Budget hotels discussion

[styles]

If probably fall for that psychology.

I've stayed in hotels where my room was right next to the lift and you could hear it.

I think my favourite room would be top floor away from the lift. Hopefully get nice views, plus up the step count (as well as being away from lift/corridor noises).

Last hotel I visited I could feel the wall move as the person in the next room sat up in their bed.

There's a Travelodge I've stayed in for Christmas near family a couple of times, and I typically stay for around a week. Every time I've booked it they've given me a top floor room in the corner at the end of the corridor. Even though the council use it for 'temporary' housing (you can see through the windows that people have decorated rooms for the longer term) and there's often chitchat and smoking outside until the early hours, my room is as far away from it as it possibly could be. It's also a large room with plenty of space for my pupper, who has joined me a couple of the recent times.

I'm not sure if the IT system alloocates this room automatically or if the staff give it to me, but it's appreciated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Travelodge seem to be pushing the 'select your own room' add on, for a booking for next Sunday in Cardiff I've received 3 emails advertising the benefits of paying an extra fee to 'secure a room away from the lifts' etc.

There aren't many places I'd do this as I largely don't care, but there are a few PIs (notably Chorley North) which have an annex converted from something else that has unusually shaped/sized rooms. I would pay extra* to get one of these, so I hope PI start doing it as well.

I assume it doesn't actually offer everyone a choice, because that would result in inefficient room use and thus the hotel appearing full when if the rooms were allocated it wouldn't be?

* I don't think Chorley North presently has the premium rooms, so I wonder if they might make the annex those when it gets done up? Would make sense as they're considerably bigger than the standard ones.

 

[TheTallOne]

I generally prefer a high floor, but the problem with the top floor is that air con units and the like are often mounted on the roof, and can be very noisy. In the TL near New Street station, I had to ask to be moved down as it was unbearably noisy even during the daytime.

Also water pressure goes down the higher you get, which can mean very little shower pressure.

Last hotel I stayed at the air con was broken. So the window had to be opened. And the building opposite had very annoyingly loud air con units. Talk about rubbing it in!

 

[ChrisC]

For those who are IHG rewards members you can set your room preferences in your profile. I have mine set to higher floor and away from the lift. They do usually take note of this when allocating rooms even in the more basic Holiday Inn Express hotels.

10+ years ago Premier Inn was always my first choice and I rarely stayed anywhere else unless there wasn’t a PI available and then I would reluctantly consider a Travelodge. These days most of my stays are at hotels from the IHG and Accor Groups. If I’ve done a lot of research and read reviews a really good Best Western can be a good choice, but you have to be very careful because some of them are dire.

These days if I’m looking for a budget hotel I go for Holiday Inn Express or a standard Ibis, not Ibis Budget, rather than a PI. I’ve found that being part of IHG, Accor and Best Western reward schemes, taking advantage of special offers for members at various times of the year, can result in their hotels being much more reasonably priced than a PI. I’ve accumulated enough points to get fee nights and sometimes you can even get additional points for opting out of room servicing. Next month I have rooms booked at the Novotel near Leeds station and the Mercure St Paul’s in Sheffield for little more than I would be paying in a PI. I booked them earlier in the year when Accor had a 20% off sale for members of their reward scheme and these are at flexible rates.

Having regularly stayed in hotels from other chains I now often find PI quite disappointing in comparison. Many are looking tired and lack maintenance, are very short staffed, and even sometimes the breakfasts don’t seem such good quality as they once were.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Having regularly stayed in hotels from other chains I now often find PI quite disappointing in comparison. Many are looking tired and lack maintenance, are very short staffed, and even sometimes the breakfasts don’t seem such good quality as they once were.

I use PI a lot and still do quite like them, but I would agree they aren't as good as they were and have been subject to a lot of cuts that make them not as good. I would also agree on the quality of the breakfast items, particularly stuff like the fruit salad and yogurt which I'd do better on a Scout camp. I would rather pay more for breakfast and have something a bit better like the Ibis offering usually is (though it can vary a bit).

There is a refurbishment programme in progress of the older designed hotels, though, so they are improving progressively. And the beds are always good.

Travelodge, notably, is improving quite a bit, with their new style rooms being pretty much PI standard.

