Hotel Chains Discussion

[Jamesrob637]

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.

I like HI Express. Stayed in three so far this year albeit one was a very last-minute decision.

 

[DelayRepay]

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.

I've used HI Express a few times. As you say, quite similar to Premier Inn. The last one I stayed in had a free gym, but that's unusual and I think is a legacy of the property previously being part of a different chain.

The main difference is that HI Express include breakfast in the room rate - the breakfast is ok but not as good as PI, in my opinion.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would prefer to pay for a breakfast and get a better one. Agree PI is generally better (Ibis is usually better still).

 

[Sm5]

Ive used HiEx many times, nothing wrong with them, occasionally some are better than full serv Hi or even other larger brands on occasion.

The Hi Exp in Kensington, for example offers a full english buffet breakfast included…

But most are basic clean rooms, with Tea/Coffee/Juice, Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast breakfasts etc,

 

[DelayRepay]

Ive used HiEx many times, nothing wrong with them, occasionally some are better than full serv Hi or even other larger brands on occasion.

The Hi Exp in Kensington, for example offers a full english buffet breakfast included…

But most are basic clean rooms, with Tea/Coffee/Juice, Fruit, Cereals, Yoghurt, Toast breakfasts etc,

Every one I've stayed in has offered a full english buffet breakfast - it's just the choice of items isn't as good as at PI. I don't know if it's still the case, but there was a time when they did sausages but not bacon!

The only time I've not been offered a hot breakfast was during the Covid 'pingdemic' when there was nobody to cook it due to sickness. We had to make do with cereals and toast, but the sole member of staff (who was running back and forth between the breakfast room and reception desk) was very apologetic.

 

[Mojo]

Every one I've stayed in has offered a full english buffet breakfast - it's just the choice of items isn't as good as at PI. I don't know if it's still the case, but there was a time when they did sausages but not bacon!

I was going to say the same, I don’t think I’ve ever had a Full English as they always seem to skip the bacon!

If I’m in a city I don’t have much time in, or somewhere that doesn’t appear to be near any breakfast places, then getting breakfast included can be worth a bit to me with the time saving. In the UK you can get a breakfast quite readily in major cities for under £15 for two people (or a tenner if you’re willing to have McDonalds or a bacon & egg sandwich with a tea), but in expensive countries like the USA this can be almost double.

 

[edwin_m]

Every one I've stayed in has offered a full english buffet breakfast - it's just the choice of items isn't as good as at PI. I don't know if it's still the case, but there was a time when they did sausages but not bacon!

Definitely bacon in evidence at the HI Express at Terminal 4 on Thursday.

 

[richw]

HI exp sausages are the most revolting sausages I’ve ever eaten. Unfortunately the rest of IHG group seem to use the same ones

 

[Sm5]

I was going to say the same, I don’t think I’ve ever had a Full English as they always seem to skip the bacon!

If I’m in a city I don’t have much time in, or somewhere that doesn’t appear to be near any breakfast places, then getting breakfast included can be worth a bit to me with the time saving. In the UK you can get a breakfast quite readily in major cities for under £15 for two people (or a tenner if you’re willing to have McDonalds or a bacon & egg sandwich with a tea), but in expensive countries like the USA this can be almost double.

Indeed ive never understood how Breakfast is priced as the same bracket as lunch or dinner In the US.

indeed most companies ive worked for, their expenses teams never seem to understand that either.


That and the grease covered burnt cinder crisp bacon they seem to like.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I tend to go with Travelodge by default since I find they're normally fairly quick and convenient to use., some do feel a bit rundown these days but as long as there's a decent bed and a working shower I'm not too bothered. This thread has made me think I should do a bit more checking though.

I did recently stay at a Holiday Inn Express which was a first but it was closer than the Travelodge and while it was double the price, I just wanted to get into a shower and then into bed. It was incredibly noisy thanks to a wedding reception, it took nearly half an hour to get booked in and then they wanted to charge me 25% more for the room than I'd booked at because that was the current rate and the price I'd booked the room for didn't mean anything. I was deciding whether to walk out when the person generously reduced the room back to the rate I'd booked at. The wedding reception went on into the early hours and while the room and the hotel itself were a lot nicer than the Travelodges I don't think I'd go with them even allowing for the likes of the wedding reception being unusual. I did get a survey which I filled out honestly and they asked if they could contact me regarding me feedback which I said yes and unsurprisingly heard nothing back.

 

[Sm5]

Among hotel horrors (inc a hotel arrived and had gone out of business (Johannesburg) several months earlier, and another which went bust whilst I was there and asked everyone to leave.. Sheraton Brussels, Place Rogier), was a Crowne Plaza in Kings Cross which on arrival I was informed had become a Government Covid hotel and they cancelled everyones bookings… literally dozens were arriving, greeted by men in hazmat suits and barriers, to find themselves without a hotel room to stay at, and no help nor assistance from the hotel or IHG and literally left on the street…

 

[WizCastro197]

I like HI Express. Stayed in three so far this year albeit one was a very last-minute decision.

