Hotel Chains Discussion

[Bletchleyite]

I have stayed there a couple of times prior to catching an early ferry to France. It must have gone downhill. We had no complaints. They even let us bring our bikes into the rooms rather than risking them outside on the car roof overnight.

Worth knowing by the way that Premier Inn's standard policy is that bikes are allowed in the room provided they're not covered in muck (though getting them there can be a bit awkward at times). It's hidden away on their website somewhere, and I've done it once.

I thought that had always been their policy? That's what I've read.

Yep, pretty standard for TL not to store luggage and always has been, though the odd one might on a discretionary basis. Most just don't have a storeroom available for that purpose, though some might consider using an unused bedroom for it on a discretionary basis.

 

[Bungle73]

....and I also have an app on my phone that has places that will do it too.

Funnily enough when I've perused the app before (for a different city) one of the locations listed was actually a local PI!

Worth knowing by the way that Premier Inn's standard policy is that bikes are allowed in the room provided they're not covered in muck (though getting them there can be a bit awkward at times). It's hidden away on their website somewhere, and I've done it once.

I've seen that too, although last time I tried to find it on their website I couldn't. Actually when I stayed at the PI in Milton Keynes last year (for the grand prix) when I checked out and was leaving there was someone bringing their bike into the hotel into the lift I'd just vacated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've seen that too, although last time I tried to find it on their website I couldn't. Actually when I stayed at the PI in Milton Keynes last year (for the grand prix) when I checked out and was leaving there was someone bringing their bike into the hotel into the lift I'd just vacated.

Bike friendly

We’re proud to say that every one of our hotels are bike friendly. Keep your bike in your room. Read our bike policy.

www.premierinn.com

Our bike policy​

We’re proud to say that every one of our hotels are bike friendly. Whether you want to keep your bike in your room or have it stored away safely, the choice is yours.

We welcome clean bikes with dirt-free tyres but if your bike needs a little wipe down, ask at reception about local facilities to help you out.

All we ask is you walk your bike around the hotel, lean it gently on the wall of your room and don’t over crowd your room with lots of bikes.

 

[Bungle73]

I see the Travelodge I mentioned earlier has rooms at the rear overlooking the river and Castle Museum site. One of those might be nice to have. I wonder if I could request one.

Bike friendly

We’re proud to say that every one of our hotels are bike friendly. Keep your bike in your room. Read our bike policy.

www.premierinn.com

Thanks.

 

[Bungle73]

I booked a couple of nights in the Travelodge for £165.98 for December. Not too bad.

I've been looking at places to go earlier in the year. Are hotels actually expecting anyone to stay with them this year? The prices they are demanding are obscene! One hotel in Edinburgh, I've stayed at previously, wants nearly £700 for 4 nights in May in a Singe room. The Hub on Rose Street wants £400-£600+ for four nights in May or June. I'm not paying those stupid prices.

 

[D6130]

I booked a couple of nights in the Travelodge for £165.98 for December. Not too bad.

I've been looking at places to go earlier in the year. Are hotels actually expecting anyone to stay with them this year? The prices they are demanding are obscene! One hotel in Edinburgh, I've stayed at previously, wants nearly £700 for 4 nights in May in a Singe room. The Hub on Rose Street wants £400-£600+ for four nights in May or June. I'm not paying those stupid prices.

Whereas this coming Monday night (6th February), I'm staying in the Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Travelodge - after the Forum meal - for £34.99. Is there some special event in Edinburgh in May this year? Those are the sort of prices they usually charge during the Festival in August.

 

[Bungle73]

Whereas this coming Monday night (6th February), I'm staying in the Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Travelodge - after the Forum meal - for £34.99. Is there some special event in Edinburgh in May this year? Those are the sort of prices they usually charge during the Festival in August.

Not that I can see.

 

[Silver Cobra]

I booked a couple of nights in the Travelodge for £165.98 for December. Not too bad.

