Camelot Castle Hotel and Scientology

We’re Back!!

Tiny Tim — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:02:20 +0000

After a brief 4 month hiatus, we are pleased to say we are back, it’s been a fun summer and the team are back tanned and fit from their travels!

Good news is we didn’t come across any establishments like our friends at the CCH, but we are now going to be turning our spotlights fully onto the comings and goings at Camelot Castle Hotel.

We have new stories, new pictures and new reviews to share.

We will be campaigning to make Trip Advisor advice browsers that the reviews for this Hotel are somewhat dubious.

So if you have a story to share please feel free to drop us a line here for a chat.

HApp Clam watching!

Camelot Castle Hotel: 12 times more people find the 1* reviews helpful…

googlejohnmappin — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:42:09 +0000

…than the 5* reviews

It amuses us to think of the logic that Mappin and Stourton are following with their Tripadvisor ‘interventions’. They seem to think that if there are more 5* reviews in total than 1* ones everything will be ok and no one will notice 152 horror reviews of their scandalous dump.

On top of that, John Mappin thinks that writing a chirpy management response to the 5* reviews (yet not having the courage to respond to the critical ones) will convince readers to pick up the phone and book.

The proof that this isn’t the case is right there: 12 people finding the horror reviews ‘helpful’ to just 1 person finding this 4* review ‘helpful’ – and that in just 5 days after they were both published.

Things must be very, very hard up at the pebbledash Castle right now.

Camelot Castle Hotel and misleading web advertising

googlejohnmappin — Thu, 26 May 2011 07:13:02 +0000

If you think Camelot Castle Hotel’s website is misleading…

…and you’ve been there and experienced the true HORROR then there’s now something you can do. Now you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority with its new powers to tackle what it calls ‘Misleading Web Advertising’.

Go to the ASA website and fill in the complain form (you’ll see the link in the top right hand side of the page).

You might want to copy and paste some of the following links to help you make the case and ASA make up its mind:

Camelot Castle Hotel own website http://www.camelotcastle.com/

TripAdvisor reviews:
http://bit.ly/lDDaLY

BBC Documentary:
http://bit.ly/mzvu7o

Why We Protest forum:
http://bit.ly/jaJksE

Googlemappin (including fake beach picture)
http://goo.gl/hVfXc

Flickr set of REAL guest pictures (to compare with their website):
http://bit.ly/mAov26

The last year of 1* reviews (including highlighted references to misleading website advertising for quick reference):
http://bit.ly/mqmft6

Complain and get thrown out: hospitality the Scientology way

googlejohnmappin — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:25:17 +0000

Camelot Castle Hotel gains another horror review on Tripadvisor

The latest 1* ‘terrible’ review on Tripadvisor is quite shocking.

“a glass my 3 year old nephew was drinking from broke in his mouth, the waiter took the glass away whilst I attend to his injuries despite my telling him to leave it there. An attempt to complain to the restaurant manager and refusal to pay the discretionary service charge resulted in the owner threatening to throw us out as he would not tolerate anyone saying something negative about his “home”. “

We can’t WAIT to see John’s ‘management response’ on Tripadvisor. Watch this space.

Camelot Castle Hotel website “Most deceptive site I have ever seen”

googlejohnmappin — Tue, 24 May 2011 22:01:14 +0000

Deceptive website helps Mappin and Stourton rip off another unsuspecting visitor

Camelot Castle Hotel’s misleading website has ruined another couple’s weekend away. Let’s see what the Advertising Standards Authority makes of this:

“The other 2 rooms were horrendous also, dingy and awful, so bad in fact that (embarrasingly) I burst into tears as these people had already taken £100 deposit over the phone !

It was that bad that we walked out, leaving our £100 there, that says a lot, that we were willing to leave money there rather than stay there for the night anyway.”

Poor people. When are these Scientology con-men going to be put out of business?

Full text of that Tripadvisor review for the benefit of the ASA (in case it gets pulled from TripAdvisor):

“I have always said i would never write a bad review, but I feel if someone else had the same disapointment as us, it would be a real shame.

