Accommodation suggestions and reviews

[IanD]

Thanks for the recommendation, I am doing an increasing amount of work in MK at the moment and some of it we are expected to do as a day trip and there are times when I'm simply too tired to travel all the way back to Kent and not have the following day as a complete write-off so this is useful, the central MK outpost of TL is just that little bit too Central for me unfortunately

I would say that the Central Milton Keynes Travelodge is less central to Milton Keynes than the Milton Keynes at The Hub Travelodge. Although the former is slightly closer to Milton Keynes Central station and not uphill from it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

My last use of the central one was unfortunately far from triple free and whilst there's clearly trouble at the other one as well, it doesn't sound like the trouble gets inside which was the issue with the other location. Last time I used it, think groups of non-hotel guests partying in the corridors and staff not caring
A return visit tonight to a premier insight that I've used previously but will be trying to avoid in future, the Heathrow Hayes Hyde Park branch which is about a 5-minute walk from Hayes and harlington station has really gone downhill fast whilst as is often the case with Premier in these days the price has risen

 

[185143]

Stayed in The Admiral of the Humber in Hull last night.

Very good stay, as 'Spoons hotels usually are. You now get free hot drinks in the bar if you're a hotel guest either take your room mug down or show your room key at the bar. There was also a letter welcoming me to the hotel and a 10% discount code for my next stay.

Had a very good couple of hours in the 'Spoons itself, then stumbled upstairs for some sleep... And missed my train as a result. Oops!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Been a few years since I last did a spoons hotel, but it really is a quality offering, often far more so than the associated affiliated bar downstairs

 

[Cletus]

Stayed two nights in the Easy Hotel in Glasgow at the weekend.

Smallest hotel room I've ever been and the bathroom was like a cupboard. You had to stand in the shower to use the sink or the toilet

It would have been acceptable if not for the constant noise of what I assume was an extractor fan going the whole time I need quiet to get to sleep.

 

[185143]

Stayed two nights in the Easy Hotel in Glasgow at the weekend.

Smallest hotel room I've ever been and the bathroom was like a cupboard. You had to stand in the shower to use the sink or the toilet

It would have been acceptable if not for the constant noise of what I assume was an extractor fan going the whole time I need quiet to get to sleep.

You want to try the small double room they gave me at EasyHotel London Victoria! To manage to have wall directly touching all 4 sides of the bed was quite an impressive feat!

The total floor space was barely more than the minimum amount of space possible for the room door to open.

But this was during the 2021 immediate post COVID era when hotels were prices we can only dream of now. £45 for 2 nights round the corner from both Victoria Coach and Railway stations was an absolute steal for whatever you got, even then.

 

[Kite159]

Shanahans B&B, Aston (Birmingham)
Stayed here on Saturday night for the 323 Farewell on the Sunday (limiting options for accommodation with the timings). Located around a 10-15 minute walk from Aston station, but served on the "Inner Circle" bus route with a bus stop right outside the side entrance. From the outside it doesn't look like much, a private members drinking club judging by signs on the door, which had all closed up by 9pm when I arrived on Saturday. Some outdoor noise from my room at the top of the building from idiotic racing car drivers. Comfortable beds with a powerful shower (even if no soap was provided, even for the sink). Probably somewhere I might use again if I ever have the need to stay close to Birmingham city centre (took me & Jules around 30 minutes walking time to reach New Street area). Didn't see what the breakfast options were like.

Premier Inn, Filton
Stayed here on the Friday night to do the first train from Ashley Down on the Saturday. An older hotel (didn't even have lifts!) on a small retail park in Filton, around 10 minutes from Filton Abbey Wood station. Standard Premier Inn rooms, although probably not one I would like to stay during the summer if I needed the window open due to road noise.

 

[185143]

EasyHotel Paris Charles De Gaulle
Stayed here on Saturday after a OuiGo train up from Marseille. €66 was more than I'd like to pay for an EasyHotel but it was the cheapest place to stay in the Paris area by far. And only a short bus ride from the airport. Room was more spacious than most EasyHotel rooms and even had a stool and table provided. Hotel was well soundproofed which was good as it's right under the CDG flight path. A large shopping centre opposite with restaurants, fast food and a pub.

Premier Inn, Newhaven
Oh dear.

Stayed here on Sunday after the ferry back from Dieppe. Some reviews on Google Maps are very poor. And I can see why. First of all there's no lift and I was given a room at the far end of the corridor on the second floor, not ideal when you're weighed down with luggage and duty free booze, though one of the staff offered me a hand which was much appreciated.

