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Accommodation suggestions and reviews
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trainophile
Established Member
We had a similar wonderful view from the Sleeperz in Dundee, and that is even nearer the station so we could watch the trains as well! I don't know if you'd have to request a room overlooking that direction - we were lucky and given one. Spent half the night at the window watching the train lights going over the river bridge.
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
I noticed that hotel when we were there - could hardly miss it... do you have any pictures you could post of the view from it? The thought did occur to me that being quite a tall building it might yield a better overall view despite being further back...
trainophile
Established Member
trainophile
Established Member
Has that worked?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Thank you; that's brilliant - was that the top floor or is a higher view possible? ( I must ask them about rooms on that side and high up next time I need to stay in Dundee ).
trainophile
Established Member
Gosh it was March 2019 according to my photo stream, afraid I can’t remember what floor we were on. Definitely worth contacting them to book and requesting a room with a good view, as high up as possible.
185143
Established Member
- Joined
- 3 Mar 2013
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Has anyone been in the Premier Inn at Glasgow Charing Cross recently? I normally wouldn't think twice about booking a Premier Inn at a good price, but the latest reviews are quite poor.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
Yes I have, the poor reviews are to an extent justified. It is definitely showing it's age
Kite159
Veteran Member
Station Hotel, Gloucester
Cancelled my stay on the day in late August I was meant to stay there (saying they had no water which is fair enough), but still haven't received a refund even though one was allegedly requested by the booking.com support team.
Cancelled my stay on the day in late August I was meant to stay there (saying they had no water which is fair enough), but still haven't received a refund even though one was allegedly requested by the booking.com support team.
47403
Established Member
2 recommendations.
Best Western Nottingham/Derby
It's actually in Long Eaton about 8mins drive from Long Eaton Station. Very nice hotel, room was spacious, TV, Kettle etc. Shower was one of the power showers too. You can pay an extra £9.95per day, for the breakfast and by God they pile it on for you. We only had the one on the final day but we felt we were gonna burst after it. You can also help yourself to toast, coffee and fruit juice and if you so need to can have cereal before you have the full English. Staff were excellent. Great location if your going on an East Midland Day Rover or going to Toton bankside too. Fully recommended this place. Free parking too.
Abbey Lodge Hotel, Shipley
We got lucky on a cheap deal. One night stay with bed n breakfast. The staff were excellent couldn't do enough for you. Room was excellent. Only draw back no lift to the floor we were on and we were on the very top floor. However that wasn't a problem for us. 4mins away is a Weatherspoons and apparently it's only a 10minute walk to Shipley Station. I didn't try the walk myself but who I am I to argue with Google Maps. The Breakfast was absolutely spot on too. We didn't use it but this hotel has a bar. Couldn't tell you the prices mind but I saw a few having beers in there. Its also dog friendly so if you take your pooch on your travels, it'll be welcomed just as much as you are. There's free parking too, round the back of the hotel but it was full so we had to park a little way down the lane but had no problems.
Best Western Nottingham/Derby
It's actually in Long Eaton about 8mins drive from Long Eaton Station. Very nice hotel, room was spacious, TV, Kettle etc. Shower was one of the power showers too. You can pay an extra £9.95per day, for the breakfast and by God they pile it on for you. We only had the one on the final day but we felt we were gonna burst after it. You can also help yourself to toast, coffee and fruit juice and if you so need to can have cereal before you have the full English. Staff were excellent. Great location if your going on an East Midland Day Rover or going to Toton bankside too. Fully recommended this place. Free parking too.
Abbey Lodge Hotel, Shipley
We got lucky on a cheap deal. One night stay with bed n breakfast. The staff were excellent couldn't do enough for you. Room was excellent. Only draw back no lift to the floor we were on and we were on the very top floor. However that wasn't a problem for us. 4mins away is a Weatherspoons and apparently it's only a 10minute walk to Shipley Station. I didn't try the walk myself but who I am I to argue with Google Maps. The Breakfast was absolutely spot on too. We didn't use it but this hotel has a bar. Couldn't tell you the prices mind but I saw a few having beers in there. Its also dog friendly so if you take your pooch on your travels, it'll be welcomed just as much as you are. There's free parking too, round the back of the hotel but it was full so we had to park a little way down the lane but had no problems.
