Hotel Chains Discussion

[Bletchleyite]

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

It does appear PI has a bit of flexibility for local managers to run stuff in a way that works for them. It might for instance be that at some the clientelle take handfuls of sachets home, so they can't put them out just to take what you want, but others don't have that issue.

 

[johncrossley]

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

It seems punters are not actually very savvy and there isn't enough appreciation of how convenient the location is. The downmarket reputation of Croydon seems more of a factor than favourable logistics. Obviously people like us who know better can get bargains as a result.

As an aside, I think people exaggerate how future transport will increase an area's desirability, and therefore house prices. (Olympic) Stratford has incredible transport and even got its zone moved to Zone 2, but house prices and rents are still relatively cheap compared to traditionally upmarket areas in west and north London. Similarly, I think the effect of HS2 is exaggerated. There's already a Midlands city with (in normal times) a fast train to London every 20 minutes taking just over an hour. The WCML upgrade 20 years ago didn't seem to make that area highly desirable.

 

[Bungle73]

Maybe it's just me, but I think I prefer the set up at Hubs by PI. They don't have any drinks facilities in the room at all. Instead you have go to down to the on-site cafe and help yourself to coffee from a machine. It does mean having to leave your room and go downstairs in the lift every time you want a drink, which is a bit of pita, but you do end up with a proper cup of coffee...even a latte or cappuccino if you want it....and not instant. And none of that UHT nonsense.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I always find it quite amazing when you turn up in Croydon with the travelling bag and and if you stop and ask a local for directions or recommendation of somewhere to eat or something like that you're greeted warmly and treated like a long lost brother where as 10 miles away in central London and you're just yet another bloody tourist

 

[nlogax]

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.

Not entirely sure when that will arrive. The building was acquired in 2019 when the 'coming soon' wrap was put up but there's a total absence of activity certainly on the outside.

 

[317 forever]

I always find it quite amazing when you turn up in Croydon with the travelling bag and and if you stop and ask a local for directions or recommendation of somewhere to eat or something like that you're greeted warmly and treated like a long lost brother where as 10 miles away in central London and you're just yet another bloody tourist

I also had quite a friendly experience in outer London on my way to my hotel. I looked on my bus may to remind myself of the way from New Eltham station to the Premier Inn. Few roads it seemed were named both on the street and on my map. Anyway, a gentleman pointed out I specifically needed to turn right. While I would eventually have worked it out, his concern made for a friendly touch.

 

[Kite159]

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

Having watched this program this evening, seemed like it was a repeat from 2021. Basically featured some bad experiences in 'cheap' London hotels (including one which required payment by cash), a section on "OVO" franchise hotels, then a section on Air BnB style 'hotels' [converted houses] & Britannia. Also a section on why you shouldn't trust reviews as they can be purchased and what to look for when you arrive in a room.

Recommended people use YHA branded hostels as being cheap, which can be good if you get a private room (certainly I used the Scottish YHA in Edinburgh in October 2021 and had no complaints, cheap & cheerful)

 

[telstarbox]

On a recent trip I forgot my charger but had a USB cable and a power bank. I managed to get through the three days by charging the phone on buses, coaches and overnight in the Airbnb which had USB sockets. I was expecting to have to buy a charger but I didn't need one in the end.

Also you can ask nicely in a cafe or pub as inevitably they have one behind the bar these days. If you turn it off it will get a decent charge in half an hour.

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Hotel Hoppa is the ultimate in profiteering. Very Heathrow.

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Ibis is my non-UK "safe default". Generally the standard is vaguely equivalent to Premier Inn. Some of the new ones e.g. Cambridge are quite trendy and nicer than the older ones, though I do find the "no reception desk" quirk quite annoying as you end up queueing blocking the way in the bar instead. Happy to use them in the UK but Premier Inns tend to be a bit cheaper.

Just stayed in a red Ibis in Hamburg and to me it felt like a private hostel room - thin duvet, twin beds pushed together and no way to get hot drinks without paying at the bar (also some arsey staff). It was ok but well below PI level imo.

 

[High Dyke]

First time stay in an Ibis Budget. I can see why it's considerably cheaper, well apart from the bar. That said the room is enough for my needs tonight and a breakfast in the morning.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Also you can ask nicely in a cafe or pub as inevitably they have one behind the bar these days. If you turn it off it will get a decent charge in half an hour.

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Just stayed in a red Ibis in Hamburg and to me it felt like a private hostel room - thin duvet, twin beds pushed together and no way to get hot drinks without paying at the bar (also some arsey staff). It was ok but well below PI level imo.

Some are a bit scruffy now. Kettles in the room are a UK thing.

 

[Richard Scott]

Some are a bit scruffy now. Kettles in the room are a UK thing.

Had plenty of continental hotels with coffee machines in them.

 

[telstarbox]

Me too in the cold side of Europe, often a kettle coupled with a Nespresso type thing these days. I wouldn't mind if it was one machine per corridor but charging for a basic tea or coffee just seems uncivilised to me.

 

[Segedunum]

Anyone after a budget hotel in the vicinity of Geneva, can safely say do not choose the Ibis Styles in Annemasse (just over the border).

Ended up changing rooms twice as neither shower was affixed to the wall properly (in the second room, inspecting how loose the shower was caused it to fall out of the wall entirely). Rooms in general were very scruffy and the second room I was given had a bunch of broken sockets.

Genuinely surprised as it's the first Accor property I've stayed in where I've had to complain about room quality. Some can be a bit "underwhelming" but not downright dangerous.

