A hotel voted the dirtiest in Britain hit back today, saying it received few complaints.

The Russ Hill Hotel near Gatwick received the unwanted title in travellers' choice awards organised by online company TripAdvisor.

A review of Russ Hill by a guest on TripAdvisor's web site dated January 13, 2006, spoke of "cold, damp, musty-smelling rooms".

Another guest's review, dated January 4, said: "This hotel is dirty (and) very, very basic."

But the writer of another review on January 11 said he would definitely stay there again and that the hotel had been harshly treated.

A Russ Hill spokeswoman said: "We accommodate 1,500 guests a week and have very, very few complaints, which are all dealt with straight away.

"Also, the hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment programme."

The poll voted the tenbedroom, family-run Norwood Hotel in Blackpool one of the world's top ten "hidden gems" and it also made the top ten list of best bargains worldwide.

Five London hotels made it into the top 35 premium hotels.

Monday, January 23, 2006