You were either very lucky or blinkered. The Britannia has more TERRIBLE reviews on TA than VERY GOOD and EXCELLENT added together! The Britannia group generally have relatively low ratings compared to other UK chains. We certainly wouldn't include it in our directory.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Accommodation suggestions and reviews
- Thread starter Blindtraveler
- Start date
You were either very lucky or blinkered. The Britannia has more TERRIBLE reviews on TA than VERY GOOD and EXCELLENT added together! The Britannia group generally have relatively low ratings compared to other UK chains. We certainly wouldn't include it in our directory.
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Shimbleshanks
Established Member
You get what you pay for I suppose. You could easily spend £50-plus in central Manchester and not get anywhere particularly good. The visit before last, I stayed in the Merchants Hotel in back Piccadilly, which always used to be a reliable standby, and the window in my room was broken with jagged glass.
Perhaps a series of negative reviews has prompted the Britannia management to get their act together?
IanD
Established Member
TripAdvisor - that well known bastion of impartiality and not at all the stamping ground of those with an axe to grind. Maybe shimbleshanks is not the only blinkered one if good reviews on TA are a requirement to be included on your site.
I am well aware of Britannia's reputation, and certainly many of their hotels are long past their best.
However, all my stays have been excellent.
I knew to expect coach parties, bingo, and slightly run-down facilities. For the price, I was happy with that.
In fact, the rooms were of a decent-size, clean and in good condition for the age. Most staff are jolly and upbeat, some are quite surly, but I am generally just amused by that - it's part of the fun of a British holiday! I was quite happy to go and sit in the bar for half an hour while the bingo finished!
If you have paid a lot of money, expecting a 'grand' hotel (as many of them once were), then I'm sure you could be sorely disappointed. And, if you get the wrong room and / or staff, I'm sure that could also make for a miserable stay.
But if you expect a few rough edges, you may be pleasantly surprised.
(To be fair, at the Grand Metropole in Blackpool I paid £32 for Dinner, Breakfast, bottle of wine and a Jacuzzi room, so I would have been happy as long as the room had a roof!)
However, all my stays have been excellent.
I knew to expect coach parties, bingo, and slightly run-down facilities. For the price, I was happy with that.
In fact, the rooms were of a decent-size, clean and in good condition for the age. Most staff are jolly and upbeat, some are quite surly, but I am generally just amused by that - it's part of the fun of a British holiday! I was quite happy to go and sit in the bar for half an hour while the bingo finished!
If you have paid a lot of money, expecting a 'grand' hotel (as many of them once were), then I'm sure you could be sorely disappointed. And, if you get the wrong room and / or staff, I'm sure that could also make for a miserable stay.
But if you expect a few rough edges, you may be pleasantly surprised.
(To be fair, at the Grand Metropole in Blackpool I paid £32 for Dinner, Breakfast, bottle of wine and a Jacuzzi room, so I would have been happy as long as the room had a roof!)
I have a lot of experience of Trip Advisor, having been in the hospitality industry myself. We didn't receive a number 1 rating on TA without a lot of hard work and attention to detail. A warm welcome, first-class facilities, comfortable, quality bedding and absolute cleanliness don't just happen. That's why smaller B&Bs usually score higher than large hotels.
TA isn't perfect, but it's the best measure of quality that's currently available. We look at EVERY comment on TA, and it's not difficult to eliminate any rogue reviews. The larger the sample the more accurate the assessment will be.
If an establishment has 150 Terrible reviews and only 40 Excellent or Very Good that's not someone with "an axe to grind". Every hotelier has the opportunity to respond to any poor reviews, and if they don't, that'll tell you something about the attitude of the management. In any case, if someone has "an axe to grind" you have to ask why.
Stayed in the Birmingham Central Moor Street Travlodge recently; refurbished with the new look, above a Tesco express and well located for both New Street and Moor Street I thought it was excellent value for £21. I would suggest asking for a room facing away from the road if possible, the buses/lorries can be quite loud at 5/6am (but handy for keeping you awake if you need to be up early!).
I was quite a late convert to to Trip Advisor and now am both a user and reviewer. There were loads of scare stories a few years back, but as dorsetman says, it's fairly easy to see past the people who live in some weird bubble where everything as to be just perfect all of the time. I like the fact that a lot of establishments now respond to poor / good reviews and this is often quite telling when a perpetual moaner gets some home truths. A quick look at some moaners other reviews soon reveals "all".
I am a firm believer that good service deserves highlighting and to be honest have been more inclined to fill in good reviews than bad.
I went away a couple of years back to an absolute gold mine of a find in France. The place wasn't on tripadvisor but there was enough info on the owners site (pics etc) to tempt us. When I reviewed it, it stayed pending for absolutely ages and eventually the owner contacted me saying that he didn't really want it on there but had decided to take the plunge. Queue a few other similar 5* reviews.
Just to bring it back to Railways, My wife booked that one and the nearest station was a fine disused one see here ( http://grid56126.zenfolio.com/p799443710/h62b5cc03#h62b5cc03 ) but the nearest one for spotting was simply too far away to be worth the effort, thus my wife got a "very poor" rating. Feel free to see just how gorgeous the place was in the rest of the gallery !
