Accommodation suggestions and reviews

[W-on-Sea]

That County Hotel is useful for future reference...

I stayed in the EasyHotel in Paddington a few weeks ago for £34 + a booking fee of I think £1.80. (This was a room with a window) Perfectly acceptable for one night. Room a bit small - but all in all OK.

Other cheap or cheap-ish hotels I've stayed at over the last couple of years in Britain or so include

- The Ibis in Reading - not bad at all for the price,

- the Travelodges in Sheffield, Feltham and Kingston -upon-Thames (the "Central" ones in both Sheffield and Kingston). Sheffield definitely the best of these, and Kingston definitely the worst. Feltham quite acceptable, but not exactly in a nice neighbourhood (I saw some shoplifters being handcuffed out of the supermarket next to the hotel at 10am, and the number of people sinking pints in the Wetherspoons there at that hour was also pretty extraordinary)

- the Holiday Inn in Cardiff (City Centre). Quite acceptable again.

- the Green Dragon in Hereford. Enormous, somewhat ramshackle, but characterful building that had much charm but had clearly seen better days

- the Lord Hill in Shrewsbury. Exceptional value for money. Clean, efficient, friendly, professional, great breakfast thrown in too.


One interesting cheap, chain hotel I stayed in last year was the Penta Hotel in Trier, Germany (they've branches in several German and Chinese cities, with one UK outpost in...Reading). Maybe trying a little too hard to aim at "young trendy professionals", but done with flair and considerably more character than the other chains mentioned above...

 

[starrymarkb]

I've stayed in Bradford's halls (over the ice rink) for Infest in 2006.

Also have done a couple of B&Bs in Whitby - the Arches was quite nice.

Astral Inn in Leipzig is one to avoid - amusingly it's one of the few hotels left with rooms for this years WGT. There might be a reason for that - Uninterested staff and a lock that jammed on the bathroom. Some might appreciate the view over the railway (ICE-Ts every 30 mins, some freight, hourly Regional) but you can do a lot better then this hotel!

 

[WestCoast]

nitenite Birmingham is a funky hotel near the Mailbox. It was a £29 deal and got a very small room but it was exceptionally clean, cozy and futuristic - 42 inch plasma TV, mood lighting, free bottled water, luxury linens.

Like a luxury version of the easyHotel.

 

[Blindtraveler]

oo glad to know that as always wondered what it was like and its TA reviews are mixed!

 

[Cletus]

There's Travelodge sale starting 6.00am on Thursday 9th February covering the period of 1st April to 31st August.

http://email2.travelodge.co.uk/summersale/

 

[Ascot]

The Crowne Plaza at Glasgow is nice at £81 a night with a "quiet zone" to ensure you don't get disturbed by groups. If you can get into the club then you get free wifi, breakfast and evening happy hour which can easily pay for itself. Same goes for CP Liverpool which is an absolute favourite with me as the staff go all our for loyalty.

EDIT: On a budget scale where you cannot find a full service Holiday Inn then I enjoy Holiday Inn Express hotels as you get free breakfast with rooms near enough £30-£50 fully flexible.

 

[First class]

There's Travelodge sale starting 6.00am on Thursday 9th February covering the period of 1st April to 31st August.

http://email2.travelodge.co.uk/summersale/

£10 sale! There's an emerging problem with mass re-selling occurring though. People buying hundreds of £10 rooms for certain dates/areas and flogging them at massively increased rates.

 

[Butts]

£10 sale! There's an emerging problem with mass re-selling occurring though. People buying hundreds of £10 rooms for certain dates/areas and flogging them at massively increased rates.

How is this possible - can consolidators purchase them ?

 

[All Line Rover]

£10 sale! There's an emerging problem with mass re-selling occurring though. People buying hundreds of £10 rooms for certain dates/areas and flogging them at massively increased rates.

You cannot resell Travelodge rooms, as the person who booked the room must be present and provide some of their details when checking in. You can book a room for another person, but their details must be provided at the time of booking. So providing you don't mind having to pretend to be someone else when checking in, go ahead - buy a room off someone else!