Strat-tastic
Established Member
Premier Inn, Chester Railway Station
I recently had a rail holiday, staying for a week to do some sightseeing, chilling, railway trips & spotting around the area, using Chester as my base.
What can I say, it’s a Premier Inn, although not every aspect of it was a premier experience. The room was standard fayre, although you can’t open the window (why do they treat us like children?) and the air con was only just able to make the room comfortable for sleeping. But it did have a bath, which I appreciate as I don’t have one at home and enjoy a nice soak every now and again when I get the chance.
The main light in the bathroom didn’t work and also one of the small bed lights and light switches by the bed. The bathroom light was promptly fixed (that particular member of staff was very good all round) but I don’t hold out much hope of the other stuff being fixed any time soon.
They didn’t have a Gideons’ Bible, which I always find a bit disappointing (we’re all on the highways and by-ways of life and they have been known to offer great comfort in times of need).
The bed was nice and comfy, something Premier do well. They did clean & service the room on request, although on both occasions they didn’t clean the toilet (again, it was fixed by said member of staff) and the second time they left me without any towels.
Both lifts were in service which was good as I was on the 3rd floor. Having two lifts also made for a nice variety of in and out journeys of discovery (yes, simple things please simple minds, but you can’t beat a nice long corridor to walk along…).
The breakfast offering was an all-you-can-eat buffet, which I prefer being a greedy so-and-so . The down side of buffets can be the temperature and availability of items. I am happy to say availability was ok but the food could have been warmer. They also offer what they call Continental breakfast, which I’d argue against calling it such as that, to me, means cold meats and cheese available, which they weren’t. It was a selection of bread products, yoghurt, fruit. I’d have to say though that the coffee is fantastic, very nice from one of these posh machines .
The evening meal was adequate I’d say, but I preferred to try different places. And, lo and behold! Right next door is an excellent Indian restaurant specialising in Southern Indian dishes, Coconut Grove. The staff are very good, the food excellent, and prices very reasonable. The ambience is lovely too. I ate there twice in the evenings and also for the Sunday buffet. All you can eat curry! Oh yay!
The other side of the hotel is an Italian which was nice enough if a bit pricey. Next to the Indian is also a decent pub. There are quite a few other restaurants along the road and hotels too.
So, overall, if I were to return I’d be happy to stay again, although I would probably at least research the other hotels near the railway station.
I recently had a rail holiday, staying for a week to do some sightseeing, chilling, railway trips & spotting around the area, using Chester as my base.
What can I say, it’s a Premier Inn, although not every aspect of it was a premier experience. The room was standard fayre, although you can’t open the window (why do they treat us like children?) and the air con was only just able to make the room comfortable for sleeping. But it did have a bath, which I appreciate as I don’t have one at home and enjoy a nice soak every now and again when I get the chance.
The main light in the bathroom didn’t work and also one of the small bed lights and light switches by the bed. The bathroom light was promptly fixed (that particular member of staff was very good all round) but I don’t hold out much hope of the other stuff being fixed any time soon.
They didn’t have a Gideons’ Bible, which I always find a bit disappointing (we’re all on the highways and by-ways of life and they have been known to offer great comfort in times of need).
The bed was nice and comfy, something Premier do well. They did clean & service the room on request, although on both occasions they didn’t clean the toilet (again, it was fixed by said member of staff) and the second time they left me without any towels.
Both lifts were in service which was good as I was on the 3rd floor. Having two lifts also made for a nice variety of in and out journeys of discovery (yes, simple things please simple minds, but you can’t beat a nice long corridor to walk along…).
The breakfast offering was an all-you-can-eat buffet, which I prefer being a greedy so-and-so . The down side of buffets can be the temperature and availability of items. I am happy to say availability was ok but the food could have been warmer. They also offer what they call Continental breakfast, which I’d argue against calling it such as that, to me, means cold meats and cheese available, which they weren’t. It was a selection of bread products, yoghurt, fruit. I’d have to say though that the coffee is fantastic, very nice from one of these posh machines .
The evening meal was adequate I’d say, but I preferred to try different places. And, lo and behold! Right next door is an excellent Indian restaurant specialising in Southern Indian dishes, Coconut Grove. The staff are very good, the food excellent, and prices very reasonable. The ambience is lovely too. I ate there twice in the evenings and also for the Sunday buffet. All you can eat curry! Oh yay!
