Accommodation suggestions and reviews

[Butts]

Anyboddy used the almost new Travelodge in Fort William? I avoid TL Wherever possible but planning a trip round easter and the0PI is no good for my dates. I would hope, seeing as its fort William this TL woant take the punishment others do.

I am off on an East Coast "freebie" to the smoke in March - normally I steer clear of TL as the quality can be variable.

However on this occasion I have selected a brand new one in Bethnal Green that is not opening until the 21st of this month. £41 for a Double plus Full Breakfast £6.65 and a 2 course Evening Meal and Drink for £9.95 - quite reasonable for London.

 

[DaveHarries]

When I did my Ely - Norwich signalbox photo trip in August 2012 I overnighted in 2 places, one in Cambridge and one in Norwich.

Cambridge: "Alpha Milton Guest House" (Milton Road). Nice little room which was en-suite, well furnished and comfy. Cypriot owner was very friendly, speaks excellent English and also, at breakfast, will take time to chat. Note that full English breakfasts are available and they are good but I didn't have black pudding or beans with mine and still found it perfectly filling. I think he charged about £5 extra for that breakfast but I was OK with that due to the amount of grub on the plate. If you are a visitor - as I was - and are in Cambridge for the first time then the owner will - should you wish - provide you with a map of the Centre of Cambridge in case you decide to go for a wonder. Although I didn't have time for a wonder due to my schedule I still appreciated the offer.

Norwich: Innkeepeer's Lodge, Yarmouth Road (part of a pub known as "The Town House"). Good size room, very comfortable. Useful if you go decide to head into town for a beer and will be back late as I found that, although the front door is kept locked, they give you a key for it along with your room key. In addition the accommodation above the pub is up a staircase at the top of which is a security door which also requires a key. Continental & Full English breakfasts available in the morning in the pub's restaurant area but the latter attracts a premium (about £3.50, IIRC) whereas a continental breakfast is free. Another advantage is the view - fab in the right weather - out onto the nice marina at the rear of the place. Also the place is not too far from the City Centre of Norwich.

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[Blindtraveler]

Thanks for you suggestion Peter.
Dave, they both sound great particularly the one in Cambridge. Its also nice to know I aint the only one round here who enjoys staying in pubs!

 

[table38]

I had my first stay there on Friday prior to the Pathfinder Buffer Puffer 10.0, and was suitably impressed!

On the plus side: Location (2 minute trudge in the snow to the station), Free Wireless Internet, Tesco Express virtually next door, McDonalds 2 mins away, and a bar where you can have a few pints and talk b******s about railways with like-minded enthusiasts.

Negatives: the only thing I could find is that (like a lot of budget hotels) there weren't nearly enough power sockets, so if you wanted to watch TV, charge your mobile and boil the kettle at the same time, you were out of luck. If you have a lot of gadgets, table38's top tip would be to take a 2-way adapter with you

Overall, I rate it in my "I've paid a lot more to stay in worse places" category.

 

[richw]

I had my first stay there on Friday prior to the Pathfinder Buffer Puffer 10.0, and was suitably impressed!

On the plus side: Location (2 minute trudge in the snow to the station), Free Wireless Internet, Tesco Express virtually next door, McDonalds 2 mins away, and a bar where you can have a few pints and talk b******s about railways with like-minded enthusiasts.

Negatives: the only thing I could find is that (like a lot of budget hotels) there weren't nearly enough power sockets, so if you wanted to watch TV, charge your mobile and boil the kettle at the same time, you were out of luck. If you have a lot of gadgets, table38's top tip would be to take a 2-way adapter with you

Overall, I rate it in my "I've paid a lot more to stay in worse places" category.

I always carry a 3 way square plug in thing with me when I travel, as I've found very few hotels have enough plug sockets for mobile phone, laptop and kettle especially if have TV on as well.

 

[maniacmartin]

Recently stayed in Bradford Central Travelodge (very close to Bradford Forster Square) and didn't like it.

The whole of the ground floor is vacant retail units, and the reception to the Travelodge is on the first floor. To get into the building initially you have to use an intercom and read your reservation information to them before they unlock the door for you remotely.

My room was clean and tidy, but they'd set the heating on the lowest setting and it was very cold. After upping the heating, it didn't heat up at all quikcly and the linen was paper thin. Brrr! Wifi is available but costs money.

 

[Butts]

Recently stayed in Bradford Central Travelodge (very close to Bradford Forster Square) and didn't like it.

The whole of the ground floor is vacant retail units, and the reception to the Travelodge is on the first floor. To get into the building initially you have to use an intercom and read your reservation information to them before they unlock the door for you remotely.