The room was a bit stuffy so the window was opened. No AC, but there was heating. (Seriously...) the fan in the corner was on a 2 hour timer. Found the bed to be rather firm and uncomfortable. At some point in the night it began to rain very heavily and it sounded like the guttering outside my window was broken as I was woken several times by gushing water. It's not far from a main road either so traffic noise is a factor too. One of the reviews had said the staff are lovely, but Premier Inn aren't bothered how bad it may be as most people will be staying in desperation/convenience for the ferry to/from Dieppe. I'd be inclined to agree with that entirely! Apparently even the pub/restaurant next door isn't great, though I didn't use it.

 

[dave87016]

Travelodge Croydon Central

3 mins walk from East Croydon Station I stayed here last night , and the staff are great , friendly and attentive, a spoons , Wendy’s , popeyes, Greggs, Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s and a couple of great pubs all within 5 mins walk at most

slept well will post my thoughts on breakfast later, the only con is the bar/restuarant , the furniture and layout means it has a hostel /student accommodation feel to it than a bar /restaurant im on the fence about that but it won’t bother some people but upto now I would stay again

Breakfast was very good and was hot the whole stay gets a very solid 8/10 from me

 

[Blindtraveler]

EasyHotel Paris Charles De Gaulle
Stayed here on Saturday after a OuiGo train up from Marseille. €66 was more than I'd like to pay for an EasyHotel but it was the cheapest place to stay in the Paris area by far. And only a short bus ride from the airport. Room was more spacious than most EasyHotel rooms and even had a stool and table provided. Hotel was well soundproofed which was good as it's right under the CDG flight path. A large shopping centre opposite with restaurants, fast food and a pub.

Premier Inn, Newhaven
Oh dear.

Stayed here on Sunday after the ferry back from Dieppe. Some reviews on Google Maps are very poor. And I can see why. First of all there's no lift and I was given a room at the far end of the corridor on the second floor, not ideal when you're weighed down with luggage and duty free booze, though one of the staff offered me a hand which was much appreciated.

The room was a bit stuffy so the window was opened. No AC, but there was heating. (Seriously...) the fan in the corner was on a 2 hour timer. Found the bed to be rather firm and uncomfortable. At some point in the night it began to rain very heavily and it sounded like the guttering outside my window was broken as I was woken several times by gushing water. It's not far from a main road either so traffic noise is a factor too. One of the reviews had said the staff are lovely, but Premier Inn aren't bothered how bad it may be as most people will be staying in desperation/convenience for the ferry to/from Dieppe. I'd be inclined to agree with that entirely! Apparently even the pub/restaurant next door isn't great, though I didn't use it.

Prime example of where premiering have become complacent and perhaps a tad arrogant about what they're offering people, I do hope that the post-pride fall for these guys comes quickly so they can take stock and sort themselves out as I'd hate to see them deteriorate to the level that we've seen some other companies with similar issues reach in years past

 

[Kite159]

Kings Arms Guest House, Ebbw Vale

Bit of a late notice booking as I noticed it was available for £37 for a Saturday night, located around 15 minutes from the station (ignore Google maps as it doesn't show a couple of paths) although up a rather steep hill (bit like Ebbw Vale town centre to the station).

Probably one of the better stays I've had in ages, room was comfortable, shower was decent. The room also featured a microwave & a fridge (although the fridge wasn't the quietest). The pub itself was closed up by half nine when I returned last night, a tiny bit of outside noise from a road but nothing that major. Probably wouldn't want to stay there in the summer as the window was a bit on the small side.

Certainly one I will use again if I'm ever in South Wales on an overnight stay. Handy Spoons located less than 10 minutes away (with no real steep climb involved).

 

[trainophile]

Has anyone else noticed that accommodation prices for next year seem to have shot up? Been looking on booking.com at some of my usual haunts, mostly on the East Yorkshire coast, and even in January and February prices that used to be affordable for a short break have almost doubled in some cases. As for Travelodge and Premier Inn - well they are taking the mick these days, even out of season. Afraid I'm going to have to cut down drastically on my travelling lifestyle in 2025.

