The Travel Critic

The trouble with hotels is this: they face two challenges—the building and the service. Separately, neither means a thing. The finest architecture without warmth is just a shell; impeccable service in a soulless box feels like being hosted by a robot. The Gate Hotel, sadly, is a masterclass in missing the point.

At first glance, it’s all there. The sleek, Instagrammable interiors—muted tones, brass fittings, and just the right amount of greenery to suggest effortless sophistication. It’s the influencer of hotels: great lighting, attractive angles, and nothing of substance behind the façade. Reception is pretty, the rooms tick every box (kettle, coffee, USB ports, and even a decent shower), but it’s all surface-level brilliance. The soul of the operation? Missing in action.

Check-in set the tone: a perfunctory process that felt less like a welcome and more like an inconvenience to staff. No smiles, no warmth—just the robotic slide of a key card across the counter. You expect a bit of theatre here—a “Welcome to The Gate!” or even a feigned interest in your journey. But no, the curtain had long since dropped on hospitality.

Breakfast was the pièce de résistance of their indifference. Despite having pre-booked and paid, I was curtly informed my breakfast wasn’t included. Cue an awkward back-and-forth before I was told to “take a seat while we check.” Ten minutes later, still hungry and thoroughly unimpressed, I walked out. There’s only so long you can wait when the staff seem determined to test your patience.

Checking out was just as uninspiring. No apology, no acknowledgment of their mistake, just the sound of my frustration echoing back as I headed elsewhere for sustenance.

The Gate Hotel had the makings of a wonderful stay. A lovely building, great location, and rooms that do everything they need to. But like a perfectly curated Instagram grid, it lacks the authenticity to back up the aesthetics. A shame, really. Until they master the art of service, I’ll take my breakfasts—and my stays—elsewhere.