Mysore, India and Barcelona, Spain
Surprisingly the converted prison (literally - barred windows, concealed pipework, barred doors) I stayed in in Mysore does not qualify as the worst hotel of my life. There was nothing about it that made me want to stay past dawn, of course, butit was a) open and b) cheap (about £1.50 for a double 'ensuite')

No, it was the 'Hotelo Interneto Bookingo' in Barcelona - gold and marble lobby photos on the website, and indeed once we'd walked through a square of smackheads and down rancid piss alley, indeed the lobby was marble and gold. And the man at the reception was missing a part of his face and had wild eyes. And the lift was big enough for one healthy person at a time. And the absolute maze to find the room, little burnt-out flickery lights for the room numbers. The keyring was the sink plug, the window was nine inches to dark damp brickwork. Rancid little shower and no redeeming features - we decided we'd rather take our chances sleeping on the ramblas for a night than stay! Be warned - if they don't show the rooms on the website, there's a reason.
( 0nyx, Sat 19 Jan 2008, 19:55, 2 replies)

I've been to Mysore
My hotel was not a prison, but it was shit. And they showed my Dad and I three different rooms with double beds because they didn't understand that he was my Dad or why we objected to each room in turn. I ended up sleeping in the corner on something which gave the overall impression of being a gurney, whilst he snored loudly on a king-sized bed. The jammy bastard.
(clumsyeloquence is a girl, Sat 19 Jan 2008, 22:31, closed)

Oh, too true
I make it a point of never ever booking a hotel whose website only shows pictures of the lobby, the bar, the external façade, the meeting room... everything except the actual bedrooms (and bathrooms!). You're right: if they don't show the rooms then there's always a reason. Avoid them.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Sat 19 Jan 2008, 23:45, closed)