The other side of the hotel is an Italian which was nice enough if a bit pricey. Next to the Indian is also a decent pub. There are quite a few other restaurants along the road and hotels too.
So, overall, if I were to return I’d be happy to stay again, although I would probably at least research the other hotels near the railway station.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
Another Premier Inn, this time the enormous new one at Glasgow st. Enoch Square. We've all observed it being constructed over a sorted bashing expeditions and other hotel stays in the Glasgow area and I am pretty confident that I'm the first member to post about it. It's definitely designed as a flagship property, three lifts, everything well-organized, rooms of an exceptionally high standard, restaurant is decent and bar prices very reasonable. The hotel was close to fall but they still managed to segregate the drunken football fans and partygoers and those of us that wanted a quiet evening on separate floors and long may this continue
This hotel completely replaces the very elderly Premier Inn argyle Street property and supplements there other city centre locations at George Square, Buchanan galleries and Charing cross. It is to be hoped that as this has quite a lot more rooms than the argyle Street hotel that the opportunity will now be taken to fully refurbish both Charing cross and George Square which are definitely showing their age
Travelodge London manor House
One of the new Travelodge plus concept hotels but I'm sorry but once you scrape below the surface which doesn't take much doing this is Travelodge in all it's cheap and not very cheerfulness
Disinterested and almost non-english-speaking staff, indifferent food and high bar prices. The best thing about it is the fact that you can ride to and from it on the Piccadilly lines vintage 1973 rolling stock. I wouldn't even have a good word to say about the staff working at manor House station at the times I visited gonna I had the devil's own job getting them to add my new railcard onto my Oyster
This hotel completely replaces the very elderly Premier Inn argyle Street property and supplements there other city centre locations at George Square, Buchanan galleries and Charing cross. It is to be hoped that as this has quite a lot more rooms than the argyle Street hotel that the opportunity will now be taken to fully refurbish both Charing cross and George Square which are definitely showing their age
Travelodge London manor House
One of the new Travelodge plus concept hotels but I'm sorry but once you scrape below the surface which doesn't take much doing this is Travelodge in all it's cheap and not very cheerfulness
Disinterested and almost non-english-speaking staff, indifferent food and high bar prices. The best thing about it is the fact that you can ride to and from it on the Piccadilly lines vintage 1973 rolling stock. I wouldn't even have a good word to say about the staff working at manor House station at the times I visited gonna I had the devil's own job getting them to add my new railcard onto my Oyster
185143
Established Member
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- 3 Mar 2013
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Thanks for reminding me to do the same!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
You're most welcome
I can't help noticing that my central Scotland hotel stays are starting to rise again after falling significantly with the introduction of later or overnight coaches but now we have the ScotRail industrial crisis which is going nowhere fast I'm simply not prepared to spend hours of my time getting up early or sitting on a motorway just because the Scottish government and transport Scotland cannot be bothered to provide train service when I want it
I can't help noticing that my central Scotland hotel stays are starting to rise again after falling significantly with the introduction of later or overnight coaches but now we have the ScotRail industrial crisis which is going nowhere fast I'm simply not prepared to spend hours of my time getting up early or sitting on a motorway just because the Scottish government and transport Scotland cannot be bothered to provide train service when I want it
185143
Established Member
- Joined
- 3 Mar 2013
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- 4,544
Travelodge Sunderland Central High Street West
Booked on the day for £27.99. One of the better Travelodges I've stayed in, though there's no overpriced CafeBar which means no breakfast either. The TV wouldn't switch off but no complaints otherwise. 5 minutes or so from the station.
Booked on the day for £27.99. One of the better Travelodges I've stayed in, though there's no overpriced CafeBar which means no breakfast either. The TV wouldn't switch off but no complaints otherwise. 5 minutes or so from the station.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Premier Inn, Wembley Stadium
One of the hotels which serve the stadium so I would imagine on event days the price will be expensive. Usual Premier Inn, quite a large hotel (13 floors) and I had a room overlooking the stadium. Not much outside noise, didn't have breakfast to see what it was like. Wembley Stadium station (Chiltern) was a couple minutes away, with both Wembley Park & Wembley Central around 10-15 minutes walk away. Only downside was the shower, didn't have a lot of pressure behind it (but I find those showers which come off the bath taps don't tend to have as much power compared to a separate shower)
Foxhall Village Guest House, Blackpool
A bed & breakfast located in the York Street area of Blackpool, near the Central Pier (quite a few little B&Bs, sadly a few all boarded up). Landlady was friendly (looked like they lived on the ground floor), although the stairs were a bit on the steep side. Basic room but it was functional.
