'The best hotel in Hartlepool' featured on Channel 4 show Four In A Bed

Raqeeb Ramzan, who owns The Douglas Hotel in Grange Road, was a contestant on the afternoon reality show which aired this week.

The programme sees four pairs of hotel and B&B owners spend a night in each others’ places and vote for which they believe offers the best value for money.

Competitive contestants often deliver barbed comments and true to form Raqeeb rubbed up Blackpool mum and daughter team Tina and Kelly.

He gave their B&B low marks for cleanliness and they were keen to return the compliment on their visit to Hartlepool.

Raqeeb, 25, who bought the hotel about two years ago after working there as a barman, was invited to appear by the programme makers.

He said: “I thought ‘why not?’ Everyone knows how much pride we take in the place and do the best dinners.

“It was great; definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I think I used my week of fame very well.”

Raqeeb, who appeared on the show with his uncle Rajab Malik, also visited Cheshire pub The Coachman Inn and Gables Pod Camping in Escomb, County Durham.

The other contestants were largely complimentary of The Douglas praising its cleanliness and size of the rooms.

But Tina and Kelly complained about a radiator in their room they felt was a trip hazard and were not impressed when they could not find Raqeeb on site.

He added: "I spiced it up and there was plenty of drama. It is something worth watching for the Hartlepool audience.

“With me it’s always the truth. If I don’t like a place I told them. It was intended to be constructive criticism."

Glamping couple Mike and Sue were voted the eventual winners with The Douglas coming second.

But Raqeeb said: “Regardless of the result I think we have walked away a champion.”

He said he had received hundreds of messages of support on social media.

The episode featuring The Douglas aired on Wednesday, November 11, and all episodes are available to watch on catch up services including All 4.

The show filmed just before March’s lockdown also showed the contestants visiting the Headland’s Heugh Battery Museum.

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