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Accommodation suggestions and reviews

trainophile

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Premier Inn Great Yarmouth West

I stayed there recently. Standard PI fare, room wasn't too warm or too cold, en-suite satisfactory, quiet. Nice friendly receptionist. Buffet breakfast ticked all the boxes :)

BUT, my room had a half-decent view of the station! :D I was on the top floor and on the right side of the hotel for the view, so that was nice. 8-)

That's really interesting to know, as it's hard to find decent accommodation in Great Yarmouth that isn't miles from the station. Presumably as you had a view it's walkable? I've never noticed it on my couple of visits to GY, so many PIs are out of town and designed for drivers not train users.

Just looked it up, 10 minutes walk. That's brilliant, thank you.

Edit: Blimey it's not cheap is it? o_O
 
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Strat-tastic

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That's really interesting to know, as it's hard to find decent accommodation in Great Yarmouth that isn't miles from the station. Presumably as you had a view it's walkable? I've never noticed it on my couple of visits to GY, so many PIs are out of town and designed for drivers not train users.

Just looked it up, 10 minutes walk. That's brilliant, thank you.

Edit: Blimey it's not cheap is it? o_O
I guess it's the convenience factor. I actually got a lift from a friend so didn't use the train, but we did discuss potentially doing it next time.
I stayed Fri & Sat so the Sat put the price up somewhat. ~£175 I think with two breakfasts.
 
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D6130

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While booking four nights accommodation in Glasgow for the Celtic Connections music festival at the end of January, my wife and I were very pleasantly surprised to find a room at the St Enoch Square Premier Inn for £275 (flexi-rate). Normally the Queen Street Travelodge is cheaper but, for the same four nights (22-25 January) they are asking £362.
 

Willie Bee

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St Enoch Square Premier Inn for £275 (flexi-rate).
I realise plans can change, but I wonder what the benefit is of booking a flex room, when the standard rate is so much cheaper (showing as £219)

Or maybe you book it, just to be certain of a room, then you could, if you wanted to, cancel and rebook at the cheaper rate, perhaps when your plans are finalised.

I did that once before .. by accident I think .. the flex rate was only £1 extra per night, then later a free breakfast offer popped up. I cancelled and rebooked and got free breakfasts for my wife and I .. and the total was even cheaper.
 

Willie Bee

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Thanks for the information, I was going to add this deal too, but you beat me to it.

Yes, it's quite good, but a 'free breakfast' offer is better, if there are a couple of you staying. Such an offer MIGHT (hopefully) appear soon too.

As an example, I am thinking about booking a couple of nights for March, original price is showing as £94.50, with the sale bringing this to £76.50, a reduction of £18 (19% rather than 15%)

2 free breakfasts for 2 people would save 4 x £10.99 >> £43.96, so more than double the 'saving'
 

route101

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Stayed at Premier Inn A23 London Gatwick.

Cost £52, which is good for an airport and booked only in the week before stay. The other Premier Inn North Terminal was like £40 more. Only a 5 min walk from the North Terminal.

This Premier Inn looked it dated from the 90s but was still clean.
 

Kite159

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Swan Inn, Lincoln

Stayed here last night, a small place with only 5 rooms above a pub on the university campus less than 10 minutes from the station. All self served check-in. Bed was very comfortable, a bit noisy from outside (road noise). Window blind wasn't the best as it allowed light to slip in on the edges, with the window itself allowing cold air in, like a seal had broken.

Shared bathroom, didn't have the chance to sample the shower. Heating was quite good, would probably use it again if I ever need to stay overnight in Lincoln, but I suspect with only 5 rooms available it sells out fast, and being Lincoln I suspect in the tourist season it won't be £40.
 
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route101

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Ibis Canning Town

Stayed here just after the New Year and this area of London was quite cheap. I was worried it would be an area that's dead quiet but actually for a new area it was quite busy. I think this was the first time I have stayed in a Normal Ibis in the UK. I was quite impressed by this one and breakfast was similar to a Holiday Inn Express . I think I paid around £70 which is steal for a Friday in London.
 

AWCook

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Ibis Canning Town

Stayed here just after the New Year and this area of London was quite cheap. I was worried it would be an area that's dead quiet but actually for a new area it was quite busy. I think this was the first time I have stayed in a Normal Ibis in the UK. I was quite impressed by this one and breakfast was similar to a Holiday Inn Express . I think I paid around £70 which is steal for a Friday in London.
Might consider that in future. I use Ibis Stratford which is 5-10 minute walk from Stratford station so great for getting anywhere in London reasonably quickly. Also gives views of Heathrow landings if things are coming from the east. Usually around £70 a night for Accor All members.
 

route101

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Might consider that in future. I use Ibis Stratford which is 5-10 minute walk from Stratford station so great for getting anywhere in London reasonably quickly. Also gives views of Heathrow landings if things are coming from the east. Usually around £70 a night for Accor All members.
Stratford is good location too. I have stayed in the Premier Inn there. If you are near tube or railway in London with frequent service, its really handy.
 

03_179

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Quicky Question.

Travelodge in Llandudno ... Any good ?

