B2 First - Reading Multiple Matching Exercise

Four 'Dated' Resort Reviews by a Journalist

A. The Royal Esplanade Hotel

Arriving at the Royal Esplanade is like stepping into a time capsule, with the dial set firmly to 1978. The commitment to historical authenticity is remarkable; it seems not a single piece of the dark, heavy furniture or patterned carpet has been replaced in decades. The town itself has a small but interesting local history museum. The staff, many of whom have worked here since the hotel's heyday, operate with a formal, almost theatrical politeness that has vanished from the modern world. Breakfast is served from seven until ten. The evening entertainment consists of a gentleman playing classic tunes on an electric organ, a performance delivered with immense sincerity. While the hotel lacks the amenities we now consider standard, such as a gym or Wi-Fi that works beyond the lobby, it offers a uniquely immersive glimpse into a bygone era of British holidays.

B. The Flamingo Sands Resort

The Flamingo Sands promises a taste of tropical paradise, and it certainly delivers a bold vision. The entire resort is painted in vibrant shades of pink and turquoise, a colour scheme that must have seemed wonderfully exotic when it first opened some forty years ago. The gift shop sells a wide range of souvenirs and postcards. What truly stands out, however, is the all-inclusive buffet. It is an epic affair, a testament to quantity over quality, featuring classics like prawn cocktails and pineapple chicken that you rarely see anymore. The resort is particularly popular with families from northern Europe. The atmosphere is one of relentless, enforced fun, marshalled by an energetic entertainment team who ensure there is never a quiet moment from morning until late at night. It is exhausting, but you cannot say it is dull.

C. The Pines Health Spa

The Pines was a pioneer of the wellness retreat in its day, and it clings proudly to its original philosophy. The focus here is on discipline and detox, not indulgence. Guests are provided with a strict schedule of low-calorie meals, morning yoga sessions in a rather chilly hall, and invigorating walks in the surrounding pine forest, regardless of the weather. The nearby village is known for its antique shops. The decor is minimalist and clinical, designed to free the mind from distraction, though it also frees the eye from anything interesting to look at. The staff are not there to pamper you; they are firm but encouraging instructors, there to ensure you stick to the programme. Mobile phones are discouraged in all public areas. You will not leave feeling spoiled, but you will certainly leave feeling healthier.

D. The Grand Ocean Hotel

The Grand Ocean Hotel was clearly built to impress, a monument to a time when elegance meant enormous chandeliers and acres of polished marble. Its sheer scale is breathtaking, but it is a lonely sort of grandeur. The hotel was once featured in a famous black-and-white film. The vast, echoing dining room now serves a surprisingly limited menu, and the once-famous ballroom hosts only a handful of dancers on a Saturday night. The hotel seems to be rattling around inside its own magnificent shell, haunted by the memory of a more glamorous past. There is a certain faded charm to it all, a melancholic beauty in the slow decline. It is an undeniably impressive building, but it feels like a museum exhibit rather than a vibrant, living hotel. The car park is conveniently located at the rear.