I've been looking at places to go earlier in the year. Are hotels actually expecting anyone to stay with them this year? The prices they are demanding are obscene! One hotel in Edinburgh, I've stayed at previously, wants nearly £700 for 4 nights in May in a Singe room. The Hub on Rose Street wants £400-£600+ for four nights in May or June. I'm not paying those stupid prices.

I guess it depends on the location and the time of year. I booked a four-night stay at South Shore Travelodge in Blackpool in mid-June for £191.96 fully flexible, which I would say isn't too bad. Premier Inn in Blackpool town centre comparison wanted nearly £400 for their fully-flex rate on the same days.

As an additional comparison, I've also booked a three-night stay at the St Nicholas Travelodge in Scarborough in early August for £292.97 fully flexible. It makes sense it's a lot more per night considering it's right in the middle of the school holidays. In both cases I could have saved £40-50 by booking at the advance rate, which is something I used to do, but these days I no longer feel comfortable doing that with the uncertainty of things like the pandemic (not so much a concern these days admittedly) and railway industrial action.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I guess it depends on the location and the time of year. I booked a four-night stay at South Shore Travelodge in Blackpool in mid-June for £191.96 fully flexible, which I would say isn't too bad. Premier Inn in Blackpool town centre comparison wanted nearly £400 for their fully-flex rate on the same days.

There are three PIs in Blackpool. Generally speaking the central one is most expensive and often full, the South Beach one (on old railway land!) the middle priced and the Bispham one the lowest priced. The latter two have free parking. Bispham is a bit further out, but if you're walking into the centre is in a MUCH nicer area - I really feel unsafe walking to the centre at night from the South Beach one, it's through some horrible areas, whereas with the Bispham one the walk feels pretty safe and is mostly through middle class semi-detached suburbia. Both can be reached by tram and a shortish walk.

 

[richw]

I’ve just booked Reading Central premier inn (Letcombe Street, Reading) for April. It was £35 for the night compared to £150+ for cheapest acceptable accommodation in London. My wife and I are going to a west end show in the evening.
Has anyone experience of this hotel, google maps suggested 10 mins walk from the station.

 

[WizCastro197]

I booked a couple of nights in the Travelodge for £165.98 for December. Not too bad.

Seems a bit pricey for a Travelodge in December?

 

[Bungle73]

I guess it depends on the location and the time of year. I booked a four-night stay at South Shore Travelodge in Blackpool in mid-June for £191.96 fully flexible, which I would say isn't too bad. Premier Inn in Blackpool town centre comparison wanted nearly £400 for their fully-flex rate on the same days.

As an additional comparison, I've also booked a three-night stay at the St Nicholas Travelodge in Scarborough in early August for £292.97 fully flexible. It makes sense it's a lot more per night considering it's right in the middle of the school holidays. In both cases I could have saved £40-50 by booking at the advance rate, which is something I used to do, but these days I no longer feel comfortable doing that with the uncertainty of things like the pandemic (not so much a concern these days admittedly) and railway industrial action.

Those prices are ridiculous at any time of year. Last year I paid £257 at the same Hub for 6 nights, and in 2019 about £118 or £119 for four nights.

Seems a bit pricey for a Travelodge in December?

It looked like the best option. My usual hotel, the Dean Court also has astronomical prices, as does every similar option. PI was much more expensive too.

 

[Silver Cobra]

There are three PIs in Blackpool. Generally speaking the central one is most expensive and often full, the South Beach one (on old railway land!) the middle priced and the Bispham one the lowest priced. The latter two have free parking. Bispham is a bit further out, but if you're walking into the centre is in a MUCH nicer area - I really feel unsafe walking to the centre at night from the South Beach one, it's through some horrible areas, whereas with the Bispham one the walk feels pretty safe and is mostly through middle class semi-detached suburbia. Both can be reached by tram and a shortish walk.

True, I did overlook the other two Premier Inns in Blackpool. Ironically all three are charging at least £300 for the nights I've chosen compared to South Shore Travelodge and also South Beach Travelodge (who are charging £200.96 for those four nights).

