Accommodation suggestions and reviews

[Butts]

Highly unlikely they will bring that back owing to how open it is to abuse.

I believe a form of it at least still exists ?

 

[bspahh]

I believe a form of it at least still exists ?

It does. The Premier Inn terms and conditions say:

12. Good Night Guarantee​

You may claim a refund of your room charge for each night that you do not have a great night's sleep at a Premier Inn subject to the following:

Process for making a claim

When you encounter the issue which has affected your great night’s sleep, you must first raise the issue with the reception team who can help address the issue. To the extent they can’t address the issue, a claim must be made within 7 days of the end of the stay to which your claim relates.

To make a claim you must raise your complaint with the team at the hotel when you encounter the issue who will advise you of the process. If your room was booked as part of a group booking, the person who made the booking on behalf of the group must make the claim. If your room was booked through a tour operator, you must make your claim to the tour operator.

You will need to provide details of the Premier Inn hotel in which you stayed, the dates of your stay, the nights for which you wish to claim a refund and the reason(s) why you did not have a great night's sleep on each of those nights.

Refunds will be made to the debit/credit card you used when you paid for your room and are usually processed within 14 days. You will be asked to confirm receipt of your refund.

Exclusions

1. Our Good Night Guarantee does not apply where you do not have a great night's sleep due to (i) circumstances arising from the lack of a facility at a hotel where that facility was not included in the facility set of the hotel displayed or communicated to you when you made your booking (for example, due to hot weather and a lack of air conditioning, you did not have a great night’s sleep, but air conditioning was not listed as a facility at that hotel in the booking process – so please carefully check the facilities at your hotel when booking); or (ii) circumstances that are beyond our reasonable control as hoteliers such as extreme weather conditions, fire, fire alarms, flood, lightning, earthquake, explosion, terrorism, war, civil disorder, epidemics, embargoes, labour disputes power cuts, third party building works, internal hotel noise (which you have not reported and provided us with a reasonable period to rectify and it was safe for you to report it), and/or external noise arising due to the location of the hotel including but not limited to airport noise (for airport hotels).
   
   
2. Our Good Night Guarantee does not apply to any food and beverage issues you encounter.
   
   
3. You may not claim under our Good Night Guarantee if you have breached the terms and conditions applying to your booking, for example by causing damage to our or to other guest’s property or by being abusive to our staff or to other guests during your stay or during your contact with Whitbread.
   
   
4. We reserve the right to reject claims made by individuals who are abusing the Good Night Guarantee by making excessive claims, or make a claim in bad faith/dishonestly. If an individual or any of the guests within their booking claims a refund for more than 50% of their stay on more than two occasions in any 12 month period, such claims will be deemed excessive save where we are satisfied (in our sole discretion) that there is a good reason for the claims.
   
   
5. We reserve the right to reject claims under our Good Night Guarantee where the main reason for the claim is the comfort of the bed and the bed that is the subject of the complaint is one of our new Silentnight beds (being a Silentnight bed that has been replaced within the last two years from the date of complaint).

Please note that the Good Night Guarantee only applies to Premier Inn hotels and does not apply to stays at hub by Premier Inn, or ZIP by Premier Inn.

I used this guarantee once. At 3am there was a loud party with 20 people in the room across the corridor. I complained to the reception and went back to bed. In the morning, they had slid a refund receipt under the door.

 

[Kite159]

Travelodge, Clacton on Sea

Located in the town centre area of Clacton around a 8 minute walk from the station. Reception on the 1st floor, pretty standard Travelodge although I was in a room over a pizza takeaway so it wasn't the quietest due to the kitchen ventilation system (until the pizza place closed for the night).

 

[PauloDavesi]

Holiday Inn Express Leith

A very well located, and maintained, example of the brand.
There is a nice bar area, with large TV's and food available in the evenings, the breakfast area is very clean and well stocked, so able to easily cope with the peak morning rush.
The rooms are well decorated, very clean and have a comfortable bed and a sofa with table, so you can work on a laptop. The rooms have plenty of power outlets, including some with USB-A ports. The air conditioning/heating is efficient and very responsive, and the bathroom is well designed with good quality, complimentary, toiletries and a powerful shower.

