Tourism and accommodation discussion

[Parham Wood]

Having just come back from five days in Devon/Cornwall we were struck by how quiet it was generally regarding tourism as this is normally the peak time for those who can to holiday before the schools are out.

Pubs and cafes were fairly quiet, no problem getting tables at any time.

We have a holiday cottage in N Wales and this is the first year we have not been fully booked for the summer by now and all other operators are reporting the same thing.

It is not helped by the Welsh Government being firmly set on a tourist tax which again may put people off coming to Wales and its preserved railways.

 

[John R]

Having just come back from five days in Devon/Cornwall we were struck by how quiet it was generally regarding tourism as this is normally the peak time for those who can to holiday before the schools are out. Pubs and cafes were fairly quiet, no problem getting tables at any time. We have a holiday cottage in N Wales and this is the first year we have not been fully booked for the summer by now and all other operators are reporting the same thing. It is not helped by the Welsh Government being firmly set on a tourist tax which again may put people off coming to Wales and its preserved railways.

The “tourist tax” will only be putting people off this year if it is actually costing holidaymakers money now, which given your wording suggests it’s a future plan than it probably isn’t.

So I’d take the comment as a predictable whinge by someone who will be affected by it. (P.S. supply and demand theory suggests that cutting your rates will help fill the blank weeks - if that makes the cottage uneconomic then there is an alternative.)

 

[Techniquest]

Regarding vacancies in holiday accommodation, that's probably to be expected given the spike in interest rates this week and the uncertainty with railway strikes, not to mention unexpected cancellations that seem to be getting more common again. With the cost of everything continuing to rise, I'm not terribly surprised there's vacancies where there isn't normally.

I sure can't afford to book holiday accommodation this summer, indeed I'm steering clear of such things. I've got plenty going on all summer anyway!

As for the Welsh railways, I recently looked up that really long heritage railway to Caernarfon. To do what I want to do on that line, I'd be paying serious money and have to book specific days off. That's just unlikely in my workplace, I've bumped that line way down my priority list. It's too awkward to do, and I suspect plenty of others are in a similar situation.

It's also way too expensive for me to do a decent length visit on the WSR, at those gala prices anyway. I've done it before anyway, but to be honest I can think of far better ways to spend my money!

 

[bramling]

Regarding vacancies in holiday accommodation, that's probably to be expected given the spike in interest rates this week and the uncertainty with railway strikes, not to mention unexpected cancellations that seem to be getting more common again. With the cost of everything continuing to rise, I'm not terribly surprised there's vacancies where there isn't normally.

I sure can't afford to book holiday accommodation this summer, indeed I'm steering clear of such things. I've got plenty going on all summer anyway!

As for the Welsh railways, I recently looked up that really long heritage railway to Caernarfon. To do what I want to do on that line, I'd be paying serious money and have to book specific days off. That's just unlikely in my workplace, I've bumped that line way down my priority list. It's too awkward to do, and I suspect plenty of others are in a similar situation.

It's also way too expensive for me to do a decent length visit on the WSR, at those gala prices anyway. I've done it before anyway, but to be honest I can think of far better ways to spend my money!

Definitely a lot easier to book holiday accommodation this year. We stayed for three weeks in Tynemouth in May, and for the first time ever there were no weddings or party functions on the Friday and Saturday nights right through our stay. Indeed accommodation is proving so easy to book that I’m not bothering to arrange stuff early this year, generally having no problem booking stuff at the last minute.

The exception seems to be Premier Inn - they all seem to be stuffed full, which I find a bit odd as they are now just as expensive as a 3* hotel IME.

In respect of heritage railways, ISTR Paul Lewis of the FR stating that the market has become very segregated. “Mature couples” still want the full experience, *and are willing and able to pay for it*, whilst families turn up seeking the cheapest possible ticket.

When we were staying in Porthmadog back in April, it was quite interesting overhearing some of the conversations at breakfast. Despite the clientele being mainly “mature couples”, I got the impression they felt both the FR and WHR were a touch disappointing relative to what they’d paid.

 

[Techniquest]

Agreed with Premier Inn, they're getting very popular. They're my entry-level hotel these days, anything less than them and I'd rather not go.

 

[bramling]

Agreed with Premier Inn, they're getting very popular. They're my entry-level hotel these days, anything less than them and I'd rather not go.

To be honest, I wouldn’t bother with them now. It’s possible to get a proper hotel for the same price if not less, and on top of that I’ve always got the feeling Premier Inn has never quite recovered from Covid in terms of quality. Where we’ve used them since 2020 there have been issues in pretty much every one.

