Budget hotels discussion

[takno]

They should be able to maintain the three brands done properly, Brewers Fayre is cheap family friendly pub classics, Beefeater focuses on steaks plus some other dishes, Bar + Block is a premium city centre steak restaurant.

Mitchell & Butlers have managed to keep lots of brand identies very well, Stonehouse, Harvester, Toby Carvery, Brown's, Miller & Carter, Nicholsons, All Bar One. They all have different menus and identities. Whereas Whitbread have opted to go in the other direction and serve the same bland rubbish everywhere.

I think part of the problem is being attached to hotels and being unwilling to disappoint any customer. If you're going to run a decent steakhouse you need to focus all the attention on the grill. It's no good having a station where somebody is microwaving disappointing "pub classics" or "italian food". If the couple in room 46, or the people who staggered in to use the bar want food then they have to eat steak/grillfood or go somewhere else.

I suspect the management haven't got any background in restaurants, but did do modules in their MBA called "the customer is always right" and "taking pride in your work is shameful"

 

[Cross City]

I think part of the problem is being attached to hotels and being unwilling to disappoint any customer.

This is exactly the issue. They have to try and please everybody, they want as many hotel guests eating there as possible.

The PIs also push the "Meal Deal" (especially to business clients) where you get your breakfast an evening meal and a drink for a set price. Customers who get this deal because their company have paid for it for them want to eat a range of foods not just steakhouse grub.

If you're going to run a decent steakhouse you need to focus all the attention on the grill. It's no good having a station where somebody is microwaving disappointing "pub classics" or "italian food". If the couple in room 46, or the people who staggered in to use the bar want food then they have to eat steak/grillfood or go somewhere else.

80% of the menu at a Beefeater touches the chargrill. Just before I left the company they spent a boatload of cash on giving every restaurant state of the art low-energy grills which were very good bits of kit.

I suspect the management haven't got any background in restaurants, but did do modules in their MBA called "the customer is always right" and "taking pride in your work is shameful"

A slightly misguided and lazy sentence. They have decades worth of restaurerat knowledge, they're the second biggest restaurant company in the country, and they do still have some excellent people in upper management positions.

 

[jon81uk]

I think part of the problem is being attached to hotels and being unwilling to disappoint any customer. If you're going to run a decent steakhouse you need to focus all the attention on the grill. It's no good having a station where somebody is microwaving disappointing "pub classics" or "italian food". If the couple in room 46, or the people who staggered in to use the bar want food then they have to eat steak/grillfood or go somewhere else.

I suspect the management haven't got any background in restaurants, but did do modules in their MBA called "the customer is always right" and "taking pride in your work is shameful"

Don't think there is anything significant on the Beefeater menu that goes in a microwave? Most of it is cooked or reheated on a grill. Fish for fish and chips would go in a a deep fryer, pies I expect into an oven (maybe some kind of microwave combi thing). The problem isn't the method of cooking, its the ingredients and overall presentation.

 

[Cross City]

Don't think there is anything significant on the Beefeater menu that goes in a microwave? Most of it is cooked or reheated on a grill. Fish for fish and chips would go in a a deep fryer, pies I expect into an oven (maybe some kind of microwave combi thing). The problem isn't the method of cooking, its the ingredients and overall presentation.

Some of it does. If you have a risotto or pasta it's microwaved, but the quality is OK. Things like pies and ribs will get a tickle in the microwave before going into the oven just to get internal temperature up before roasting so they don't burn. Things like pulled pork/beef will be microwaved to stop them drying out. All of these methods are 'spec', taught by the company's chef-trainers and in the specification guidelines handbook.

But yeah, not much of it is solely chucked into a mic and then slapped onto a plate. 80-90% of it is either grilled, fried or ovened.

 

[dorsetdesiro]

Gosh, I was thinking as Travelodge does offer Super-rooms, I dread to think what the lowest tier will be like if there is one - probably very basic like a prison cell with vinyl flooring and fold down beds with thin mattress, tiny exposed shower tray etc

 

[Howardh]

Gosh, I was thinking as Travelodge does offer Super-rooms, I dread to think what the lowest tier will be like if there is one - probably very basic like a prison cell with vinyl flooring and fold down beds with thin mattress, tiny exposed shower tray etc

Spent last night in an "ordinary" Travelodge room in Leeds, and it was great. Large, warm, bath, double bed, quiet, secure, kettle, comfy chair; paid much more for 4* hotels and been in tiny, creaking rooms shower only, cold etc.