Combined with a wonderful, friendly and helpful staff, the offers all you need for a tay in the area.
The hotel is on several bus routes, and the tramline, so very easy to get into the centre of Edniburgh, or other districts.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Good to hear this. Outpost of Express is still being well run.


Also good to hear that Premier in do at least retain the good night guarantee and have clear terms and conditions for its use. I've not made many stays with them over the last couple of years, but at least one of the ones I have made. I've had to invoke this, hotel, air conditioning and non-openable windows being the issue

 

[Willie Bee]

Regarding complaints about Premier Inn haven't they still got the 100& Satisfaction Guarantee or your money back?

Decades ago on trips with the kids I got many free nights by asking for Bath Sheets rather than the Bath Towels that were standard (and too small)

I refer to your comment and my post, ref 1571

I decided to email the manager of the hotel, which I did on 23rd February, but 10 days have now passed and I received no reply .. it just goes to show what they think of their guests.

A week prior to my visit, I was sent their email address, so I know it was the correct address for the hotel

 

[bspahh]

I had a room booked at a Premier Inn next week on a room rate with free breakfast, which allowed no cancellations. I won't be able to make those dates and I don't bother with travel insurance for UK travel.

However, I just called their customer service and they let me rebook for the same number of nights at the same hotel in June. Its on a standard rate, so I won't get the breakfasts, but it means I would be able to change the date again if necessary. I'm happy

 

[317 forever]

I have booked a Premier Inn in south London for July. As the semi-flexible so cancel up to 28 days prior to arrival option was just £1 higher than the non-refundable rate I booked this semi-flexible rate instead.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Well done getting the dates changed. They do say on the non-flex non-refundable that amendable check-in date at the same hotel is possible subject to any additional charges. So it's good to hear that the policy actually works, have never needed to test it, but have always wondered what would happen if I were to be confronted by a particularly militant receptionist or jobs worthy manager

 

[bspahh]

Well done getting the dates changed. They do say on the non-flex non-refundable that amendable check-in date at the same hotel is possible subject to any additional charges. So it's good to hear that the policy actually works, have never needed to test it, but have always wondered what would happen if I were to be confronted by a particularly militant receptionist or jobs worthy manager

The dates changed from a Sunday & Monday in March to a Sunday & Monday in June. They also refunded ~ 15% of the fee which I will take instead of the breakfasts.

 

[Haywain]

Sleeperz*, Cardiff

First time staying in a Sleeperz establishment, and it probably won't be the last if the price is right. It's about 30 seconds walk from Cardiff Central station and there's a Wetherspoon's (The Great Western) directly opposite, so well suited to those on a budget! The city's main restaurant and bar area is also close by. If I were to criticise the place is would be that the room was rather compact, but in a double room for one that isn't really a problem. It was clean and well laid out and provided everything I needed, including a coat hook - it amazes me how many fail to provide something so simple! The bathroom was good with a decent shower cubicle which provided easily regulated hot water. I was on the opposite side to the railway line so nothing to see, but the windows are quite narrow so I'm not sure they would be that good for watching the trains passing.



*Edit: Soon after my visit the hotel was rebranded as Four Points Flex by Sheraton.

 

[Willie Bee]

Sleeperz, Cardiff

First time staying in a Sleeperz establishment, and it probably won't be the last if the price is right. It's about 30 seconds walk from Cardiff Central station and there's a Wetherspoon's (The Great Western) directly opposite, so well suited to those on a budget! The city's main restaurant and bar area is also close by. If I were to criticise the place is would be that the room was rather compact, but in a double room for one that isn't really a problem. It was clean and well laid out and provided everything I needed, including a coat hook - it amazes me how many fail to provide something so simple! The bathroom was good with a decent shower cubicle which provided easily regulated hot water. I was on the opposite side to the railway line so nothing to see, but the windows are quite narrow so I'm not sure they would be that good for watching the trains passing.

A couple of days ago I booked 3 nights at the Premier Inn (Stadium) in Cardiff, also not far from the station.

For my wife and I, on a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (in September) it was £151, for the standard double

For the same period at Sleeperz, the cheapest was £218

Maybe Sleeperz is a better hotel, but you mentioned 'on a budget' so maybe it would be worth checking other options.