Eastleigh Central Travelodge
The hotel overlooks the station (if you get lucky with no traffic it will be less than a minute from platform 1 to the reception area). I had a room on the back so couldn't say what the noise would be like from the road or station. Bit of outside noise from a nearby pub. Usual Travelodge in terms of you know what you are gonna get, carpet in my room was a bit worm and one of the bedside lamps didn't work. Quite a friendly member of staff on reception (which I had to ring as she was elsewhere in the hotel when I arrived).
(Only stayed there as I had it booked in late December last year but had to change the dates due to tier 4 coming in and Travelodge not refunding saver rate bookings, this was the first Friday I found where it wasn't expensive).
Do you do what I tend to do when I get to hotel rooms and try to switch the TV off at the wall so that the standby light doesn't annoy me during the night? I guess it was hard wired into the wall?
One of the hotels which serve the stadium so I would imagine on event days the price will be expensive. Usual Premier Inn, quite a large hotel (13 floors) and I had a room overlooking the stadium. Not much outside noise, didn't have breakfast to see what it was like. Wembley Stadium station (Chiltern) was a couple minutes away, with both Wembley Park & Wembley Central around 10-15 minutes walk away. Only downside was the shower, didn't have a lot of pressure behind it (but I find those showers which come off the bath taps don't tend to have as much power compared to a separate shower)
Foxhall Village Guest House, Blackpool
A bed & breakfast located in the York Street area of Blackpool, near the Central Pier (quite a few little B&Bs, sadly a few all boarded up). Landlady was friendly (looked like they lived on the ground floor), although the stairs were a bit on the steep side. Basic room but it was functional.
Eastleigh Central Travelodge
The hotel overlooks the station (if you get lucky with no traffic it will be less than a minute from platform 1 to the reception area). I had a room on the back so couldn't say what the noise would be like from the road or station. Bit of outside noise from a nearby pub. Usual Travelodge in terms of you know what you are gonna get, carpet in my room was a bit worm and one of the bedside lamps didn't work. Quite a friendly member of staff on reception (which I had to ring as she was elsewhere in the hotel when I arrived).
(Only stayed there as I had it booked in late December last year but had to change the dates due to tier 4 coming in and Travelodge not refunding saver rate bookings, this was the first Friday I found where it wasn't expensive).
Do you do what I tend to do when I get to hotel rooms and try to switch the TV off at the wall so that the standby light doesn't annoy me during the night? I guess it was hard wired into the wall?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
In the event of a hard wired TV, the same solution can be employed for this light as for the light switches on the Mk5 Sleepers: Carry a roll of insulating tape with you...
Blindtraveler
Established Member
Makes mental note to pack electrical tape when departing for the South in a couple of days time as MK5 sleeper action with lord Kite is coming up on Thursday night, followed by a couple of nights in a Premier Inn in Inverness, which thankfully includes televisions you can unplug as neither of us are particularly interested in watching it, for preferring our phones and devices for in-room entertainment
alexf380
Established Member
Does anyone have any recommendations for the Romford/Upminster area? Ideally in the TfL zones but I'll take anything into Essex if I have to.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
The Motel One chain is very good imo, and perhaps not that well named because they're a cut above a motel. No evening food offer, but well appointed rooms and a very nice downstairs area with a good bar. They're a German company so not that many in the UK at the moment. Central locations too - I've used their places in Edinburgh (at the end of Waverley Bridge), Newcastle (High Pavement) and Glasgow (Oswald Street, so at the side of Central station) and really liked them all. Generally around £65 a night
Gone up in the world since I lived very close by - and yes, 10min to the station is comfortable (less to P1) but 2 minutes longer coming back
Blindtraveler
Established Member
If you are happy to go as far as Ilford, the lucky 8 hotel on York road down the side of the station was very good back in 2017
Kite159
Veteran Member
The Travelodge in Romford (The Quadrant) was reasonable when I stayed in December 19. Although chances are it's gone the usual way of Travelodge with poor maintenance, especially to the AC system.
