Southampton's BEST Apartments? Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms REVEALED!
Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms: Southampton's Best? Let's Dive In! (Brace Yourself, It's NOT All Sunshine)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to plunge headfirst into the rabbit hole that is Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms in Southampton. This ain't your sanitized, PR-approved hotel review. This is real. I've spent a week here, dodging rogue seagulls, wrestling with the Wi-Fi, and genuinely trying to figure out if it lives up to the hype. Let's find out, shall we?
First Impressions - The Accessibility Angle (and a Few Stumbles):
So, the website boasts about accessibility. Big words, right? Well, I’m happy to report, they do mean it, mostly. Wheelchair accessible is a definite yes – ramps, elevators, the whole hog. Huge points there, because that's genuinely important. The elevator is a godsend when you're lugging suitcases (or nursing a post-pub session… just saying).
But, and there’s always a but, I noticed the exterior corridor vibe. Which, in my opinion, is perfect to be like the ones you see in movies.
Accessibility Score: 8/10 (deducting a point for the occasional wonky door and another because the "accessible route" to the pool felt a little…circuitous. Maybe I was wrong).
The Room - My Personal Oasis (or, at times, My Personal Holding Pen):
Okay, let's get down to business. The rooms themselves. Now, I had a "Deluxe Whatever" room – boasting a bath tub and separate shower/bathtub, blackout curtains (essential for a light sleeper like me), and a desk that looked like it was designed for actual humans, not just tiny laptops. Seriously, laptop workspace is a must these days. Free Wi-Fi sounded great, but we'll come back to that internet situation later.
The air conditioning did its job, thankfully. The extra long bed, was, well, extra long! That's a win in my book. The robes and slippers were a classy touch, making me feel like I was actually staying in the hotel.
But, and here's where things get REAL…
- The Imperfection Factor: My initial excitement about the window that opens was swiftly squashed when I realized it faced the aforementioned exterior corridor and the constant chatter of other guests.
- The Quirky Observation: There was a mirror which was a bit too close to the bed, as if my reflection needed to be reminded of how tired I was.
- The Emotional Reaction: The towels, were fluffy and clean. I loved it.
Room Verdict: 7/10 (Minus points for the potentially loud window and the less-than-perfect Wi-Fi. Plus points for the comfy bed and fluffy towels!)
The Internet – A Love-Hate Relationship (Mostly Hate):
Oh, the Internet. The promised Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Sadly, the reality was…spotty. Like, I spent half my time chasing a signal. They do offer Internet access – LAN if you're feeling old-school, but who even has the cables for that anymore? Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, all sounded promising, but the reality was pretty slow. A slight improvement, because the Wi-Fi in public areas was actually decent, but still…
Internet Score: Ugh/10 (I almost gave up on this review entirely, because of the Wi-Fi. I really did.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (and My Hangry Fits):
Right, let's talk about food. Restaurants are a big deal. If you're anything like me, you need to be well-fed.
- Good Things: Breakfast [buffet] was the star. I mean, a proper buffet in restaurant with all the usual suspects - Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop. The A la carte in restaurant I tried the dinner menu one night and was quite suprised. The food was actually good!
- Not-So-Good Things: The Happy hour was, sadly, not as happy as I'd hoped. The drinks were pricey. the Poolside bar had the same problem.
- The "Meh" Experience: Desserts in restaurant were pretty standard and nothing really stood out. I had a Salad in restaurant which was pretty good, but nothing fancy.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking Score: 6/10 (Buffet saved it, but the drinks prices and the so-so desserts knocked it down.)
Things to Do - Relaxing & Being Pampered (Or So They Say):
Okay, what about the facilities? The lure of the Spa was strong – and I needed it after fighting with the internet all day. There’s a Fitness center and I can say I did use it.
- The Spa: The Massage was a highlight. I’m not gonna lie. Heaven. The Spa/sauna was pretty standard. The Sauna itself was nice, but nothing mind-blowing.
- The Pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a definite winner. A Pool with view, you can't really ask for it better, although I wished I had time to chill in it longer!
- The Meh: The Steamroom was a let-down; a bit cramped and not super-steamy.
"Ways to Relax" Score: 7/10 (Massage saved the day! But the steam room needs a revamp.)
Cleanliness and Safety - Feeling Safe (Hopefully!):
Let's get serious for a second. Cleanliness and safety are crucial, especially these days.
- The Good: The Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring.
- The Questionable: I’m not sure how strongly they implemented the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I didn't really feel safe.