My room was clean and tidy, but they'd set the heating on the lowest setting and it was very cold. After upping the heating, it didn't heat up at all quikcly and the linen was paper thin. Brrr! Wifi is available but costs money.

Try The Hilton in Bradford , right by The Interchange and normally cheap (by Hilton Standards - ie under £50) good breakfast as well

 

[Anon Mouse]

Stayed in the Rugby Travelodge next door to the station last weekend. It was a decent room and very clean....and cheap (makes a change). The Tesco Extra was handy as was the short stroll to the station. The downside was the dodgy characters hanging around outside Tesco extra smoking dope and attempting to shoplift in clear view of everyone and quite intimidating for the Wife. I presume the drug taking youths were just a one off and due to the good price and proximity (and earshot) of the station I will probably stay there again

 

[DaveHarries]

I had my first stay there on Friday prior to the Pathfinder Buffer Puffer 10.0, and was suitably impressed!

On the plus side: Location (2 minute trudge in the snow to the station), Free Wireless Internet, Tesco Express virtually next door, McDonalds 2 mins away, and a bar where you can have a few pints and talk b******s about railways with like-minded enthusiasts.

Negatives: the only thing I could find is that (like a lot of budget hotels) there weren't nearly enough power sockets, so if you wanted to watch TV, charge your mobile and boil the kettle at the same time, you were out of luck. If you have a lot of gadgets, table38's top tip would be to take a 2-way adapter with you

Overall, I rate it in my "I've paid a lot more to stay in worse places" category.

@t38: in the above post are you referring to one of the places I mentioned? If so, OOI which one?

Dave

 

[stuartmoss]

Which hotels would you recommend that offer good views of railway lines / stations?

I've just been to the Holiday Inn Express at Amsterdam Sloterdijk and it was superb for viewing the passing rail traffic.

 

[37372]

Rugby Travelodge as mentioned above offers great views of the WCML providing you get a room facing that direction as it is literally just over the road. It's the first time I've ever checked in at a Travelodge and heard 2x37s open up behind me!

 

[Anon Mouse]

http://www.expedia.co.uk/Beijing-Ho...2hrfisoCCoxOz0bF2Vqa3ZhbX4rKBswMxctLGVoYXdoaw..

I've stayed in this hotel a couple of times, if your lucky and get a room facing the throat of Beijing Station you can get some canny photos from the room! Its also a short walk from said station!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/3589215705/in/set-72157621001762762

^ thats the hotel on the right in the foreground ^

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Travelodge Southwark Union St in London offers close-up elevated views of the lines near Waterloo East and Blackfriars Jn.

 

[D6975]

There's a relatively new Travel Lodge on the front at Paignton - stayed there in August, very good paid £40 a night.

Have booked up there for this summer too, taking my son for a week's hol, got an even better price by booking well in advance. Double room in Paignton in August for £25-£30 per night - absolute bargain.

 

[trentside]

Another positive vote for the Crewe Arms - I booked in there for last night, thanks to the recommendations on here. I booked a single room less than a week in advance for £29.00 bed and breakfast. The place is a little run down (a light fitting in my room was hanging off the wall!), but I had a big room with a decent bathroom and a nice view out over the north end of Crewe station - I was woken up by the station announcer at 6am but didn't have a problem getting back to sleep. Overall, I'd agree with the assessment that I've paid more to stay in worse and I'll definitely be back should I have a need to overnight in Crewe again.

 

[cjp]

f

Wondering where people have gone to crash whilst making longer trips from there home patch and if there good, average or so bad youd rather have slept on the station!

There are pages and pages of opinions so I have put them all in spread sheet.

It seems few are adventurous beyond the large chains and the favourite is Travelodge but these seem to attract people because of the price rather than because of consistant high Standards . Premier Inns generally get better ratings.
Some have tried B&B's and generally have been positive on what has been found.
A look around Trip Advisor Web Site might help plot your next stop although your run-of-the-mill Guest House or B&B loose out to Hotels' willingness to accept late arrivals off late trains.

The Crewe Arms Newcastle would appear to worth visit??

If I have managed it my spread sheet is attached so you can check things out for yourself.
I have noted who posted about what & when so you can find the original post (and posters can judge if I have correctly understood their rating).

I have not recorded any overseas suggestions.

There are 117 entries

 

[Anon Mouse]

I don't really think Travelodges are cheap unless you are lucky, but sadly the ones that are cheap can be in terrible locations. Travelodge (and Premier Inn for that matter) are marketed as 'Budget' hotels but often the price does not match your average idea of 'budget' and likewise people think of Travelodge as being cheap, tacky and nasty when in my experience (with the exception of the one on Oxford Road, Reading) wrong (and indeed unfair). Its just fustrating when 'cheap' and 'budget' turns out to be £60.£70, £80 when you cant book 6 months in advance!