Saying that, I am giving the Ealing Premier Inn a try in October when I'll be staying in London for the MCM Comic Con at the Excel. There was little difference in the prices between Travelodge and Premier Inn across most of London for that weekend, and with the connection to the Elizabeth Line at Ealing Broadway, it's an easy run from there to Custom House each day. In the past I've stayed at hotels closer to the Excel, but the prices for those sites these days put me off somewhat.

 

[route101]

I have noticed last few times I looked at Premier Inn prices most of the hotels on the list were the same price, £50.15.

 

[MikeWM]

I’ve just booked Reading Central premier inn (Letcombe Street, Reading) for April. It was £35 for the night compared to £150+ for cheapest acceptable accommodation in London. My wife and I are going to a west end show in the evening.
Has anyone experience of this hotel, google maps suggested 10 mins walk from the station.

I've stayed there one night (back in 2017 according to my records), I remember it being a bit of a faff crossing the roundabout directly outside, and I think I ate in the restaurant which was fine, but otherwise I have no particular memory of it, so I'm guessing it was a very typical Premier Inn.

 

[richw]

so I'm guessing it was a very typical Premier Inn.

That’s what I was hoping for. The odd one I’ve had a bad experience sticks on my mind. That standard typical premier inn meets my needs and I find I sleep well

 

[pdq]

We're staying at the Sidcup PremInn next half term. 3 nights room only with two twin rooms comes in at £390 (non flexible) which doesn't seem outrageous during a school holiday.
We've stayed there a couple of times before. It's just 10 mins off the M25 and right opposite the station so very handy for travelling into London as long as there are no strikes!

 

[WizCastro197]

We're staying at the Sidcup PremInn next half term. 3 nights room only with two twin rooms comes in at £390 (non flexible) which doesn't seem outrageous during a school holiday.

That seems quite alright for 2xrooms and 3 nights? How much was each room per night? Is it £390 per room?

 

[pdq]

That seems quite alright for 2xrooms and 3 nights? How much was each room per night? Is it £390 per room?

No, £390 all in, £195 per room. The nightly charge varies depending on the day.

 

[WizCastro197]

No, £390 all in, £195 per room. The nightly charge varies depending on the day.

I thought it may have, that’s why I asked. That’s seems quite good, however, I doubt many people (holidaymakers) will be staying in Sidcup!

 

[bspahh]

We're staying at the Sidcup PremInn next half term. 3 nights room only with two twin rooms comes in at £390 (non flexible) which doesn't seem outrageous during a school holiday.
We've stayed there a couple of times before. It's just 10 mins off the M25 and right opposite the station so very handy for travelling into London as long as there are no strikes!

At HotUKDeals there are links to some Google Documents with dates when you can stay at various Premier Inns for £35 a night. For example, for London Sidcup, it has them for a few Sundays. I tried searching for one of them (March 26th) on the Premier Inn site and it was £35.

 

[class68fan]

Ibis Budget is like Travelodge minus, or YHA plus. I've not had an issue with them myself, but they are a very low end brand.

Yes I'd agree that ibid budget rooms are not really suitable for sharing with friends.

I couldn't remember what the layout was so Googled it - is it actually that much of an issue, and have those of you who are complaining about it never used a campsite shower? You leave your underwear on until you get out of the cubicle and hang it and the towel over the door, then partly dry and put it back on before leaving it.

It's not perfect, but it is a dirt-cheap budget brand, sitting below Travelodge and probably even easyHotel in the market. Basically somewhere near the "en suite private room in a YHA" level.

It's completely stupid. The one in Birmingham had clear glass on the door, so your campsite plan wouldn't work.

Not having frosted glass is just silly, I'd agree.

IRIS Budget. Basic but do job. Normal clean and comfortible.

Unless your mate really want to watch you in shower they stay on bed. Do they had twin bed? else you are in double with 1 in bunk. If real shy dont share.

 

[dgl]

IRIS Budget. Basic but do job. Normal clean and comfortable.

Unless your mate really want to watch you in shower they stay on bed. Do they had twin bed? else you are in double with 1 in bunk. If real shy don't share.