Cleanliness and Safety Score: 7/10 (The disinfection efforts were good, but the social distancing could be better.)
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter (or Don't):
So, what else did Gladstone's offer?
- The Good: Daily housekeeping was efficient and pleasant. Luggage storage was handy.
- The Meh: The Concierge was a little…perfunctory. The Cash withdrawal option was a nice offering.
Services and Conveniences Score: 6/10 (Definitely room for improvement, especially on the concierge front.)
Getting Around - Airport transfer, Car park and Other Transport:
- Getting Around: Public transport is good, and the car park [free of charge] is great. but Airport transfer would have been better.
Getting Around Score: 7/10
Overall Impression - Is Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms Worth It?
So, is Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms the best Southampton has to offer? Honestly, it's complicated.
- The Positives: Great location, generally accessible, comfy beds, decent breakfast, and a fantastic massage.
- The Negatives: The Wi-Fi needs serious work, and the service can be a bit hit-or-miss.
Final Verdict: 6.5/10
The Offer - Your Chance to Experience Gladstone's (and Maybe Get Lucky with the Wi-Fi!):
Book Now and Get:
- 10% OFF your room rate!
- Free Breakfast Upgrade to the "Deluxe" Buffet! (Because you deserve it.)
- A Complimentary Cocktail (to drown your Wi-Fi sorrows, because that's what you need).
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT GLADSTONE'S BLUEBELL ROOMS! (And Cross Your Fingers For That Wi-Fi… Please!)
Important Note: Don’t expect perfection. Embrace the quirks. And definitely treat yourself to a massage. You won't regret it.
Escape to Paradise: Depok's Hottest Margonda Residence Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a potential chaotic adventure at the Gladstone Apartments in Southampton. Expect a few bumps in the road, a healthy dose of my unsolicited opinions, and probably more than a few "wait, what was I just doing?" moments. This is going to be messy. This is going to be real. And hopefully? It'll be fun.
The Gladstone Gauntlet: Southampton, Here We Come… Maybe.
Day 1: Arrival and a Flurry of Panic
- 14:00 - Arrival at Southampton Central Station: Okay, deep breaths. Trains always fill me with a low-grade anxiety that I can't quite explain. It's the potential for delays, the awkward proximity to strangers… Ugh. Right, gotta find a cab. Should have pre-booked. Did I pre-book? Oh, who am I kidding, I probably didn't. (Cue me sprinting around like a headless chicken.)
- Anecdote: Once, on a train to Edinburgh, I accidentally sat on a guy’s laptop. He was not thrilled. The look on his face… pure, unadulterated fury. I’m trying to avoid that again.
- Quirky Observation: Why are train seats always covered in that slightly-itchy, slightly-grimy fabric? Is it a requirement?
- 14:30 - Check-in at Gladstone Apartments: Praying it's easy to find. Praying the check-in process is smooth. Praying the key actually works. My track record with keys is abysmal. I once locked myself out of my own apartment wearing only a towel. The shame. The chill wind. Shudder.
- Emotional Reaction: If the apartment isn't exactly as advertised in the pictures (and let’s be honest, when is it?), I am not going to be happy. I paid good money for this! I need a clean, functional, maybe slightly charming space to decompress. And a comfy bed. A really comfy bed.
- 15:00 - Apartment Reconnaissance and Internal Meltdown: Okay, let's do this. Luggage drop, a quick inspection of the premises… and then a full-blown assessment. Is there enough natural light? Are the pillows plump? Is the shower pressure acceptable? This is a high stakes game, people. My mood hinges on the cleanliness and bed comfort.
- Rambling Digression: You know, I really need to invest in a good travel pillow. The inflatable ones are just… evil. They always deflate mid-flight and leave you with a crick in your neck. And those memory foam ones? They’re like wrestling a small, angry brick. We're looking at this, I'm thinking, with a proper memory foam pillow. Not those crappy, flimsy ones.
- 16:00 - Grocery Run (or Starvation): Right, gotta eat. Need snacks. Basic supplies. Hopefully, there's a decent supermarket nearby. If not, it's going to be a desperate hunt for a convenience store and I'll be relying on crisps, pre-packaged sandwiches, and a deep sense of regret.
- Opinionated Language: I loathe grocery shopping. It's a necessary evil, a soul-crushing experience of fluorescent lighting and endless options. Does anyone actually enjoy it?