Aye, anyway back on thread. We spent 3 nights in the Reading, Oxford Road Travelodge and despite being a short bus ride or 15 min walk to Reading West Station and having a Tesco and plenty of eateries nearby it was in a terrible area full of dodgy characters, gangs, open drug use, brothels and other dodgy shennanagans and the hotel was a bit of a dump (although the room itself was acceptable). Dispite a view of the GW Main Line from the room window I'ld be very reluctant to stay there again!

 

[trentside]

The Crewe Arms Newcastle would appear to worth visit??

The Crewe Arms is actually in Crewe - though there are a few establishments that's share its name. For proximity to the station, it can't be beaten as it's just across the road and overlooks the platforms.

 

[Butts]

With regard to the prices charged at Travelodges (and Premier Inn) you are correct that they can be into "three figures" with the "demand based pricing model"

This is one of the few disadvantages of computerisation in relation to travel. You may get the odd £19 Room but "the spread" is far wider.

When they first started in the Eighties it was a fixed price which didn't vary - or may have been a cheaper fixed price at the weekend. The price of £23 was great for families with children , representing a revolution in budget travel.

The advent of the internet has resulted in a bargain for a few , but a higher cost for most travellers overall in respect of these lodgings.

 

[Blindtraveler]

interesting point. I wonder who out of the big chains will return to or evolve into this moddle again?

 

[Cletus]

There's a Premier Inn sale started today for the period from 26th May until 4th Spetember.
http://www.premierinn.com/en/it/off...ID=DCMP=EMC_Alert_Summer_Launch_L_29_010313_R

 

[Crossover]

It is a mile from the station, so not hugely close, though not miles away either, but has anyone stayed at Travelodge Kidderminster?

I'll be there with friends in a couple of months (not railway related...although if I can sneak a trip on the SVR while there I'll be happy ) - it is all booked but just thought I'd ask anyway

 

[theblackwatch]

It is a mile from the station, so not hugely close, though not miles away either, but has anyone stayed at Travelodge Kidderminster?

I'll be there with friends in a couple of months (not railway related...although if I can sneak a trip on the SVR while there I'll be happy ) - it is all booked but just thought I'd ask anyway

I've stayed there. Not being in a major city or centre, it was relatively quiet on a Friday night, and there's a pub next door. Don't think I was there much longer than 7 hours though - arrived around 10, went for a drink, back to the Travelodge then up around 06.00 and away!

 

[Crossover]

I've stayed there. Not being in a major city or centre, it was relatively quiet on a Friday night, and there's a pub next door. Don't think I was there much longer than 7 hours though - arrived around 10, went for a drink, back to the Travelodge then up around 06.00 and away!

Thanks

Well, I'll be staying for 3 nights...some may argue being there 7-8 hours is still 7-8 hours too long for Kidderminster :P

 

[voyagerdude220]

I can certainly recommended the Ramada Encore Inverness. Stayed there three times within the last few months at a time. When I stayed towards the end of January, it was only £39.90 per night! Very friendly staff, who couldn't be more helpful. Very good value food- 3 course meal in my room plus a drink for £25. I look forward to planning my next stay there.

 

[Cletus]

Currently staying in Premier Inn at Stratford Westfield.
Have been given a room on the top floor with clear view of the Olympic Stadium & the sights of London.
Also can see Overground trains going to & from Hackney Wick, DLR into the International station & into the International station.
Not bad for £39

 

[tony_mac]

For those that qualify, Hilton public sector rates can be very good.
http://www.hiltonpublicsector.co.uk/leisure

 

[Blindtraveler]

Not stayed here (what would be the point seeing as I live locally) but the new Motel-One Edinburgh Royal (German I think)? Is v v near to Waverley Station and having visited somebody there recently it seams very good.

 

[Butts]

Not stayed here (what would be the point seeing as I live locally) but the new Motel-One Edinburgh Royal (German I think)? Is v v near to Waverley Station and having visited somebody there recently it seams very good.

Theres a new Budget one opened opposite Haymarket Station as well, I forget the name. Mind you that area is like a building site at the moment with all the tram work going on

 

[starrymarkb]

Not stayed here (what would be the point seeing as I live locally) but the new Motel-One Edinburgh Royal (German I think)? Is v v near to Waverley Station and having visited somebody there recently it seams very good.

Motel One are indeed German and in my experience are really good. Will be stopping at the Berlin one again in a couple of weeks time. If I do another German trip I will try and aim for one