185143
Established Member
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- 3 Mar 2013
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- 4,544
A couple more to add from me:
The Romany Rye, Dereham
Probably not a typical one to feature on this forum! It's a 'Spoons hotel and at a very cheap price for a Sunday night stay. The Mid Norfolk railway isn't too far away. Easily accessed by First's Excel buses between Peterborough and Norwich, and I'm told *burp* there's a few 'Spoons to tick en route if you're into that kind of thing. KonectBus do a fast bus into Norwich as well, £3.50 single and takes around 40 minutes. The room seemed a bit dated, but very pleasant and comfortable. The 'Spoons pub was pretty decent as well.
EasyHotel Ipswich Town Centre
The good old forum favourite. Stayed here a few times now, my first stay being for a whole week. Arrived just before midnight after a truly hellish journey back from the North Norfolk Railway, nearly 4 hours later than planned. Very friendly welcome, compact but spacious enough room. Air con was a bit "meh" but it did the job. Beds are firm, but TV+Wifi is free in this one. Round the corner from the 'Spoons and the bus station if you have an Anglia Plus and you're too lazy to walk the 20 minutes to the station like me!
The Romany Rye, Dereham
Probably not a typical one to feature on this forum! It's a 'Spoons hotel and at a very cheap price for a Sunday night stay. The Mid Norfolk railway isn't too far away. Easily accessed by First's Excel buses between Peterborough and Norwich, and I'm told *burp* there's a few 'Spoons to tick en route if you're into that kind of thing. KonectBus do a fast bus into Norwich as well, £3.50 single and takes around 40 minutes. The room seemed a bit dated, but very pleasant and comfortable. The 'Spoons pub was pretty decent as well.
EasyHotel Ipswich Town Centre
The good old forum favourite. Stayed here a few times now, my first stay being for a whole week. Arrived just before midnight after a truly hellish journey back from the North Norfolk Railway, nearly 4 hours later than planned. Very friendly welcome, compact but spacious enough room. Air con was a bit "meh" but it did the job. Beds are firm, but TV+Wifi is free in this one. Round the corner from the 'Spoons and the bus station if you have an Anglia Plus and you're too lazy to walk the 20 minutes to the station like me!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
King Charles hotel Gillingham, Kent. Good one for those on Kent rovers wanting something a bit more than a Travelodge and that has reasonable bar prices and decent showers. Bus stops to Maidstone and Chatham right outside and the railway station is about a 10-minute walk.
It's near the university but definitely off the tourist beaten track and one I shall absolutely use again. Wi-Fi and breakfast are both free and the rooms are comfortable although slightly limited in plug sockets.
Free parking for those wishing to bring wheels as a means of positioning himself for trains or other excitement.
Fantastic staff
It's near the university but definitely off the tourist beaten track and one I shall absolutely use again. Wi-Fi and breakfast are both free and the rooms are comfortable although slightly limited in plug sockets.
Free parking for those wishing to bring wheels as a means of positioning himself for trains or other excitement.
Fantastic staff
185143
Established Member
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I'll bear that in mind. I'll always speak highly of Sunnylodge in Folkestone for accommodation in that part of the world. Very near the station, a chippy, cafe, pub and Co-Op. Lovely rooms and I've been on the receiving end of a free upgrade more than once. And the owners are two of the friendliest people I've ever met.
But more relevantly, I've just stayed in The Elmfield Guest Accommodation, Great Yarmouth. And I'm very glad I did. I'd only planned a 2 night trip, but then realised a 3in7 Anglia Plus gives you an extra day for free so extended my trip, EasyHotel wanted £45 for an extra night and as much as I do like them, that's too much. So I found this place for £31.99, two days before. And wow. About 15 minutes walk from the station, and 8 minutes to the 'Spoons. They seem to do a lot that major chains can struggle with. Hot chocolate readily available with biscuits and plenty of plug sockets, even a fridge available in the room! No air con but plenty of windows, which had the effect of waking up this morning and being rather cold...