Rhyl town itself.
worth staying at or a avoid type place?
 

trainophile

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Quicky Question.

Travelodge in Llandudno ... Any good ?

Rhyl town itself.
worth staying at or a avoid type place?

Llandudno Travelodge good, have stayed there many times. Five minutes walk from the sea front and the main shopping streets. Across the road from The Paladium which is one of the loveliest Wetherspoons. NB the soap dispensers in most Travelodges don't work these days so take your own!

Rhyl town is a bit of a dump (in my opinion, no offence to fans or residents). Huge beach, has a Wetherspoons but it's not very big and rather uninspiring compared to some.
 

03_179

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Thanks.
I did Google "Is Rhyl safe after dark" and not a unsafe response so I was wondering if it was a bad as it made out.
 

Willie Bee

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Rhyl town itself.
worth staying at or a avoid type place?
There's an interesting video on YT by The MacMaster all about Rhyl.

I have not been to Rhyl, but last year my wife and I visited Llandudno on a day trip from Liverpool. We certainly enjoyed it, both the train journey there, as well as the few hours we had in the town. Plusbus tickets helped us get to the top of Great orme as well as a short visit to Conwy
 

trainophile

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Now Conwy is well worth a visit, you can walk the walls without paying admission to the castle, stunning views, but if you don't mind forking out the castle is well worth doing. I think it was £11-odd for concession admission when I last went, possibly last year might have been the year before - time flies! The hop-on hop-off bus goes to Conwy, it's a bit of a faff by train but it's walkable from Llandudno Junction station if you're feeing energetic.

Colwyn Bay is much nicer than Rhyl and only 20 minutes on the train from Llandudno, £3.75 return with a railcard. It also has a lovely Wetherspoons, The Picture House, a couple of minutes walk from the station. (Sorry, Spoons is rather a hobby of ours). There's a Travelodge there too, very handy for the station, which is almost as good as the Llandudno one (well they're all much the same really) except it's on a busy corner and there can be some traffic noise.
 

03_179

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There's an interesting video on YT by The MacMaster all about Rhyl.

I have not been to Rhyl, but last year my wife and I visited Llandudno on a day trip from Liverpool. We certainly enjoyed it, both the train journey there, as well as the few hours we had in the town. Plusbus tickets helped us get to the top of Great orme as well as a short visit to Conwy
I'll take a look at the video tomorrow. Thanks for the hint on the plus bus tickets. We're travelling up from London so there for a few days.


Now Conwy is well worth a visit, you can walk the walls without paying admission to the castle, stunning views, but if you don't mind forking out the castle is well worth doing. I think it was £11-odd for concession admission when I last went, possibly last year might have been the year before - time flies! The hop-on hop-off bus goes to Conwy, it's a bit of a faff by train but it's walkable from Llandudno Junction station if you're feeing energetic.

Colwyn Bay is much nicer than Rhyl and only 20 minutes on the train from Llandudno, £3.75 return with a railcard. It also has a lovely Wetherspoons, The Picture House, a couple of minutes walk from the station. (Sorry, Spoons is rather a hobby of ours). There's a Travelodge there too, very handy for the station, which is almost as good as the Llandudno one (well they're all much the same really) except it's on a busy corner and there can be some traffic noise.
Thanks Conwy is on the list for the trip. We have English Heritage and we get in free using it to certain Cadw sites. Also I'm a bit of a 'Spoons fan.
 

Cletus

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Stayed at the Wembley Stadium Premier Inn last night. It's about a minute's walk from Chiltern's Wembley Stadium station.

Always best to check for weekend engineering works. I didn't, so it was a longer walk from and to Wembley Central.
 

ChrisC

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I'll take a look at the video tomorrow. Thanks for the hint on the plus bus tickets. We're travelling up from London so there for a few days.

Thanks Conwy is on the list for the trip. We have English Heritage and we get in free using it to certain Cadw sites. Also I'm a bit of a 'Spoons fan.
I visited Conwy Castle last summer and used my English Heritage card for free admission. During my few days in North Wales I also visited Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris Castles using my English Heritage card. If you are intending to travel around N Wales quite a bit by bus whilst there the multi operator 1Bws ticket is very food value at £7 a day or £30 for a weekly ticket. ENCTS pass holders can also get a discounted ticket. I was based in Caernarfon and travelled very widely using the 1Bws ticket including trips to Conwy, around Snowdonia, Anglesey and right down the coast to Barmouth.

I stayed at the Caernarfon Travelodge which is very central. It’s right next door to a Premier Inn where I did stay a few years ago. The Premier Inn is by far the better of the hotels but can be very expensive. Last summer I stayed in the Travelodge because it was half the price. I found it a bit basic but had an very large room but with a very comfortable bed. As I said a bit basic and room sparsely furnished but all I needed was a comfortable bed after long days out. No breakfast available in the Travelodge but Table Table pub next door is available serving the Premier Inn breakfasts.
 

