Straight-talking, award-winning hotelier Alex Polizzi answers an SOS call from Jon Sweeney, owner of the First In Last Out, a 17th-century pub and B&B in Winchester that has been plagued by poor reviews – with one disgruntled guest even suggesting it might be the ‘worst hotel in the UK’.
The Hotel Inspector uncovers a cleaning regime that leaves much to be desired and, after a run-in with a shower room that has a life of its own, she checks out, leaving the First In Last Out with the distinction of being the first establishment she has ever refused to sleep in. The glamorous Polizzi is no quitter, but will the First In Last Out be too big a challenge even for the Hotel Inspector?
Jon’s main clientele are contractors who are not too bothered by their surroundings, but in order to make inroads on the tourist trade he is desperately in need of Alex’s help. She faces the challenging task of showing Jon that budget accommodation does not need to mean low quality. Can she turn around the fortunes of FILO and get Jon to clean up his act – and his rooms?
Comments (70)
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5 months ago
Ear in, Ear out
This episode has just aired in NZ. Out of curiosity, I have just checked out recent reviews on TripAdvisor... seems nothing has changed! http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186300-d1737706-Reviews-First_In_Last_Out-Winchester_Hampshire_England.html
8 months ago
Charles S
I've honestly seen much nicer youth hostels than this place.
8 months ago
Peter P
It was worth coming here just to see Barry's creative spelling ( scroll down to first comment below). It looks like something from the time of Beowulf. Well done, Barry!
8 months ago
Peter P
This episode looks classic! I wish it were still available to watch.
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over 1 year ago
Gary
Judging by the current web reviews the place is much the same as before- Alex's visit appears to have no effect
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almost 2 years ago
Kate
Just watched this episode (we have to wait a few months to get them in Australia). OMG is all I can say. So many people buy B & B's or small pubs with no hospitality experience, thinking that it will be a fun job. It can be fun, but not without a lot of hard work and very long hours! They also seem to think that they can swan around and the work will get done. WRONG! Owners need to lead by example, roll their sleeves up and do most of the work themselves. Fancy saying "I've asked the cleaners to do it but they won't. Guess what John, you are the boss and if staff won't do as they are told you sack them! I'm pretty sure this guy does not know what a mop looks like! So sad that after all of Alex's hard work that nothing seems to have changed. In fact, after reading Trip Advisor today it appears that it has got worse. If it is possible, that is, to be worse than leaving a condom in a bed!!
almost 2 years ago
Jan
Am watching a repeat on 31 July and judging by the comments I've read on Hotel Review site nothing has improved at the FILO at all.
almost 2 years ago
Wolfshead
I can't see the changes lasting. If he couldn't see the place was dirty before, he wont in the future. He needs to get that jacket and tie off and do some work. He obviously likes to see himself as some kind of "big shot" when actually he knows absolutely nothing about the hospitality industry (nor does he know a milk jug from a gravy boat!!!!!)
almost 2 years ago
Kirsty
I think its funny if you read any reviews since she has been that the place is still a complete dive. Go on trip advisor and you will know never to stay there!
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almost 2 years ago
BevItaly
Barry Hillier, your spelling had me rolling on the floor in laughter. Oh my god, learn to spell between pullng pints for god sake !
2 years ago
sparky
Stayed here about a month ago before being aware of all this, worst place I've ever stayed in the UK, seemed like a good pib though!
2 years ago
Channi
i like the filo 4 wat it is even if it is a state but some people i no just judge it by the cover and have no idea what good company it has to offer.
2 years ago
liam weatherall
i dont beleive it that the first in last out was the worst place but come on improve next time.
2 years ago
Bob monkfish
Love the place. Stayed here several times and always will. Sweeney is a legend! Would recommend to anyone wanting to stay in winchester
2 years ago
Ben
Ahh! I was there when they were filming a part of that!
2 years ago
Emma
Emma ,Dartford to first in and last out if i live were john live ,s i would work for him as a cleaner as im a god claener and i have work in a hotel once befor ! frm Emma
2 years ago
Emma
hi john it emma from dartford im a cleaner and i have work in a hotel as a cleaner and if i live were you are i would be your come and work for you to fast in and last out
2 years ago
Katie, London
'Barrie' reminds me of the awful, geeky little boys in my politics class as a teenager.. A little bit.. 'special'. Certainly wouldn't want him hanging round in my room for long :/ As for the owner... dear me.. most likely his mummy and girlfriends have always cleaned for him, so no, he can't clean a sink.