 

[Techniquest]

To be honest, I wouldn’t bother with them now. It’s possible to get a proper hotel for the same price if not less, and on top of that I’ve always got the feeling Premier Inn has never quite recovered from Covid in terms of quality. Where we’ve used them since 2020 there have been issues in pretty much every one.

There is more variance in PI now, which is really not good as Travelodge got really good at that in the 2010s, and that's not a good thing.

The PI I stayed at in Birmingham, next to New Street, with family was really good. Considering this was during the Commonwealth Games as well, it was a great stay. I stayed at PI in Southampton in November 2022, and while it was OK it could have been much better. Soundproofing against the noise of the railway was insufficient, not ideal when trying to sleep! Last weekend I stayed at PI in Westbourne, Bournemouth and it was OK but not great. Still a lot better than Travelodge and easyHotel, granted, but not as good as it should have been.

Once upon a time, it wouldn't matter which PI you stayed in, you'd get a great stay. Cleaning standards have dropped hugely, same for the staff and plenty of other things. I've been left with having to revise my minimum standard of hotel, which is not great! Nothing compares to a Sheraton though

 

[railfan99]

Having just come back from five days in Devon/Cornwall we were struck by how quiet it was generally regarding tourism as this is normally the peak time for those who can to holiday before the schools are out.

I's heartening to observe from about 9:15 in this video the first train of Sat 24 June departing West Somerset Railway's Bishop's Lydeard for Minehead with a very healthy load:

There'll be trains each day that aren't nearly as well patronised, and it's your peak season, but it's visual evidence that not every attraction is 100 per cent 'quiet'. Well done, farepaying passengers.

 

[Titfield]

According to ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) demand for foreign holidays is back to pre pandemic levels.

https://www.abta.com/news/new-resea...test data, which show,already booked a break3.

 

[John Luxton]

Agreed with Premier Inn, they're getting very popular. They're my entry-level hotel these days, anything less than them and I'd rather not go.

I tried a Premier Inn for the first time ever this April to attend the Ffestiniog Railway Soc AGM. Never been to one before. Friends said they were okay and good value. Well I was very disappointed. Breakfasts are dire.

Room was basic nowhere to put clothes. Window didn't open. Having observed the construction of the Porthmadog Premier Inn I thought the view would either be of the station or over the Glaslyn. My room looked down the back of Britannia Terrace.

I chose Premier Inn as it was convenient and I didn't require a an evening meal on one of the evenings. Also my usual watering hole was full.

I find the way they operate peculiar being used to country house style hotels where one can just charge things to your room and settle up on departure. This pay on arrival thing and up front as you go along just seems weird.

As a matter of interest for WHR 100 Gala weekend I priced Premier Inn Porthmadog two nights over £400!!! Plus breakfast, food etc.

I had booked Portmeirion for two nights. Portmeirion is not cheap but for just over £600 I received breakfast and two brilliant evening meals in the two rosette restaurant and had a room with an outstanding view of the Dwyryd Estuary.

Problem with likes of Premier Inn I perceived they use the fluid pricing model whereas traditional hotels have fixed prices a model I prefer and do not take advantage of local events.

I posted a Trip Advisor review on my Premier Inn Experience:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowU...tel-Porthmadog_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html

 

[bramling]

I tried a Premier Inn for the first time ever this April to attend the Ffestiniog Railway Soc AGM. Never been to one before. Friends said they were okay and good value. Well I was very disappointed. Breakfasts are dire.

Room was basic nowhere to put clothes. Window didn't open. Having observed the construction of the Porthmadog Premier Inn I thought the view would either be of the station or over the Glaslyn. My room looked down the back of Britannia Terrace.

I chose Premier Inn as it was convenient and I didn't require a an evening meal on one of the evenings. Also my usual watering hole was full.

I find the way they operate peculiar being used to country house style hotels where one can just charge things to your room and settle up on departure. This pay on arrival thing and up front as you go along just seems weird.

As a matter of interest for WHR 100 Gala weekend I priced Premier Inn Porthmadog two nights over £400!!! Plus breakfast, food etc.

I had booked Portmeirion for two nights. Portmeirion is not cheap but for just over £600 I received breakfast and two brilliant evening meals in the two rosette restaurant and had a room with an outstanding view of the Dwyryd Estuary.

Problem with likes of Premier Inn I perceived they use the fluid pricing model whereas traditional hotels have fixed prices a model I prefer and do not take advantage of local events.