The other thing going for PI is that all their rates are flexible without an admin fee when changing. Ibis only offer a cheapo no-changes rate or full whack. I don't mind non-refundable, but if for any reason I can't make a trip I do like to be able to reschedule it to another date even if that involves paying the difference. There is a PI "no changes" rate but it is usually only offered when you book very close to or on the day of the trip.

 

[ChrisC]

I would also agree on the quality of the breakfast items, particularly stuff like the fruit salad and yogurt which I'd do better on a Scout camp. I would rather pay more for breakfast and have something a bit better like the Ibis offering usually is (though it can vary a bit).

Last summer I stayed for a few nights at the Ibis just opposite Cambridge Station. It really was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had and for a budget hotel was far better than the breakfast in many more upmarket hotels. The whole hotel was very good and was bright, clean and well maintained, with lots of very friendly and helpful staff too. It didn’t feel like it was being run on a tight budget with minimal staffing like many Premier Inns do these days.

 

[styles]

I use PI a lot and still do quite like them, but I would agree they aren't as good as they were and have been subject to a lot of cuts that make them not as good. I would also agree on the quality of the breakfast items, particularly stuff like the fruit salad and yogurt which I'd do better on a Scout camp. I would rather pay more for breakfast and have something a bit better like the Ibis offering usually is (though it can vary a bit).

As a scout leader, I reckon most breakfast items would come better from a scout camp than most UK rail services.

When I was a scout our leader gave us half a block of lard and all the components of a full English. It was basic, but decent for the time. Now I'm very much in favour of a couple of cooked items rather than the whole full fry-up. Always made up to sufficient energy needed for a day running round a campsite, and 3+ of a 'five a day' at every meal. I find people are happy with this.

The quality is decent, even when the scouts themselves cook it. Certainly better than the soggy bacon sandwich you'll get on a lot of 1st class breakfast rail services.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Last summer I stayed for a few nights at the Ibis just opposite Cambridge Station. It really was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had and for a budget hotel was far better than the breakfast in many more upmarket hotels. The whole hotel was very good and was bright, clean and well maintained, with lots of very friendly and helpful staff too. It didn’t feel like it was being run on a tight budget with minimal staffing like many Premier Inns do these days.

I've stayed there and it is indeed one of the ones with an excellent breakfast, though I seem to recall Brighton being very slightly better (including random extra stuff like chorizo). Saltaire was more basic but not awful. I think there are semi-officially several levels of Ibis even outside of the official Budget/Ibis/Mercure hierarchy, the urban ones seem a cut above the "motel" style ones.

 

[route101]

f

22nd floor at the Premier Inn Westferry last night. Superior room with city view under £120. The aircon worked and the water pressure was tip-top. It's probably my favourite PI and right next to the DLR.

View attachment 184608

I stayed at the West Ferry Premier Inn back in April and location was great, I paid around £60. The view is great, must be one of the tallest PIs.

 

[RuddA]

For those who are IHG rewards members you can set your room preferences in your profile. I have mine set to higher floor and away from the lift. They do usually take note of this when allocating rooms even in the more basic Holiday Inn Express hotels.

10+ years ago Premier Inn was always my first choice and I rarely stayed anywhere else unless there wasn’t a PI available and then I would reluctantly consider a Travelodge. These days most of my stays are at hotels from the IHG and Accor Groups. If I’ve done a lot of research and read reviews a really good Best Western can be a good choice, but you have to be very careful because some of them are dire.

These days if I’m looking for a budget hotel I go for Holiday Inn Express or a standard Ibis, not Ibis Budget, rather than a PI. I’ve found that being part of IHG, Accor and Best Western reward schemes, taking advantage of special offers for members at various times of the year, can result in their hotels being much more reasonably priced than a PI. I’ve accumulated enough points to get fee nights and sometimes you can even get additional points for opting out of room servicing. Next month I have rooms booked at the Novotel near Leeds station and the Mercure St Paul’s in Sheffield for little more than I would be paying in a PI. I booked them earlier in the year when Accor had a 20% off sale for members of their reward scheme and these are at flexible rates.

Having regularly stayed in hotels from other chains I now often find PI quite disappointing in comparison. Many are looking tired and lack maintenance, are very short staffed, and even sometimes the breakfasts don’t seem such good quality as they once were.

