Hotel Chains Discussion

[Bletchleyite]

Why is Chessington so overpriced? I get that you get free tickets but staying the night feels as if I am getting my money robbed off me? I can stay a whole night maybe 2 in a Marriott for that price? Somewhere with actual luxury

Because it's a captive market?

Aside from this I was recently looking on Travelodge and their new looks rooms look quite good, I hope many get upgraded by the end of next year so we can all say goodbye to the dingy rooms.

It looks an improvement but not massively so. The TL premium room available at some sites appears equivalent to the PI standard room, and the PI premium room is that little bit better.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Why is Chessington so overpriced?

Standard captive market stuff. Legoland hotels are similarly expensive for very little.

 

[WizCastro197]

Standard captive market stuff. Legoland hotels are similarly expensive for very little.

Wow between 565-690 for 1 adult 3 children. 2-3 September. It is a little short notice but why would I stay at Legoland for almost £700 when it is probably one of the most boring theme parks in this country!

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Because it's a captive market?



It looks an improvement but not massively so. The TL premium room available at some sites appears equivalent to the PI standard room, and the PI premium room is that little bit better.

How are you able to select a premium room for PI? All options it gives me are Twin ,Double , Family or Accessible?

I haven't stayed at a PI for a few years now, but I went to one in: I can't remember the place though. Never mind
Travelodge has always kind of been the way for me to be fair at I always found PI to be in places where I didn't go but for the most part they are on par withe achother

 

[Big Tim]

How are you able to select a premium room for PI? All options it gives me are Twin ,Double , Family or Accessible?

As far as I know the "Premier Plus" rooms are only available at certain Premier Inns. I regularly stay at Dundee East, which doesn't have any (at least that I know of - and not had the option of selecting one when booking if they do).

 

[Bletchleyite]

As far as I know the "Premier Plus" rooms are only available at certain Premier Inns. I regularly stay at Dundee East, which doesn't have any (at least that I know of - and not had the option of selecting one when booking if they do).

Yes, they're being progressively added, if one is available you'll be offered it.

 

[WizCastro197]

What are Hiltons like? I haven't stayed in one before so I was wondering for future provision. I know most of the answers will be place specific but I don't mind.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Very very variable I would say. The couple that I've stayed in in recent history have been no better in terms of quality of room than a new Premier Inn which I think probably says more about how much Premier Inn have come on in recent times rather than anything else.

 

[WizCastro197]

Very very variable I would say. The couple that I've stayed in in recent history have been no better in terms of quality of room than a new Premier Inn which I think probably says more about how much Premier Inn have come on in recent times rather than anything else.

Fair enough. I have always believed that Hilton are Marriott's largest and best competitor. Was it Hilton Branded you stayed at or one of their other brands eg DoubleTree or Waldorf Astoria (I think they are super super super super super super super super expensive but it is just and example I can think of)

 

[Davester50]

What are Hiltons like? I haven't stayed in one before so I was wondering for future provision. I know most of the answers will be place specific but I don't mind.

(New build) Hamptons are in the same market at PI and TL. I find them as good as PI, but as I have status with Hilton, I'll choose them over a PI, even if a slightly higher price, but I'd never stay at a TL unless desperate.
Doubletree can be completely variable, as they have different standards from Hilton, and are often properties that have been another brand previously, even a deflagged Hilton.
The Hiltons themselves can be variable. As I understood it, it used to be Hiltons were owned or managed directly, rather than a franchise.
Older properties can be a bit rough, but the worst I've stayed at has been undergoing a very nice refurbishment.

Gold status with Hilton gives the free breakfast (or additional points). Very worthwhile at higher-end properties like the Waldorf Astoria.
Get your cheap stays in for work at the Hamptons, and when you're away with the other half at the Curios or WAs benefit from the freebies!

 

[WizCastro197]

(New build) Hamptons are in the same market at PI and TL. I find them as good as PI, but as I have status with Hilton, I'll choose them over a PI, even if a slightly higher price, but I'd never stay at a TL unless desperate.
Doubletree can be completely variable, as they have different standards from Hilton, and are often properties that have been another brand previously, even a deflagged Hilton.
The Hiltons themselves can be variable. As I understood it, it used to be Hiltons were owned or managed directly, rather than a franchise.
Older properties can be a bit rough, but the worst I've stayed at has been undergoing a very nice refurbishment.

Gold status with Hilton gives the free breakfast (or additional points). Very worthwhile at higher-end properties like the Waldorf Astoria.
Get your cheap stays in for work at the Hamptons, and when you're away with the other half at the Curios or WAs benefit from the freebies!

Yes most hotels now are going through refurbishment to keep them up with the 21st century.
When I went to the Marriott Bournemouth, half of the hotel was renovated half of it wasn’t. Beautiful building bad and well placed.

