“Needs refurbishment”

We like hotel chains for transit because they are usually modern, well-maintained, and clean. Sadly this hotel is long overdue for a refurbishment. Although the reception and breakfast area has been refreshed relatively recently, the rest of the hotel is not very pleasant - some repairs to the bathroom were messy, the paint is generally yellowed and chipped, the lift was out-of-order when we checked out, carpets and ceilings in the corridors stained and slightly smelly. Although all the rooms are supposed to be non-smoking, confirmed with a sign on the door, there was cigarette smoke in the air, perhaps through the ventilation. The Expedia description, complete with complimentary newspaper and "signature bedding", gives a much classier impression than the reality. That said, we had booked for 2 nights, and we returned for the second night, so it wasn't the worst hotel experience we've ever had!