First look at the UK’s one-and-only Karen hotel where staff are deliberately rude to guests
THE restaurant chain where staff are intentionally rude to their customers has launched a brand new hotel.
Karen’s Diner challenges the well-established hospitality notion that the “customer is always right” by offering punters a completely different experience.
The chain, which first opened in Australia in 2021, gives staff the go-ahead to be intentionally rude to their customers.
Restaurant diners can expect waiters to dish out a public shaming, or two, as well as other insults and swear words.
The unusual dining experience was inspired by the popular internet meme of “being a Karen“, which refers to people who enjoy taking their anger out on members of retail staff.
While this may sound like a nightmare in the making, the chain’s rude staff members are all part of its appeal – with Brits embracing the bizarre experience.
Karen’s Diner has seven restaurants dotted across the country, including sites in Birmingham, Angel (in London), Manchester, Sheffield, and Brighton.
But the restaurant chain has partnered with a London hotel to give customers the worst hotel stay imaginable.
A statement on the Hadley Hotel website said: “If you thought Karen’s Diner is bad, you’ve seen nothing yet.
“Welcome to Karen’s Hotel – possibly the worst hotel stay you’ll ever encounter. Get ready for an absurdly fun experience.
“At Karen’s hotel and diner experience, you will be greeted by rude hotel staff and waiters and taken to a room where you never know what you will find.”
Guests are encouraged to relax in their rooms “if possible” before eating at the Karen’s Diner, which is attached to the hotel.
However, an overnight stay at the “Karen Hotel” isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Youtuber and former World’s Strongest Man, Eddie Hall, recently stayed at the hotel with his young son.
Eddie, who is also known as The Beast, documented his “awful” stay in a video on his YouTube channel.
In the video, he dubbed the experience as the “craziest overnight challenge he has done”.
When the pair arrived at the check-in desk they were greeted by a rude staff member who told them to carry their bags to their room.
Inside their room, Eddie and his son found a hotel employee lying on their bed watching the TV, while another used their bathroom.
The antics didn’t end there either because their door beeped non-stop, and their pillows were filled with tissue and styrofoam.
Eddie’s room wasn’t stocked with any toilet rolls or towels, and there was only a second-hand bar of soap for the guest to use.
The Karen’s Hotel experience is situated inside the Hadley Hotel in Barnet in north London.
Prices start at £179 for the package for two people, and it includes an overnight stay at the hotel and a meal at Karen’s Diner, as well as a breakfast the next morning.
There’s another unique dining experience in the UK too, where meals are made by the “smallest chef in the world”.
According to the restaurant’s website, Le Petit Chef is “just 6cm tall” and won’t grow any taller.
Here are the hidden gem restaurants in London’s Leicester Square that are actually great, including an Italian restaurant loved by a born and bred Italian.
Meanwhile, this noodle restaurant in the UK is like actually visiting Tokyo.