possible.

The Hotel website gives a false impression and they should certainly not be charging £49.00 per person per night for rooms of such a poor standard. I feel sorry for people who have travelled a long way for such poor accommodation.

booked one night at the castle...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs H Liggins

Comments:

booked one night at the castle for husband and myself, paid extra ten pounds each for breakfast. received warm welcome on arrival - manner of staff, including cleaners is outstanding. shown around dining room and bar then handed keys to room. noticed weird paintings covering every wall, along with many photos of celebs, upon inspection, clearly not taken at hotel!! room very basic, dreadful condition - peeling wallpaper, awful decor, nothing matching whatsoever. ancient tele on equally ancient rickety wooden stand. windows filthy. four poster bed soooo uncomfortable. ensuite bathroom a joke - just a plastic pod with loo, sink and shower, barely enough room to turn around!

We were in bed and heard a knock at the door, my husband shouted 'hello', another knock, then another, then we heard keys in the door and in walked a young lady! She did look embarrassed that we were there - she handed us a "private letter". It thanked us for our valued stay etc then offered us another night at 40% discount. But I can quite honestly say this was the worst accommodation I have ever stayed in so obviously didn't take up the offer. The breakfast served quickly and of a high standard but definitely not worth the money! It is such a shame as the hotel is in a prime location with stunning, breathtaking views. If only the right person could go in and do a major refurbishment!!!!

Phew...luckily we didnt book to...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

May 2007

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr U.N Impressed

Comments:

Phew...luckily we didnt book to stay the night after reading the shocking reviews of the Hotel..

I have loved reading all the reviews and have provided me with a great night in's entertainment ..lol

We popped in to have a cup of tea/coffee and immediately got a creepy feeling as we entered the 'Hotel' It wasnt long before we got the giggles as we looked at all the celeb pics 'Friends of Camelot'.. more like 'the totally unconnected with Camelot !'



After waiting an age to be served over priced drinks we couldnt help wondering what 'The lightbox ' was as it looked so facinating from the description, i wasnt sure what to read first as it all looked so unbelievable (urr hum ..lol) After we inquired to see if we could look at the lighbox we were told that Mr Stouton was too busy to chat to us and he had just arrived from a trip away (with the fairies?) Mr Stourton appeared with a wide grin to inform us that he would be happy to show us the 'Lightbox'.. what joy !

My wife and 6 month old child were led down through a sinister set of tunnels to a room adorned with Mr Stourtons fantasy... paintings- He went on to sing us a song which was all very nice, but i wasnt sure where to look to be honest, it was all a bit Cheesy but horses for courses i guess..

We were then taken to the Lightbox, expecting something not dissimilar to Disney Pixar effects... but no, it was as described.. a box with lights built to contain his Paintings (basically to make them look better than they are ) After i burbled my way through an uneducated art critique my wife and i were hoodwinked into purchasing a painting .. hurrah ! mind you it was a bargain at £100 ... ;0(

To cut a long story slightly short ... it was an experience we will never forget... a strangly hideous looking Hotel, an alcohol/garlic breathed deranged owner who tries to barinwash people with false newspaper articles of stories of one of his painting selling for 1 million pounds ..

A great laugh, in fact im thinking of booking a night there just for a laugh, perhaps the 1970's TV's show 1970's shows .. i like those !

Hope this doesnt put you off... if you have a good sense of humour you should go because we have dined out on this story for over a year now.

By the way i sold my Investement for £76 on Ebay after listing it 6 times with no interest... so you may want to think twice before 'investing' .. your probably better off investing in the other Camelot as you might just win !

Cheers all !

