Homestead Durham-University, Durham

A group of six ( including myself ) were booked in here by a local company. We were late getting to the hotel -- 6pm. Instead of a fast turn around the west african youth at reception took over 45 minutes to check us in. We had to fill out long questionaires and tick endless boxes, then watch him labouriously type in the details with two fingers. When we asked if we could leave him our details so that we could get going he became completely uncooperative. When I finally got to my room it was still being cleaned!! This was now 6.50pm! The cleaning woman said she was the only chambermaid in the place. On returning late that night none of our keys would work. Turns out the young visionary at reception cancelled our reservations because he took the wrong credit card details. Another 45 minute wrangle, this time with a stone faced woman on night duty before we finally got into our rooms. Basic is the best you could say about them. Like a previous reviewer I too was awakened at the crack of dawn by workers outside my door. $36 is a cheap rate but only if you can put up with dreadful and insulting service. We notified the company who booked us ( and many other, I believe, ) through there, and they assure us they'll be cancelling their business with the place. BEWARE!