When I arrived around 22:43, I was exhausted from a long journey from Cambridgeshire to Croydon. I hoped that I would get a friendly reception and get to my room swiftly, because I had to arrive by 8am for surgery early next morning, Wednesday 20 November 2024. That was the only reason why I had to book a hotel. Usually, I go the same day, but after 1 or 2pm. Therefore, I was shocked when David at reception asked me to email my ID! I showed him my Network railcard. But he said I had to email it, and gave me a Grand Sapphire Hotel and Banqueting business card with its email address. I have never had to do that before, in more than 30 national and international trips and hotels. I made that clear in my email. Bad start. The service was better, though variable, after that. When I returned from painful foot surgery with 2 crutches and exposed bandages, I still had to ask for help. It was not automatic. Then I got help up to my room from a young woman. My room had not been cleaned. Bed not done, bin not emptied. They had only put a new bottle of water on the table, and replaced the miniature bottle of shower gel. I was appalled and reported that to a man at reception. He apologised and said he would inform management. The gentleman at the breakfast buffet the next morning, Thursday 21 November, was helpful, and brought it to my table. Overall, I definitely won’t return to, nor recommend Sapphire & Banqueting. I prefer the good and excellent service in other hotels.

Well worth the price the room was a decent size clean & warm I actually had to open a window for a while as it was getting a bit too warm. If like us you are going to Ashcroft Theatre/ Fairfield Hall then it's a bit far out & if coming by train then it's £15 to/from East Croydon Station & the same to the hall so it works out a bit expensive for Taxi's. Located almost opposite the old London airport which had I had the time I would have wandered over to as it may have been interesting.

Handy hotel, very clean, helpful staff!

Nice and clean room! Very friendly service The only disadvantage was the lack of minibar in the room and bar in the hotel

Nice and clean room! Very friendly service The only disadvantage was the lack of minibar in the room and bar in the hotel

Our stay was very nice. The customer service was impeccable! Highly recommended

Our stay was very nice. The customer service was impeccable! Highly recommended

On check in, I was asked for photo ID, even though I am a UK resident, which I found confusing. I asked for an additional key for my partner so that she could come and go as she pleased, this was declined, stating that they only give one key per room. This, for me, was a major inconvenience as that meant that we could not go out separately and if we did, we had to co-ordinate who was having the key and when one of us would be back to let the other person in. The breakfast in the morning was, in my opinion, not enough for I and my partner. One butter croissant left in the tray and 2 chocolate croissants left, juices nearly empty etc. Then whilst eating our breakfast, the tables and chairs around us were being broken down for another event that was happening in the same room, which made us feel rushed. We were the only table left in the room, but were left feeling that they needed us to leave the breakfast room so that they could continue to set the room up for the event happening that morning. That night, at approximately 1.00am our electricity went in our room whilst we were watching TV. There was no one at reception, so I had to leave my partner in darkness to find someone to assist us. Upon finding someone we were offered another room, but no assistance was offered with our belongings. I called reception as the heating in the new room wasn’t working and was told that someone would come to assist, no one arrived so we slept in a cold room. Overall not a great experience!