52 Stafford

What People are saying

Condition of hotel, new management, and breakfast have all deteriorated

Phyllis K on 01/11/2017 16:59

My husband and I have stayed at the 52 Stafford many times in recent years, We have brought friends and family to stay and have referred others. Although we have noticed the need for some updating of carpets, bedding and furniture in recent years, we have overlooked those things because in the past there was a wonderful old-world atmosphere and great management and wait staff (Robin was our favorite waitress). But this year, our experience was quite different. There is new management and Robin is gone. The lobby and dining room were poorly lit during the day and was dreary and dingy. The carpets were dirty the day of arrival, that evening, and the next morning. We had a long wait to check in. We were not told they no longer offer a wonderful breakfast with fresh pastries, fresh fruit, and other continental breakfasts plus a fresh-cooked hot entree. We discovered that the next morning when we went to breakfast. The dining room was very dark because the beautiful wall sconces were not lit. These lights always added warmth and charm even on a dark day. The meager continental breakfast was on a buffet in the hallway near the bathrooms. No lights were on. The continental breakfast offered few choices, with two pre-packaged pastries and bread for toast, all of which were stale; a few yogurts and two boiled eggs, and two cereals. No fruit of any kind. Coffee and watered-down juice was also provided. No hot entree -- the new manager informed us that she had to clean, do laundry, answer the phone, check people out, etc. and didn't have time to cook. There was no longer a chef on duty for breakfast. We received no service while we nibbled unlike in the past when Robin gave us great service and engaged in great conversation. The room was so dark and depressing that we couldn't wait to leave.
When we checked out, the new manager again regaled us with how over-worked she was. The message we got was that she was too busy to bother taking care of guests or making them feel welcome. With the charming atmosphere and friendly staff no longer there, we found ourselves focusing on the need for cleaning and updates. The chair in our room, once a beautiful antique reproduction, was now covered with a cheap looking, modern slipcover, the bedding was faded and worn, lots of chips in the paint, cracked and missing tiles in the bathroom and a cracked tub, and worst of all a bathtub that would not drain so we showered standing in dirty water. We used to have plenty of towels -- this time we had one towel, wash cloth, and hand towel each. It is always nice to have at least one extra wash cloth. In the past I have mentioned several times that there should be grab bars in the tub area -- it's a long stretch to step into the tub, and the bottom of the tub is slippery. Our room still did not have grab bars. This is a matter of safety! As I listened to the new manager's comments about how much she had to do, I asked if the hotel had new ownership. She said the owners are the same, just new management. When we arrived, we were not made to feel welcome. When we left, there was no good-bye or thank you for our stay. Although the manager left us with a very bad impression, ultimately, the deterioration in appearance, atmosphere, and service rests with the owners. Although this was once our favorite place, we will not be staying at 52 Stafford again.

Poor experience, poor rating, poor management/staff

Randal M on 23/10/2017 22:14

Reserved a certain room before arrival because handicapped. Upon arrival room was occupied. Noisy room; could hear noise from kitchen above, heat in room was louder than maximum volume on TV, so couldn't hear TV. Over charged for room; was quoted one rate and charged another.

Not a favorite anymore

joyinthemorning on 05/10/2017 15:39

We have been going the 52 Stafford for many years to celebrate our anniversary weekend. Sadly, not anymore. This is the first poor rating I've given any place. I probably should talk with the manager but I've noticed the other reviews over the past couple years and was hoping they'd pay attention and make some changes. Not so. This place used to offer guests an experience of nostalgia and quaintness few places could...a European Inn feel with great food and service. They used to offer a full fresh breakfast and a friendly waitress "Robin" who loved visiting with guests and making your stay special. This time around we found things to be very different. We were greeted with a young friendly hostess. That was were our weekend experience ended on a high note. Check in was easy and we went to the bar area for a drink. The hostess was immediately overwhelmed with bar, restaurant and check in duties. As people started coming in there were a lot customers waiting for the poor girl to attend to them. We decided to have dinner there and went to our room and came back later hoping things were calmer. I had the salmon salad which was incredibly salty and I only ate a couple bites. My husband had the fish and said it was good. We found out at check in that breakfast is not included anymore. There was a continental breakfast. Some muffins, yogurt, eggs, etc. Nothing fresh. It sits in the hallway on a buffet and small fridge. There were crumbs all over the buffet and on the floor. There was other restaurant stuff piled on the floor and overall the area was cluttered and unappealing. All the blinds were closed and the place was dark. We used to come down to the sun pouring in and tables ready for guest and the aroma of coffee. No more of that. Our room was on the third floor. The weather was unusually warm for this time of year and the air conditioner didn't work well. We didn't sleep well either night. I asked the hostess at the front desk if they might have a fan and she initially seemed irritated and asked if I knew how to use the AC. I got the feeling if she didn't like what I said and she might bite if I didn't approach carefully. Eventually we did get a fan and she cleaned the filter but it still didn't work well and when she asked about it, I just said it was OK. As we came in and out of the Inn over the weekend she was out front smoking and talking on the phone with someone about problems she was addressing at the Inn. The planters out front were full of weeds and dead flowers and the steps were dirty with debris. Over the weekend we kept running in the another group of four people staying there and they were very disappointed with their stay as well saying they've stayed at their other locations and have come to expect more. They said they left the bar because they ran out of items for the Bloody Mary's and some of their other drinks. They also mentioned how surprised they were that breakfast was eliminated as they have visited their other locations and have always had that included. They offered up this information without me ever saying anything about our experience. I do need to mention that our room was clean and no problems other than the AC. I was reluctant to write this review as often I think people use this forum to just whine or complain and probably complain about most anything. I think management or the owners need to take a serious look at this place. My husband works at a local college in the management development department and he commented that the place would do well with a friendly person that would be present the majority of business hours to be "the face of the place" connecting with customers and making sure the overall appearance and operation are going smoothly.

Wierd vibe!

stillwatercove on 24/08/2017 00:48

One of the strangest hotels we have ever stayed in. Firstly you are literally locked out of the hotel until the 3 pm check in time. So don`t arrive early. No elevators so you have to climb stairs lots of stairs especially if you are on the top floor like we were. Rooms are dark and the worst for wear. Breakfast is funny if it was not so sad. This is supposed to be a special b and b hotel but you can get a far superior breakfast at a holiday inn. There is a table in the hall with a couple of coffee pots a small refrigerator with eggs, yogurt etc and a toaster. Great parking overnight across the street and behind the hotel. If you park behind the hotel you will be climbing metal grate stairs into the back of the building. Strange bartender. Will not be returning.

Lovely room.

ThePixieLaLa on 11/07/2017 05:06

Our room was comfortable and clean and quite lovely. As we were visiting family we really spent no time in any part of the hotel other than the room. It was a nice homey room to come back to at the end of each of the 4 days we spent there.