Spent a night in the Ibis Birmingham Airport last Saturday night, for the Farewell DC-10 scenic flights the next day, and found it to be quite acceptable. I was apprehensive on arrival as the bar area was quite rowdy, and the staff seemed more interested in selling drinks than dealing with new customers, but once I got upstairs it was quiet and comfortable. Not my cheapest ever stay, but a short notice booking at an airport hotel for £63 wasn't the worst deal in the world. Only a short distance from the Terminal and therefore the shuttle to Birmingham International.
I'd say it was better than the Luton Airport Ibis, simply because they gave me a double room instead of a twin room, and therefore the bed was actually acceptable. Otherwise it was just a bog standard Ibis hotel - cheap and functional!
I'd say it was better than the Luton Airport Ibis, simply because they gave me a double room instead of a twin room, and therefore the bed was actually acceptable. Otherwise it was just a bog standard Ibis hotel - cheap and functional!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Staying in the Birmingham Backpackers hotel tonight. Seems to be OK so far, 6 beds in the room.
£14 including a breakfast, hopefully it will be a good night.
Just need to get myself back to new street for the 9:42 service to Lime Street.
£14 including a breakfast, hopefully it will be a good night.
Just need to get myself back to new street for the 9:42 service to Lime Street.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
Im hearing roomers the Crewe Arms is under new ownership and being refurbed? Anyone any info?
table38
Established Member
I stayed there the weekend before last, and there was a letter in the room saying it had changed hands and a major refurbishment was underway, although no sign of it in my room
I still rate it in my "paid more to stay in worse" category. If they jack the prices up to pay for the refurb, I may have to reassess
starrymarkb
Established Member
Pentahotel in Leipzig was ok - needed better aircon but the room was nice!
Next year I'm in the Ramada as the Penta wants silly money for the Pentecost weekend (£860 - I paid under £300 this year)
Next year I'm in the Ramada as the Penta wants silly money for the Pentecost weekend (£860 - I paid under £300 this year)
I once stayed at the Britannia in Liverpool, and whilst there was certainly an element of faded grandure, the best thing about it was the bar remained open until about 4 in the morning !
I recently stayed in the youth hostel in Inverness which was very nice. Breakfast was lovely, although the class of German students there at the time seemed to be wary of the black pudding (I had two slices).
I recently stayed in the youth hostel in Inverness which was very nice. Breakfast was lovely, although the class of German students there at the time seemed to be wary of the black pudding (I had two slices).
Tracked
Established Member
I stayed in the Britannia in Manchester a few years ago, about £100 for 3 nights and for that price it was quite acceptable. I think that was a special offer though and the prices they had on reception were quite a bit more.
The Travelodge just off Prince's Street Edinburgh is alright, though the entrance is a bit murky (little side street) it's just over the road from Waverley. There's one just around the corner from Haymarket that's decent too, though the first time I went I had the room under the bar, which was a bit noisy.
Stayed at Travelodge in Inverness a couple of years ago, decent enough but it's way outside the city centre. Stayed in one in London a couple of streets away from Kings Cross, pricier than elsewhere in the UK but decent enough location-wise.
Stayed in the student accomadation at Glasgow Uni a few times in the summer when the uni's closed, there was one near Exhibition Centre station (though last time I looked they weren't letting this one out).
The bench at Kyle of Lochalsh station - very cheap, free in fact, but not very comfortable. Stayed when doing an all-line rover, as I didn't know whether I'd make it I didn't book anywhere, couldn't find anywhere when I got there (sometime after 8pm) so decided to stay on station and not miss the 1st train
The Travelodge just off Prince's Street Edinburgh is alright, though the entrance is a bit murky (little side street) it's just over the road from Waverley. There's one just around the corner from Haymarket that's decent too, though the first time I went I had the room under the bar, which was a bit noisy.
Stayed at Travelodge in Inverness a couple of years ago, decent enough but it's way outside the city centre. Stayed in one in London a couple of streets away from Kings Cross, pricier than elsewhere in the UK but decent enough location-wise.
Stayed in the student accomadation at Glasgow Uni a few times in the summer when the uni's closed, there was one near Exhibition Centre station (though last time I looked they weren't letting this one out).
The bench at Kyle of Lochalsh station - very cheap, free in fact, but not very comfortable. Stayed when doing an all-line rover, as I didn't know whether I'd make it I didn't book anywhere, couldn't find anywhere when I got there (sometime after 8pm) so decided to stay on station and not miss the 1st train
Stayed at the Harlow Travelodge recently. The location couldn't be better, as it's right opposite the station, and only a short bus ride into the centre of the town. Despite a main road on one side and a railway on the other, I didn't hear much noise on a Friday night and it's another refurbished property. Cheap too - compared to others in the area.