Seems quite Covid cautious still, signs up asking you to wear masks in communal areas and both the owners had masks on when greeting guests and the keys were collected on a dishclosh as I left. I'd stay for sure if the EasyHotel was unavailable/too expensive, not that that's a dig, Ipswich is just better located for cranking.
Caboose Class
Member
Just happened to read your post by chance. It's not possible to make separate bookings on Premier Inn's website. You have to book Inn by Inn. Also if you want to stay for more than nine nights at the same Inn, you can't book that online either, you need to phone them. Hope this helps.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Easy Hotel, Cardiff
Located near Queen Street station (at a guess around 5 minutes walk) so a good location for early starts/late finishes. The usual Easy Hotel style room. WiFi is free as well with having a TV remote (although first thing I did was turn the TV off at the wall).
Shower wasn't the most powerful was the only negative. A bit of outside noise from the roads nearby but nothing that major. Bit of noise on the Sunday night with some drunks arriving in a nearby room being very noisy.
Certainly one I would use again if the price was right.
Located near Queen Street station (at a guess around 5 minutes walk) so a good location for early starts/late finishes. The usual Easy Hotel style room. WiFi is free as well with having a TV remote (although first thing I did was turn the TV off at the wall).
Shower wasn't the most powerful was the only negative. A bit of outside noise from the roads nearby but nothing that major. Bit of noise on the Sunday night with some drunks arriving in a nearby room being very noisy.
Certainly one I would use again if the price was right.
Drsatan
Established Member
A few hotels I've stayed in over the last few months:
Premier Inn Inverness (City Centre)
Strongly recommend. About 10 minutes walk from the railway station, and the room is up to the usual Premier Inn standard. I think the hotel's been refurbished recently as there was no sign of wear and tear on the carpets and walls. I was very lucky to be allocated a room overlooking the River Ness on check-in - I understand these are booked up well in advance.
I didn't try the breakfast. The receptionist told me there were no slots available (I stayed in early July when Premier Inn had stopped the breakfast buffet) so I had breakfast in the Wetherspoons across the river. That was a good thing - I originally planned on getting breakfast on the southbound Highland Chieftain that day (which I decided against as I was staying on the train to London and at the time, LNER didn't have their full menu), but after departing the guard announced due to a problem with the kitchen all they could offer were crisps and bottled water! I'd bought a First Class ticket and wasn't very impressed.
Premier Inn Sheffield (Angel Street)
The rooms aren't too bad, but the area surrounding the hotel is pretty rough. I stayed over a weekend and was kept awake by people running up and down the corridors and by the marathon sex session in the room above. I was also given a room without working WiFi. I mentioned that to the receptionist and was told there's nothing they were able to do about that. I ended up complaining to Premier Inn about that! The hotel is about a 10-15 minute walk uphill from the station, or you can get the tram to Castle Square. A taxi from the station is just under £5.
There's a Greggs down the road from the hotel if you don't want breakfast there.
Abbey Lodge Hotel (Shipley)
Stayed there over the August Bank Holiday weekend (I paid £106 for two nights). I used it as a base for a Settle and Carlisle Day Ranger and a trip to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Comfy bed, friendly staff and the breakfast is really good. The railway station is about a 10 minute walk away. A taxi from the station came to £3.50. Housekeeping could be better as the windowsill in the room was dusty.
Ashby House B&B, Tenby
A lovely B&B near the seafront in Tenby town centre. The lady who runs it is very accommodating: she allowed me to store my bike in the living room which isn't for guests. The breakfast is really good too.
Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre
Cheap (I spent £30 for a night's stay) but the room I stayed in needed refurbishment: there were splash marks on the walls and the carpets were worn. About a 15-20 minute walk from the railway station.
Queen's Hotel, Penzance
I only stayed there as everywhere else in Penzance was either fully booked, very expensive (the Premier Inn next to the station was charging £150+ for one night's stay) or didn't do late check-ins, the latter being essential as I wouldn't be arriving in the town until 2145. I paid £100 for a night's stay on a Saturday night. The shower was held together with a bit of gaffer tape and the room needed redecorating. The hotel faces the seafront and is about a 15 minute walk from the station. A taxi from the station to the hotel came to about £6. You do need to book one in advance though, as there aren't many taxis in Penzance. I definitely wouldn't stay here again.