 

[Trackman]

As far as I know the "Premier Plus" rooms are only available at certain Premier Inns. I regularly stay at Dundee East, which doesn't have any (at least that I know of - and not had the option of selecting one when booking if they do).

Anyone on here stayed in one?
Don't trust hotel website photos.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Anyone on here stayed in one?
Don't trust hotel website photos.

Yep, I was satisfied with it for the extra. The upgrade is minor, but it's a nicer colour scheme, there's a capsule coffee machine and the chair is more comfortable are the main things I noticed.

 

[WizCastro197]

Yep, I was satisfied with it for the extra. The upgrade is minor, but it's a nicer colour scheme, there's a capsule coffee machine and the chair is more comfortable are the main things I noticed.

What is the average cost that you booked for?
I’m just seeing if it’s closer to a Marriott or Hilton price I may not stay at a PI if I was going somewhere

 

[Trackman]

Yep, I was satisfied with it for the extra. The upgrade is minor, but it's a nicer colour scheme, there's a capsule coffee machine and the chair is more comfortable are the main things I noticed.

Sounds like a winner to me with the capsule coffee machine, they can be very good.

What is the average cost that you booked for?
I’m just seeing if it’s closer to a Marriott or Hilton price I may not stay at a PI if I was going somewhere

As per post #193 above how much was the upgrade compared to a standard room at the same PI?

 

[DelayRepay]

Assuming we're talking about Premier Inn Plus, details are here

Premier Plus rooms

Treat yourself to even more comfort, convenience and connectivity by choosing one of our Premier Plus rooms. Our enhanced rooms are perfect for business trips, special occasions – or whenever you fancy a little more from your stay.

www.premierinn.com

The premium seems to depend on the date. Taking the new Milton Keynes Willen Lake hotel, and using the flex rate, the difference on 3 September was £30. On 13 October it was £15. The Semi-flex rate premium was the same. The standard (as in cannot cancel, not standard room!) difference was lower, with a difference of just £8.50 on 13 October.

 

[WizCastro197]

Assuming we're talking about Premier Inn Plus, details are here

Premier Plus rooms

Treat yourself to even more comfort, convenience and connectivity by choosing one of our Premier Plus rooms. Our enhanced rooms are perfect for business trips, special occasions – or whenever you fancy a little more from your stay.

www.premierinn.com

The premium seems to depend on the date. Taking the new Milton Keynes Willen Lake hotel, and using the flex rate, the difference on 3 September was £30. On 13 October it was £15. The Semi-flex rate premium was the same. The standard (as in cannot cancel, not standard room!) difference was lower, with a difference of just £8.50 on 13 October.

Not Too bad if you pay well in advance. But it sounds good value for money as aforementioned it is only a minor upgrade

Quite a lot have been added though when you click to the website

 

[philjo]

Looking for a couple of dates including a Saturday night in September and October, I found Hilton including breakfast to be slightly less than the room only rate at the nearby Premier Inn. both are flexible rates.

I had a flex rate booked with Mercure in central London last week as I was watching the cricket at Lords. It was booked in case of a rail strike which turned out to be the case. A few days beforehand I checked the website and found the available rate was now £40 cheaper than I had for my booking so booked the cheaper rate and cancelled the original booking. The room there was small but the shower and air con was all working OK and as I checked in after 8pm and left 7:45am next day to go to work I was only there for 12 hours.

 

[johntea]

Assuming we're talking about Premier Inn Plus, details are here

Premier Plus rooms

Treat yourself to even more comfort, convenience and connectivity by choosing one of our Premier Plus rooms. Our enhanced rooms are perfect for business trips, special occasions – or whenever you fancy a little more from your stay.

www.premierinn.com

The premium seems to depend on the date. Taking the new Milton Keynes Willen Lake hotel, and using the flex rate, the difference on 3 September was £30. On 13 October it was £15. The Semi-flex rate premium was the same. The standard (as in cannot cancel, not standard room!) difference was lower, with a difference of just £8.50 on 13 October.

If they're anything like Travelodge they're on a dedicated (usually top) floor too so you don't seem to get as many disturbances from people running around the corridor in the middle of the night or things like that in my experience

The last time I stayed in one was a Sunday night, the cost to upgrade over a standard room was something stupid like a whole £2.50 extra - would have probsbly cost more to buy a KitKat from the shop these days

 

[Cletus]

Next Thursday at 7.00pm on Channel 5 is a programme entitled "Budget hotels - are they a con?"

 

[Flying Snail]

Next Thursday at 7.00pm on Channel 5 is a programme entitled "Budget hotels - are they a con?"

Channel 5 have done an hour long about at least one of the British chains before, expect this to be most of the same content regurgitated, it's what they do.

 

[Kite159]

.