 

[Ascot]

You cannot resell Travelodge rooms, as the person who booked the room must be present and provide some of their details when checking in. You can book a room for another person, but their details must be provided at the time of booking. So providing you don't mind having to pretend to be someone else when checking in, go ahead - buy a room off someone else!

You should see eBay, washed with the things.

 

[All Line Rover]

You should see eBay, washed with the things.

If you look at "completed listings," few have sold anyway, so it's hardly a worthwhile business opportunity.

Just look at this listing (that has sold): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Travelodg...modation_ET&hash=item4161acfef8#ht_500wt_1287. The seller says: "check in under my name and address which I will e-mail you along with reservation number." (:roll:!)

The Travelodge T&C's (http://www2.travelodge.co.uk/terms/) state: "You cannot transfer or resell your booking (in whole or in part). If you transfer or resell (or attempt to transfer or resell) then Travelodge will terminate your booking and retain any money paid to us for such booking. We may also refuse to take any further booking from you in the future."

I think some eBay buyers will be very disappointed if they turn up at the hotel, only to find the room has been cancelled... (I'd be surprised if Travelodge don't keep an eye on eBay).

 

[IanD]

On my forthcoming trip to York in February I couldn't find a decent hotel (price wise) so I opted for somewhere near Bradford Station - a reasonable train ride away.

Hilton Hotel and it's right by the Station according to the website - looks nice for the money under £50 B&B for a smoking King - don't tell me it's a knocking shop, and is it close to the station ?

If you haven't already been - it's close to the Interchange (backs on to it, I think you used to be able to access the walkway to the concourse from the first floor) and 5 minutes walk from Forster Square. Direct trains to York go from teh Interchange so very handy for those. Not a knocking shop AFAIK.

 

[Butts]

If you haven't already been - it's close to the Interchange (backs on to it, I think you used to be able to access the walkway to the concourse from the first floor) and 5 minutes walk from Forster Square. Direct trains to York go from teh Interchange so very handy for those. Not a knocking shop AFAIK.

Thanks for the information , much appreciated.

 

[Driver Bob]

EASTLEIGH.

Here is a real cracker, chaps!

Travelodge will be opening Eastleigh Central on 10th May 2012.

(Search on their website under Southampton).

It is right outside the station, come out of the exit look across the road and to the right.

Rooms at the front should have a clear view of the north end of the platforms!

Happy days! I will see you there chaps!

Bob.

 

[All Line Rover]

EASTLEIGH.

Here is a real cracker, chaps!

Travelodge will be opening Eastleigh Central on 10th May 2012.

(Search on their website under Southampton).

It is right outside the station, come out of the exit look across the road and to the right.

Rooms at the front should have a clear view of the north end of the platforms!

Happy days! I will see you there chaps!

Bob.

Premier Inn Stratford is good. Recently opened, fairly good value, and the front rooms have a view of the tracks below at Stratford International. It's one of the only hotels where you can see Eurostar trains.

 

[tony_mac]

the Travelodge £10 sale now seems to be working

 

[starrymarkb]

The Motel One by Berlin Hbf was really nice. With the name I was expecting something like a Travelodge but it was a lot better then that. Plus a lot of the rooms look right out over the throat of the upper level of the Hbf

 

[Ascot]

If anyone is in Perth I found the Mercure right next to the station is good for £49 walk-up. It'll do for a cheap night on a jolly and the style of the hotel keeps the stag do out.

 

[Blindtraveler]

good to know that, its good to have an alternative in Perth.

 

[Crossover]

Myself and another forum member stayed at the Travelodge Battersea (about 10 min walk from Clapham Junction) when we had the London Challenge back in May. Considering its location, I was pretty impressed overall and despite being on the ground floor it was relatively quiet (we were both in rooms round the back overlooking the car park). The main road outside on a night was pretty much deserted.

 

[table38]

I stayed at the County Hotel again last week (see #73 above) and did have the breakfast this time which led me to discover an amazing piece of railwayana in the lobby next to the lifts (picture attached).