On looking at the website for Camelot castle, I was totally taken back, it looked beautiful, dark,romantic,old, all of the things you would want from a castle stay, !!
I have never been more upset when arriving at a hotel, the website is THE MOST DECEPTIVE SITE I HAVE EVER SEEN ! we were given the key to 3 rooms to look at, all at VERY expensive prices ranging from£80 per night to £170. for 2 people.

The most expensive had a lovely 4 poster bed in, BUT that was it, it was damp, smelly, small and the bathroom……good god where do i start, it was a pod like you find in a camper van ! 2 steps up to it and soooo small, if you were paying that price for a room I would have wanted a proper bathroom not a porta loo !
The other 2 rooms were horrendous also, dingy and awful, so bad in fact that (embarrasingly) I burst into tears as these people had already taken £100 deposit over the phone!

It was that bad that we walked out, leaving our £100 there, that says a lot, that we were willing to leave money there rather than stay there for the night anyway. A nice place to visit for a cup of tea but wouldnt want to stay there at all. “

‘Ted Stourton ‘art’ gave me headaches’ says unlucky visitor

googlejohnmappin — Tue, 24 May 2011 21:55:08 +0000

Headache-inducing art too much for this TripAdvisor reviewer

151 ‘terrible’ reviews and somehow ol’ Camelot Castle Hotel is still going – but Ted’s meteoric rise to art fame…isn’t.

“…there were these ghastly paintings hanging on every available wall space. I am an artist also and can happily critique my own work and be humbled by others, but these were obtuse and naive. I got the impression that the artist thought highly of themselves and was able to convince people that they were brilliant. But we found 6 canvasses in our room, 2 of which were giving me headaches”

Brilliant stuff.

Camelot Castle Hotel investigated for unauthorised works.

Tiny Tim — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:16:25 +0000

Camelot Castle Hotel fits UPVC windows to listed building.

Cornwall Council are investigating reports that UPVC windows have been fitted to rooms in the former King Arthurs Arms Hotel.

The windows on the third floor can be clearly seen both IRL and on the Hotels own promotional materials. They have replaced the original Victorian wooden sash windows with modern UPVC windows.

As the Camelot Castle Hotel is a Grade II Listed building listed building consent is required for this type of work.

Reference: EN11/00978
Alternative Reference:
Address: Camelot Castle Hotel Atlantic Road Tintagel Cornwall PL34 0DQ
Status: Pending Consideration
Type: 48hr resp Unauthorised works to a LB
Decision:
Decision Reason:
Close Reason:
Parish: Tintagel
Ward: Tintagel
Case Officer: L Puddy
Complaint Received: Email
Nature of Complaint: UPVC windows in listed building

http://planning.cornwall.gov.uk/onl…ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=LKNUM3FG1F000

We shall keep an eye on how this complaint pans out but there can be large fines and even a prison sentance involved.

Camelot Castle, John Mappin responds to Trip Advisor

Tiny Tim — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:21:14 +0000

John Mappin responds to Trip Advisor comments after 7 years of silence.

After 7 years and over 500 comments some “Magical” and some not so magical John Mappin appears galloping into view riding his trusty steed of truth!

But…….. He chooses to only respond to 2 positive reviews using the opportunity to plug Camelot Castle Hotel.

Management response from John_m75, Guest Relations Manager

(Management representative)

18 Apr 2011

It was a pleasure to have you stay with us and we look forward to welcoming you and your friends on your return…..Where in England can one stay with these views for as little at 39 pounds per night. In the off season and november the deals we do are even better than that. Thanks so much for a great
review.

Now we have never seen a management response quiet like that on Trip advisor, usually they address poor reviews offering an explanation for what went wrong and apologize, and some information about what steps the establishment are taking to prevent it happening again.

John, we await your responses to the 149 Terrible and 50 Poor reviews. remember we are watching!

Light Box high pressure sales at Camelot Castle Hotel by Ted Stourton

Tiny Tim — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:27:02 +0000

Lightbox victim speaks out on Trip Advisor after close escape from lightbox con of Ted Stourton and John Mappin.