Out of the "budget" range I would put Premier Inn first, Travelodge a close second, Best Western a close third and Ibis fourth. But quite happily spend a week in any although if Ibis had an upgrade room I'd use that, rather than have the uncomfy plastic chair!

Previously I spent a couple of days in a Travelodge "super-room" and it was worth the little extra, two chairs, table, free wifi and top floor which gave a stunning view of Milton Keynes.

 

[dorsetdesiro]

Spent last night in an "ordinary" Travelodge room in Leeds, and it was great. Large, warm, bath, double bed, quiet, secure, kettle, comfy chair; paid much more for 4* hotels and been in tiny, creaking rooms shower only, cold etc.

Out of the "budget" range I would put Premier Inn first, Travelodge a close second, Best Western a close third and Ibis fourth. But quite happily spend a week in any although if Ibis had an upgrade room I'd use that, rather than have the uncomfy plastic chair!

Previously I spent a couple of days in a Travelodge "super-room" and it was worth the little extra, two chairs, table, free wifi and top floor which gave a stunning view of Milton Keynes.

Travelodge standard would be OK if these are in city centres, airports or brand new ones etc. Otherwise those by motorways and in isolated locations can be really grotty. Then if there was a Travelodge basic tier then the offerings could be much worse!

I think Ibis's version of Premier Inn, perhaps a little higher up, would be Mercure which is more present in Europe.

How good is Holiday Inn? I haven't stayed in one so far, I once considered staying in one at Stansted but Premier Inn was just down the road and uses the same airport shuttle bus and I chose it instead!

 

[Howardh]

Travelodge standard would be OK if these are in city centres, airports or brand new ones etc. Otherwise those by motorways and in isolated locations can be really grotty. Then if there was a Travelodge basic tier then the offerings could be much worse!

I think Ibis's version of Premier Inn, perhaps a little higher up, would be Mercure which is more present in Europe.

How good is Holiday Inn? I haven't stayed in one so far, I once considered staying in one at Stansted but Premier Inn was just down the road and uses the same airport shuttle bus and I chose it instead!

Indeed, they even look grotty from the outside. Would rather sleep in my car!! has anyone slept in the one (not sure which brand) at Rivington (formerly Anderton) services on the M61? Looks really dreadful from the outside, a bit like Butlins-by-the-motorway!

 

[eyebrook1961]

Travelodge standard would be OK if these are in city centres, airports or brand new ones etc. Otherwise those by motorways and in isolated locations can be really grotty. Then if there was a Travelodge basic tier then the offerings could be much worse!

I think Ibis's version of Premier Inn, perhaps a little higher up, would be Mercure which is more present in Europe.

How good is Holiday Inn? I haven't stayed in one so far, I once considered staying in one at Stansted but Premier Inn was just down the road and uses the same airport shuttle bus and I chose it instead!

Travelodge standard would be OK if these are in city centres, airports or brand new ones etc. Otherwise those by motorways and in isolated locations can be really grotty. Then if there was a Travelodge basic tier then the offerings could be much worse!

I think Ibis's version of Premier Inn, perhaps a little higher up, would be Mercure which is more present in Europe.

How good is Holiday Inn? I haven't stayed in one so far, I once considered staying in one at Stansted but Premier Inn was just down the road and uses the same airport shuttle bus and I chose it instead!

My better half and I really like the Holiday Inn Express in Middlesbrough (used when visiting our son at Uni) - like the fact you can request a firmer mattress and also the inclusive breakfast. HIE is our favourite of the city hotels.

However, we don't have complete brand loyalty - we look at the two Premier Inns, Travelodge, Leonardos and HIE and take into account the parking (paid or not), breakfasts and the room rate then usually take the cheapest when all is taken into account. We have also used the Sporting Lodge outside Middlesbrough a few times but the rooms are VERY hit and miss . . . .

 

[WAB]

For or two night stays, I’ll take the cheapest of Travelodge, Premier Inn, Ibis or Holiday Inn as long as it is not too far away on foot or by public transport. If it’s work, though, I always insist on a Premier Inn. Tend to be universally good and the breakfasts are much better than at a Travelodge.

In Leeds, I’m often tempted away from the chains by Hinsley Hall which has beautiful grounds, decent rooms and a great breakfast, all for a reasonable price. It’s a Catholic conference centre on Otley Road which offers surplus rooms on a B&B basis. I’m normally reluctant to risk independent hotels at the sort of price point I’m looking at, but it was recommended to me.

