Accommodation suggestions and reviews

507021 · 16 Feb 2016

samgeorge965 said:
I have stayed there before and i have to say that i also found pretty good, the only point that i would make would be that the rooms were a tad on the small side, but as I said apart from that it was a decent hotel.
Sam

Yeah, that's the one thing we did notice (especially the bathroom), but we didn't think too much of it as most of the time we were out sightseeing, shopping, or out for dinner. The one thing that we both enjoyed was the all you can eat breakfast buffet which was superb, there was a superb choice of great food that kept both of us going until well after lunchtime. We're planning to stay there again later in the year, but with a planned trip to Paris for my birthday coming up, it'll probably be the summer at the earliest.

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dorsetman · 17 Feb 2016

168lover said:
Has anyone stayed in the Gracille Hotel in Shanklim before? Just wandering what it's like as I'm staying there on Tuesday evening.

Assume you mean the Gracellie Hotel in Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight? You may feel out of place if you've booked independently as the hotel is usually full of coach parties.

Peter Mugridge · 17 Feb 2016

Not a bashing trip, but...

I've just spent two nights in the North Stafford Hotel in Stoke on Trent on account of attending a funeral and I have the following observations:

1) The place would be extremely convenient for any bashing trip centered on Stoke; it's literally 20 seconds walk away from the station entrance.

2) It's not frightfully expensive on a B&B basis.

3) They've just started a refurbishment, so it would not be fair of me to rate the accommodation in detail but it has to be said that some parts of the building do show obvious signs of needing this. Now, we had an unrefurbished room and it was a good size and I think the price was fair for what we got. Thicker curtains would have been nice, though!

4) Breakfast was good. As is common with most hotels these days it's a "help yourself" selection with a cereals, fruits and traditional fried food available.

5) The staff reacted very quickly when I had an emergency - namely my popping a button off my suit jacket 30 minutes before we were being picked up for the funeral(!) A quick trip down to the receptionist who summoned appropriately skilled member of staff and it was sewn back on with ten minutes to spare.

Techniquest · 17 Feb 2016

Cheers for that tip, I'll have to keep it in mind for an EMT bashing session. When I can afford an East Midlands Day Ranger that is!

d1672 · 21 Feb 2016

Hi,

I have just come back from a Newcastle bus bash trip and I stayed at the Esplanade Lodge B&B at Whitley Bay. Nice clean room, full English breakfast about 3 minutes walk from Metro Station. Got it for £25.00 a night on Trivago.co.uk

Thomas

NigelS&T · 22 Feb 2016

Used Ibis hotel at Temple Meads Quay in Bristo and Glasgow West Regent Street. Best to book in advance for good offers. Avoid the Great Western hotel next to Exeter St Davids station; convenient but a complete dump.

185143 · 22 Feb 2016

Waterside Guest House, Thurso

Matress a little firm, but ok. Very small B&B with only 5 rooms I think? Owner couldn't have been more welcoming had she tried, and I arrived on the 18:28 ex Inverness so it was around 22:40.

Room was £35 with an ensuite and breakfast, as I was leaving on the early train I had requested a packed breakfast (this was offered when booking). I was told to help myself to cereal and juice before I left, which I didn't plan to do, but missed the train as I slept so well!

47403 · 22 Feb 2016

The Holcombe Guesthouse - Barnetby

A must if your ever going that way, 5mins walk from the station, a shop a minutes walk away and a chippy too. Tea and coffee supplied in the room, as usual the trips and planning bed committee would have to check the beds but it was fine for me
£32.50 for a single room with en suite, you can pay an extra £7.50 for full english breakfast or £4.50, for the continental breakfast, £8 for an Evening meal, whatever they cook is what you'll get, I didn't get one but the chicken curry on offer that evening smelt and looked delicious. If you do order one, they'll leave it for you to heat up when you got back.The breakfast was excellent too and was £7.50 royally spent.
The place was immaculate and the staff were excellent and very friendly without going over the top, if that makes sense.
The main guesthouse was full but I was shown over the road to another house, which has been converted to house a few more rooms. It had its own kitchen and lounge with TV, which you were free to use, so if you were staying a couple of days, you could quite easily have catered for yourself. It was like a home from home. The garden adjoined to the property was well maintained and had it been in the summer months, would be an excellent place to chill out. Not only that, if you can get room 17, a look out the window of your room and you can see the line in and out of Barnetby station, no need for bino's on the EWS liveried sheds, my eyesights crap and I could make them out no problem.
I'd advise anyone on here to check it out, it was cheaper a couple of days after my booking but it was still worth every penny.