We didn't realise what the setup was when we stayed in the one at Beconsfield services, saving money meant that many times my mum, sister and I shared a room, even fairly recently. Luckily it was only for a couple of nights and the rest of us just left the room if someone wanted a shower.

 

[Andyh82]

I booked a couple of nights in the Travelodge for £165.98 for December. Not too bad.

I've been looking at places to go earlier in the year. Are hotels actually expecting anyone to stay with them this year? The prices they are demanding are obscene! One hotel in Edinburgh, I've stayed at previously, wants nearly £700 for 4 nights in May in a Singe room. The Hub on Rose Street wants £400-£600+ for four nights in May or June. I'm not paying those stupid prices.

I’ve been looking at a 2 night stay in Bristol at the end of June

Premier Inn are looking at about £250. Even staying far out such as at Cribbs Causeway or Thornbury is over £200

I’d stay both ofthose rates have gone up at least £50 each

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I’ve been looking at a 2 night stay in Bristol at the end of June

Premier Inn are looking at about £250. Even staying far out such as at Cribbs Causeway or Thornbury is over £200

I’d stay both ofthose rates have gone up at least £50 each

Try the Thistle ( which is also conveniently close to Temple Meads )

 

[Runningaround]

I avoid ibis budget if at all possible. And it's not because it's a budget option. I'm a big fan of easyHotel although a couple of their original London ones are deserving of an extremely wide berth, Victoria and Paddington and Kensington I'm looking at you here. The one in Luton is a bit Grimm as well

The worst chain I've ever stayed in is Easy Hotel, the toilets have been modeled on its planes and they squeezed a shower and sink in it. They charge for anything extra including £5 for a remote control for a tv with only a few freeview channels and that was before their cheap TVs will have lost the non H-D channels, a high small window (no curtains) was a luxury at least it had a sill to put items on it as the room hadn't any chairs, stools or side cabinet to put anything on. Getting locked up in a cell and getting a £50 fine is better value at least you get a breakfast there.

 

[Bungle73]

I'm having second thoughts about the York Travelodge. I've found an independent 3 star hotel, with good reviews, that is only a short walk away from where I usually stay, right in the heart of historic York, that is only just over £50 more expensive B&B, after taking into the account the extra I'd have to pay to stay at the Travelodge for breakfast and to have my bag stored. It's a couple of combined Georgian townhouses. It sounds and looks very nice. I might cancel the Travelodge and book there instead.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm having second thoughts about the York Travelodge. I've found an independent 3 star hotel, with good reviews, that is only a short walk away from where I usually stay, right in the heart of historic York, that is only just over £50 more expensive B&B, after taking into the account the extra I'd have to pay to stay at the Travelodge for breakfast and to have my bag stored. It's a couple of combined Georgian townhouses. It sounds and looks very nice. I might cancel the Travelodge and book there instead.

While independents can be a gamble (read Tripadvisor and see if an issue comes up repeatedly and if you're OK with it) I would take most things over a TL. Maybe not Britannia, but certainly a good many independents.

 

[Bungle73]

While independents can be a gamble (read Tripadvisor and see if an issue comes up repeatedly and if you're OK with it) I would take most things over a TL. Maybe not Britannia, but certainly a good many independents.

Most of the recent reviews on TA are positive, and the "Popular mentions" tags are all positive, apart from one review where there was some issue about cancelling due to contracting Covid and they'd booked a non-cancellable rate. Reviews I've seen elsewhere are similar with a few minor issues. One pain is that check out is a strangely early 10.30 rather than the norm of 11:00, which I'd have to work around. Location is 100x better than the TL though, less than a minute's walk from the Minster, where as the TL is more like 10 minutes away. Handy because I knew a few nice pubs in the area for my evening meal.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Yes I would definitely taken independent even with some issues over a Travelodge. Britannia I think have upped their game. I've I've completed about 5 nights now at the new one in Glasgow and my neighbour stayed at the one near Prestwick airport the other day after his partner's car broke down and green flag couldn't get anyone out to it at 5 p.m. on a Sunday night in the middle of winter in Ayrshire. They said the the room was clean and staff pleasant and breakfast very tasty. Square sausage as a bonus