One hotel user we know has told us of a bad experience received at the four-star Park Grand in Hogarth Road, Earls Court.

Apparently he booked a room there through Booking.com and was told when he arrived that, due to an error, he was being moved to a room in an annexe opposite, but that to compensate for this he could enjoy a free breakfast in the hotel, worth £15.95. He reports that the room he was switched into was “definitely not four-star standard” and was “cramped and dirty with a blocked toilet and sink” He wondered if this was a normal occurrence for guests booking through Booking.com as the Park Grand would be paying them a commission.

The Park Grand Group currently has six hotels, all operated under a different company name and registration number from the same address at 27, Devonshire Terrace in Bayswater, W2, and located in Paddington, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, Earls Court and Heathrow Our own checks indicate that switching of bookings for the Hogarth Road Park Grand to other hotels in the group, for such reasons as “maintenance error” and “maintenance issues” are not uncommon experiences for guests writing on review websites.

The group promotes its venues for meetings and events so, given the above, organisers booking are advised to ensure that they’ll be meeting, and staying, where they’ve booked. An incognito ovrernight stay to check quality of rooms might also be a good idea.