Hotels with Swimming Pools in Castle Hill

25 December 11:50pm I arrived at Hills Lodge after my husband had booked me in online. I requested an upgrade for my room which I mentioned I was willing and able to pay for but was informed I was in the last room available for the night a queen standard. This was a 15+ minutes conversation which matters because I had informed the front desk team I had just been discharged for severely swollen legs and high blood pressure needed to rest immediately. A lovely porter assisted me with my bags and acknowledged my interaction with front desk had been challenging and difficult to understand. When we arrived at the room the bed was not made the sheets were sloppy tucked under the pillows and the sheets werehanging out of the sides and there was a big dip in the middle like someone had been sitting there , I was SHOCKED I told the porter who tried to convince me the bed was made and it had just been made in a rush. I refused to settle in as I could tell it was an unmade bed , I then saw a bin with RUBBISH in it, 2 Pepsi cans, KFC packets and showed him, he checked the bathroom and saw towels on the rack and open soap at the sink. He apologised and told me he’d call reception to organise another room. He tried to convince me this was unusual for the hotel. I was still aghast as the cost did not correlate with this tardiness. The front desk then organised another room for me down the hall “an upgrade” they said. It was a suite with a separate lounge - however to my surprise I had been told there was no more rooms available when I checked in 30mins before and there’s no way they would have prepared a room in 20mins. The room was presentable but the curtain had a big red stain on it (forgot to take a picture) and the carpet dusty and old. I told my husband of my experience but because it was 1am on Boxing Day and the state of my body I had nowhere else to go. I stayed there till the morning and left early for personal reasons and thankful I did not have to stay another moment there. A few days later I called the hotel and told them my ordeal - the manager was polite but I was disappointed in how he kept trying to excuse the front desk’s behaviour. He told me how another guest had given the front desk guy a glowing review. I was not rude when I called him but just factual and encouraged him to make improvements for his team and in how they receive guests. His comments made me wonder why would the front desk treat me like that. I was unwell, with a baby in hospital and a husband away. Did I not deserve compassion and good customer service. It made me wonder was it the colour of my skin? I’ll never know but one thing I know is to encourage you to speak out if something looks wrong! You’re paying for this service and if you’re going to stay at Hills Lodge - good luck. I would not personally use my hard earned dollars to stay there. Very disappointed customer. Hills Lodge - excellence matters not sure how you got 4 stars but please DO BETTER!