Hotel Wildwood Inn (Florence, USA)

They don't take party bookings of any kind, so you are as sure as you can be of a good night's peaceful sleep.

This hotel is mega cheap when compared with competitors in the region. Overall, though, the experience is positive and impressive. The hotel is very welcoming and the indoor pool and associated activities far outweigh those of nearby, higher-priced hotels. The pool alone is very nearly worth the cost of the stay.

Rooms are big and quite spectacularly themed. They are really quirky and include stairs and lofts - something kids love. Just ask in advance to make sure you get maximum value. Another factor to watch out for is the Wi-Fi; it works like a dream in the new building but is a bit of a nightmare in the older one.

There is evidence of bed bugs and some rooms are decidedly dated, with broken furniture and cleanliness issues.

Some people come just to use the pool and facilities. Sadly, the rooms don't match up. Really old beds that must have been installed when the place was first built. Unappealing wallpaper, mould and damp just add to the disappointment. Also, there's no heating in the corridors which are … freezing cold!

Approach them with a well justified complaint and the tendency is to throw responsibility back to you with responses like ‘Well, nobody has had this problem before' ... inferring that you must be lying.