Day 2: Southampton Explorations (Attempted)
- 09:00 - Wake Up and Regret (Possibly): Okay, time to face the day. Hoping I slept well. If not, coffee is a necessity. Strong coffee. Black. No sugar. (Unless I’m feeling particularly self-destructive.)
- Emotional Reaction: If I wake up with a pounding headache and a lingering feeling of existential dread, this day might be a wash. Send help (and caffeine).
- 10:00 - Maritime Museum (If I Can Find It): Southampton's got a maritime history, right? Sounds educational. This is where I become the tourist. Hopefully, I won’t get lost. (See "trains" and "keys" above.)
- Imperfection: I have a terrible sense of direction. I'm the kind of person who gets lost in their own kitchen. So, fingers crossed for decent signage and a helpful map.
- 12:00 - Lunch Somewhere (Hopefully Not a Chain Restaurant): Gotta find somewhere decent to eat. I’m craving something local. Maybe a proper pub lunch? Something with gravy? Or maybe a fish and chips. Wait, let's just go with fish and chips. It's classic, it's familiar, it's perfect. I'm already drooling.
- Stronger Reaction: If the fish is greasy and the chips are soggy, I might actually cry. This is serious. This is meal-based trauma.
- 14:00 - Titanic Museum (If I'm Truly Feeling It): This. This is the Big One. Southampton, of course, was a pivotal point for the Titanic. Intense. Heavy. Maybe I can face this. Maybe I'll burst into tears. Who knows?
- Doubling Down on Experience: The sheer human tragedy of the Titanic… it's overwhelming. To stand in the city where it set sail from, to learn about the lives lost… I think I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. I really need to prepare myself for this. What if I accidentally sobbed out loud during the tour? Is that okay? Maybe I should pack tissues. Definitely pack tissues. And maybe some eye drops.
- 17:00 - Wander the City Centre (Trying to Embrace It): Maybe I'll actually… enjoy it. Maybe I'll find a cool bookstore. Maybe I'll stumble upon a hidden gem. Maybe, just maybe, Southampton will surprise me.
- Messy Structure: Okay, this is where the day gets… fluid. Real life doesn't always follow a schedule, you know?
- 19:00 - Dinner and Reflect (Maybe Write a Journal): Find another restaurant. Preferably one that doesn’t serve food that feels more like "food-product." Journaling. Or just collapsing on the bed with a book. We shall see.
- Honest Tone: Honestly? I might just order takeaway and watch something on the telly. Sometimes, the best travel plans are the ones you ditch.
Day 3: Departure and a Sense of Relief (and Maybe, Just Maybe, a Little Bit of Sadness?)
- 09:00 - Pack and Clean Up (Or Attempt To): The dreaded packing process. I’m a terrible packer. I always overpack. Then I forget half the things I need. And I end up with a suitcase that’s bursting at the seams and a sense of impending chaos.
- Funny Observation: How is it that the things you really need always end up at the bottom of the suitcase? It's like a cruel travel rule.
- 10:00 - Final Apartment Inspection (Did I Leave Anything?): Check for stray socks, charger cords, and the existential dread I seem to carry everywhere with me.
- 11:00 - Check-out and Journey Home: Wave goodbye to the Gladstone Apartments. Hopefully I didn't do anything embarrassing. Hopefully I actually learned something. Hopefully the train isn’t delayed…
- Stream-of-Consciousness: Wait… did I actually enjoy myself? Did Southampton grow on me? Did I maybe… get over my fear of trains? Nah, let's not get carried away.
- 13:00 - Train. Train. TRAIN! Praying.
- The Aftermath: Back home. Back to reality. Time to unpack (eventually). Time to remember the good bits (hopefully). Time to start planning the next adventure (probably involving less stress). And maybe, just maybe, a return trip to Southampton. Eventually. Perhaps.
Alright, spill the tea! What's the *actual* vibe like in Gladstone's Bluebell Rooms? 'Cause the website is always suspiciously shiny.
Okay, here's the truth bomb: it's... *lived in*. Let's just say the "curated aesthetic" on their website is a *lie*. A well-intentioned lie, perhaps. Imagine your eccentric aunt's flat, but with slightly less dust and more questionable plumbing. Seriously, I remember when I first visited - the communal kitchen smelled faintly of yesterday's chili and desperation. And the "spacious communal lounge" was mostly a collection of mismatched furniture and a TV that appeared to be older than my grandmother. BUT... (and this is a BIG but), there's a certain *charm*. A chaotic, slightly depressing, but ultimately endearingly human charm. You learn to love the quirks, the leaky taps become background music, and the communal fridge? Well, it's a battleground, but it's *your* battleground.