Whilst staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Hull we were offered a free glass of wine rather than having our room serviced.

Sadly the buffet breakfast didn't have any sausages as they hadn't had enough ordered/delivered.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I have noticed Travelodge have become very strict on not letting you check until 3:00pm now, until this year if you arrived at say 14:45 and they had rooms ready they would let you check in. Very different from an Ibis in Bristol that let me check in at 1pm despite the fact I was only asking them if they could store my luggage until check in time.

This subtle thing means that if I have a choice between the usual budget hotels and I am trying to decide which one to choose, Travelodge now looses a point.

 

[TheTallOne]

I have noticed Travelodge have become very strict on not letting you check until 3:00pm now, until this year if you arrived at say 14:45 and they had rooms ready they would let you check in. Very different from an Ibis in Bristol that let me check in at 1pm despite the fact I was only asking them if they could store my luggage until check in time.

This subtle thing means that if I have a choice between the usual budget hotels and I am trying to decide which one to choose, Travelodge now looses a point.

I've arrived early a few times at various hotels.

I usually just ask reception if I need to do anything regarding the parking (as long as there isn't an obvious sign or payment machine).

Usually they tell me about the parking arrangements and then they say they'll check if my room is ready.

So I'm not asking if the room is ready, but end up getting that question answered without asking it!

I've checked in three hours early in some of the IHG hotels. I don't usually try that at premier inn, I'd normally ask around 2.30/2.45pm.

Very rare I've been told that I can't check in until 3pm (or 4pm for some premier inns especially around 2020/2021!), just one in Manchester that was very strict.

Obviously if the room isn't ready, then it's come back later, but these days it seems to be easier to check in a little earlier. Except now for Travelodge as mentioned above!

 

[jon81uk]

I have noticed Travelodge have become very strict on not letting you check until 3:00pm now, until this year if you arrived at say 14:45 and they had rooms ready they would let you check in. Very different from an Ibis in Bristol that let me check in at 1pm despite the fact I was only asking them if they could store my luggage until check in time.

This subtle thing means that if I have a choice between the usual budget hotels and I am trying to decide which one to choose, Travelodge now looses a point.

I stayed in travel lodge 12 years ago na had the same issue, won’t let you check in early at all without paying for early check in.
Most other hotels will check you in if the room is ready.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I stayed in travel lodge 12 years ago na had the same issue, won’t let you check in early at all without paying for early check in.
Most other hotels will check you in if the room is ready.

I don't mind it being a bookable, chargeable service as you know where you are and can plan.

 

[Huntergreed]

I stayed in travel lodge 12 years ago na had the same issue, won’t let you check in early at all without paying for early check in.
Most other hotels will check you in if the room is ready.

I’ve found it very hit or miss with Premier Inn

Some I’ve arrived at quite early and they’ve been absolutely fine with checking me in

Others (2 specifically, both in the London area) I have arrived at with less than 10 minutes before 15:00 and they still were insisting on charging me £10 (I just waited, of course).

 

[TheTallOne]

I don't like the way premier inn do their early check in.

You turn up, hope they have a room available, get told to come back in an hour and try again. And repeat.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I don't like the way premier inn do their early check in.

You turn up, hope they have a room available, get told to come back in an hour and try again. And repeat.

If you have paid extra for an early check in, and are told the room is not ready do you get a refund for that fee?

 

[takno]

If you have paid extra for an early check in, and are told the room is not ready do you get a refund for that fee?

I believe so. Last time I bought early check-in at PI the person checking me in said that they don't go to any special effort to have a room ready for you, and that if they had a room free it was 50/50 whether they'd charge for the early check-in anyway, so she didn't think there was any point in paying. Could vary by both hotel the receptionist on duty though.

 

[TheTallOne]

If you have paid extra for an early check in, and are told the room is not ready do you get a refund for that fee?

I don't think you can pay for early check in when you book. Only when you arrive if there is a room ready.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I believe so. Last time I bought early check-in at PI the person checking me in said that they don't go to any special effort to have a room ready for you, and that if they had a room free it was 50/50 whether they'd charge for the early check-in anyway, so she didn't think there was any point in paying. Could vary by both hotel the receptionist on duty though.

It might come down to the manager and how strict they are at meeting targets. I had a huge mistake of buying half a pint at the Travel Lodge bar while waiting to check in as that is exactly what they want people to do!