Recently stayed in the Ibis Styles outside of Liege Guillemins Station and the difference was night and day. Lovely hotel.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ibis Styles can be hugely variable. They're a mixed bunch of franchised properties not really properly integrated into the Ibis consistency, a bit like say "Best" Western but not as bad. Very much depends on how good the local operator is. The rest of the Accor estate (i.e. Ibis Budget/"Red"/Novotel etc) are a bit more like Maccy D's in terms of ensuring consistency even if some of them may be franchised.

 

[nlogax]

This evening I find myself in The Beige Suite at an anonymous Hilton somewhere off the middle bit of the M1. Can't login to the wifi because it doesn't recognise my room number, there's no biscuits with the tea and coffee stuff and the whole place wears an air of 'it's just somewhere to kip for the night', or possibly the place Alan Partridge lived in for a while during his late 90s nadir. But for 95 quid I can't really complain (much).

 

[WizCastro197]

This evening I find myself in The Beige Suite at an anonymous Hilton somewhere off the middle bit of the M1. Can't login to the wifi because it doesn't recognise my room number, there's no biscuits with the tea and coffee stuff and the whole place wears an air of 'it's just somewhere to kip for the night', or possibly the place Alan Partridge lived in for a while during his late 90s nadir. But for 95 quid I can't really complain (much).

Leicester?

 

[nlogax]

Leicester?

I take it you're familiar with the place..

 

[WizCastro197]

I take it you're familiar with the place..

The hotel?

Or Leicester?

 

[nlogax]

The hotel?

Or Leicester?

The hotel. I mean, it's basically a real life Linton Travel Tavern.

 

[WizCastro197]

The hotel. I mean, it's basically a real life Linton Travel Tavern.

Hmm yes I have stayed once or twice but really I do go to my grandparents but I think one time I just wanted to try it out.

The Marriott is honestly a lot better

Outside it does look so tired and ‘sketchy’

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wonder if the classic average business full-service 4* hotel is suffering somewhat from businesses preferring Premier Inns and the likes? Some do seem very tired.

 

[Segedunum]

Ibis Styles can be hugely variable. They're a mixed bunch of franchised properties not really properly integrated into the Ibis consistency, a bit like say "Best" Western but not as bad. Very much depends on how good the local operator is. The rest of the Accor estate (i.e. Ibis Budget/"Red"/Novotel etc) are a bit more like Maccy D's in terms of ensuring consistency even if some of them may be franchised.

Yes, the Brussels Louise one I found to be a complete mess (seemed to just have room furnishings from whatever they'd found in a skip).

The one in Trani was quite quirky. Big old room keys and very high ceilings.

Mercure Hotels can be very variable depending on when they were last done up. Paddington for example is lovely, the one on Princes Street in Edinburgh seems ancient.

 

[nlogax]

Mercure Hotels can be very variable depending on when they were last done up. Paddington for example is lovely, the one on Princes Street in Edinburgh seems ancient.

Can't speak for the Princes St one but the Mercure Haymarket is ok, all things considered.

 

[WizCastro197]

The hotel. I mean, it's basically a real life Linton Travel Tavern.

Hope you've taken the opportunity to try some new Canadian brand of doughnuts where Pizza Hut used to be. Fosse park has some alright shops as well.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The hotel. I mean, it's basically a real life Linton Travel Tavern.

Fun fact, the Hilton at Watford was used for the Linton Travel Tavern shots.

Hilton are a funny brand. Some Hilton hotels are stunning, such as Liverpool and Manchester. And some, like Leeds or the one at the NEC, are hideous concrete monstrosities with no redeeming features inside or out.

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I wonder if the classic average business full-service 4* hotel is suffering somewhat from businesses preferring Premier Inns and the likes? Some do seem very tired.

I wouldn't say so generally, I also think businesses "preferring" Premier Inn is overstated. Premier Inn aren't that cheap anymore, especially in more popular areas. I'm finding IHG hotels- Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn- aren't any more expensive.

That said, the last Holiday Inn I stayed at, in Manchester City Centre, was being used to accommodate asylum seekers. False walls in the public areas segregated them except at the lifts, and each floor they were on had a security guard in the lift lobby. It was an odd experience.

 

[telstarbox]

That certainly puts all the stuff about kettles and WiFi into perspective. Sad that they need to be guarded in.

 

[danielcanning]

Fun fact, the Hilton at Watford was used for the Linton Travel Tavern shots.

Hilton are a funny brand. Some Hilton hotels are stunning, such as Liverpool and Manchester. And some, like Leeds or the one at the NEC, are hideous concrete monstrosities with no redeeming features inside or out.

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I wouldn't say so generally, I also think businesses "preferring" Premier Inn is overstated. Premier Inn aren't that cheap anymore, especially in more popular areas. I'm finding IHG hotels- Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn- aren't any more expensive.

That said, the last Holiday Inn I stayed at, in Manchester City Centre, was being used to accommodate asylum seekers. False walls in the public areas segregated them except at the lifts, and each floor they were on had a security guard in the lift lobby. It was an odd experience.

That certainly puts all the stuff about kettles and WiFi into perspective. Sad that they need to be guarded in.

To be brutally honest if I found out a hotel I was booked at housed asylum seekers I’d be cancelling straight away…

 

[WizCastro197]

To be brutally honest if I found out a hotel I was booked at housed asylum seekers I’d be cancelling straight away…

Why?

 

[Bletchleyite]

To be brutally honest if I found out a hotel I was booked at housed asylum seekers I’d be cancelling straight away…

When I bought my last car I stayed in an absolute dump of a hotel on the A5 in Cannock which had clearly been housing either asylum seekers or homeless people before, as it had all manner of weird notes that would be obvious to hotel guests, like not putting rubbish outside the door but in the bin instead.

 

[Tetchytyke]

To be brutally honest if I found out a hotel I was booked at housed asylum seekers I’d be cancelling straight away…

It was nearly all families, they were all lovely in the lifts. It made me sad more than anything.