Although the reception area was impressive, the welcome was less than friendly and I was ignored until I went and stood right opposite one of the receptionists. There was no offer to carry my bag or show me to my room. The rest of the decor was shabby and dated. My room, although large, had stained and dated decorations, the furniture was scratched and damaged and the curtains were dirty. Two single beds pushed together does not make a double, and it was uncomfortable. The bathroom was reasonable but there was no hot water to the basin, although the shower was hot with good pressure. The TV was old and there was no channel 4, although I was assured it was a temporary problem when I eventually got a response to my question after three times of asking. The windows were filthy and impossible to open without a key - there was air conditioning but it was noisy and intrusive and did not seem to make much difference to the sweltering temperatures. The food was appalling; room service produced a gristly steak with greasy 'fries' from a packet. The salad had not been washed properly and the wine was corked. The 'fresh fruit salad' was a sad mixture of mostly apples, and unripe melon. The breakfast was overpriced and disgusting - I have never had such terrible scrambled eggs in my life. The tea and coffee was ready made in vacuum jugs - the kind of thing you expect at a low - grade seminar venue, not a four star hotel. I had a member's day pass to the gym, which was overcrowded with both equipment and people and almost impossible to use. There was a surcharge for towels and the staff member who I tried to ask for information spoke English so badly he was incoherant. This was an appalling hotel and I am very surprised it had four stars. I thought at first they must have been awarded in 1973, but the building was relatively new. I had great pleasure in leaving and even more pleasure knowing I will never come back.