This hotel was chosen for a...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr Mike Faulkner

Comments:

This hotel was chosen for a three night break because of what it had to say about itself on its website. While the description of the views & surroundings are completely accurate, the hotel is a complete disappointment. An impressive front door leads to a large reception area with a threadbare, taped joint carpet. Dining room & bar are well decorated, but you can wait several minutes for someone to attend the bar, and for all the blurb about international chefs, the food is disappointing. The hotel is adorned with totally out of keeping paintings. The bedroom was awful, threadbare carpet, wobbly fourposter bed, ancient tv that was impossible to see from the bed. The room was clean, but the enclosed balcony had filthy windows, a peeling crumbling ceiling, and a door that you couldn't open from the balcony side. All in all - and this was also the opinion of many other guests - Camelot offers very poor value for money.

Have just enjoyed a special 5...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr K.E. Roberts

Comments:

Have just enjoyed a special 5 day break at this beautiful location on the headland next to Tintagel Castle, of Arthurian Legend. The food at this hotel is excellent and the service is quite outstanding. Visiting here is like coming home to a family after a long time away. Everyone is so happy to see you and nothhing is too much trouble for the staff. Marek and Henryk and the reception staff will do anything for guests and Peter and the restaurant staff are courtesy and service personified. Of course one should also mention the friendly ladies who ensure the rooms are cleaned to a high standard. In fact everyone seems to be capable of doing almost every task



Rooms are comfortable and although there is some renovation currently underway, this is unobtrusive. The walls of the hotel are amply supplied with paintings and pictures of "the Friends of Camelot"which contain some surprisingly impressive names. All this points to a commitment to the family ethos with which all the staff are imbued and to which they respond. When you visit Camelot you can be sure of a a family style welcome (children and pets included), the opportunity to enjoy wonderful scenery and cliff walks and to immerse your self in the timelessness of myth and legend. After all, where else can you sit at The Round Table of King Arthur.

WHAT A WONDERFUL HOTEL, THE...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Ms A DALLYN

Comments:

WHAT A WONDERFUL HOTEL, THE VIEWS OF THE CASTLE AND THE OCEAN ARE FANTASTIC WHICH EVER SIDE OF THE CASTLE YOU LOOK OUT OFF, YOU ARE MADE TO FEEL LIKE FAMILY, THE STAFF ARE FANTASTIC AND FRIENDLY, NOTHING TO MUCH TROUBLE FOR THEM, THE ROOMS ARE CLEAN TIDY AND VERY INVITING. IF YOU WANT A ROMANTIC BREAK THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO . AND THE FOOD IS TOO DIE FOR , WITH A GREAT SELECTION ON THE MENU, YOU WANT TO TAKE THE CHEF HOME.

If i could rate this as zero or...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

Select

Submitted By:

Mr Fked Off

Comments:

If i could rate this as zero or minus I would!



On arriving at the hotel, we were impressed by the views and the hotel exterior but my partner was a bit freaked out by the atmosphere which seemed to seep from the dirty, tired brickwork. On entering the hotel we were greeted by a group of sour-faced Eastern European workers from the reception area which was placed among the photos of various Hollywood "Royalty" and a strangely sinister smiling man whom, we assumed, was the owner - John Mappin. We were checked in and given the key to our room, then left to carry our own luggage and shown where the "lift" was but advised to "mind our fingers" as the doors of the lift are dangerous (!)



Upon opening the door of our room we were shocked into breathlessness, but not through delight. We were confronted with peeling wallpaper, threadbare carpets, our bedding had a huge hole in it, the tv looked like it was from the 1970s and was teetering dangerously on a precarious wheeled trolley from a decade before. There were damp stains on the ceiling and curtains and the heating didn't work. And as for the "state of the art communications system"... It was a brown and cream Binatone push button telephone!! The electrics looked downright dangerous. We were especially wary of the adaptor housing 5 plugs held in place by some black masking tape!



Everything said before about the "toilets" is true! Expect a "port a loo" in the corner of your room with a plastic floor and not enough space to turn around in with your arms anywhere but firmly by your side.



