Budget hotels discussion

[Bletchleyite]

Absolutely, it was that well known brand Cello, too... so was clearly cheap as chips!

A quick Google suggests that that brand is actually manufactured in Bishop Auckland - surprising!

 

[BuhSnarf]

My understanding is that they're "assembled" in the UK, but very much just generic Chinese components and from past experience they often fail more than your average Vestel Eastern European assembled Chinese TV.

 

[JamesT]

TVs are incredibly cheap these days, particularly if generic Chinese goods bought in bulk as a hotel would, so not having a decent one is just being really cheap.

Like the difference between easyJet and Ryanair/Wizz, or PI and Travelodge, you can be budget but decent or you can be penny pinching but save very little.

I'm often surprised at the poor TV offerings even in non-budget hotels. For example not having the full gamut of Freeview channels available, which you would expect as a bare minimum these days?

My other gripe is when they put in Smart TVs, but then lock things down so you can't cast to them.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Conversely I was at a Village Hotel where the TV was an amazing 65" job with Chromecast built in so was able to watch YouTube and Netflix in bed. And that only cost a small amount more than a Travelodge.

Village are excellent hotels if you can get on their regular £59 or under deals. We’re off to Swansea next weekend and two rooms (four people) for two nights are costing us £180. Room only but we can add breakfast later if we want, and it includes parking, wifi, gym / swimming / sauna access. Fantastic value

 

[BuhSnarf]

kend and two rooms (four people) for two nights are costing us £180. Room only but we can add breakfast later if we want, and it includes parking, wifi, gym / swimming / sauna access. Fantastic value

If you join their 'club' (forget the name of it) then you can get some cracking deals that makes them better than a budget hotel.

I got a Friday night stay in their Ashton hotel the other month for £99 which included breakfast and £50 to spend at the pub/grill. Plus we had free use of the swimming pool, gym, sauna and work spaces etc. It's also right next to the tram stop so into Manchester in 30 mins.

Comparing to a Premier Inn (Denton was nearest) that was £75 for the room. Adding on a meal deal each to have been £26/per person, so another £52 meaning a comparable stay at Premier Inn would have been £127 and we'd have not had access to the leisure facilities and I'd strongly argue that Village's food offering is much better and their rooms are top notch.

I'm not on their payroll but they've still got some good deals on at the mo - £74 for a Friday or Sunday room including free breakfast & £30 to spend at the bar/grill. £169 for two nights stay including breakfast both morning and £50 off food on the first night. I don't know why they're not more popular, to be honest.

 

[Jamesrob637]

If you join their 'club' (forget the name of it) then you can get some cracking deals that makes them better than a budget hotel.

I got a Friday night stay in their Ashton hotel the other month for £99 which included breakfast and £50 to spend at the pub/grill. Plus we had free use of the swimming pool, gym, sauna and work spaces etc. It's also right next to the tram stop so into Manchester in 30 mins.

Comparing to a Premier Inn (Denton was nearest) that was £75 for the room. Adding on a meal deal each to have been £26/per person, so another £52 meaning a comparable stay at Premier Inn would have been £127 and we'd have not had access to the leisure facilities and I'd strongly argue that Village's food offering is much better and their rooms are top notch.

I'm not on their payroll but they've still got some good deals on at the mo - £74 for a Friday or Sunday room including free breakfast & £30 to spend at the bar/grill. £169 for two nights stay including breakfast both morning and £50 off food on the first night. I don't know why they're not more popular, to be honest.

They're just on the periphery of what constitutes a budget hotel.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Agree, but the services they provide are anything but budget in my experience.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Agree, but the services they provide are anything but budget in my experience.

Exactly

Midweek they are aimed at business users with commensurate rates but weekends and holidays there can be some proper bargains.

The leisure facilities are absolutely excellent, the bar is good for drinks (albeit a bit expensive) and they have massive screens for sport. The breakfasts are help yourself and decent enough. The one slight weakness is the evening menu is a bit limited and we think very expensive for what you get, but again probably a bi-product of being primarily aimed at people on expenses

 

[Bletchleyite]

They're just on the periphery of what constitutes a budget hotel.

