Budget hotels discussion

[WesternLancer]

It's named after the royal guards, not the nature of the meat on sale. Though as a kid I did think that

Gosh. Never knew that.
My childhood assumption same as yours. Stuck with me for 40+ years…

 

[Trackman]

I suspect that the pun was deliberate when the chain was established - steakhouses were very much the thing at that time, and that's what most people went there for.

Mr Wimpy was a Beefeater (as in royal guard), in fact I dont know if they still use him as their mascot.

 

[route101]

Stayed at the Premier Inn Stansted Airport. The hotel is adjacent to a Holiday Inn Express, McDonalds and BP petrol station. The hotel is reached by a shuttle bus running every 30 mins from the airport. I think you could walk it without luggage but never seen anyone else walk it.

I would say this Premier Inn has received a refurb but to the rooms only. There was a few stains on the chair. The desk was missing, perhaps new set up? Breakfast at 0730am was quiet as it was a Sunday. The breakfast was buffet style, only negative was no orange juice. I wish hotels would offer proper orange juice and other juices and not out them machines.

I did notice the Holiday Inn Express car park is used for hire cars, perhaps overspill? It was Enterprise and Drivalia.

 

[styles]

I did notice the Holiday Inn Express car park is used for hire cars, perhaps overspill? It was Enterprise and Drivalia.

I think it's quite common for car clubs like Enterprise Car Club to rent car parking spaces. I've seen it on public highways in London, and in the likes of IKEA car parks. So it wouldn't surprise me if Premier Inn let out a handful of their spaces to car clubs, especially given their car parks are rarely 100% full.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Yes, that Premier Inn at Stansted rent out their car park as well to non-hotel guests as I've used it quite often for a quick weekend flight as it is / was about £13 for the day to park there compared to the rest of Stansted's ridiculous charges.

 

[Iskra]

Stayed at the Premier Inn Stansted Airport. The hotel is adjacent to a Holiday Inn Express, McDonalds and BP petrol station. The hotel is reached by a shuttle bus running every 30 mins from the airport. I think you could walk it without luggage but never seen anyone else walk it.

I would say this Premier Inn has received a refurb but to the rooms only. There was a few stains on the chair. The desk was missing, perhaps new set up? Breakfast at 0730am was quiet as it was a Sunday. The breakfast was buffet style, only negative was no orange juice. I wish hotels would offer proper orange juice and other juices and not out them machines.

I did notice the Holiday Inn Express car park is used for hire cars, perhaps overspill? It was Enterprise and Drivalia.

Yes, that Premier Inn at Stansted rent out their car park as well to non-hotel guests as I've used it quite often for a quick weekend flight as it is / was about £13 for the day to park there compared to the rest of Stansted's ridiculous charges.

I've always found this Premier Inn decent; definitely better quality than the Holiday Inn. Although if you book the Holiday Inn with parking, it seems to discount your car parking so the nights stay is free/subsided depending on how long you are parking for.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Has anybody stayed at the EasyHotel in Cardiff? It seems to offer a good compromise and I am not sure if I can justify an extra £20 a night for a Premier Inn. However does anybody know how you get back into the hotel at night? Is it a card entry like Travelodge or is it "ring a bell" and hope Barry on the night shift hasn't got his headphones on or is on the toilet?"

 

[Iskra]

It probably wouldn’t want to be described as a budget hotel, but last night I stayed at Tribe Manchester Airport. It was £75, which is very good I think for an airport hotel. The room was the best sound-proofed that I’ve come across. I was up on the 8th floor with views of the aircraft landing. I heard nothing at all until aircraft started taking off again in the morning and even that was muted. It’s similar to a 4-star hotel, the only difference being the rooms are a little smaller than normal, but that’s hardly an issue when most people will be only staying one night. Breakfast was an additional £12 if booked upon check in, which is also good value for a buffet breakfast. I would stay again.

Oh and you get a free drink at the bar if you join the Accor loyalty scheme.

 

[Kite159]

Has anybody stayed at the EasyHotel in Cardiff? It seems to offer a good compromise and I am not sure if I can justify an extra £20 a night for a Premier Inn. However does anybody know how you get back into the hotel at night? Is it a card entry like Travelodge or is it "ring a bell" and hope Barry on the night shift hasn't got his headphones on or is on the toilet?"

When I stayed there back around 2021 time, I found it quite reasonable. The rooms are basic, in terms of the entrance it was key card entry (pretty sure the cards are RFID so tap the card on the reader and the door opens)

 

[themeone]

I automatically go for Premier Inn as, with only the odd exception, I find their offering very consistent and predictable. I even used to book them for work trips if I had a choice, rather than take a chance on an independent.

Travelodge I find much more variable and very little price difference with PI - in fact often more expensive.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I automatically go for Premier Inn as, with only the odd exception, I find their offering very consistent and predictable. I even used to book them for work trips if I had a choice, rather than take a chance on an independent.

Travelodge I find much more variable and very little price difference with PI - in fact often more expensive.