Premier Inn Manchester Airport (Heald Green)
I paid £56 for one night's stay on a Saturday night. I chose the hotel as it's next door to Heald Green station and everywhere else in Manchester in Stockport that was near a station and not a complete dump was really expensive. The hotel itself isn't too bad but the rooms need refurbishment. Even though the hotel is under the flight path to Manchester Airport, the noise from arriving planes wasn't too bad. I wouldn't stay here in the summer as the hotel isn't air conditioned and the windows only open by about 2-3 inches. The breakfast was good though.
If like me, you're caught out by train cancellations from Heald Green, you can get the 368 bus to Stockport opposite the hotel. It takes about 20 minutes and a single is £3.50 (contactless accepted).
Premier Inn Inverness (City Centre)
Strongly recommend. About 10 minutes walk from the railway station, and the room is up to the usual Premier Inn standard. I think the hotel's been refurbished recently as there was no sign of wear and tear on the carpets and walls. I was very lucky to be allocated a room overlooking the River Ness on check-in - I understand these are booked up well in advance.
I didn't try the breakfast. The receptionist told me there were no slots available (I stayed in early July when Premier Inn had stopped the breakfast buffet) so I had breakfast in the Wetherspoons across the river. That was a good thing - I originally planned on getting breakfast on the southbound Highland Chieftain that day (which I decided against as I was staying on the train to London and at the time, LNER didn't have their full menu), but after departing the guard announced due to a problem with the kitchen all they could offer were crisps and bottled water! I'd bought a First Class ticket and wasn't very impressed.
Premier Inn Sheffield (Angel Street)
The rooms aren't too bad, but the area surrounding the hotel is pretty rough. I stayed over a weekend and was kept awake by people running up and down the corridors and by the marathon sex session in the room above. I was also given a room without working WiFi. I mentioned that to the receptionist and was told there's nothing they were able to do about that. I ended up complaining to Premier Inn about that! The hotel is about a 10-15 minute walk uphill from the station, or you can get the tram to Castle Square. A taxi from the station is just under £5.
There's a Greggs down the road from the hotel if you don't want breakfast there.
Abbey Lodge Hotel (Shipley)
Stayed there over the August Bank Holiday weekend (I paid £106 for two nights). I used it as a base for a Settle and Carlisle Day Ranger and a trip to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Comfy bed, friendly staff and the breakfast is really good. The railway station is about a 10 minute walk away. A taxi from the station came to £3.50. Housekeeping could be better as the windowsill in the room was dusty.
Ashby House B&B, Tenby
A lovely B&B near the seafront in Tenby town centre. The lady who runs it is very accommodating: she allowed me to store my bike in the living room which isn't for guests. The breakfast is really good too.
Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre
Cheap (I spent £30 for a night's stay) but the room I stayed in needed refurbishment: there were splash marks on the walls and the carpets were worn. About a 15-20 minute walk from the railway station.
Queen's Hotel, Penzance
I only stayed there as everywhere else in Penzance was either fully booked, very expensive (the Premier Inn next to the station was charging £150+ for one night's stay) or didn't do late check-ins, the latter being essential as I wouldn't be arriving in the town until 2145. I paid £100 for a night's stay on a Saturday night. The shower was held together with a bit of gaffer tape and the room needed redecorating. The hotel faces the seafront and is about a 15 minute walk from the station. A taxi from the station to the hotel came to about £6. You do need to book one in advance though, as there aren't many taxis in Penzance. I definitely wouldn't stay here again.
Premier Inn Manchester Airport (Heald Green)
I paid £56 for one night's stay on a Saturday night. I chose the hotel as it's next door to Heald Green station and everywhere else in Manchester in Stockport that was near a station and not a complete dump was really expensive. The hotel itself isn't too bad but the rooms need refurbishment. Even though the hotel is under the flight path to Manchester Airport, the noise from arriving planes wasn't too bad. I wouldn't stay here in the summer as the hotel isn't air conditioned and the windows only open by about 2-3 inches. The breakfast was good though.
If like me, you're caught out by train cancellations from Heald Green, you can get the 368 bus to Stockport opposite the hotel. It takes about 20 minutes and a single is £3.50 (contactless accepted).