MidnightFlyer
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 16 May 2010
- Messages
- 12,856
Anyone know of anything cheap / close to a station around Chichester-Havant-Portsmouth way? There looks to be a really decent Travelodge at Emsworth, only accessible by road however 
Anyone know of anything cheap / close to a station around Chichester-Havant-Portsmouth way? There looks to be a really decent Travelodge at Emsworth, only accessible by road however
I stayed in the holiday inn on Pembroke road in Portsmouth about 18 months ago after getting on on a cross channel ferry. Paid £49 for a night.
It's about a 20 minute walk from Portsmouth and Southsea station.
The room was comfortable and I slept well.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
Not sure if its still going but the Duke of Buckingham Pub in Portsmouth has rooms and if you like that kind a thing i.e pubs then its fine!
Stayed at the Travellodge on the south side of Canterbury recently - it was pretty good, but has no lifts due to it being a listed building. Make sure you get ground floor if you're not good with stairs.
Also stayed at the Bromley one as well. OK, not far from Bromley S and Shortlands stations. Wetherspoons nearby for grub.
The new beds that are being installed in Travelodges are nice - very comfy.
Also Norwich Riverside again, again OK can't complain for £30. Morrison's by the north side of the station do a good breakfast.
Also stayed at the Bromley one as well. OK, not far from Bromley S and Shortlands stations. Wetherspoons nearby for grub.
The new beds that are being installed in Travelodges are nice - very comfy.
Also Norwich Riverside again, again OK can't complain for £30. Morrison's by the north side of the station do a good breakfast.
Anyone know of anything cheap / close to a station around Chichester-Havant-Portsmouth way? There looks to be a really decent Travelodge at Emsworth, only accessible by road however
There's a Premier Inn in Chichester, close to the station shown on http://station-stays.co.uk
MidnightFlyer
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 16 May 2010
- Messages
- 12,856
Cheers, saw that one and so far it does look the most convenient (the furthest east I can be is what I'm aiming for). Just depends on prices really.
(Brilliant link by the way, thanks for that one!)
starrymarkb
Established Member
Out of interest, what is the difference between an Ibis and an Ibis Budget
Looking at doing the Amphi festival next year and have a choice between the Ibis in the Köln city Centre or the Ibis Budget at the Messe* (right by the Festival venue). Both cost about the same (£10 difference over 3 nights). I'm trying to figure out the difference between the standard Ibis and the Ibis Budget - would I regret going budget?
*The Ibis at the Messe is full
Looking at doing the Amphi festival next year and have a choice between the Ibis in the Köln city Centre or the Ibis Budget at the Messe* (right by the Festival venue). Both cost about the same (£10 difference over 3 nights). I'm trying to figure out the difference between the standard Ibis and the Ibis Budget - would I regret going budget?
*The Ibis at the Messe is full
table38
Established Member
Can't speak for Köln, but in the UK, "Ibis Budget" are the hotels such as Etap that they acquired. Rooms are slightly less well appointed, and only a continental breakfast, but perfectly OK. I assume the difference is reflected in the price!
starrymarkb
Established Member
Thanks Think I may give the Budget a go
Think I may give the Budget a go Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
Only ever done one of those once and didnt like it but0TBF it was not yet refurbed from its former grottyness!
Etap was rebranded as 'Ibis budget' - they are part of the Accor hotels group, which is the largest in Europe.
(Ibis Budget is not their cheapest brand - that is Formule 1)
It's very much a budget hotel - the last time I stayed in the UK you even had to pay for tea bags.
The room will be small, expect a double bed with a single bunk bed and a plastic chair. The bathroom may be a pre-fabricated plastic unit, possibly with the sink in the bedroom. There may not be a proper bathroom door, so you may want to turn the TV up if you don't want to hear too much from the bathroom
Don't expect niceties like a wardrobe, and there will probably be a single, small window.
Since the rebranding, the rooms look quite modern and funky, and the hotels are usually well-maintained, efficient, in decent locations, and most importantly, cheap!
(Ibis Budget is not their cheapest brand - that is Formule 1)
It's very much a budget hotel - the last time I stayed in the UK you even had to pay for tea bags.
The room will be small, expect a double bed with a single bunk bed and a plastic chair. The bathroom may be a pre-fabricated plastic unit, possibly with the sink in the bedroom. There may not be a proper bathroom door, so you may want to turn the TV up if you don't want to hear too much from the bathroom
Don't expect niceties like a wardrobe, and there will probably be a single, small window.
Since the rebranding, the rooms look quite modern and funky, and the hotels are usually well-maintained, efficient, in decent locations, and most importantly, cheap!
12CSVT
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Aug 2010
- Messages
- 2,611
IBIS Budget at Newport not too bad. Staying there next weekend for the 'Taffy Tug 2' railtour.
starrymarkb
Established Member
Thanks Looks like the Budget it is - After all I'm going to be spending most of my time here and just need somewhere to crash/shower/goth up)
Plus I'm camping at another festival 2 weeks later so even a Formule 1 would be an improvement on that!
Looks like the Budget it is - After all I'm going to be spending most of my time here and just need somewhere to crash/shower/goth up)Plus I'm camping at another festival 2 weeks later so even a Formule 1 would be an improvement on that!