CyrusWuff

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Stayed at the Wembley Stadium Premier Inn last night. It's about a minute's walk from Chiltern's Wembley Stadium station.
There's also a PI by Wembley Park station on the Met and Jubilee Lines, but the one by the Stadium is better, given it's more modern and has Premier Plus rooms and power sockets by the bed. The bar/restaurant space is larger as well.
 

trainophile

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One thing I've noticed recently is that while Travelodge invariably have king size beds, Premier Inns are often just doubles. Noticed this even in a Premier Plus room in Bournemouth last month, a huge room with plenty of space but just a standard double bed, which was disappointing. I understand they have king size "in some rooms" but there's no guarantee you'll get one.
 

Kite159

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Travelodge, Haymarket (Edinburgh)

Located less than 5 minutes walk from Haymarket station, maybe a bit more if the road outside the hotel is busy. Old hotel with a grand staircase and a lift hidden away (in terms of from the main entrance). Unusually for a Travelodge it has proper keys, I had a single room which was reasonable for outside noise.

Window itself leaked air (could probably do with being retrofitted with a 2nd window if the main window design is listed) and the shower was rubbish. Nice to have USB sockets, both the older type and the newer C type.
 

Struner

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Travelodge, Haymarket (Edinburgh)

Located less than 5 minutes walk from Haymarket station, maybe a bit more if the road outside the hotel is busy. Old hotel with a grand staircase and a lift hidden away (in terms of from the main entrance). Unusually for a Travelodge it has proper keys, I had a single room which was reasonable for outside noise.

Window itself leaked air (could probably do with being retrofitted with a 2nd window if the main window design is listed) and the shower was rubbish. Nice to have USB sockets, both the older type and the newer C type.
wasn’t really impressed myself, back in March - pic taken from my window
IMG_1764.png
 

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Buzby

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Neither was I. Parking was impossible and my room, although comfy was in the basement all I could see our the window was pedestrians feet and a darkening sky. I won’t be back.
 

Willie Bee

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Neither was I. Parking was impossible and my room, although comfy was in the basement all I could see our the window was pedestrians feet and a darkening sky. I won’t be back.
My wife and I have stayed at the Premier Inn Hub hotel at Haymarket a few times, but after reading comments here a few months ago, we now prefer the Edinburgh Park (Airport) Premier Inn. We didn't travel by car, but there is a large carpark. It's handy for bus, tram and train connections, both to the city centre (10 minutes away) as well as the airport .. see post #1755 on this thread
 

trainophile

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New Premier Inn offer just received by email, 20% discount on standard rates booked at least 14 days before arrival, and says 12 Feb to 24th June. However I’m unclear whether they mean you can book it now, or not until 12th Feb. I’m looking at dates in both April and early June and the rates shown don’t say whether they are promotional or not. Anyone else had this and got any ideas? There isn’t an actual link in the email to book this offer.


* Pay up to 20% less when you book a Standard rate room at least 14 days in advance, when compared to a Flex rate booking. Standard rate bookings require full payment at the time of booking and are both non-refundable and non-cancellable from the point of booking. Flex rate room bookings allow you to choose whether to pay now or on arrival and are fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Paying up to 20% less is correct as of 28/01/2026, apply to selected standard rate stays booked at least 14 days before arrival between 12th February to 24th June 2026 and are subject to availability. This offer applies to hotels across the entire Premier Inn estate including Republic of Ireland and Germany. We cannot guarantee availability for any location on any specific date. Please check alternative hotels and dates if your selection is not available. Advertised rates are room only inclusive of VAT.

Our room prices are set depending on the level of demand for hotels and stay dates. The higher the demand for a room, the higher the price is likely to be. In general, our lowest-priced rooms are available when booked well in advance and would not typically be available to book close to your stay date. This is why we always suggest that you book early to avoid disappointment. In some instances where demand decreases, our room prices may fall too. Additionally, we may occasionally offer promotions and discounts, which may result in a lower room price being offered.
Premier Inn Hotels Limited (company no. 6190411) is a member of the Whitbread Group, the parent of which is Whitbread Group PLC (company no. 29423). Registered office: Whitbread Court, Houghton Hall Business Park, Porz Avenue, Dunstable LU5 5XE.
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© Premier Inn
 

Kite159

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Sounds like just a general "You can save up to 20% less by booking a standard rate room compared to a flexible* rate room" email, rather than a promotion.

(*although depends on which rate they are referring to as flexible considering they have multiple rates, compared to Travelodge which has just the 2 rates where the flexible rate has free cancellation until midday of the day of the stay)

They probably have noticed bookings have dropped due to their various price increases and reduction of food offerings, to a point that I suspect a few people don't even consider looking at Premier Inn. Especially when they can be more expensive than some of the more premium hotels. For example, a few weeks ago I was looking into a hotel in Cardiff for a Sunday night, the various city centre Travelodge were around £30 but the cheapest Premier Inn within the city centre was £70.
 

Willie Bee

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Oh, that’s a bit of a con then, not a special offer at all :'( ? Not sure why they give a date range though.
Look at the hotUKdeals website .. they will show any hotel offers, including P.I. and T.L.

Better still, you can set alerts, so when a specific company has a deal on, you'll be sent an email
 

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