OYO the Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Chelmsford

We and another couple arrived at around 1:30pm on the day of our booking. Our friends had already tried to check in and were told to wait in the car park as the room wasn’t ready until 3pm. On the booking we had been asked what time we were expected to arrive and told them 1-2pm I walked into the foyer as I needed to use the toilet as we had been travelling for a while. There were no signs for the bathroom but walked through to where the bar used to be and went into the bathroom. There was no paper or any sign that it was in use. The bar area was completely closed off and looked derelict, our friends had already asked if there were drinks or food whilst they were waiting for their room and told nothing was available?? Another couple were checking in and looked just as horrified as we did but they were given a room number and were taken off to their room so I asked if ours was available yet as I needed to use the toilet still… We gave our names and were given our keys and the guy at reception walked us round to our rooms. At no point did he ask for payment to be made up front and I have sometimes paid as we have checked out of a hotel so I didn’t think anything of it. We unpacked our bags and drove to another location to have lunch before going to meet our friends. At 16:23 I received a phone call from the hotel asking if we’re still coming as we hadn’t been checked in, I explained that we had and told the guy what room numbers we had been allocated, he asked if we had paid and I said no one asked us? At 19:21 my phone rung again and it was the reception guy again still checking up on our booking?? We were out with friends and didn’t expect to keep getting calls from the hotel. We arrived back to the hotel just after midnight and went straight to our rooms. At 00:22 I received yet another phone call from reception asking about payment, we were understandably very tired after being out all day and evening and I certainly wasn’t going to walk back to the reception at that time of night. He proceeded to interrogate me about what time I was checking out so I said around 10am. For gods sake just leave me alone!!! We went to check out about 9:30am and there was a young lad on the reception that didn’t know how to take the payment, another guy was complaining about the lack of water in his room. We waited for someone to arrive supposedly a manager who was asleep. After about 10 minutes whilst we wee running through our list of complaints and no one had appeared, I said to the reception guy well it’s obvious you have my phone number so ring me and I’ll make payment over the phone. He then proceeded to accuse me of not wanting to pay! I had kept my cool until then but that was one step too far now he was just saying things that weren’t true. The manager finally appeared and when I said it’s just not acceptable to be called up 3 times during my stay and quite frankly be harassed as him and his staff are totally incompetent he was argu

On arrival the whole place was looking like a derelict unused unfit for consumption place, nothing like the advertised pictures, the main gate was looking like a steel block to enter through in a building site, which was padlocked and you had to ring a number to call to be let through by someone ( not a security guard) and then locked behind us. The pictures on the website currently show a full working hotel. This surely is not. One car in the car park. Unloading the car with my husband after a two hour drive we both looked concerned, at what we saw. Building works all around and the whole main hotel was closed down. The man behind the reception desk was very quick to move us along to outside buildings which were also undergoing some sort of works but could not see fully as was dark, the building was like old fashion 1950 concrete coldits buildings all in a long corridor. He took us to a room. Oh my he undone the door of which was falling apart and like paper and basically left us. Optimistic for a nights stay following walking in yes it was clean BUT how it was NOT, the rooms furniture was fallen all apart the bed was a double and did look like had clean sheets ( which was all I dare look at. The curtains were hanging off the window , TV broken and none of the normal warm. and welcome things you would expect in a 3 star hotel. Walking into the bathroom and the room itself freezing cold ( a small heater under the window which barely worked to heat the room. One towel to serve 2, the water taking a long time to come through the tap before you were able to rinse your hands which was clearly not heated hot. Did not attempt to use shower to freshen up. The Bathroom in a 1950/60 style green marble style tile. Shower clean toilet flushed all I can say. I didn’t even attempt to test the comfort for a goodnights sleep as was absolute disgraceful. Any one wanting to stay, PLEASE DO NOT. Be fully aware the hotel is currently not a good place to be.unfortunately after returning from a work colleagues 70 th birthday we placed our things back in the car of our choice handed our keys back and I drove back 2 hours home. Be aware also there is no REFUUNDS given yes £79 per night (no breakfast included) but would of paid additional for this if necessary, is a good price if you are desperate but do not rely on money back if not satisfied. TRY to avoid this horrible nightmare place until finished because clearly should not be advertising what it currently showing and should not be open at all!!!!

Although this 'hotel' (more like a motel) is situated on the main A12 dual carriageway, the rooms are so peaceful and quiet. So relaxing. I have stayed here previously and it was the same then. You can park your car near to where your room is situated. My room was large, with a really comfortable double bed, two chairs, an easy to use TV and a very nice, modern shower room, all at a good price. What a pity they do not offer breakfast!