12CSVT · 25 Feb 2016

Ibis Coventry Centre

Stayed there for the 'Fifty Niner' railtour last weekend. A short walk from Coventry station. Breakfast starts at 06:30, even on a Sunday, which is worth knowing for example if you need to be up early for a railtour, for example.

The only downside was the fire alarm going off at 02:00 on the Saturday morning (somebody smoking, I wonder ?). Not the best preparation for setting out on a railtour five hours later !

Iskra · 6 Mar 2016

Premier Inn- Thornaby/Stockton-On Tees

Very nice. Recently refurbished, everything was immaculate. A very good nights sleep in a great location right next to the Tees Barrage and the surrounding retail parks. All the staff I spoke to were great. It's a £4.40 taxi fare from Thornaby or £5 from Middlesbrough stations. Room was £29. I didn't eat there, instead I got a pizza delivered.

507021 · 23 Mar 2016

Top marks from me for the The Gate branch of Premier Inn in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I stayed overnight last weekend. I wasn't there for much more than 11 hours, but it was a very pleasant stay none the less. As ever, the food was very good quality and the room was great too.

dave87016 · 5 Jun 2016

Has anyone stayed at Premier Inn Southampton Airport? if so what is it like ? thanks in advance for any input as I am considering a night there?

Back in January I stayed at The Carrington Guest House in Paignton for 8 nights and I cannot fault it at all, the room was brilliant and comfortable as was the bed, the shower was powerful but the shower cubicle was a bit small but that didn't bother me, the owners were really lovely and friendly and nothing was to much trouble they frequently asked me if everything was ok or if I needed anything , the Full English was cooked to order and very hot , I am staying there again 6th - 15th July while doing the FOSW Rover and the single room ensuite inc breakfast is £218 which for Paignton and the accommodation I find amazing value , my views on this guesthouse are reflected by other peoples views on other websites

A 2-5 minute walk in either direction from the guesthouse depending on your mobility and pace takes you to the beach or town centre and Railway/bus stations

Techniquest · 5 Jun 2016

Sounds like excellent value! I've not stopped in a non-chain location for quite a while, hence lack of posts from me on this thread in some time. Bearing the Paignton one in mind for the day I eventually do a big clearout of Devon and Cornwall

richw · 5 Jun 2016

dave87016 said:
Has anyone stayed at Premier Inn Southampton Airport? if so what is it like ? thanks in advance for any input as I am considering a night there?

A Premier inn is a Premier inn. Rooms will be the same as any other premier inn. Always a safe bet.
If you have a bad sleep they will refund you, so you either get a good night sleep or a free night.

Butts · 6 Jun 2016

richw said:
A Premier inn is a Premier inn. Rooms will be the same as any other premier inn. Always a safe bet.
If you have a bad sleep they will refund you, so you either get a good night sleep or a free night.

I stayed there a few years ago and it is easily accessible from the Airport and Parkway Station.

I was in Wales at The Weekend and had the chance to directly compare A Premier Inn in Wrexham (Wrexham North) and A Travelodge in Caernarfon - both "latest incarnations"

The Premier Inn wins hands down both for decor and facilities - the TV in the PI is a particular difference making the TL's look like a portable tv or a laptop strapped to the wall.

However for me the price would be the deciding factor - I always look for £29 TL or £35 PI or less if possible. Both have jacked the breakfast price up recently (where available). Although dearer the PI's is far better. However the PI's is a variety of Venues whereas the TL's is normally in house, so the former can sometimes be a lottery.

Blindtraveler · 6 Jun 2016

Iv had a couple minor issues, nainly air con related on such a hot weekend but overall for a bed and a shower the Easy Hotel Croydon is a good shout and is clean and safe which is not always the case at this price range.

Would stay again but a few ideas will be shared on tripadvisor for improvement

richw · 6 Jun 2016

Blindtraveler said:
Iv had a couple minor issues, nainly air con related on such a hot weekend but overall for a bed and a shower the Easy Hotel Croydon is a good shout and is clean and safe which is not always the case at this price range.

Would stay again but a few ideas will be shared on tripadvisor for improvement

I second this. Stayed there a couple of times and for the price cant complain really. comfy bed, ensuite shower/bathroom

Butts · 6 Jun 2016

richw said:
I second this. Stayed there a couple of times and for the price cant complain really. comfy bed, ensuite shower/bathroom

How does Easy Hotel compare to a Travelodge or Premier Inn ? - would it fall inbetween.

richw · 6 Jun 2016

Butts said:
How does Easy Hotel compare to a Travelodge or Premier Inn ? - would it fall inbetween.

