Budget hotels discussion

[Russel]

I doubt they’ll be in financial trouble anytime soon, and if bookings do fall off a cliff Travelodge will just do what Britannia Hotels do and fill up with council tenants/asylum seekers

Don't Travelodge already house council tenents / homeless etc?

I've stopped in a couple where I'm sure that was happening.

 

[route101]

I doubt they’ll be in financial trouble anytime soon, and if bookings do fall off a cliff Travelodge will just do what Britannia Hotels do and fill up with council tenants/asylum seekers

Stayed at the Milton Keynes Travelodge and my neighbours were one of them. I thought they cant mix normal hotel guests with them.

 

[styles]

Don't Travelodge already house council tenents / homeless etc?

I've stopped in a couple where I'm sure that was happening.

Absolutely. There's one I stay in for a week at Christmas some years and ever since I started using it maybe 10 years ago, there's been rooms which you can see from the ground floor that have been decorated with posters etc by the people living there. There's even one woman I know on first name terms as we've been stood outside having a smoke in different years.

It's sad to see people are being housed in these for multiple years. But without a massive ramping up of housebuilding, it's inevitable.

 

[jon81uk]

Stayed at the Milton Keynes Travelodge and my neighbours were one of them. I thought they cant mix normal hotel guests with them.

Which “one of them” are you referring to, council tenants or asylum seekers?

As far as I know councils will house people in any hotel.

But for asylum seekers it’s the entire venue will be designated for that purpose.

 

[Russel]

Absolutely. There's one I stay in for a week at Christmas some years and ever since I started using it maybe 10 years ago, there's been rooms which you can see from the ground floor that have been decorated with posters etc by the people living there. There's even one woman I know on first name terms as we've been stood outside having a smoke in different years.

It's sad to see people are being housed in these for multiple years. But without a massive ramping up of housebuilding, it's inevitable.

I used to stop in the Travelodge in Clacton On Sea a lot which housed the homeless, but the dismissive attitude from the staff when I reported the smell of cigarette smoke and weed one evening and the lack of hot water the next morning made me wonder what else they didn't take seriously.

Now I use a couple of independent B&Bs.

 

[styles]

I used to stop in the Travelodge in Clacton On Sea a lot which housed the homeless, but the dismissive attitude from the staff when I reported the smell of cigarette smoke and weed one evening and the lack of hot water the next morning made me wonder what else they didn't take seriously, now I use a couple of independent B&Bs.

Yeah there's not many hotels around this area so I'm a bit stuck for choice. I could drive to get to a nicer hotel but I prefer walking if I can.

But also Travelodge are about half the price of any other hotel. When I'm staying for a week, that's quite a saving. Pays for the Christmas presents easily. And I'm not exactly spending a great deal of time in the room, just sleeping then heading out again before breakfast.

I've always found the staff friendly though. Never noticed any rooms being neglected or anything but I guess I don't see the full picture spending so little time there. It wouldn't surprise me to find the hotel chain neglectful though, they're probably not being paid a great per-night rate to house people long-term.

 

[Russel]

Yeah there's not many hotels around this area so I'm a bit stuck for choice. I could drive to get to a nicer hotel but I prefer walking if I can.

But also Travelodge are about half the price of any other hotel. When I'm staying for a week, that's quite a saving. Pays for the Christmas presents easily. And I'm not exactly spending a great deal of time in the room, just sleeping then heading out again before breakfast.

I've always found the staff friendly though. Never noticed any rooms being neglected or anything but I guess I don't see the full picture spending so little time there.

The rooms have always been okay if I'm honest, it's other things that put me off using Travelodge these days, to add to my previous post about Clacton, the last TL I booked was Ipswich, when I checked in I was given a room that either hadn't been made up yet or was still in use by someone else, owing to the state of it and food and drink still on the desk.

Fortunately it was empty when we went in, we were then given another room and neither of the access cards worked; we did get a free drink in the bar for the trouble though, so can't complain too much.