Channel 5 have done an hour long about at least one of the British chains before, expect this to be most of the same content regurgitated, it's what they do.

Pretty sure it was Premier Inn which was featured, but agreed I will say at least 50% of the content of that new show will have been in the "Secrets of Premier Inn" episode, maybe the same footage of some vlogger going round the room showing the bog roll

 

[Sm5]

One issue with USB sockets is that they can be used for nefarious purposes. I do a little bit of cybersecurity work, and one rule that I managed to get introduced to the company is a blanket "no using unknown USB sockets" rule.

Regular plug sockets can too…

Indeed I even detected that in a place I was visiting, which is, should we say, expert, in that kind of intelligence gathering.

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The fridge in the Marriott in Bournemouth was providing the second part of your statement! Everything was warmer than before it went in!


It’s a pleasant hotel that one slightly overpriced for a renovated room but bathroom is luxurious. Have to walk up a cliff every time tou go back so forgetting something is our do the question! Luckily there is a cliff train. Renovated rooms are nice 422 gets a full almost 360 view of of town pier and beach

Marriott Bournemouth is imho, a dump. Parking is a lottery.
Its worse if you end up in the annex, which was a neighbouring hotel they bought and knocked through, which still has its abandoned reception on the side street entrance. A number of the rooms have spongey floorboards and ill fitting windows.

Sorry but for £/value this place aint it.

 

[WizCastro197]

Regular plug sockets can too…

Indeed I even detected that in a place I was visiting, which is, should we say, expert, in that kind of intelligence gathering.

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Marriott Bournemouth is imho, a dump. Parking is a lottery.
Its worse if you end up in the annex, which was a neighbouring hotel they bought and knocked through, which still has its abandoned reception on the side street entrance. A number of the rooms have spongey floorboards and ill fitting windows.

Sorry but for £/value this place aint it.

Yes Parking was my main put off from going by car so I went by train
The Cliff train needs to be free for those staying at Hotel.

I managed to secure a Renovated Family Room there for £272 + Breakfast about 1 week before arrival.
And Train Tickets for £139

That Pier charge is stupid and the token system for the games on the pier £3 for one token for a 2 minute ride?

Unfortunately I am not Able to attach a photo as it is too big for server size, just to debate about value for money.

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.

Pretty sure it was Premier Inn which was featured, but agreed I will say at least 50% of the content of that new show will have been in the "Secrets of Premier Inn" episode, maybe the same footage of some vlogger going round the room showing the bog roll

Your blog is lovely too very diverse array of journeys!

 

[Sm5]

On this subject I'm looking at a possible European trip via 4 cities in different countries (probably 10 nights all in). Is it worth signing up with a chain loyalty scheme for this? In the UK I usually use Premier Inn so I don't have status with anyone currently.

For value IHG (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn) i find is great a deals, credit card and bonus points earning for free nights (ive 1.2mn currently in my balance and am Diamond Elite). The added value is this chain is global.

Next I use is Marriott rewards (Marriott, Sheraton, AC hotels and a whole bunch other brands), also global but volume of choice depends on country. They tend to be nicer hotels, but price varies on dates… They give you nice stats that recognise your value.. ive over 2500 nights accumulated here, in 60 countries.

I see a lot on this thread use Ibis, Premier Inn in this thread, and not being snobbish they come accross as good clean budget hotels and seem suited to UK travel. BW ive used only occasionally, some are really nice boutique hotels, others are just b&bs piggy backing off the brand name, ymmv considerably.

They may not have the same perks in loyalty as the above though (late check out, anytime checkin, room upgrades to suites, free wifi, free breakfast, last minute rooms, free drinks, club room access etc)..lt thats what your paying for in hotels with bigger loyalty schemes, plus they are more worldly than some other chains…

on the budget hotel end, Best Western isnt a bad shout and is very international.

Ive so many stories I’m considering writing them up.
but for instance, The Renaissance (Marriott) in Manila actually saved me from corrupt police for instance, another (Radisson, Sandton, Joburg) gave me a suite just previously used by Obama, for $79! following a flight cancelation once. Theres other nice things, Four Points Curitiba, Brasil embroidered me a personalised bathrobe and named the suite room after me, after week. 3, as I was there 6 weeks. Other hotels will try to give you the same room number, ive even a part bottle of Hibiki reserved in a locker with my name on it for when/if I ever return (Sheraton Kowloon, HK).

Sadly Covid/Brexit is killing this kind of business travel, and I see more Dutch/German/French/US on the trail than Brits nowadays…certainly as I write in Rome tonight, theres a surprising number of Russians around me, which is awkward for the Ukrainian restaurant/bar staff.

 

[Davester50]

For value IHG (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn) i find is great a deals, credit card and bonus points earning for free nights (ive 1.2mn currently in my balance and am Diamond Elite). The added value is this chain is global.