Latest posting on Trip Advisor tells an interesting and all to familiar tale of high pressure techniques used to sell Ted Stourtons “art”

The only positives from the review seem to be some new duvets and mattress toppers (I wouldn’t recommend looking under the toppers!!) and some new bed linen and the fact you can take your Dog.

The Bathroom was disappointing, a little pod like creation, an obese person would probably have difficulty. was told on the phone that there were separate bathrooms on each floor with a beautiful victorian ‘roll top’ bath…Ha! Very very disappointing.

Well there’s the old portaloos, nice to see somethings don’t change!

Also looks like the old fire hazards of painted shut windows are still there.

The bathroom I found was a basic bath, no towel rail, no radiator, window wouldn’t open etc. None of the sash windows in the room would open, they were all painted shut.

This reviwer seems to have a sound grasp of the con they are pulling over Ted Stourtons art.

Dining room was also full of Ted Stourton’s paintings stuck with butterflies and with price tags of …wait for it…£15,000-£17,000.. also a big space empty space on the wall with a ‘SOLD’ sticker….I’m sure they could have put another pic up instead!!! HMMM, methinks it was a bit of ‘ I actually DO sell my paintings at this price and people actually DO buy them…NOT!

Ok here comes the full “Lightbox” experiance as told by the reviewers own words, does this seem like a normal way to conduct art sales, does it bring to mind some of the techniques used by the timeshare sharks of the 80′s and 90′s? Dear reader we’ll let you decide.

In the lounge there were albums of Ted Stourtons paintings and another small album full of people praising the ‘LIGHT BOX’. I have to say that I was intrigued. The staff were very sparing with the info they imparted about this particular ‘mystery’ and so I asked at reception about seeing it. one evening (BIG MISTAKE!!!) after returning from a local pub where mum and I dined out. .. The young chap at reception said he would see if Mr Stourton was available…..after a few minutes he emerged, dressed in a cream dinner suit with white polo neck, took my hand, kissed me on the cheek and told me how lovely I looked (also my mother) then took us downstairs into the bowels of the castle. We were brought into a room where we sat dowm=n and were told a sorry story about the hardship of artists, then brought into another room where our photo was taken,(which I believe will be sent to my e-mail address, have not checked yet as just got home) Then we were taken into a further room where a guitar was produced and we were serenaded with a song. Finally, the room with the light box. A black box with a dimmer light behind it. Very good effect, we were shown pictures whose perspective changed depending on the amount of light behind it. Mother and I were polite and made complimentary murmurings, as some of the effects were very good. HOWEVER…. after the showing Ted asked which pics we thought were the nicest and we innocently told him (there were 3 we liked,but not to buy). He then turned on the lights and started his sales pitch starting at around £ 1700…er…I was shocked, looked at my mother and felt totally SICK in my stomach. He had been so nice that I felt physicallly AFRAID to refuse…I spoke up and said I was a single mum in the NHS and did not have that sort of money. He completely disregarded my comments and just brought the price down and down until we felt compelled to say yes… as we ascended the stairs out of the underground rooms, RIGHT ON CUE, out came Mr and Mrs Mappin to congratulate us on our purchases, shaking our hands and telling us how very lucky we were to even have Mr Stourton staying at the Castle…..(er, he does actually live there…!!!) Anyway, we were told we could settle up before we left and staff would wrap them for us but I never actually wanted them and felt intimidated into agreeing to buying them.. On the day of leaving, I bundled all our stuff into the car, got the dogs in and went to pay for the room. They then got the pics, at which point I said I couldn’t afford them and did not want them. The chap at reception then said I should wait while he went to get Ted Stourton..I was TERRIFIED! I knew he would try to force me to buy them, so, on the pretence that I had to get something from my car, I fled!! (so fast that I still have the room key, which I’m sending back today.) I loved the Castle and surroundings but not the ‘light box;’ experience of hard sell. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

So there you have it in the words of one of the few to escape the lightbox YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

: Lightbox Horroe Story

Camelot Castle Hotel: “Just Awful”

googlejohnmappin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:45:52 +0000