It's interesting that their current sales pitch is basically that - you know what you'll get.

Arriving late at night the last thing I want is a surprise. I want my key as quickly and efficiently as possible and to go to bed and for that bed to be decent quality. I too don't do independents for that reason.

 

[matt]

I've stayed at both Poole Travelodges this year. They were both decent for a one night stay.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've stayed at both Poole Travelodges this year. They were both decent for a one night stay.

I stayed in the one opposite the station the other week. It's the new design rooms which are similar to the quality of Premier Inn (though not *quite*) and I too thought it was quite good (though it did put a slight dampener on it to walk past two druggies injecting openly on the ground floor by the lifts while walking over to Asda, and the reception and lift are a bit scabby). Question is will the rooms be well maintained, I find they often are not.

To be fair the "druggie" issue isn't exclusive to them, but it does very often happen at hotels where the reception is not on the ground floor as nobody is really watching the area. I found a strong smell of cannabis in the ground floor entrance area of Hull PI, and Preston has enough issues that they have a security guard on at night checking room keys and asking for names (I think there may also be a prostitution issue there?) - the design really does need to be avoided for new builds.

Subway and Costa on the ground floor very handy and just a few steps from the station (and with a railway view from my room).

 

[route101]

I stayed in the one opposite the station the other week. It's the new design rooms which are similar to the quality of Premier Inn (though not *quite*) and I too thought it was quite good (though it did put a slight dampener on it to walk past two druggies injecting openly on the ground floor by the lifts while walking over to Asda, and the reception and lift are a bit scabby). Question is will the rooms be well maintained, I find they often are not.

To be fair the "druggie" issue isn't exclusive to them, but it does very often happen at hotels where the reception is not on the ground floor as nobody is really watching the area. I found a strong smell of cannabis in the ground floor entrance area of Hull PI, and Preston has enough issues that they have a security guard on at night checking room keys and asking for names (I think there may also be a prostitution issue there?) - the design really does need to be avoided for new builds.

Subway and Costa on the ground floor very handy and just a few steps from the station (and with a railway view from my room).

Travelodge Birmingham Carrs Lane in City Centre, had a few drug users from the smell from when I stayed.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Not sure how often this would come in as a "budget" option, but last week I stayed at Yotel on Deansgate in Manchester for £52 including breakfast - only booked the day before though, so I suspect there's a bit of dynamic pricing in play. In fact I've just looked for tomorrow and its £102 on Expedia so I think I probably did get in at a bargain basement price

Downstairs is very modern cool - low lighting, brightly coloured sofas and chairs, and a glitzy bar. The rooms are basically what I'd call "posh Travelodge" - lots of metal / industrial vibes but nothing more than in Travelodge in terms of facilities, other than a free bean to cup coffee machine on each landing. Absolutely fantastic shower though.

I presumed the free breakfast would be a toaster and some cereal but they had a help yourself hot buffet including all the normal stuff plus some Spanish style baked eggs thing, some cold meats and cheeses etc etc.

All in all incredibly good value for the location and I'd definitely stay again if I could get anything like the same price

 

[themeone]

One thing I have noticed in the past few years with Premier Inn is you do have to watch for parking charges. I booked the same PI last Christmas at Portsmouth North Harbour that I'd used the Christmas before. There were no parking charges on my first visit, so didn't check closely when booking it again but I was charged £3 / night parking. Obviously you can pay a lot more for 24 hours parking, but it was an unwelcome surprise - I even got charged for Christmas Day, which I thought was really taking the mick.

Another place I've been happy with was Days Inn, though there are not that many of them. The one at Leicester Forest East on the M1 has some nice touches such as a mini fridge in most rooms, and a toaster and microwave next to reception. It's quite fun in that as a hotel guest you're officially allowed to use the back entrance/exit to the services.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One thing I have noticed in the past few years with Premier Inn is you do have to watch for parking charges. I booked the same PI last Christmas at Portsmouth North Harbour that I'd used the Christmas before. There were no parking charges on my first visit, so didn't check closely when booking it again but I was charged £3 / night parking. Obviously you can pay a lot more for 24 hours parking, but it was an unwelcome surprise - I even got charged for Christmas Day, which I thought was really taking the mick.

Yep, parking charges are a bit of an "ens***tification" of PI. Just avoids putting the prices up generally I suppose, though, and doing it that way is great if you arrive by train as you don't pay it, whereas if they'd put three quid a night on the room prices you would pay it however you arrived.

Worst one I've seen on that is Wigan where you have to pay on every exit, more because it's faff than the cost.

Fortunately there's a massive Council car park directly opposite that one.

 

[Howardh]

I've booked a couple of nights in Carlisle Travelodge so I can make the day trip to Edinburgh for Pride - Edinburgh hotels, even the basic ones, are sooo expensive...
Any good/bad reports about Travelodge in Carlisle? It's near the station which is a plus but also looks out of the way of the pubs/bars on a Fri/sat stayover - which would be good for quiet?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've booked a couple of nights in Carlisle Travelodge so I can make the day trip to Edinburgh for Pride - Edinburgh hotels, even the basic ones, are sooo expensive...
Any good/bad reports about Travelodge in Carlisle? It's near the station which is a plus but also looks out of the way of the pubs/bars on a Fri/sat stayover - which would be good for quiet?