 

[dorsetdesiro]

Indeed, they even look grotty from the outside. Would rather sleep in my car!! has anyone slept in the one (not sure which brand) at Rivington (formerly Anderton) services on the M61? Looks really dreadful from the outside, a bit like Butlins-by-the-motorway!

Some hotels along the bypassed sections of the former A1 look really tired & rundown since the A1(M) opened 20+ years ago, you can tell these were once big chain names but now are independently owned

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For or two night stays, I’ll take the cheapest of Travelodge, Premier Inn, Ibis or Holiday Inn as long as it is not too far away on foot or by public transport. If it’s work, though, I always insist on a Premier Inn. Tend to be universally good and the breakfasts are much better than at a Travelodge.

In Leeds, I’m often tempted away from the chains by Hinsley Hall which has beautiful grounds, decent rooms and a great breakfast, all for a reasonable price. It’s a Catholic conference centre on Otley Road which offers surplus rooms on a B&B basis. I’m normally reluctant to risk independent hotels at the sort of price point I’m looking at, but it was recommended to me.

Unsurprising that Premier Inn leads the pack on here, It's generally reliable and you know what you're getting with it no matter where it is as they are pretty much all the same.

While Travelodge can be like a lucky dip, I remember staying in that one in Redhill thinking it was quite weirdly cosy for a Travelodge then I discovered it used to be a Innkeepers Lodge I think.

 

[317 forever]

Premier Inn fan here; they're my go-to whenever I need somewhere to stay. I used to always stay at Travelodge, but found they became more expensive. The final straw was when I was doing a lot of driving for my job. Different hotel every night. I was staying in one up near Runcorn, got to the room very late in the evening to find they'd replaced the tea and coffee with a sign stating along the lines that "to provide the best value for money, the tea and coffee making facilities have been removed". The following night I stayed at a Premier Inn, paid less, got a better room ...and full tea/coffee facilities!

I quite like their Premier Plus rooms, and they come with their higher tier of wifi for free. And then there's the Premier Inn breakfast... which I am rarely up in time for, but enjoy when I can make it! One downside though, I find a lot of their hotels have really poor 4G/5G signal. I have a dual SIM phone (one SIM on GiffGaff/o2, the other on 1pMobile/EE) so I can nearly always get around it, it's just a bit annoying!

It's just a pity that Premier Inn have largely scrapped Kenco coffee in favour of Nescafe. I was not pleased to get Nescafe at a Holiday Inn Express this week.

Conversely, Travelodge coffee improved a few years ago.

 

[route101]

One niggle I found with my recent stay at a Travelodge was there was nowhere to sit my suitcase on. Ibis Budget is more basic than a travelodge with the vinyl floors.

Anyone ate dinner at a Travelodge?

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Anyone managed to get a cheap Premier Inn room in Ireland? A new Premier Inn has opened in Cork.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Actually, I'll be totally honest and say that the Travelodge food and drink offering has really come on quite a bit in recent times. I acknowledge that probably quite a bit of it still comes out of a microwave, but the quality is as good as a top end spoons or indeed better depending on what you order

 

[Mag_seven]

Anyone managed to get a cheap Premier Inn room in Ireland?

The Dublin airport PI always seems to be extortionate whenever I try to book there.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I have never found an even vaguely affordable hotel in either Northern Ireland or the Republic

 

[renegademaster]

Chain restaurants use fan oven things, which the cooks call "SHAAMs" to reheat food, not microwaves,

 

[Cletus]

Anyone experienced one of the Days Inn hotels?

Specifically one of those between Carlisle and Glasgow, as will be needing an overnight stay later in the year.

 

[jon81uk]

Chain restaurants use fan oven things, which the cooks call "SHAAMs" to reheat food, not microwaves,

I think Alto-Shaam is the brand name of the ovens, but they are more often used to hot-hold and keep warm in my experience. So chicken might be hold in the warmer and then put of the grill to crisp it before serving.

Merrychef brand make highspeed convection microwave ovens, you see similar at Subway for toasting sandwiches.

 

[route101]

I have never found an even vaguely affordable hotel in either Northern Ireland or the Republic

Yes, looking at a short trip soon and very few hotels under £100 a night. Might have to stomach the price.

 

[Cross City]

Chain restaurants use fan oven things, which the cooks call "SHAAMs" to reheat food, not microwaves,

Alto-Shaam is a brand name of a piece of equipment which is mostly used for cooking large batches of joints. It goes overnight and holds temperature at a specific point depending on how well done you want the meat to be. They certainly aren't used for reheating food.

You might be thinking of a Merrychef which is basically a very high powered hot microwave.

