It wasn't manned enough on my initial visit. Had to wait for ages to not even be able to get a key card at first but only coz there was just The poor OneMan only (bombarded) security guy... Who did delay us for ages - we were starving n I was late to check in into my own separate place! He defo worked his feet off for his wages that day n night so I did feel sorry for him even tho he annoyed me initially he did try to be helpful! ( I thought he was just talkin on d phone in d back, didn't come out to us or get someone else to, coz i thought he looked only like security and not a receptionist staff!) (making everyone else also wait for ages outside...some ppl just went off they didn't bother queuing anymore! ). I dunno if it was a scheduling issue or just not enough staff but I feel like it would be absolute common sense, near n on freshers week n the wk before college starts, to have at least one receptionist person, always seated, AND then another person to go running n racing around when needs be, so the desk would always be manned? My daughter's key card was initially awol, (absent?!) Even tho we got more than one email confirmation everythg was in order n we could arrive a little later than the last check in slot, due to flights times n possible traffic delays, as we travelled from abroad). Then the temporary replacement card didn't work...?! He wanted us to go back the next morning but she had no bed for the night?! He then had to personally come up to us to use his fob also... Away from the (poor unmanned) reception... And then also back again to let her in at night after supper dinner. Lucky we didn't need him more multiple times before, just to move all her stuff in! No doubt others made him have to leave the front desk also.
He was so busy n away from desk he also didn't get to see ppl taking more than one mattress cover, and I saw one guy take the whole packet tray of water bottles!!! (we honestly thought he was stealing but I presumed they were free?! However it should/would have been one free for every single one student, no?). There were no signs either, but there was also mini deodorants n tea bags n some money off card promo...we found out later after we unpacked some stuff.
If they were complementary, I would suggest each student who checks in, to just receive the one (presented) goodie bag only, along with mattress cover, as they receive their one paid for card key - not some other family members taking more than one of each item?! No one there to watch or give them out.. Tho i did see a cctv camera...
There should also be a checklist to tick off, in the room. So as to make sure everythg is in order. I think my daughter was lucky enough (as we heard other scary stuff), we only found paint scratches n scratched off, a corner of cracked plaster, 2 other areas of plastered but unpainted repairs. Her toilet seat had stains :(
As we heard of an unemptied bin with flies/maggots left behind, holes on some walls and an actual broken window.
Some others complained of awful walls that should have been painted n others were moved into other temporary rooms?! But eventually the dear daughter likes the place now and met more staff. The best thg is prob the individual lockable fridges but the freezer compartment inside is a bit too small. Not even sure if it would hold a thick 12inch pizza with other frozen foods!
