Vive Hotel

This hotel is highly regarded for its modern, well-designed rooms featuring kitchenettes, offering a convenient self-catering option in a prime location. Its central position makes it an excellent choice for sightseers eager to explore the town, business travelers seeking functional accommodations, and both couples and families looking for a comfortable base with added amenities. Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness and the generally friendly demeanor of its staff. However, recurring themes in reviews highlight significant challenges with noise levels from the surrounding area and pervasive issues with room temperatures, often described as excessively hot due to a lack of proper cooling. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room located away from the main road to mitigate street noise, and be prepared for potential warmth within the rooms, especially during warmer periods.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's kitchenettes are a standout feature, providing guests with full-sized fridges, microwaves, hobs, and cooking appliances, which are highly appreciated for enabling self-catering. Rooms are equipped with Smart TVs, though some guests report inconsistent connectivity and channel availability. While Wi-Fi is generally provided, its signal strength and reliability can vary, particularly in certain rooms, leading to occasional frustration. To combat the prevalent issue of heat, fans are supplied in each room, but many visitors find them insufficient for adequate cooling. Some guests note the absence of a hairdryer as a standard in-room amenity, requiring them to request one from the reception. The building also features a lift, ensuring easy access to all floors for guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the rooms for their cleanliness, modern design, and spacious layout, often noting their newly refurbished appearance. However, feedback regarding bed comfort is notably mixed; while some guests find the beds comfortable, a significant number report them as too hard, too soft, or that mattress springs are discernible, impacting sleep quality. Noise levels are a major and consistent concern, with many guests experiencing disturbances from street activity, nearby pubs, a taxi rank, and even other guests, particularly in rooms facing the main thoroughfare. A predominant complaint is the excessive heat within the rooms, frequently described as stifling or sauna-like due to inadequate ventilation and the absence of air conditioning, even when windows are open or fans are in use. Bathroom facilities generally receive positive remarks for being modern, clean, and having good showers, though some guests mention issues with inconsistent water temperature.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel benefits from an exceptionally central location, positioning guests directly in the heart of Hastings with convenient direct access to shops and local attractions. It is ideally situated just a few minutes' walk from both the train station and the seafront, facilitating easy exploration of the town. Its proximity to various pubs and a taxi rank contributes to a vibrant surrounding atmosphere, though this also results in considerable street noise, especially during evening hours. The presence of a Tesco Express directly opposite the hotel is frequently highlighted as a significant convenience for guests, particularly those utilizing the in-room kitchenettes. While the hotel does not offer on-site parking, guests can find nearby public car parks, though some note that these come with associated costs.

Staff & Service
Most guests commend the staff for their friendly, helpful, and welcoming demeanor, which generally enhances the overall guest experience. However, a recurring issue is the inconsistent staff availability at the front desk, with many guests reporting prolonged waits or difficulty in reaching personnel, even when attempting to call a provided contact number. The check-in process has garnered mixed reviews, with some guests experiencing notable delays. A significant number of reviews detail serious problems with booking cancellations, often occurring at the last minute due to overbooking or other internal issues, causing considerable inconvenience and frustration for travelers. Some guests also reported being double-charged for their stays, leading to time-consuming efforts to resolve these discrepancies.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that daily room cleaning is not a standard inclusion and is subject to an additional charge, meaning guests are typically responsible for managing their own waste and towel changes during their stay. The hotel does not routinely provide a hairdryer in the room, requiring guests to request one from reception if needed. A notable point of concern for some guests is the door lock mechanism, as the internal lock is not intuitive and requires a specific action, such as tapping the key fob on the outside, to properly secure the door from within; this crucial detail is not always explained during check-in. Furthermore, some guests have reported difficulties with water temperature regulation in the showers, finding it challenging to achieve a comfortable balance between scalding hot and cold. The absence of an internal phone system means guests must use their personal mobile phones to contact reception.