Like with airlines there's the low-cost model (few facilties other than the room e.g. no gym, pool etc, and yield managed pricing) and there's the price actually being low. You can do one without the other - easyJet and Ryanair for instance follow a pretty much identical fare structure, but generally easyJet is a bit more expensive and also a bit less rubbish - same as PI vs. Travelodge, though the latter does offer a few useful services the former doesn't e.g. the room selection and late checkout.

Plenty of room in the market for different comfort levels at different prices but applying the same concepts. I find PI pretty good overall, but there's no reason others can't come in and do better. One thing that riles about PI (only a minor one, but still) is that paying someone to clean the windows (outside) once in a while with one of those brushes on a big stick isn't on the agenda. Presumably because so many people arrive in the dark and stay one night they don't really get complaints about that?

 

[BuhSnarf]

Exactly

Midweek they are aimed at business users with commensurate rates but weekends and holidays there can be some proper bargains.

The leisure facilities are absolutely excellent, the bar is good for drinks (albeit a bit expensive) and they have massive screens for sport. The breakfasts are help yourself and decent enough. The one slight weakness is the evening menu is a bit limited and we think very expensive for what you get, but again probably a bi-product of being primarily aimed at people on expenses

I'd agree with the bar being expensive but I've found the food was pretty good (although I wasn't paying as we'd got a £50 credit which covered both our meals.) The menu is good as long as you like a more American/BBQ type meal but then I guess as it advertises itself as a Grill you're probably not expecting a Carbonara.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I don't know why they're not more popular, to be honest.

It's because most of them are in absolutely awful locations for the cities they are supposedly serving.

The one in Liverpool is always cheap on a weekend and that's because it is 10 miles out of the city and there's essentially no public transport to it. The one in Leeds is even worse. The one in Newcastle is a bit better connected but it's still a 40-minute bus ride into the city.

 

[eyebrook1961]

Agree, but the services they provide are anything but budget in my experience.

This prompted me to look on their website but they have nothing in the north east (we tend to go between PI and HI Express, sometimes Leonardo and last weekend tried the Hampton by Hilton in Stockton - was lovely and was £84 for good friday night with breakfast included for the two of us)
Anyway, I'm straying off my point. . . .

On their website they have a Hotel in Reading at Caversham Bridge - and I know I've stayed there although many years ago when I'm sure it was part of a differnt chain (IHG maybe?). Can someone tell me who used to own it?

Thanks

 

[TravelDream]

They're just on the periphery of what constitutes a budget hotel.

I think there's a bit of an issue between whether you're talking about the business model of a hotel, reputation or the price when talking about 'budget hotels'.

It could be about brand. Certainly there are chains I'd consider generally budget like Travelodge and Ibis Budget. HI Express and Premier Inn are budget plus. It could be about services offered. Restaurants/ bars for example are expensive to run and a gym/ pool is hardly budget. It could be about price/ value.

But just as with the airline example someone gave above. Ryanair is a low cost airline and no doubt has some very cheap fares, but they are also happy to charge £350 to fly London to Dublin on a peak day and time plus £100 for bags and seat selection. £450 is very far from budget.

The one in Liverpool is always cheap on a weekend and that's because it is 10 miles out of the city and there's essentially no public transport to it. The one in Leeds is even worse. The one in Newcastle is a bit better connected but it's still a 40-minute bus ride into the city.

Motorway connections and parking are important for lots of people. There's clearly a market for that type of hotel and it's very much down to what you want.

Under Britania they've completely ruined it. Most people would prefer to find a doorstep for the night than enter it now

I think Britannia ruins most hotels they run. Maybe ruin is harsh, but they certainly don't invest in the buildings or guest experience as they should.

 

[WesternLancer]

What are weatherspoons hotels like and anyone got any views on how they compare to the budget hotel chains?
Or is that not a fair comparison?

I didn’t know they did hotels until recently when I saw a branded delivery lorry.

 

[johntea]

One "standard" with Premier Inn is I believe they have a contract with Samsung so in most of them you're at least guaranteed a 40" TV

The Travelodge I’m staying in right this moment has a 28” Samsung TV which does look a lot smaller from the bed viewing position! (For the curious a HG28EC470AW in fact!)

 

[takno]

It's because most of them are in absolutely awful locations for the cities they are supposedly serving.

The one in Liverpool is always cheap on a weekend and that's because it is 10 miles out of the city and there's essentially no public transport to it. The one in Leeds is even worse. The one in Newcastle is a bit better connected but it's still a 40-minute bus ride into the city.

