Devon hotelier labelled real life 'Basil Fawlty' by TripAdvisor reviewers
A barrister-turned-hotelier has been labelled a real life Basil Fawlty after a TripAdvisor reviewer claimed she ruined his Valentine's weekend at the Devon hotel she runs.
Shirley Bothroyd, owner of the Bay Hotel in Teignmouth, was compared to the TV character with reviewer Michael W writing: "Basil Fawlty is the perfect host compared to this place."
The 55-year-old admitted to the Daily Mail: "I take is as a compliment to be compared to Basil Fawlty - he had a great sense of humour, just like me, and it seemed a fun place to stay."
"I am nicknamed the 'rottweiller with lip gloss' in the courts, and I do like a drink and keeping my guests entertained. I'm also known as 'Marmite' - you either love me or hate me."
The Valentine's reviewer said she was "clearly intoxicated" after launching a "barrage of foul mouthed abuse" at staff and playing "loud music" at 2.30am.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Bothroyd said: "I did have strong words with the kitchen because we were waiting too long for our dinner, and I told them in no uncertain terms that it was not good enough."
She added that she has lost £2,000 in cancelled bookings after the review was posted.
But Michael W isn't the only angry guest who has stayed at the hotel. One reviewer wrote: "Do not stay here until the management has changed".
Another wrote: "So shocking you couldn't make it up!"
There were a number of positive reviews for the seaside hotel, with one TripAdvisor user saying he was "pleasantly surprised" after being "welcomed by a very polite gentleman who turned out to be the new manager known as Colin."
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