There are also Rational combi-ovens which are used to roast/steam/half-and-half whatever you'd put into a normal oven, and more. Fantastic pieces of equiptment.

Almost every kitchen ever will have microwaves in them. I've worked in three 1 Michelin star kitchens and all of them had microwaves.

 

[Buzby]

One thing that got me about Travelodge is having to pay extra to use the Internet (beyond a certain fairly low 'freebie' amount of data).

I used the 30 minutes Free WiFi at a Birmingham Travelodge then travelled to London (Travelodge Wembley). The WiFi refused to give me free access - saying I had to wait for the 24hr to expire! It doesn’t matter if you are in a different property. (The solution is to delete the app and use a different email address).

 

[Blindtraveler]

The reason behind this is that actually unlike Premier Inn where they can associate the Wi-Fi with each specific location. Travelodge have no influence whatsoever on the Wi-Fi as the equipment is installed, maintained and managed by Virgin media and any issues you have to contact them directly

 

[takno]

I'm now realising that I haven't stayed in a budget hotel in the UK since about 2017. None of the hotels I have stayed in anywhere else have charged a premium for adequate wifi, so I'd just assumed that wasn't a thing anymore. Got to love it when corporate UK really cheaps out on the basics, often because they're stuck in a long-term contract with somebody awful like Virgin media.

 

[johntea]

I used to have a little utility on my laptop that changed my MAC address which fooled the system

These days I have 150gb or something ridiculous a month of mobile data so just hotspot that

 

[takno]

I used to have a little utility on my laptop that changed my MAC address which fooled the system

These days I have 150gb or something ridiculous a month of mobile data so just hotspot that

Hotspot is fine as long as the signal is there.

Android looks like it defaults to using a random MAC address every time now anyway. You can certainly configure it by going to the privacy settings for the wifi network you're trying to connect to

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'm now realising that I haven't stayed in a budget hotel in the UK since about 2017. None of the hotels I have stayed in anywhere else have charged a premium for adequate wifi, so I'd just assumed that wasn't a thing anymore. Got to love it when corporate UK really cheaps out on the basics, often because they're stuck in a long-term contract with somebody awful like Virgin media.

I really quite enjoyed the post lockdown era, both in summer 20 and summer and autumn 21 where I was getting three or four star hotels on some of the booking platforms for the same price as a travel lodge and have returned to my more necessary budget. Hotel habits with a little more reluctance than previously and Wi-Fi is certainly one of those considerations as so many hotels seem to have really really crap phone signal

What's even more galling about Virgin media is that I already pay them some crazy amount of money for decent broadband at home. So why I don't get even a 50% discount when I then have to use their services in hotels is just irritating
And before anybody points out the obvious that there are other suppliers than Virgin media, then I would suspectfully suggest they look at broadband availability in large chunks of the Medway towns when you will discover that if you want full fibre, it's virgin or nothing

 

[Buzby]

What's even more galling about Virgin media is that I already pay them some crazy amount of money for decent broadband at home.

I do recall VM promised customers free access to their network of hotspots - unusually although the TL service is provided by them, you DON’T get access as a VM customer. It does seem a double standard!

 

[dosxuk]

I do recall VM promised customers free access to their network of hotspots - unusually although the TL service is provided by them, you DON’T get access as a VM customer. It does seem a double standard!

The Travelodge wifi isn't part of Virgin Media's network of hotspots though. Travelodge pay Virgin Media's connectivity side to look after the wifi infrastructure and configuration, but it's still Travelodge's wifi and they will be taking all the income.

 

[route101]

I really quite enjoyed the post lockdown era, both in summer 20 and summer and autumn 21 where I was getting three or four star hotels on some of the booking platforms for the same price as a travel lodge and have returned to my more necessary budget. Hotel habits with a little more reluctance than previously and Wi-Fi is certainly one of those considerations as so many hotels seem to have really really crap phone signal

What's even more galling about Virgin media is that I already pay them some crazy amount of money for decent broadband at home. So why I don't get even a 50% discount when I then have to use their services in hotels is just irritating
And before anybody points out the obvious that there are other suppliers than Virgin media, then I would suspectfully suggest they look at broadband availability in large chunks of the Medway towns when you will discover that if you want full fibre, it's virgin or nothing

Yes, I remember paying about £45 for a night at the Waterloo Travelodge in July 2020.

I was looking at a few Travelodges/Premier Inns down Cornwall in a few weeks and they are near the £200 a night mark. This is midweek and not school holidays. Same for Jersey.