2 years ago
Mrs Elles Forme
The place needed a woman's touch ... or a wrecking ball! My sympathy to owner manager who is stuck with a old listed building with pokey rooms and ancient plumbing. A hopeless task to move up market. We only saw Barry (a reality tv legend in the making), were there really any more staff?? I am certainly going there for a beer when I am next in Winchester, but I will never stay just in case I find a 'surprise extra' in the bed linen. Ohh... that guest comment made the show for me!
2 years ago
kai
barry you legend!!
2 years ago
joelle
omg i wouldnt stay there even if it was for free
2 years ago
David L
Is Barry still working there? My son and myself think he is a legend!
2 years ago
Mav1959uk
The best hotel I have ever stopped in, not the cleanest or The best facilities, but the best memories, it's full of real characters, John, Barry, the bar girls from the stripper to the lazy s.d, the customers arriving on his motor scooter, staying there was living inside an episode of Benidorm but in the UK, memories that will last alot longer than some of the lodger hotels I have stopped in. Great show
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2 years ago
hayden.
this hotel was abserlouly RUBBISH!!!!! before alix came!!!!!!
2 years ago
Dazoola
I can say I've never actually stayed in this establishment, but had the pleasure of drinking a cool beverage in the place.... as a student of winchester university i would now consider a night or two's stay in the place. BARMAN BARRY, YOUR A LEGEND!!!
2 years ago
lozzy
ha its one of my local pubs but ive never stayed there nor will i now!!!! is a weird place to dink in itself hasnt been the same since the late 90's
2 years ago
DAVID
Who wants to pay money to stay somewhere where the owner has a mouth like a sewer and a shower to match !
2 years ago
Lashington
further evidence that people with low IQs should not be allowed around the rest of society! He's rude, even to the only person prepared to help him. Sorry Alex, but I'd still not want to stay there now...
2 years ago
Jemma
Its a DUMP!! Always has been and always will be.
2 years ago
Jemma
Its a BUMP! Always has been and always will be ..
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2 years ago
m.a
I agree SMEE, that barman well creepy wudnt stay there!
2 years ago
m.a
uuurgh yuck that barry guy so slimy lol makin me feel ill what a creep i wudnbt stay at a hotel that he worked at to be honest seems very sly would deffo NOT stay there!!!
2 years ago
Smee
Even if I was given a free weekend here, I would say I was over charged. Gross
2 years ago
elena
winchester's answer to tom cruise! PAH! if u say so lol.. i think the narrator was bein slightly siarcastic with that comment lol.. and fancy not bookin a room out cos he wanted it himself.. looks like it isnt just the manager that needs help
2 years ago
m.a
winchester's answer to tom cruise.. PAH .. if u say so lol and not bookin a room cos he wants a bed! well well well says it all really doesn't it wudnt stay in that place if u paid me to
2 years ago
maiditup
did anyone catch the address and what is needed to enter the competition by post?
2 years ago
Cas
Barry Hillier did you never learn to spell???
2 years ago
Sheonag
Think Barry should get a show of his own. His quaint turns of phrase (often wrong)would make a programme of its own
2 years ago
Bob
Love this programme and Polizzi is a legend, but that unrelenting background music is really irritating. C5's keyboard player needs to chillax
2 years ago
dw
I would like to no why the wife did not help? and if you want good cleaners dont pay the young ones who dont no how to clean stick with the old one
2 years ago
Colin
After Alex leaving. The bar and B&B improved a little. I think all the rooms need to be refurbished. The owner doesn't know what the word clean means.
2 years ago
derek
still would not stop their it will never change with that manager
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2 years ago
KM
OMG! I will never be staying here YUK!
2 years ago
DG
Its GREAT to see the return of Alex, just wish they would make the series longer... HINT! This year is already looking brighter for channel 5, More Alex.. and Big Brother... what next...
2 years ago
barry hillier
i can honistley say now that alix has cast hur eye and tempers fired up in this explisive epesode the filo or first in last out has a makeover. but working along side Alix and Jon ( manager Sweeney) has bean the best part of my curere at my time in the establishment