Doubt I will use a Premier Inn again.

Porthmadog isn’t awash with accommodation (perhaps surprisingly), indeed IIRC the Premier Inn there is pretty new. We use a B&B in the centre of town. Rooms are nothing special, but they do a great breakfast, and TBH I’d rather use a local business than a Premier Inn where possible. I really don’t find PI good value anymore, and don’t really get why they’ve become so popular after Covid. I guess their one selling point is they’re better than Travelodge, who have gone downhill even more!

One difference this year is that holidaymakers from abroad are very much back here now. Plenty of Netherlands registered cars to be seen in certain areas this year. They’d been conspicuous by their absence 2020-22.

 

[John Luxton]

Porthmadog isn’t awash with accommodation (perhaps surprisingly), indeed IIRC the Premier Inn there is pretty new. We use a B&B in the centre of town. Rooms are nothing special, but they do a great breakfast, and TBH I’d rather use a local business than a Premier Inn where possible. I really don’t find PI good value anymore, and don’t really get why they’ve become so popular after Covid. I guess their one selling point is they’re better than Travelodge, who have gone downhill even more!

One difference this year is that holidaymakers from abroad are very much back here now. Plenty of Netherlands registered cars to be seen in certain areas this year. They’d been conspicuous by their absence 2020-22.

Yes I prefer to use local businesses. Chain hotels are just so impersonal. I find if one goes to an area and build up a relationship with staff who get to know you and can even remember what you drink. My last visit to Portmeirion was July 2022 for WHR 100 Part 100. Yet the restaurant manager still remembered my favourite pint. That is pretty impressive.

When I go down West Country I stay the same hotel or it's sister hotel nearby if full. Have the same experience there.

To me going away is something different from home and the hotel is as much a destination as what I am going to visit.

If I find a hotel I like I stick with it like glue. But I feel no loyalty to the chain brands.

Though just sitting in the train here at Porthmadog several older people have just got into the next compartment and have obviously stayed at PI.

"You know what you get at Premier Inn" was a comment. I suppose some like uniformity.

To me I prefer individuality. But each to their own.

 

[railfan99]

There is more variance in PI now, which is really not good as Travelodge got really good at that in the 2010s, and that's not a good thing.
Once upon a time, it wouldn't matter which PI you stayed in, you'd get a great stay. Cleaning standards have dropped hugely, same for the staff and plenty of other things.

From a very limited sample of two Premier Inns and one Travelodge in September 2022, as a foreigner I found the PIs very good: clean, comfortable, no noise from other guests and pleasant staff.

The Travelodge had uneven carpet in the hallway near my floor's lift, and just a general air of lack of ongoing investment. Room felt less homely than the Premier Inns' equivalent.

 

[bramling]

From a very limited sample of two Premier Inns and one Travelodge in September 2022, as a foreigner I found the PIs very good: clean, comfortable, no noise from other guests and pleasant staff.

The Travelodge had uneven carpet in the hallway near my floor's lift, and just a general air of lack of ongoing investment. Room felt less homely than the Premier Inns' equivalent.

Yes Travelodge has become dire. We got to the stage by Covid of only using them as a last resort - i.e. only when no other accommodation was available. We’ve stopped even doing that now, as the last three or more occasions we’ve used a Travelodge it hasn’t even allowed a night’s sleep due to issues with the room.

Indeed just after Covid we used the one at St Clears simply as it was the only thing available, and it was *that* disgusting we ended up driving up to Cardigan and staying elsewhere for one of the nights. I’ve got to the point where I’d rather sleep in the car than use a Travelodge. Premier Inn isn’t that bad yet, but it going that way, not great when they’re not cheap now.

 

[duncanp]

Yes Travelodge has become dire. We got to the stage by Covid of only using them as a last resort - i.e. only when no other accommodation was available. We’ve stopped even doing that now, as the last three or more occasions we’ve used a Travelodge it hasn’t even allowed a night’s sleep due to issues with the room.

Indeed just after Covid we used the one at St Clears simply as it was the only thing available, and it was *that* disgusting we ended up driving up to Cardigan and staying elsewhere for one of the nights. I’ve got to the point where I’d rather sleep in the car than use a Travelodge. Premier Inn isn’t that bad yet, but it going that way, not great when they’re not cheap now.

What annoys me about Travelodge is that they take payment at the time of booking, even for a room rate where free cancellation is required.

And they don't tell you about this in advance, before you make the booking.