Lower standard than Travelodge. But the prices were 1/5 of the others..
The weekend I stayed there, I paid £21 a night for a window room. Travelodge wanted £99 a night and Premier inn over £100 a night in that area.
The room consisted of white and orange décor all plastic so easy clean.
The room was spotlessly clean, and the bed comfortable. No TV (can hire one for £5 a night from reception), no on site catering (A sainsburys local opposite though).
It is very much low frills, it was clean and a 2 good nights sleep were had, that will do for me being so close to London.

Kite159 · 6 Jun 2016

Beware the AC in the Easy Hotel in Croydon as it has a mind of its own.

Such as randomly deciding to go into depth of winter 30C mode around 5am on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago (as I'm sure Techni will be able to confirm!), when it was quite a warm day. AC is good but can't beat a good old fashion window to allow fresh air into the room (and heat to escape)

Make me wonder where about are you meant to put that rented TV!

-----------

Anyhow, my latest Premier Inn was Inverness East, a fair walk from the station (for it being on a business park, Google estimated 40-odd minutes, but shared a taxi), Brewers Fayre next door and a Tesco ~ 5 minute walk away. Standard Premier Inn, I would say I would stay there again but only if nothing else closer is cheaper

richw · 6 Jun 2016

Kite159 said:
Make me wonder where about are you meant to put that rented TV!

-----------

I wondered myself.

dcsprior · 6 Jun 2016

Kite159 said:
Beware the AC in the Easy Hotel in Croydon as it has a mind of its own.

Such as randomly deciding to go into depth of winter 30C mode around 5am on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago (as I'm sure Techni will be able to confirm!), when it was quite a warm day. AC is good but can't beat a good old fashion window to allow fresh air into the room (and heat to escape)

Make me wonder where about are you meant to put that rented TV!

-----------

Anyhow, my latest Premier Inn was Inverness East, a fair walk from the station (for it being on a business park, Google estimated 40-odd minutes, but shared a taxi), Brewers Fayre next door and a Tesco ~ 5 minute walk away. Standard Premier Inn, I would say I would stay there again but only if nothing else closer is cheaper

According to what a member of staff once told me, the AC in the Croydon Easyhotel is set by reception for the floor to either cool or heat. Within the room you can then set the thermostat to control how much it cools or heats (from not at all to a lot) but if the floor is set to heat you can't set your room to cool, and vice versa.

Also the walls must be very thin, as a few times I've stayed there I've heard my neighbours enjoying themselves.

However it is cheap, especially if you book late, as the prices don't seem to go up as much as Travelodge & Premier Inn.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Blindtraveler · 6 Jun 2016

My AC just wasnt really up to much at all but floor was set to cool

found it much better than travelodge in terms of bed qualitty and clenlyness, would book one of these over a TL hands down every time.

Kite159 · 27 Jun 2016

Fairhaven Hotel, Beeston.

Highly recommended, friendly staff, great location (a stones throw from Beeston station).

Drogba11CFC · 5 Jul 2016

Glengower, Aberystwyth: Bit of a trek but right by the sea and lots of old railway posters
Croft, Bridgnorth: Friendly, but a bit on the short side
Homestar, Skegness: Cheap and cheerful, close to seafront
Resolution, Whitby: Excellent food and accommodation, also a bar
Bay Horse, Ravenglass: Only 3 rooms, but lovely accommodation and complimentary chocolate.

Blindtraveler · 5 Jul 2016

Iv often wondered about the Bay Horse, thanks

Drogba11CFC · 5 Jul 2016

Just be aware that there are no cashpoints in Ravenglass.

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Techniquest · 5 Jul 2016

Useful to know of somewhere worth using in Ravenglass!

postye · 6 Jul 2016

I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Birmingham North on my recent ALR.

Whilst the hotel is not in one of the nicest areas in Birmingham it didn't feel unsafe and it is adjacent to St Pauls tram stop which is extremely handy for New Street, and less than a 10 minute walk to Snow Hill.
There are a couple of take out pizza/chicken places nearby and a Tesco Metro a 5 minute walk towards the Jewellery Quarter.

Whilst not the cheapest of hotels (I paid £180 for three nights, but I had the Mrs staying with me), it does offer a complementary buffet breakfast, a late bar and the rooms are very comfortable and decorated in a very contemporary style.

I'd happily stay there again if in Brum.

robbeech · 14 Jul 2016

I stayed in the Easy hotel Croydon last week, Friday night in the middle of my ALR. Managed to get back to there (JUST) with one of the few remaining Southern services that was going that way.
Comfortable and inexpensive, i did pay a little more than some i think it was £34 but it was Friday night and i only booked it a couple of days before.
Fire alarm went off for about 10 seconds at 1am but stopped again, and nobody seemed to be running around putting fires out so i went back to bed.
Bed was comfy, shower worked as a shower, toilet worked as a toilet, didn't really need anymore than that.

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