 

[Trackman]

I don't think you can pay for early check in when you book. Only when you arrive if there is a room ready.

You can now, plus it's gone up to £15.

 

[Iskra]

It might come down to the manager and how strict they are at meeting targets. I had a huge mistake of buying half a pint at the Travel Lodge bar while waiting to check in as that is exactly what they want people to do!

It’s probably to do with how booked up the hotel is and the staffing situation in the housekeeping department. Early Check In/Late check outs increase the pressure for Housekeeping and if they are already struggling and the hotel is fully booked that night/the next night, you are just causing more potential problems for yourself down the line.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It’s probably to do with how booked up the hotel is and the staffing situation in the housekeeping department. Early Check In/Late check outs increase the pressure for Housekeeping and if they are already struggling and the hotel is fully booked that night/the next night, you are just causing more potential problems for yourself down the line.

Logic is that the software should sell only a certain number of rooms with it selected, based on historical check out times on the same day, then you are pretty certain to be able to honour it. It's in effect a form of overbooking (you are allocating a room to more than one user at once, essentially, because of the overlap required for cleaning) and there's plenty of software to calculate that.

 

[Iskra]

Logic is that the software should sell only a certain number of rooms with it selected, based on historical check out times on the same day, then you are pretty certain to be able to honour it. It's in effect a form of overbooking (you are allocating a room to more than one user at once, essentially, because of the overlap required for cleaning) and there's plenty of software to calculate that.

Software and forecasts are all well and good, but they don’t account for things like Housekeeping staff phoning in sick, walking off the job or resigning at short notice, guests overstaying past check out times. Available rooms can also be reduced at short notice by people trashing them, them becoming a crime scene, a guest room move, maintenance issues. I’ve seen software previously that uses your last 12 weeks data combined with even more historical data, that’s lovely in theory but September is nothing like August, January is nothing like December etc and it can’t understand random changes caused by one-off outside events, or if a hotel closes down nearby or opens up nearby.

Software, theory and forecasts are great but they can’t factor in everything and sometimes they can distort things or make predictions that are well out of touch with reality.

 

[cactustwirly]

I have noticed Travelodge have become very strict on not letting you check until 3:00pm now, until this year if you arrived at say 14:45 and they had rooms ready they would let you check in. Very different from an Ibis in Bristol that let me check in at 1pm despite the fact I was only asking them if they could store my luggage until check in time.

This subtle thing means that if I have a choice between the usual budget hotels and I am trying to decide which one to choose, Travelodge now looses a point.

Normally the hotels will let you check in if the room is ready

 

[Bletchleyite]

Normally the hotels will let you check in if the room is ready

I don't know what TL are doing, but PI will now charge you for that.

 

[Tracked]

Last few times I've arrived early at Travelodge they've let me check in slightly earlier; usually within the hour before (I think Woking, back in January, was my furthest ahead - around 14:15, on a Sunday though ... )

 

[cactustwirly]

I don't know what TL are doing, but PI will now charge you for that.

Yet everywhere else that's a normal thing.
Accor, IHG, Marriott etc

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yet everywhere else that's a normal thing.
Accor, IHG, Marriott etc

Full service hotels will often offer things for free that those operating on the "low cost" model don't, but typically charging more for the base service to cover it - breakfast being another example. That's the same as anything else, be it airlines or supermarkets*. Ibis is a bit "halfway house" between full service and budget as it's existed since long before easyJet and Ryanair pioneered the budget travel concept.

* OK, maybe less so that, but it used to be the case that carrier bags were free in Tesco but chargeable in Aldi. Not now by law of course, but it's just another example.

 

[cactustwirly]

Full service hotels will often offer things for free that those operating on the "low cost" model don't, but typically charging more for the base service to cover it - breakfast being another example. That's the same as anything else, be it airlines or supermarkets*. Ibis is a bit "halfway house" between full service and budget as it's existed since long before easyJet and Ryanair pioneered the budget travel concept.

* OK, maybe less so that, but it used to be the case that carrier bags were free in Tesco but chargeable in Aldi. Not now by law of course, but it's just another example.

So Ibis budget isn't a budget hotel?

Premier Inn are more mid scale these days, especially with their current pricing.