 

[styles]

The rooms have always been okay if I'm honest, it's other things that put me off using Travelodge these days, to add to my previous post about Clacton, the last TL I booked was Ipswich, when I checked in I was given a room that either hadn't been made up yet or was still in use by someone else, owing to the state of it and food and drink still on the desk, fortunately it was empty when we went in, we were then given another room and neither of the access cards worked, we did get a free drink in the bar for the trouble though, so can't complain too much.

Ooh this Travelodge had a bar, fancy!

I jest, but the one I stay at has no bar, no restaurant, no communal area. It really is a pit stop sort of place. They sell those over-priced breakfast boxes which they don't even keep in a fridge so the milk is warm for the cereal.

Sounds like they put it right for you though, which is all you can ask for with mistakes like that (which, obviously, shouldn't happen in the first place).

 

[Russel]

Ooh this Travelodge had a bar, fancy!

I jest, but the one I stay at has no bar, no restaurant, no communal area. It really is a pit stop sort of place. They sell those over-priced breakfast boxes which they don't even keep in a fridge so the milk is warm for the cereal.

Sounds like they put it right for you though, which is all you can ask for with mistakes like that (which, obviously, shouldn't happen in the first place).

Yep, clearly mistakes shouldn't happen, but I can't fault the staff for trying to put it right, but it goes back to my point earlier in the thread that customers being given room cards to wrong rooms is probably more widespread than we think, not just at TL but almost certainly at the other chains too.

 

[Brightonboy]

We needed a 2 night stay on the southern Kent/Sussex border area last weekend and, as is our recent habit, looked for a PI in the area (having given up on the plastic TLs), in the end we found a Mercure that was cheaper (admittedly I have a long held Accor membership that I don't think I have used before).

The room was better, although we did have to ask for a move when we discovered the WC didn't reliably flush - the move was accompanied by some freebies and a handwritten apology card. It's fair to say for forthcoming stays away we will look at Mercure again....

 

[route101]

Which “one of them” are you referring to, council tenants or asylum seekers?

As far as I know councils will house people in any hotel.

But for asylum seekers it’s the entire venue will be designated for that purpose.

Asylum seekers it seemed. During covid it was the case for Southampton Central Travelodge too. Unless I am mistaken and it was council tenants of non uk origin.

 

[Kite159]

I wonder how long it will be until the likes of Travelodge start asking for ID when checking in or requesting additional room keys

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wonder how long it will be until the likes of Travelodge start asking for ID when checking in or requesting additional room keys

Some hotels already do, it is for instance a policy of the YHA to check ID and they are very strict on it, the only concession being that photos of it are allowed.

The difficulty is that some people don't have passport or driving licences, though if they accept other electronic options like Post Office easyID (which ironically some post offices won't take) and stuff like bus passes you cover more or less everyone.

 

[Gareth1990]

Some hotels already do, it is for instance a policy of the YHA to check ID and they are very strict on it, the only concession being that photos of it are allowed.

The difficulty is that some people don't have passport or driving licences, though if they accept other electronic options like Post Office easyID (which ironically some post offices won't take) and stuff like bus passes you cover more or less everyone.

YHA take just about anything with a photo, when I stay I just use my disabled Freedom Pass

 

[Peter Sarf]

Travelodge were in the news (BBC News 24) again today. Not sure exactly the details as I was the only one in the room with a TV trying to watch the TV !.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Travelodge were in the news (BBC News 24) again today. Not sure exactly the details as I was the only one in the room with a TV trying to watch the TV !.

It's not a new instance; it's the sentencing of the abuser who tricked his way into his victim's room four years ago which started the whole debate about room security in the first place.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It's not a new instance; it's the sentencing of the abuser who tricked his way into his victim's room four years ago which started the whole debate about room security in the first place.

Ah. So old news. BUT keeps coming round to haunt Travelodge !.

 

[takno]

Travelodge were in the BBC news (24) again today. Not sure exactly the details as was the only one in the room trying to watch the news.