Next I use is Marriott rewards (Marriott, Sheraton, AC hotels and a whole bunch other brands), also global but volume of choice depends on country. They tend to be nicer hotels, but price varies on dates… They give you nice stats that recognise your value.. ive over 2500 nights accumulated here, in 60 countries.

I see a lot on this thread use Ibis, Premier Inn in this thread, and not being snobbish they come accross as good clean budget hotels and seem suited to UK travel. BW ive used only occasionally, some are really nice boutique hotels, others are just b&bs piggy backing off the brand name, ymmv considerably.

I'd never hold such a large hotel points balance, unless you're saving for a very large trip. Earn and burn before another devaluation.

Ibis sits alongside Raffles and Fairmont in Accor's stable. Not particularly budget, and much better coverage in Europe than Hilton, Marriot and IHG.
Ibis/Hampton/HEX are much of a muchness.

 

[Sm5]

I'd never hold such a large hotel points balance, unless you're saving for a very large trip. Earn and burn before another devaluation.

devaluation is what it is, generally earning potential goes unchanged, so 10k in 2002 is still 10k today, its just your spend in 2002 might have been 4k, but is 10k today.
I try to burn them, but the family prefers different hotels to business travel.

Ibis sits alongside Raffles and Fairmont in Accor's stable. Not particularly budget, and much better coverage in Europe than Hilton, Marriot and IHG.
Ibis/Hampton/HEX are much of a muchness.

not common in Europe, but ive done Residence inn a few times in the US.
its on the budget side but rooms come with a full kitchen, utensils, fridge/freezer etc.

its a hotel but a residence, good for long term..if you get fed up with hotel breakfast / eating out everynight, need laundry, but still get room service / room cleaning service as a normal hotel. Its part of Marriott, so earns the points too. Pricing tends towards bigger discounts on duration, which is the market its aimed at.

I dont think ive seen an equivalent European chain, but its not bad, especially if your on a family trip too.

 

[Davester50]

I dont think ive seen an equivalent European chain, but its not bad, especially if your on a family trip too.

Novotel Suite sounds probably the closest.

 

[317 forever]

I've noticed that the price gap between the budget hotels- especially Premier Inn- and the midrange full service hotels has decreased. I've stayed in Leeds and Liverpool recently and the Crowne Plaza hasn't been much more than the Premier Inn.

I have IHG platinum (I got it for a 5-night stay in Newcastle in October last year, due to a special offer) and so, for now, the perks from the membership justify the small extra cost.

I was going to spend a night in Leeds in September. Then I noticed that Holiday Inn Express in Bradford was cheaper than either Premier Inn or Travelodge in Leeds, and just as good value as either in Bradford. So I have settled for Holiday Inn Express.

I quite liked it there last year, despite the key sensor not always letting me onto my floor immediately.

 

[TPO]

Anyone on here stayed in one?
Don't trust hotel website photos.

Yes, I use the Castleford PI quite regularly and always book Premier Plus there. The fridge and decent coffee/tea is a big plus (capsule coffee machine, decent tea bags and variety of them- English Breakfast, Earl Gray and peppermint, 2 bottles of spring water in fridge, a couple of minature Green & Black's chocolate bars), there is a fairly comfy armchair with footstool, better desk/chair and the bathroom is upgraded- better shower, nicer toiletries, proper loo-roll instead of a sheet dispenser, nightlight. Room lighting is nicer and the colour scheme more relaxing. Premium WiFi is included.

If they're anything like Travelodge they're on a dedicated (usually top) floor too so you don't seem to get as many disturbances from people running around the corridor in the middle of the night or things like that in my experience

The last time I stayed in one was a Sunday night, the cost to upgrade over a standard room was something stupid like a whole £2.50 extra - would have probsbly cost more to buy a KitKat from the shop these days

Yes, the rooms are top floor along a corridor accessed via a locked door, need room card to open it. They tend to be quieter, much more business oriented.

TPO

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was going to spend a night in Leeds in September. Then I noticed that Holiday Inn Express in Bradford was cheaper than either Premier Inn or Travelodge in Leeds, and just as good value as either in Bradford. So I have settled for Holiday Inn Express.

I quite liked it there last year, despite the key sensor not always letting me onto my floor immediately.

HI Express is in the same market as PI/Ibis* so that wouldn't surprise me. Fair enough if you prefer it for some reason, though I don't think it's specifically better than either. It is probably slightly more business oriented and PI more family oriented but not a lot in it. I stayed in the Shrewsbury one and thought it wasn't quite as good as most PIs but obviously they will vary too.

* Ibis sometimes sits in a slightly higher market segment but it depends on the property, just as PI have a bit of a variety. I would say the new Cambridge one is quite fancy, but if you changed the branding to PI on the Shipley one nobody would notice.