A gay couple have labelled a hotel owner homophobic after he allegedly told the couple "people like you should be put in a cage with the rest of the wild animals".
Nicole Calder and Lauren Inglis were stunned when they received the shocking email after staying at the Clifton Mount Hotel in Newcastle last week.
The couple had contacted the hotel after checking out to complain about the state of their room.
Ms Calder booked the room as part of her birthday celebrations but was appalled when she claims they were given a 'filthy' room that was littered with crumbs, lipstick-smeared glasses and unwashed bedding.
"It was like a little apartment. It wasn't the original room we booked, but we didn't mind as long as the hotel was clean. However, there were crumbs all over the floor and yellow marks on the sofa which looked like paint," Ms Calder said.
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"I went to get a glass from the cupboard but there was lipstick all over it. There were also black marks on the bedding."
The owner of the hotel, Andy Singh, said his email had nothing to do with the girls' sexuality, and that he was simply referring to the mess left behind.
"Under no circumstances have I anything against gay people, this is simply an excuse for a refund. I am against liars, which she clearly is, and I have CCTV to prove everything I am saying is true," Mr Singh said.
Feedback on review website Trip Advisor is mixed, but the hotel appears to be popular for stag and hens nights.
No refund has been given to Ms Calder and Ms Inglis.
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