My partner spent all of two minutes in this room (just enough to take photos) and stormed to reception to complain. Jolly receptionist seemed nonplussed by this and merely offered him the key to a "better standard" room. This room was actually worse. We were staying with our 18 month old son and he spied a "Winnie the Pooh" toy on the windowsill. Upon picking it up (as kids do), it's head fell off and copious amounts of black stuffing fell out! My partner again stormed back to reception with aformentioned toy in hand (and also the tv remote control which appeared to be held together with tape!) and upon reaching reception again (after damaging his fingers on the lift) was given the key to yet ANOTHER room.



This was the worst yet. It was just about big enough for two people to stand in at the same time if neither breathed! This was the final insult and we got our baggage and left despite having driven for 6 hours from London for our "retreat". Again, the staff did not seem surprised that we didn't wish to stay. This seemed like a normal occurrence in the hotel.



Overall the place had a most sinister atmosphere, no doubt because of the huge scientology connections which we only found out about after. Mr Mappin seems to have his fingers in all sorts of pies, including sending me weekly poetry emails and extracts from his latest musical album (I kid you not), however, if he used his energy in updating his hotel rather than bribing stars to have their photos taken with him, no doubt he'd have a better business!



Please see the photos we've attached and BE WARNED! Do NOT stay at this place.

The Camelot Castle Hotel is...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr I Heather

Comments:

The Camelot Castle Hotel is amazing, no website, pictures, words or interpretive dance could do it justice, stop reading this review and book NOW! Seriously its that good.



The building itself had more character than a Tolkien book and the views were breathtaking. The staff made us feel very welcome, always greeting us with a smile and were very helpful throughout our stay.



I cant recommend this place enough, take your wife, take your lovers, for gods sake go alone........ just go, you will never regret it and you will never want to leave.



Now, i must go and book my next trip there.......

This hotel is an interesting...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Ms H B

Comments:

This hotel is an interesting building situated in a fantastic location on the coast at Tintagel, next to Tintagel castle. Our room was large, with lovely sea views. We had a good meal in the restaurant, which has views of the castle as well as sea views. The staff were very helpful and friendly, we enjoyed our night here and are likely to return.

CAMELOT CASTLE IS A MAGNIFICANT...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs A G STUART

Comments:

CAMELOT CASTLE IS A MAGNIFICANT PLACE TO STAY. YOU ARE VERY WELCOMED BY THE WONDERFUL STAFF, THE BEAUTY OF THE BUILDING, THE AMAZING ART EVERYWHERE, AND NOT TO MENTION THE BREATHTAKING SCENERY AROUND THE CASTLE. WE ENJOYED OUR GREAT AND FANTASTIC STAY AND WE JUST CANT WAIT TO GO AGAIN!! OUR ROOM WAS VERY CLEAN AND HAD A GREAT VIEW. THERE WERE MANY EXCITING WALKS FOR US AROUND THE CASLTLE AND A FANTASTIC VILLAGE NOT FAR. THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND THE AREA. AND NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE THE DOG AT HOME AS DOGS ARE WELCOME. IF YOU HAVE A SPIRITUAL OR ARTISTIC SIDE THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE PLACE FOR YOU AS IT IS SO INSPIRING.

Beautiful setting at the edge of...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs K Stoate-dixon

Comments:

Beautiful setting at the edge of the sea; tranquility. Camelot Castle stands unique, full of bright souls, creativity and its ambience is of pure positive energy. Nothing is too much bother; the staff offer care and attention throughout without pretension. A great discovery. A relaxing break that I would also advocate to all those who genuinely have an interest in the arts. Kim Stoate- Dixon

We went to the hotel for some...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Other M Jones

Comments:

We went to the hotel for some much needed R&R and that is exactly what we got. It had the added bonus that we were able to take our Golden Retriever "Abbey". As we were on the second floor she took the lift. The setting is spectacular. We both do painting and photography so this was quite a joy. I haven't edited the 100 or photos yet but I am looking forward to it.



The staff were charming as were the owners. The resteraunt was lovely, the food great and reasonably priced. We met quite a few couples there who enjoyed it as much as we did. I was surprised to see the negative comments in the reviews. There was one couple that did complain about the meal. They seemed like profesional complainers. As I could not see what the problems was.