As far as I can tell it's more stories which date from before the conviction and tightening up of policies last year. It's an awful domestic violence story, but as well as being old it's one where the hotel would have had to have onsite security guards to prevent the door being kicked down. It's unclear how they justify presenting it the way they have.

 

[Gareth1990]

Also I’ve noticed that Travelodge Maidenhead now requires photo ID after the incident

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186418-d2070393-Reviews-Travelodge_Maidenhead_Central-Maidenhead_Windsor_and_Maidenhead_Berkshire_England.html

Quote: Finding a family-friendly hotel in Maidenhead needn't be difficult. Welcome to Travelodge Maidenhead Central Hotel, a great option for travellers like you. Relax in your room with a flat screen TV, and paid internet access available. Travelodge Maidenhead Central also has an on-site restaurant to make your trip additionally gratifying. This hotel is in a great location, only a short distance Lillebrooke Manor & Barns (1.4 mi). While you’re here, check out some of the local pubs including The Pinkneys Arms, Grenfell Arms, and The Bell. If you’re looking for things to do, the Maidenhead Heritage Centre (0.2 mi), The Sounding Arch (0.9 mi), and Braywick Nature Centre (1.0 mi) are popular attractions, and all within walking distance. Travelodge Maidenhead Central Hotel puts the best of Maidenhead at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable. Please be aware, you are required to bring photo ID with you in order to check-in. Those without photo ID will not be checked-in.

 

[greatkingrat]

I think the issue is reception must have told him the room number, otherwise he wouldn't have known which door to kick down.

 

[Russel]

I wonder how long it will be until the likes of Travelodge start asking for ID when checking in or requesting additional room keys

To be fair I'm more surprised that isn't already what happens.

 

[route101]

Premier Inn Chester Railway Station

Booked this one as I was arriving late into Chester and leaving early to go to Wales. Usually this Premier Inn has high prices for Friday and Saturday nights but I git it for a reasonable £74. I have stayed at one of the Travelodge's in Chester City Centre which was above a club or bar.

For the first time I was given a room downstairs in a Premier Inn, although not a new hotel, the room had been refurbished. Was pretty quiet so I slept pretty well. I was too early for the Breakfast. Only a five minute up to Chester Railway Station, where the station cat Tiggy was to greet me.

 

[BuhSnarf]

I think the issue is reception must have told him the room number, otherwise he wouldn't have known which door to kick down.

According to the BBC News article the guy already knew the number of the room, doesn't say how he found it out though:

"Travelodge said it had investigated what happened and found the attacker had given Lucy's full name and room number at reception."

 

[The exile]

To be fair I'm more surprised that isn't already what happens.

It comes round to the eternal problem of the UK refusing to have national ID. If you do not drive or travel overseas and are below bus-pass age, what option do you have that is universally recognised and data secure?

 

[Cdd89]

According to the BBC News article the guy already knew the number of the room, doesn't say how he found it out though.

Yes, I suspect I could get into any hotel room with a 90%+ confidence rate, if I had the name and room number. This just based on how many different ways I've got back into my own hotel rooms at hotels around the world with just this information (plus some supporting evidence that is circumstantial or could be easily fabricated). One particular pattern I've noticed is that if you go to the reception holding a room key to ask for late checkout, they very rarely check ID before re-coding the key.

Hotel rooms are not that secure, which isn't generally a problem as gaining access to hotel rooms is a bit risky and low-reward; if you're targeted the security comes from people not knowing you are there. Hotels are generally extremely good about not saying the room number out loud during check-in.

 

[SteveHFC]

Just back from a fortnight travelling around parts of Northern England and Scotland, staying in 3 Premier Inns and 1 Holiday Inn Express. The 3 Premier Inns currently have Beefeaters next door/attached (for another month), and the hot breakfasts were cooked to order and were excellent, despite one being very busy. The Holiday Inn Express was a buffet breakfast, and apart from the bacon being a bit tough some days, it was hot and tasty. All the rooms were fine - although only one had a/c. Staff were excellent throughout too.