 

[Haywain]

Maybe Sleeperz is a better hotel, but you mentioned 'on a budget' so maybe it would be worth checking other options.

Booked last week a double room at Sleeperz was available for around £40.00, and the mention of 'on a budget' also referred to Wetherspoon's.

 

[John_Franklin]

For a poor student like me, Travelodge is already luxury.

Especially in London, I could only do hostels. But Wombat's Hostel located at London City is very, very good. Stayed there during the New Year 2025. Very social, very clean, and very quiet in the room.

In other cities I could do a little bit more luxury, including the Invicta Hotel at Plymouth -- GBP 55 a night, including free breakfast with fish. And Dolphin Hotel at Swansea -- for GBP 60. Single rooms are small, but enough for me.

The most luxury one I have ever been in may be Premier Inn Heathrow T4, on the first day of UK arrival. And "The Family Tree" B&B at Whatstandwell, Derbyshire. Why I would stay there is another question... especially during my stay Tramway Village and Peak Rail were all closed.

Bad Review:
There is some problem in the "capsule room" of another hostel in London (St. Christophers). IT DOES NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONER!!! Considering it is a capsule, it could be a nightmare. It was too hot for me; I did not fall asleep until 0340 AM.

 

[trainophile]

Been meaning to come back, further to my earlier enthusiasm for Travelodge, as I looked to re-book in the Edinburgh Central one for May or September, to find rooms in those months are now anything up to and even over £200 a night! I had a chat with the lady on the reception desk, and she said it's because there are lots of things going on in Edinburgh... well yes, but heck it's still only a Travelodge! She told me to try different dates, but I wasn't able to find anything that is even vaguely realistic.

I fear we cheapie-hunters who just want somewhere to sleep and wash, with no frills, will soon be completely priced out of the market

 

[Kite159]

I suspect for Edinburgh, anything reasonably priced is better to look outside the city centre area. Similar to London where the hotels in zone 1 can be silly money.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sadly, this logic works less and less for Edinburgh these days, you're having to go a long way out and quite often to places with limited public transport for better value for money hotels these days

 

[D6130]

Been meaning to come back, further to my earlier enthusiasm for Travelodge, as I looked to re-book in the Edinburgh Central one for May or September, to find rooms in those months are now anything up to and even over £200 a night! I had a chat with the lady on the reception desk, and she said it's because there are lots of things going on in Edinburgh... well yes, but heck it's still only a Travelodge! She told me to try different dates, but I wasn't able to find anything that is even vaguely realistic.

I fear we cheapie-hunters who just want somewhere to sleep and wash, with no frills, will soon be completely priced out of the market

Try the Stirling Travelodge, which is five minutes walk from the station. The price for the room - plus the cost of the return train fare to Edinburgh - will be considerably less than the price of a hotel in the capital. Failing that....try Glasgow and commute from there.

 

[trainophile]

Try the Stirling Travelodge, which is five minutes walk from the station. The price for the room - plus the cost of the return train fare to Edinburgh - will be considerably less than the price of a hotel in the capital. Failing that....try Glasgow and commute from there.

I did consider Stirling, but having paid circa £49 a night in the past (to be fair probably a few years ago), I now can't find anything even in late Sept/mid Oct for under £99 a night, and mostly over £100, working out at well over £200 for two consecutive nights. There's a gap in the market for genuinely affordable stop-over accommodation. I suspect everywhere is still trying to recoup from Covid losses and the ever rising costs of providing such facilities. Just have to cut down on my travels, sigh... Glad I've had 10 good years.

 

[ChrisC]

I did consider Stirling, but having paid circa £49 a night in the past (to be fair probably a few years ago), I now can't find anything even in late Sept/mid Oct for under £99 a night, and mostly over £100, working out at well over £200 for two consecutive nights. There's a gap in the market for genuinely affordable stop-over accommodation. I suspect everywhere is still trying to recoup from Covid losses and the ever rising costs of providing such facilities. Just have to cut down on my travels, sigh... Glad I've had 10 good years.

I see exactly what you mean. I don‘t really do short stop-overs but mostly longer stays of between 3 and 7 nights. I like to base myself somewhere reasonably comfortable and then go out each day exploring the area. Therefore for this type of stay somewhere like a Premier Inn or one of the better Travelodges is the minimum standard I would book for a longer stay.