 

[Kite159]

Melrose Guest House, Whitley Bay

Located less than 5 minutes walk from Whitley Bay Metro station and close to the town centre, friendly host (judging by the voice when I spoke to her, as she gave me the access code as I was arriving earlier than expected due to a change of plan). Shared bathrooms in the guest house, with my room having a sink. I was in a twin bedroom with one double bed & one single bed, which were quite comfortable with hardly any outside noise (unlike the place I've used before in Whitley Bay which is above a restaurant). Had blinds & curtains which did a reasonable job at blocking out the light (other than a small section at the top).

Not the cheapest of places at £60 for the night, but short notice booking on a Saturday night during half-term it was one of the cheapest places which didn't demand a bank transfer as payment nor a £100 cash deposit like a few options were south of the Tyne. Would I use it again? Highly likely. Although sadly I didn't visit the Spoons for breakfast this morning

 

[LA50041]

Something, which might be of interest to some, is that the former Best Western hotel outside Crewe station (Crewe Arms) has reopened to the public.

Warning to anyone booked in here, the hotel has again closed to the public.
I was booked in here through a third party and was refused access and had to find alternative accommodation.
Fortunately the agent I booked through assisted with the search and all has ended well

 

[D6130]

Warning to anyone booked in here, the hotel has again closed to the public.
I was booked in here through a third party and was refused access and had to find alternative accommodation.
Fortunately the agent I booked through assisted with the search and all has ended well

Possibly being used for housing asylum-seekers again? That'll be a very lucrative long-term block booking from the government.

 

[LA50041]

Possibly being used for housing asylum-seekers again? That'll be a very lucrative long-term block booking from the government.

That certainly seems to be the case from my experience today

 

[Kite159]

Warning to anyone booked in here, the hotel has again closed to the public.
I was booked in here through a third party and was refused access and had to find alternative accommodation.
Fortunately the agent I booked through assisted with the search and all has ended well

Lucky escape as I was toying with booking it for tomorrow night a few weeks ago before booking a room in a shared house for the HST tour and heading up on the Thursday night rather than Friday morning (one of those places which have a 2 night stay minimum)

 

[D6130]

The even numbered rooms - especially on the third floor - of the Clayton Hotel at Manchester Airport have an excellent view of the Airport station throat and platform ends....ideal for multiple unit and tram enthusiasts.

 

[LA50041]

Ibis Styles Hotel Crewe

Emergency booking here last week due to the closure of the Crewe Arms.
Really friendly welcome at reception despite only booking 10 minutes before.
Nice comfortable bed and a sort of wet-room shower with good pressure and easy to operate.
Went to the restaurant in the evening for food as I was so cold I couldn’t bear going out again. Varied menu, went for the steak which was great. Mains between 9.95-1995 for the steak.
Buffet style breakfast with hot and cold options to set up for the day.
10-15 minutes walk from the station depending on your speed.
Would happily stay again

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Westbury...

I would recommend the Redwood Lodge B&B.

Ten minutes walk from the railway station, very comfortable and well decorated. Excellent breakfast served.

Room 1, incidentally, also has the only fully unobstructed view of the White Horse out of all the accommodation available in the town.

It is also possible to see trains on both the loop and the avoiding line from this room, although a modern housing estate does render photography of the trains impossible - however that should not detract from the quality or the convenience of the place itself.

Unlike most accommodation these days, check in is nice and early - it's available from 12.00.

Below is the view from room 1.

Their website is here: https://www.redwoodlodgeuk.com/

This would be an ideal location to stay for any photographers aiming to capture the heavy engineering work this coming winter; it's a reasonably easy walk to several suitable vantage points.

 

[Blindtraveler]

It will also go onto the list for if I get a chance to do gwr Euston diverts over the festive holidays, as with the best will in the world. Despite now living in the southeast long day trip and doesn't take into account any additional engineering chaos, there may be on the roots into London from the Medway towns

 

[richw]

Acorns Farm, Bristol airport.

We stayed here before an early morning flight. One of the most comfortable places I’ve stayed. 7-8 minutes walk from the airport terminal. Very clean. Nice shower.

Acorns Guest House – Accommodation and parking for Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport Hotel

acornsbristol.com

 

[BazingaTribe]

As I travel on work trips most often I'm becoming a Travelodge connoisseur. The Windsor branch is just behind the station and it's also not far from where I can get a bus to King Edwards Hospital where we have offices.

I don't eat breakfast there because I don't necessarily get it included on my work account (must try and fix that next time I book as it is allowed) but to make up for that, there's Heidi's Bakery inside the station shed which does exquisite cinnamon rolls. I don't do heaps of food at breakfast so I'm reluctant to pay £10 for a buffet when a roll and coffee will do. But Heidi's also gives me a great view of the old Royal locomotive.