Leeds South looks a bit of a pain. The one on Otley Road is absolutely fine for the bus or taxis. I've considered staying there before when it was cheaper than anything in town.

The number of PIs and Travelodges that are at motorway junctions suggests that not everybody wants to be in the middle of town anyway.

 

[SuspectUsual]

What are weatherspoons hotels like and anyone got any views on how they compare to the budget hotel chains?
Or is that not a fair comparison?

I didn’t know they did hotels until recently when I saw a branded delivery lorry.

I've stayed in a few over the years and they're alright, but not great, and there can be inconsistency across sites. Thirsk was decent when I stayed there but Whitby was horrific, but that was more to do with the rest of the guests seeming to be p*ssed up Geordies who were up all night shouting.

The good/bad thing is there's a Spoons downstairs, depending on how you view Spoons.

 

[DelW]

What are weatherspoons hotels like and anyone got any views on how they compare to the budget hotel chains?
Or is that not a fair comparison?

I didn’t know they did hotels until recently when I saw a branded delivery lorry.

The ones I've stayed in have been traditional pub/hotel buildings that 'spoons have taken over, so the rooms are much more varied than a typical modern T/L or P/I where rooms are mostly identical. Comfortable and well furnished, but single rooms can be quite small, and the only facilities are those available to all the pub's customers. Typically they only have around 10 to 20 rooms, so smaller than T/Ls or P/Is. I've generally paid around £50 to £65 per single room per night (room only) but that's in a holiday area in summer, so quite reasonable value.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The number of PIs and Travelodges that are at motorway junctions suggests that not everybody wants to be in the middle of town anyway.

Absolutely, some people just need somewhere to sleep in the middle of a long road journey. But the Premier Inn and Travelodge hotels out by the motorway are also usually pretty cheap, for the same reason.

The Village Hotel in Headingley is not in a bad location to be fair, although even from there you’re still looking at 40 minutes or so on the bus into Leeds from there.

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Motorway connections and parking are important for lots of people. There's clearly a market for that type of hotel and it's very much down to what you want

Absolutely, but the question was why Village Hotels are not more popular. And the answer is because most of them are in the arse end of nowhere. Same reason why the Premier Inn and Travelodge hotels out on the ring road are usually the cheapest ones in a city.

During the week it’ll be different, Village Hotels are usually on or near large business parks and so they will be full of people doing business there.

 

[317 forever]

If Leeds hotels are expensive , Bradford is worth a look, as the PI,TL and HI are often quite cheap.

I am about to stay at Holiday Inn Express in Bradford for the 3rd time as a result.

It is only a 5 minute walk from Bradford Interchange. If you nab a window seat for breakfast you can even see the buses just outside the Interchange.

 

[TheSmiths82]

My understanding is that they're "assembled" in the UK, but very much just generic Chinese components and from past experience they often fail more than your average Vestel Eastern European assembled Chinese TV.

I thought a lot of their 'components' are made in Turkey which suggests they are actually Vestel products screwed together in the UK. They are no more British built than my PC which I built myself. I often taken issue with their "Made in the UK" advertising. As far as I know the UK doesn't have a single factory capable of producing LCD/OLED panels.

To bring this back to hotels most of the Travelodges I have stayed in recently have decent 50"? Samsung TVs but I never use them. I really only use the hotel for a bed and shower and some where hopefully save to keep my luggage.

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What are weatherspoons hotels like and anyone got any views on how they compare to the budget hotel chains?
Or is that not a fair comparison?

I didn’t know they did hotels until recently when I saw a branded delivery lorry.

I stayed in one many years ago in Minehead, I remember it being fine but it next to a faulty extra fan above the pubs kitchen so it was very noisy when the kitchen opened at around 7am. I complained and got a free breakfast. I wouldn't stay in one now as I try (but not always successfully) to avoid anything owned by Tim Martin.

 

[route101]

I am about to stay at Holiday Inn Express in Bradford for the 3rd time as a result.

It is only a 5 minute walk from Bradford Interchange. If you nab a window seat for breakfast you can even see the buses just outside the Interchange.

I have stayed at that Holiday Inn Express for work and on one of my trips. Yes, you do get a good view from Breakfast.

Do you get a free breakfast at regular Holiday Inns?