The place is being refurbished at the moment and the rooms do need upgrading, but this is reflected in the room price which is lower than some B&B's without the views, resteraunt, bar and fantastic service.



The Resteraunt, lobby, sitting room and staircases are grand and decorated with Ted's paintings, some of which are absolutely stunning. We did see the ligt box which was great fun.



All in all it was just what we needed. Once the place has be refurbished I am informed we will still be able to afford it. We are looking forward to the next visit as is Abbey.

I have read every review on this...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr P BUDD

Comments:

I have read every review on this site concerning Camelot Castle and I have come up with the logical decision that Camelot Castle is what you make it. I agree that some parts are looking a bit tired but the owners know this and are in the process of a major, and I suspect costly, refurbishment.



The owners may possibly belong to the Scientology group, mentioned in a previous review but not during my stay, but how does that affect a holiday? John Mappin and Ted Stourton are the only owners of any hotel I have stayed in that made a point to talk to my wife and I on every occasion that our paths crossed. Nothing was pushed on us and our talks were interesting and refreshingly honest.



The food in the restaurant was superb, the staff have balanced the art of attentive service with unobtrusiveness to such the degree that most establishments can only dream about.



Our room was well decorated and the bathroom immaculate, my thanks to the lovely cleaning ladies who were a wealth of information about local beauty spots.



If you want a holiday retreat to comprise of beautiful surroundings, friendship, conversation, attentive staff, fantastic food and very reasonable prices then this is the place to come.



I have nothing but praise for Camelot Castle and am already planning my return.

Last weekend our party of 8 were...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Self booking

Submitted By:

Mrs S Page-Smith

Comments:

Last weekend our party of 8 were wondering what we could expect having read the negative reviews.



On arrival we were welcomed and could not fail to be very impressed by the beautiful dining room and the sumptous lounge area. The hotel is spotlessly clean. The food excellent. The staff are very attentive and professional. The owners Ted, John and Irina take pains over the welfare of their guests.



The unfurbished rooms are shabby but they are clean. Yes there was evidence of a previous leak on the ceiling and peeling wallpaper, however the beds were not old, were comfortable, and clean, the shower cubicle - again spotlessly clean with good hot shower.



We had a guided tour of the refurbished roooms, the quality is excellent.



The views are stunning, as are the walks. Tintagel is only a ten minute easy walk away.



The price we paid was cheaper than staying at a Travel Inn!



We had a brilliant time and can't wait to go back.

My husband and I have just read...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs Behind The Mask

Comments:

My husband and I have just read quite a few excited reviews, and we are simply wondering if we'd visited the same hotel because it's nothing like our experience.

As you approach the hotel it looks really wonderful, as you get closer you don't really notice the weathered exterior. As you enter the reception area, you can't help feeling impressed by the celebrity photos and even the newspaper reports. Our impression of stuff was helpful and friendly - we arrived a bit earlier the check-in time, but the receptionist checked us in. Our oasis of luxury for the next two nights would be room 209. A standard room with a sea view. When at last we found a room our dream came crashing down. As we entered the room we suddenly realized why nobody showed you to your room...Cracked ceiling,big damp patch on it, wallpaper peeling from the wall, tired furniture, very old looking, too small bedcovers. As we laid on the bed to recover from journey we began to get concerned about the hypothermia. "Bathroom" isn't even a room, more like a plastic wardrobe, that smells musty...NOTHING AT ALL LIKE PICTURES ADVERTISED ON THEIR WEBSITE!

We spent the next two days just realizing the hotel is simply based on illusion. Celebrity photos, doubt they were taken in the hotel...We couldn't even imagine someone in those photos sleeping in our room. We wouldn't be happy leaving our pet in there.

Food in restaurant was simple but nice, expensive though.

Doubtful that the hotel would be popular without the spectacular views

Two evening meals in the restaurant, two nights, little under £400.

Since we've returned home we now realize that the hotel has no star ratings advertised, we now know why. Not something you notice before you book