Resort's hotels given a clean bill of health

Spot checks by Holiday Which? magazine in London and Blackpool uncovered toenail clippings, dead flies, soiled mattresses and filthy toilet brushes in hotel rooms.

Hairs and grit were found on bed sheets and a column of ants marched across one room while it was being inspected.

As many as 14 out of 20 hotels investigated failed bacteria tests. Sink taps were "particularly foul" with nine out of 10 swabbed in Blackpool failing at least one hygiene test.

John Weaver, Bournemouth council's marketing and events manager, defended the hygiene standards in the resort's hotel rooms.

"Over 200 hotels, guesthouses and self-catering establishments are registered and checked every year to ensure they fulfil the Bournemouth quality standards guidelines," he said.

"We are very committed to ensuring our accommodation is of the highest quality. Occasionally we get complaints but they usually come from guests who have booked into unregistered accommodation.

"Thankfully, there has been no horrendous feedback from guests. Most complaints are of a minor nature and concern customer service. In my opinion our hotel rooms are of a very good standard."

Jackie Edwards, who runs the Gervis Court Hotel on the East Cliff, said: "Because there is so much competition in Bournemouth guests tend to get very good value for money but, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

"I've stayed in a hotel room infested with ants but that was in Madeira. Sometimes hoteliers encounter problems which are out of their control, like last week when one of our residents left a water tap running and flooded the lounge below.

"I think there are tired rooms in Bournemouth which need a facelift but they are not necessarily dirty. It depends on the owner and how much they keep an eye on their cleaning staff.

"Because of all the competition I don't think hoteliers would survive here if they weren't offering a good quality service."

First published: May 12