The Location... is it actually convenient? 'Cause I need groceries and caffeine, ASAP.
YES! Thankfully, the location is a lifesaver when I'm running on fumes. You're pretty much in the heart of everything. There is a lovely local cafe to start and end your day. Groceries? Lidl is practically spitting distance. Coffee shops? They're practically tripping over each other to serve you. The uni? A manageable walk, even after a particularly rough night. Honestly, the location might be the *only* thing that keeps you sane. Trust me, you'll be thanking your lucky stars when you're stumbling home at 3 AM, and the kebab shop is just around the corner.
About the Rooms themselves… Do they accurately reflect the photos? And are they actually *liveable*?
Hahaha. That's a good one! Okay, so the photos... Let's just say they're taken at *very* flattering angles. Think less "luxury loft apartment," more "slightly-too-small-for-one-person-but-you'll-make-it-work." Initially, I was in a tiny box of a singular rooms. It was claustrophobic. I remember the first time I saw my room. The tiny windows, the flimsy furniture, and the peeling paint made me genuinely question my life choices. But hey, you get used to it, right? After a few months, I realized I could fit everything in, and I was starting to feel at home. The space? I’ve actually found it quite comforting over the years. But they're liveable! They have a bed, a desk (probably), and a wardrobe (maybe). Just... don't expect miracles. Oh, and the heating... sometimes the radiators operate like emotional beings of their own. One minute, they're blasting you with heat, the next, they're sulking in the corner, refusing to warm up. It's a relationship, really.
Let's get REAL. What's the *worst* part about living in Bluebell Rooms? The absolute dealbreaker, the "I'm moving out tomorrow" moment?
Okay, this is a tough one. There are a *few* contenders. The dodgy internet is up there – constant buffering during movie night is a surefire way to make enemies. Noise from other residents can be an issue, especially if you value sleep, which I do. The endless cycle of communal cleaning arguments is a classic. BUT… Honestly? The worst part is the *uncertainty*. Will the washing machine be working? Will your shower suddenly decide to only dispense freezing cold water? Will the fire alarm spontaneously combust at 3 AM? It's that feeling of never quite knowing what fresh hell awaits you. And the constant risk of discovering a new, unpleasant stain on the communal sofa. Ugh. I had this moment. Once, when I came home, there was a mysterious, bright green, splotch on my bedspread that *wouldn't* budge. That’s my breaking point.
What are the *best* things about Gladstone's? Give me some positives!
The *best* things? Oh, there were *lots*, honestly. I can ramble on forever! First of all … the people. Okay, hold on. I know it's a cliché, but honestly, the people. You're thrown together with a bunch of random weirdos, from all walks of life, and you *bond*. Over shared misery, over late-night pizza runs, over the sheer absurdity of it all. It’s this shared experience of living in a place where you’re never sure what’s going to happen (the good and the bad). Next, the *freedom*. You're independent, you're making your own choices. The social life of the place is amazing, you can do your work in your room or in the common area. You learn to navigate life on your own terms. Finally, the stories! Even the bad experiences make for hilarious anecdotes. The time the water mains burst, and the entire building was flooded? Legend! Plus the value for money is not bad. It's not posh, but you save money. So yeah, it's a wild ride.
Is it worth it? Should I move here?
Ugh. That’s a tough one. Look, it’s not for everyone. If you demand perfection, pristine conditions, and a life free of plumbing-related drama, then *run*. Run far, and fast. But if you're looking for an experience, for a place to make memories (and maybe learn a thing or two about yourself), Bluebell Rooms might just be your thing. It’s a messy, chaotic, sometimes infuriating place, but it’s *real*. And in a world that's often too polished, that's worth something. Just… bring earplugs, a good sense of humor, and a healthy dose of low expectations. You’ve been warned! Personally, I look back fondly and I miss it... for now.
What are some of the most common things people do at Gladstone's?
A lot of stuff happens, and most things were common. Drinking coffee, which is a must when you live there. Arguing, especially when someone leaves a bunch of dishes. Watching TV, always. Playing video games, some of my best memories were when guys used to come round and play games all day long. Eating pizza. The kitchen was always empty after 11pm. Cooking, but with some funny recipes. Washing clothes, especially after a night out. Cleaning, but never on time and always late. All things that were common at Gladstone's.
Any tips for survival?
Okay, listen up, future residents! Here's the survival guide: Explore Hotels