The free breakfast was OK - a help-yourself full english buffet no less!

It's not the Ritz, and I see its gone up to £49/night for a single, but if you don't plan to spend too much time in your room, I would still recommend it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

as this thread keeps coming back and is proving helpful, could it be made sticky please mods?

 

[ainsworth74]

Currently staying at the Rainbow Lodge in Plymouth and I have to say it's a rather nice place. Room is nice, well furnished, free fast wifi, good cooked breakfast, good location and from our point of view fairly handy for the station at either a £5 for taxi or about a 20/30 minute walk. Prices are reasonable as well I paid £32 per night for my stay and I say I'm getting value for money.

 

[D6975]

Travelodge Croydon Central is OK, stayed there recently for £19 a night. Also Caterham Whyteleafe, just across the road from Whyteleafe South station, just a short trip down the Caterham branch for the same price. Slightly better and quieter than Croydon and still within zone 1-6 boundaries. I also recently stayed at the new one at Stratford for £26, brand new, very convenient, but smaller rooms than usual.
Premier Inns are generally slightly better and slightly more expensive. I recently stayed at the new central Doncaster one and that was very nice – paid about £40 a night.
Premier Inn Liskeard is very nice too and only about a mile from the station.

I always book well in advance though – walk up prices can be very expensive. Reminds me of something else that.

When in the North East I've often stayed at Redcar - a past its best seaside resort near Middlesbrough. Lots of (very) cheap places to stay there, but some of them are pretty grotty. I stayed at a place called the Claxton which was good though - South end of the prom.

 

[4SRKT]

Stayed at the Travelodge in Holyhead on Monday. Grim. No TV remote ("probably been stolen"). Dodgy light in room (kept going off - loose connection). Light in bathroom didn't work at all. This is the third time I've done an overnight in Holyhead in the last couple of years, and although this was clearly better than sleeping on the metal benches in the ferry terminal as I've done previously, it's not good if that's the best that can be said for it.

 

[Jordy]

I've stayed at the Holyhead Travelodge before and it was fine, much the same as any other I've ever stayed in! Probably just a bad experience so I wouldn't write it off completely.

 

[142094]

Stayed in a few last week:

Premier Inn Angel Street, Sheffield - decent hotel in the middle of the city centre, and near to the tram stop just before the Cathedral.

Travelodge Chester Delamere Street - becoming less of a fan of Travelodges, and this one was more expensive due to it being a weekend. Tesco Express underneath which was a bonus, 10-15 minute walk from the station.

Premier Inn Warrington Central North - closest station is Warrington Central, around £3.00-£4.00 in a taxi. Usual Premier Inn standard, next door to a Taybarns, Tesco Extra across the road, KFC and Pizza Hut also nearby.

Premier Inn Preston Fox Street - 5 minute walk from the station. Couldn't find the lobby as it is on the first floor. Usual Premier Inn, although someone had been smoking a few joints on the 5th floor so whole area was stinking. Wetherspoons is across the road for a cheaper breakfast.

Caroldene Hotel, Woodfield Road Blackpool - good traditional B+B, room was on the small side but good breakfast. Near to Blackpool South and 5 minute walk to the promenade and St Chad's Road tram stop. £25 per night with the Full English included.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Another good shout, a bit rough round the edges but a mix between a TL and a PI is the Golden Acorn Wetherspoons hotel Glenrothes, for the bus enthusiast its slap bang next to the bus station with a veriety of vehicles going in and out. Dont trust the lift, its dodgy. Pub is good too.
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could we make this a sticky please mods? Its a v helpfull refference guide

 

[142094]

Anyone know if Travelodge or Premier Inn will be having a sale soon? Plannign a couple of trips and want to save a few quid.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Hilton Liverpool John Lennon - you can get great deals and seriously luxury rooms and foods!

Travelodge Tower Bridge - The best Travelodge easily located nearly on Tower Gateway and Fenchurch Street stations and you can trainspot out of some windows (I think one room you can see out of is 357)