I have been informed by others that the one in Gatwick isn't too pleasant. If anyone has stayed at this particular location, I would love to hear your opinions! Although, reviews seem to countering this opinion so I dont know what to trust!

 

[bspahh]

I have been informed by others that the one in Gatwick isn't too pleasant. If anyone has stayed at this particular location, I would love to hear your opinions! Although, reviews seem to countering this opinion so I dont know what to trust!

I've stayed in the Holiday Inn Express Crawley a few years ago. It was OK, but a 10 minute walk to Three Bridges station and then one stop to Gatwick station.

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Gatwick which is closer to the terminals, but still meant getting a bus. I don't like waiting for buses at the best of times, but I hate it at 5.30am.

When I'm travelling on my own, I prefer to use the Bloc hotel. You get a very small room - the bed takes up half the area of the bedroom. It has a nice double bed, a decent shower and really good towels, and its in the South terminal building which means its brilliant for an early start or late finish. Check in is quick, and there is nothing to do on checkout apart from dropping the key card in a box.

I also used the Yotel which is also in the South terminal, but it was showing its age. I had one night in the Hampton in the North terminal. It was OK, and a full size room, but I wouldn't pay more for than the Bloc. I recently had a night at the Premier Inn which is across the road from the North terminal. It was a reasonable price, the room was fine and the location is good. I really appreciated being able to walk there rather than relying a bus transfer.

For an airport hotel, I want something which is close to the terminal. I don't care about breakfast as I'd rather get it in the departure lounge, or station. I want fast check in, a quiet room with a bed and a shower.

 

[ChrisC]

I have been informed by others that the one in Gatwick isn't too pleasant. If anyone has stayed at this particular location, I would love to hear your opinions! Although, reviews seem to countering this opinion so I dont know what to trust!

I’ve stayed twice at the HI Express next to the East of England Show-ground near Peterborough. Good basic hotel in nice location with miles of walks close by over the main road in the nearby Country Park and by the River Nene near the Nené Valley Railway.
HI Express at Gloucester South was another good basic hotel in good location for visiting Gloucester and villages by the River Severn South of Gloucester. A bit close to the A38 and within a small industrial estate.
HI Express Exeter just across the river bridge from Exeter St. Thomas Station. Lovely new hotel which would now be my first choice in Exeter rather than a Premier Inn.
HI Express Nine Elms London. Ok, a bit tired but nothing seriously wrong with it. Interestingly this hotel has still not re-opened following Covid lockdowns.

Breakfast at all four was perfectly adequate and they all had bacon! A good supply of breakfast rolls available to fill with bacon. Certainly not the variety of a PI breakfast but reasonable quality and perfectly adequate. Breakfast is included in the price of the room.
I would say that all four that I have stayed in were far better than any Travelodge and as good as an average Premier Inn. Perhaps not as good as a more modern PI although the one in Exeter was very good.

 

[Kite159]

I've stayed in the Holiday Inn Express Crawley a few years ago. It was OK, but a 10 minute walk to Three Bridges station and then one stop to Gatwick station.

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Gatwick which is closer to the terminals, but still meant getting a bus. I don't like waiting for buses at the best of times, but I hate it at 5.30am.

When I'm travelling on my own, I prefer to use the Bloc hotel. You get a very small room - the bed takes up half the area of the bedroom. It has a nice double bed, a decent shower and really good towels, and its in the South terminal building which means its brilliant for an early start or late finish. Check in is quick, and there is nothing to do on checkout apart from dropping the key card in a box.

I also used the Yotel which is also in the South terminal, but it was showing its age. I had one night in the Hampton in the North terminal. It was OK, and a full size room, but I wouldn't pay more for than the Bloc. I recently had a night at the Premier Inn which is across the road from the North terminal. It was a reasonable price, the room was fine and the location is good. I really appreciated being able to walk there rather than relying a bus transfer.

For an airport hotel, I want something which is close to the terminal. I don't care about breakfast as I'd rather get it in the departure lounge, or station. I want fast check in, a quiet room with a bed and a shower.

Isn't there a "Bloc" hotel coming soon near Glasgow Queen Street? I seem to recall seeing adverts for it on one of the buildings close to the station.

I agree, sometimes all I need from a hotel is a bed & shower.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Then I noticed that Holiday Inn Express in Bradford was cheaper than either Premier Inn or Travelodge in Leeds

You can normally get decent value in Bradford. Even as a proud Bradfordian, I suspect there is a reason for that. Although Bradford has the Corn Dolly and the Kashmir, which are both big ticks.

Joking aside, it's the same deal in most cities, better value a little way out. I normally stay at the Premier Inn by East Croydon Station when I visit London for that reason.