If you want a festive location with a nice station, Windsor is very pretty at Christmas .

 

[Blindtraveler]

I definitely think the budget hotels are missing a trick by not offering a more consumer-friendly and indeed expense account friendly coffee, juice and hot roll or coffee juice and pastry option for those with smaller appetites or indeed like me. Those whose appetites really should be smaller as we get steadily bigger. But probably a discussion for another thread

 

[BazingaTribe]

I wonder if it's economies of scale. If you charge £10 for AYCE and someone just takes a roll and coffee, you're still quids in. If you have a family where one person wants the full monty but the other one doesn't, then you'd be hard pressed to run a separate accounting/server order system when the two people would feel obliged to pay the same anyway regardless of quantity. Cruise ships have a policy whereby two people sharing the same stateroom must buy the same drinks package (if one person is having alcohol, the other has to, which really penalises a couple I know, one of whom drinks a fair amount and one who only really drinks water, and the kicker is that bottled water may not even be on the soft drink package either) because otherwise one could simply subsidise the other without them chipping in to what is probably the main revenue generator on board.

As someone who takes notes for a group of management accountants where our customer has got away for a long time running up big bills while being subsidised by another org (all public sector -- not hospitality, but think of it like someone taking advantage of a hotel buffet to stock up for breakfast, lunch and dinner) and generates an insane number of demands knowing that they won't ultimately be picking up the tab, these decisions are made on a very granular basis. They probably gain more from couples who have different habits than from me taking up colleague time ordering very small amounts. The solution is to enforce policies that don't allow so-called 'whales' to take advantage -- like stopping people taking food out of the cafeteria etc -- rather than just add more granular costs to the system.

More frustrating about low-frills hotels is the lack of bottled water and biscuits in the rooms, but again, it's worth it I suppose to keep the costs down so I have the essentials like a warm place to sleep.

The thing that Travelodge etc get right is a free coffee machine in the bar. It's machine coffee, but on a cold night when you just want something wet and warm it's a godsend.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I've always been charged for coffee at TL when having it in the public areas, is this a new policy?
Anyhow, back to topic
Cranbrook hotel ilford. Booked by somebody I was working for purely and simply because it was 50 quid for a Saturday night in half-term holidays inside the zones for a double room. Single occupancy on a weekend when there was lots of engineering work in Kent and a double commute would have been hard work. Clean enough but not spotless bed. Extremely comfortable, extremely stingy on the tea and coffee and really really good shower. No breakfast, slightly suspect hydraulic Lyft but still good to have it and be warned one of these mandatory deposits paid by card on arrival At time of writing my 100 lb has still not come back and I've felt the need to contact the hotel about it
Would use again if price was right

 

[BazingaTribe]

I've always been charged for coffee at TL when having it in the public areas, is this a new policy?

Maybe it's up to the individual branch (I got mine in Windsor), but although you have to ask for a takeaway cup, I certainly wasn't charged. It's not barista-made, it's from the machine they use for breakfast hot drinks, but it was certainly a nice treat.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'll try that next time. I'm staying at a unit with a bar cafe, will certainly beat the in room coffee which is drinkable but nothing special and given that I quite often work in hotel rooms it would as you say be a step up, The breakfast machines are fine since the most recent upgrades to them and I usually go around with my own cup anyway so I wouldn't even cost them that

 

[Kite159]

be warned one of these mandatory deposits paid by card on arrival

So straight away on my avoid list. Hopefully you will get the money back, and it's not one of those dodgy places which will make something up about there being damage in the room when either it's made up, photographed 'staged' damage in another room* or pre-existing damage which was carefully hidden.

(*knowing that some customers won't take photographs of their actual room on departure, and if they did they will go "oops, we made an admin error, the damage was actually in another room, here is the money back"

 

[Blindtraveler]

I've already got a number for the local trading standards office. Should they try this? But to be fair, I think the speed of deposit return is down to my bank rather than anything else, I am a starling customer and they have a form for not returning hospitality deposits, particularly speedily
I used to avoid places that charged such a deposit, but the reality is that there are so many of them now that you either use them and tolerate the inconvenience. Or quite frankly you don't go or do something. And on this occasion for me, the inconvenience far outweighed three journeys, one late on Saturday evening and a return on the Sunday that would have involved replacement buses and or a great deal of hassle at this end