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Hotel boss faces fraud probe over his 3-star 'hovel' complete with shabby interiors and out-of-date ratings signs

By staff 20/02/2012 07:56:00

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By Liz Hull

Last updated at 1:56 PM on 20th February 2012

Bailed: Owner Emyr Davies

With its three-star rating and views over Cardigan Bay, it seemed like an ideal spot for a break.

But once they got through the door of the Queensbridge Hotel guests were confronted with shabby interiors and tiles falling off the walls.

Owner Emyr Davies, 40, has done more than annoy his guests, however. He has been arrested by police on suspicion of fraud.

He was questioned for allegedly failing to take down historic AA and Welsh Tourist Board ratings outside the Queensbridge and the Four Seasons, another hotel he owns in Aberystwyth, west Wales.

Until recently, signs outside the Queensbridge boasted a ‘Triple Q Quality award’ from the AA, while its website confirmed the three-star status and also a two-star rating from the Welsh Tourist Board.

At the Four Seasons, signs indicated it held a two-star AA rating, as well as a three-star accreditation from the WTB.

But neither hotel has been AA recognised for some time and Visit Wales, which replaced the now-defunct Welsh Tourist Board six years ago, suspended both accreditations last November for 12 months following complaints.

Shabby: Tiles are missing in a toilet and a window is cracked at the Queensbridge

Visit Wales also suspended its accreditation of the Belgrave, Mr Davies’s third hotel in the town.

Unwelcome surprise: The hotel boasted a three-star rating but fell short

Comments by guests on TripAdvisor, the U.S.-based travel website certainly suggest many felt cheated by the star ratings. One Queensbridge guest said: ‘Room had water leaks (with) brown stains on ceiling, some of it still wet. Bathroom ceiling (had) mould all down one side, bath and tiles (also) mouldy… I would not stay here again.’

Another described it as a ‘dated hovel’, and ‘an overpriced dive’.

Last week when the Daily Mail visited the Queensbridge, which charges up to £90-a-night for a double room, there was evidence Mr Davies was trying to remedy the situation. The smell of paint was overwhelming and the lounge area, which was filled with cardboard boxes, was closed to residents.

Many areas of the hotel still appeared tired and out of date. Our room was clean and pleasant enough, but it overlooked a wrought-iron fire escape and the window was cracked.

The grotty ground floor public toilet, with a dated avocado-coloured toilet, stained cistern, empty paper towel dispenser and missing wall tiles, was best avoided. Last night Mr Davies was unavailable for comment. But he told his local newspaper: ‘The AA signs have been there historically. Nobody has ever taken issue over them.

Worn down: The wallpaper at the hotel seems to be peeling off

‘Visit Wales inspected in June and all work requested was done. The hotels have a decent appearance.’

It is understood he has appealed against the Visit Wales suspensions.

A spokesman for Dyfed Powys Police said: ‘A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. He has been released on bail pending further enquires.’

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