 

[317 forever]

I have stayed at that Holiday Inn Express for work and on one of my trips. Yes, you do get a good view from Breakfast.

Do you get a free breakfast at regular Holiday Inns?

At Holiday Inn Express it is free, or effectively included in the price.

I believe that Holiday Inn charge for it separately.

 

[BuhSnarf]

I have stayed at that Holiday Inn Express for work and on one of my trips. Yes, you do get a good view from Breakfast.

Do you get a free breakfast at regular Holiday Inns?

It must be the defacto work location as I've also stayed there for work. It was decent enough, I'm a fan of HI Express. It really surprises me that full HI's don't offer free breakfast.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It must be the defacto work location as I've also stayed there for work. It was decent enough, I'm a fan of HI Express. It really surprises me that full HI's don't offer free breakfast.

Full service hotels rarely offer stuff for free, be that breakfast or wifi. The reason is that companies almost always have a maximum per night price they are willing to pay on the corporate rate, but most companies will accept additional expense claims on top for stuff like that, allowing the headline price (particularly the corporate rate) to be kept lower.

Stuff like gyms and pools by contrast aren't normally chargeable (aside from the borderline scammy concept of resort fees you only get in the US) because expenses wouldn't be paid for those as there is no business need for them, and offering them free encourages people to choose that hotel for work in preference to a budget one.

 

[Harpo]

What are weatherspoons hotels like and anyone got any views on how they compare to the budget hotel chains?

Used Southend Spoons hotel and it was good. You get a tea/coffee mug that can be used ‘downstairs’ for decent coffee at anytime including breakfast, and, of course, you only pay for the breakfast you want rather than a flat £11.

 

[WesternLancer]

I've stayed in a few over the years and they're alright, but not great, and there can be inconsistency across sites. Thirsk was decent when I stayed there but Whitby was horrific, but that was more to do with the rest of the guests seeming to be p*ssed up Geordies who were up all night shouting.

The good/bad thing is there's a Spoons downstairs, depending on how you view Spoons.

Thanks for that overview.

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The ones I've stayed in have been traditional pub/hotel buildings that 'spoons have taken over, so the rooms are much more varied than a typical modern T/L or P/I where rooms are mostly identical. Comfortable and well furnished, but single rooms can be quite small, and the only facilities are those available to all the pub's customers. Typically they only have around 10 to 20 rooms, so smaller than T/Ls or P/Is. I've generally paid around £50 to £65 per single room per night (room only) but that's in a holiday area in summer, so quite reasonable value.

Thanks. Thats a helpful post that gives a sense of it

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I stayed in one many years ago in Minehead, I remember it being fine but it next to a faulty extra fan above the pubs kitchen so it was very noisy when the kitchen opened at around 7am. I complained and got a free breakfast. I wouldn't stay in one now as I try (but not always successfully) to avoid anything owned by Tim Martin.

Yes. Ownership views can not wholly be discounted I suppose.
Things like faulty fan noise are annoying as they must be aware when they check you in to the room of that sort of thing.

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Used Southend Spoons hotel and it was good. You get a tea/coffee mug that can be used ‘downstairs’ for decent coffee at anytime including breakfast, and, of course, you only pay for the breakfast you want rather than a flat £11.

Thanks. Thats indeed better than in room instant coffee I guess.

 

[route101]

Was looking at going to Ireland for 1 night, staying Saturday night. Premier Inn are wanting around 200 euros to 300 euros a night. Even in Norway and Switzerland I can get a hotel for under 100 quid a night.

 

[Flying Snail]

Was looking at going to Ireland for 1 night, staying Saturday night. Premier Inn are wanting around 200 euros to 300 euros a night. Even in Norway and Switzerland I can get a hotel for under 100 quid a night.

That's due to hotels (and alternatives) taking advantage of an ongoing severe lack of accommodation, residential and short stay. It is having a noticeable effect on tourism rates and is completely understandable that it puts off many potential visitors.

 

[Steddenm]

Was looking at going to Ireland for 1 night, staying Saturday night. Premier Inn are wanting around 200 euros to 300 euros a night. Even in Norway and Switzerland I can get a hotel for under 100 quid a night.

Also the fuel protests in Ireland have pushed the prices up across the country. Two weeks ago the Wetherspoons hotel in Dublin was €69 for tonight, yesterday it was showing as €339