I had considered booking a week in up in Dundee this Autumn. It‘s one of the few areas of Scotland which I have not explored and a 7 Day Stagecoach East Scotland bus ticket would enable me to cover a large area. Hotel prices in Dundee during September and October are so high. Even the very basic Holiday Inn Express near the station would work out at around £1000 for 7 nights booked at a flexible rate. I don’t mind paying that price if I am staying somewhere with a bit of luxury, but I will not pay those prices to stay in a budget hotel chain. I’m finding non chain independent hotels far more reasonably priced but sometimes difficult to find a good one close to the railway and bus stations.

 

[sh24]

Four Points by Sheraton Haymarket is worth a look. I have a mid-week stay in early April for £73. It's certainly nicer than a Traveldodge and 3 mins walk from the station and tram.

 

[trainophile]

Premier Inn Dundee (across the road from the station, overlooking the Tay) just spot-checked, four nights Mon-Fri 6-10 October currently £445 at fully refundable rate, £380 refundable up to 28 days before arrival. Stlll not great but the location is really good and it's verging on the affordable!

 

[ChrisC]

Premier Inn Dundee (across the road from the station, overlooking the Tay) just spot-checked, four nights Mon-Fri 6-10 October currently £445 at fully refundable rate, £380 refundable up to 28 days before arrival. Stlll not great but the location is really good and it's verging on the affordable!

Unfortunately that’s one week that I can’t manage. The dates I have been looking at, especially in September, have some extremely high Friday and Saturday night prices which really bumps up the price of a 7 night stay. I‘m very flexible with my locations and go where prices are low at the time. A couple of years ago when I was finding prices so high in Edinburgh I went to Plymouth instead!

 

[03_179]

Hope this helps someone
Travelodge have a price finder on their site.

Price Finder

pricefinder.travelodge.co.uk

 

[trainophile]

Thanks, that's a really useful link. A bit clunky to use, having to increment the dates a week at a time, but it does the job! Don't forget to enter your destination before you start choosing dates otherwise you have to start again.

 

[Buzby]

I fear we cheapie-hunters who just want somewhere to sleep and wash, with no frills, will soon be completely priced out of the market

It’ll get worse when the Council add the ‘tourist tax’ as a per night fee. Most of us hop on the train to Stirling which has fast connections and not the same rip-off!

 

[JGurney]

Signalbox, Kyle of Lochalsch

My wife and I enjoyed a short stay here a few years ago. The old signalbox has been refurbished by the Kyle Railway Museum and the ground floor is now a holiday flat for two. It is small, cosy and comfortable. It is right beside the line, but of course there are usually only eight passing trains per day (although a 'land cruise' railtour stopped for the night while we were there). There is a set of steps down the embankment to gain access to the signalbox, so it is not suited for some people with limited mobility. The upper floor contains the KRM's OO gauge layout, and signalbox guests have free access to the museum.

Details: https://www.kylestationmuseum.org/stay/

 

[Willie Bee]

Been meaning to come back, further to my earlier enthusiasm for Travelodge, as I looked to re-book in the Edinburgh Central one for May or September, to find rooms in those months are now anything up to and even over £200 a night!

My wife and I have stayed a few times at the Haymarket Premier Inn Hub and it's always been very reasonable, but as you say, for September prices are crazy.

Cheapest I've found was £84, in their 'bigger style' room for Sun 14th September.

An alternative is the airport P.I. for May Sunday 4th, Monday 5th £74 / £53. Tram and buses from city centre to airport are handy

 

[D6130]

An alternative is the airport P.I. for May Sunday 4th, Monday 5th £74 / £53. Tram and buses from city centre to airport are handy

....not to mention trains, which are quicker still. The airport PI is just across the road from Edinburgh Park station.

 

[trainophile]

Sundays are always a lot cheaper than weekdays, I suppose business travellers would arrive on a Monday and go home for the weekend.

Stayed in a Premier Inn Hub once or twice (the Kings Cross one), they are a bit cramped, especially for two people (you can only get out of the bed on one side, involving climbing over your partner in the night!), and no kettle so if you want a hot drink you have to fetch one from the lounge area downstairs. Last time I checked they weren't much cheaper than a proper PI anyway.