 

[Bletchleyite]

You can normally get decent value in Bradford. Even as a proud Bradfordian, I suspect there is a reason for that.

I've stayed in the Bradford PI for that reason. It was cheap and it was a PI. I can't even remember the room

Joking aside, it's the same deal in most cities, better value a little way out. I normally stay at the Premier Inn by East Croydon Station when I visit London for that reason.

Yes, pick a slightly scruffy place a bit outside the city and it'll usually be cheap. The motorway/A-road junction ones are usually the cheapest, I find - Crewe is the cheapest PI I've ever had at £35 and that was booked immediately before showing up (I was too tired to continue the journey).

 

[richw]

I normally stay at the Premier Inn by East Croydon Station when I visit London for that reason.

I find East Croydon any of the chains are generally cheap, and also premier inn at Heathrow is cheap normally

 

[Bletchleyite]

I find East Croydon any of the chains are generally cheap, and also premier inn at Heathrow is cheap normally

I'm actually fairly surprised Croydon is so cheap, because there's so much business there, plus it being nearish to Gatwick.

 

[Mojo]

I’ve stayed there a few times before a flight to Gatwick, it’s just as quick to the South Terminal building as staying at one of the Gatwick hotels!

 

[Cloud Strife]

Yes, pick a slightly scruffy place a bit outside the city and it'll usually be cheap. The motorway/A-road junction ones are usually the cheapest, I find - Crewe is the cheapest PI I've ever had at £35 and that was booked immediately before showing up (I was too tired to continue the journey).

I managed to get three nights in a PI in Earl's Court for 19 quid a night in January 2020 for three people. That was completely absurd, but the rate was so low that I booked it without even having flights booked!

 

[richw]

I'm actually fairly surprised Croydon is so cheap, because there's so much business there, plus it being nearish to Gatwick.

Both chains I’ve stayed at are within 2 min walk of the station. Short train to Gatwick and a lot cheaper than the train ride from London too.

 

[317 forever]

I stayed at Premier Inn Eltham on the Bank Holiday night. Reasonable as usual, but I was shocked to see Nescafe sachets in my room! This is a big step down from Kenco. Thankfully the decaf they agreed to let me have was still Kenco. The teabags were recently demoted from Twinings to PG Tips.

Conversely, Travelodge had scrapped Nescafe for a preferable type of coffee.

I am about to stay at Travelodge in Lincoln and on the outskirts of Edinburgh. I almost feel inclined to take my own coffee to be on the safe side. Alternatively I can pay for inexpensive coffee at Wetherspoons, in Lincoln or in central Edinburgh if I eat there instead of near my hotel.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Yes I'm not quite sure what the the instant sachets in Travelodge rooms are just now but I do know that that when they moved away from NESCAFÉ I commented to several people that on this point and this point alone Travelodge did have the edge

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd not really decide it on the supplied tea and coffee as taking my own is easy.

 

[Big Tim]

For the record I am currently at Premier Inn Dundee East and there’s a sachet each of Kenco and Nescafé - assuming they are in a transition here! No decaf though which I’m sure used to be on the tray on previous visits. PG Tips teabags are offered as a side note.

You have to ask at reception or see a housekeeper for more supplies at this branch. When I stayed at the Edinburgh Airport PI in June there was a large table in reception to help yourself to further supplies - which included some other options of teabags etc

 

[Bletchleyite]

Decaf hasn't been on the tray in a PI as standard since COVID but they tend to have it at reception. The reason for reducing what was there was that in COVID times they were required to bin it all after each guest, whereas in normal times they'd re-use it.

 

[RuddA]

I also always take my own coffee rather than use the coffee provided in the room.

We stayed at a PI on the outskirts of Liverpool last week and the staff provided a packet of biscuits, sweets for the children and a nice welcoming message on the table. I believe this was a staff initiative for family rooms rather than PI policy.

 

[Big Tim]

Decaf hasn't been on the tray in a PI as standard since COVID but they tend to have it at reception. The reason for reducing what was there was that in COVID times they were required to bin it all after each guest, whereas in normal times they'd re-use it.

I hadn’t considered that but it makes perfect sense. I never used the decaf so mine would have been destined for the bin!

I’m not particularly fussy on the hospitality tray - I’ll grab a quick tea or coffee but won’t lose sleep over it as I’ll get something more to my taste when I head out - if I’m in a PI I’ll be up and out early on

 

[Blindtraveler]

Decaf hasn't been on the tray in a PI as standard since COVID but they tend to have it at reception. The reason for reducing what was there was that in COVID times they were required to bin it all after each guest, whereas in normal times they'd re-use it.

Fort William got round this by only having the mugs and spoons in the room and asking you what you wanted at reception and having a notice up saying that this was the reason and if you want it supplies just ask at reception and you would be granted whatever you were going to use