It's one of the few places where I'd choose TL over PI. It's a big building, an old phone exchange I believe or maybe an old factory, and the rooms are huge with massive windows. Great place.

 

[Howardh]

It's one of the few places where I'd choose TL over PI. It's a big building, an old phone exchange I believe or maybe an old factory, and the rooms are huge with massive windows. Great place.

Thanks, reassuring! Only there for sleeps, as long as it's a kettle I'm happy!

 

[D6130]

I've booked a couple of nights in Carlisle Travelodge so I can make the day trip to Edinburgh for Pride - Edinburgh hotels, even the basic ones, are sooo expensive...
Any good/bad reports about Travelodge in Carlisle? It's near the station which is a plus but also looks out of the way of the pubs/bars on a Fri/sat stayover - which would be good for quiet?

If you have booked a refundable room, it may be worth cancelling it and booking into the Stirling Travelodge instead. 5 mins walk from the station; overlooking the railway and last train back from Edinburgh - about 45 minutes away - at 23 35.

 

[Harpo]

I've booked a couple of nights in Carlisle Travelodge so I can make the day trip to Edinburgh for Pride - Edinburgh hotels, even the basic ones, are sooo expensive...
Any good/bad reports about Travelodge in Carlisle? It's near the station which is a plus but also looks out of the way of the pubs/bars on a Fri/sat stayover - which would be good for quiet?

Used it recently and all good. Very handy for everything, station, Spoons Street & cinema.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The other one I like using in Carlisle is the Ibis, for what it's worth. For a small place it has a good hotel selection!

 

[Howardh]

If you have booked a refundable room, it may be worth cancelling it and booking into the Stirling Travelodge instead. 5 mins walk from the station; overlooking the railway and last train back from Edinburgh - about 45 minutes away - at 23 35.

It's not refundable and I've booked my train tickets, but I have looked around Edinburgh. Thing is, I'd have to return the full journey on the Sunday (and I cans et off later on Friday) whereas from Carlisle I'll be back home by lunchtime - and by 6pm in Edinburgh I'll be more than ready to return to Carlisle on the last train!!

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The other one I like using in Carlisle is the Ibis, for what it's worth. For a small place it has a good hotel selection!

The Carlisle Ibis is the one that tried to charge me a deposit of £40 (not a card swipe, authorising an actual payment) even though I was fully paid up in advance.

It's one of the few places where I'd choose TL over PI. It's a big building, an old phone exchange I believe or maybe an old factory, and the rooms are huge with massive windows. Great place.

Telephone offices. If you look at the lift closely there is a floor 'missing' - used by another occupier accessed from the other end of the building. I found the hotel perfectly fine but that was before Covid.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Carlisle Ibis is the one that tried to charge me a deposit of £40 (not a card swipe, authorising an actual payment) even though I was fully paid up in advance.

What on earth for? Never had that at an Ibis.

Telephone offices.

Thanks. I knew it had a GPO/BT look about it!

If you look at the lift closely there is a floor 'missing' - used by another occupier accessed from the other end of the building. I found the hotel perfectly fine but that was before Covid.

I've used it more recently. There's a decent cafe up the road as I don't find the TL breakfast particularly good quality, or you're near the centre for other stuff. The fitout is standard Travelodge but the rooms are huge and the windows massive so it has a nice airy feel. Definitely my favourite TL, if I should have such a thing

There are a few PIs that similarly have unusually large rooms because of a repurposed building. The annex rooms at Chorley North are an example (the main building is standard PI). They're mostly the family rooms so you don't tend to get them if booking solo, though I did get one last week and had them quite often during COVID when they were I assume spreading people out a bit. If PI introduce the paid room selection TL just have I probably will pay it at this one!

 

[signed]

What on earth for? Never had that at an Ibis.

US practice of incidentals is coming to Europe, have had deposits taken from 4 hotels so far, including one Ibis in France.

Some enter the whole card number on their systems by hand (which is crazy in retrospect), and others have you make a payment at the card terminal but it is only pre-authorized (like for rental cars) unless the merchant actually charges it

 

[Bletchleyite]

US practice of incidentals is coming to Europe

What incidentals? Ibises don't have anything that would justify a "resort fee" (and suspect that may be counter to EU law anyway) and you can't bill stuff to the room.

Full service Accors e.g. Novotel/Mercure maybe, but not Ibis.

If anything taking a swipe (which appears as an authorisation but drops off after 30 days or so) is less common now than it was.

 

[signed]

What incidentals? Ibises don't have anything that would justify a "resort fee" and you can't bill stuff to the room.

To cover for damage, most US hotels even budget take card incidentals in some way

 

[Bletchleyite]

Damages, most to all US hotels even budget will all take incidentals

What, in case you nick stuff?

Never heard of that.