 

[johntea]

Yes, I suspect I could get into any hotel room with a 90%+ confidence rate, if I had the name and room number. This just based on how many different ways I've got back into my own hotel rooms at hotels around the world with just this information (plus some supporting evidence that is circumstantial or could be easily fabricated). One particular pattern I've noticed is that if you go to the reception holding a room key to ask for late checkout, they very rarely check ID before re-coding the key.

Hotel rooms are not that secure, which isn't generally a problem as gaining access to hotel rooms is a bit risky and low-reward; if you're targeted the security comes from people not knowing you are there. Hotels are generally extremely good about not saying the room number out loud during check-in.

Some of it perhaps falls into social engineering

Keep a Travelodge or whatever hotel keycard handy in your wallet, go to reception 'my keycard has stopped working!' (this is a genuine and common issue although probably more so with the magstripe rather than RFID ones)

'Oh I'm sorry for that sir/madam, what is your name and room number I'll just code it again for you'

Staff member is so used to the issue they just go into autopilot rather than thinking about asking for ID

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some of it perhaps falls into social engineering

Keep a Travelodge or whatever hotel keycard handy in your wallet, go to reception 'my keycard has stopped working!' (this is a genuine and common issue although probably more so with the magstripe rather than RFID ones)

'Oh I'm sorry for that sir/madam, what is your name and room number I'll just code it again for you'

Staff member is so used to the issue they just go into autopilot rather than thinking about asking for ID

One problem with doing so is that there's a reasonable chance the ID is locked in the room they can't open. Often they do in my experience ask for the address on the booking, though there is the risk of someone up to no good knowing that. The only really sure way of dealing with that would be to go up to the room with them and ask them to get the ID out, but that uses a lot of staff time.

 

[Tetchytyke]

It's an awful domestic violence story, but as well as being old it's one where the hotel would have had to have onsite security guards to prevent the door being kicked down. It's unclear how they justify presenting it the way they have.

Because they told him which room it was and gave him a key to the room, which he used to gain access.

His victim got him out of the room once and only then did he kick the door down.

Travelodge staff gave domestic abuser key to his victim's room

A woman tells the BBC her attacker kicked her hotel room door "off its hinges" after reception gave him the key.

www.bbc.co.uk

Lucy said she was staying at the hotel in London in October 2025 for "a night away from the fear" following a period of abuse that left her "frightened and exhausted".

"He walked into the hotel and told the receptionist that his girlfriend was upstairs having a seizure. He asked what room I was in and what floor I was staying on," she said.

The receptionist handed him a key before directing him upstairs to Lucy's room, she said.

"I couldn't believe it. The one place I thought he could never get to, he had somehow reached. I felt sick with panic. My safe place disappeared in an instant," she added.

She said he physically attacked her and tried to grab her phone.

After Lucy convinced her attacker to leave, he returned, "banging, shouting and becoming more aggressive".

"I was absolutely terrified. I froze, hoping he would stop. Instead, he kicked the hotel room door off its hinges and forced his way back inside."

Travelodge rooms have internal dead-bolt locks on the doors as well as electric key-card operated locks which can be opened from the outside.

Lucy said she ran downstairs "shaking, crying and begging for help", adding: "I thought someone would protect me."

Instead, Lucy was offered another room in the hotel.

Seems pretty fair reporting to me.

I'm not so sure about just focusing on Travelodge though. Travelodge's response to the woman who'd been raped was absolutely horrific, which is why it gained so much traction. But the underlying issue happens in most hotels, I'm sure quite a few hotel chains are breathing a sigh of relief it didn't happen in one of their properties.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Because they told him which room it was and gave him a key to the room, which he used to gain access.

It does appear that there are differing sides to the story, TL have said that the abuser already knew the name (obviously will do) and the room number whereas the abused is stating that TL gave him the room number.

I would imagine that even with an ID check like "what address was the booking made in?" the abuser would knew this as it appears they lived together.