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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be nervous about staying in a 'proper' hotel?

86 replies

QuestionableMouse · 01/08/2018 20:53

I'm booked into a holiday Inn in a few weeks and I'm feeling a bit nervous about it. I've only ever stayed in Travelodges or caravans. I know I'm being stupid but I can't help it. Any tips? (I have anxiety and it kicks off at the weirdest things.)

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 01/08/2018 20:56

It's just a hotel. You'll check in and go to your room. There really are no tips or tricks for it. The only thing is that is you feel your room isn't up to proper standards, ask for a different room.

niknac1 · 01/08/2018 20:57

I’m sure it will be very similar to those you have already stayed in. I wouldn’t worry, perhaps it will be nicer and that would be fantastic. I would just treat all members of staff as you’d like to be treated and enjoy your holiday.Hope it’s a lovely holiday.

SneakyGremlins · 01/08/2018 20:57

I thought Holiday Inn was premier inn level?

Bluelady · 01/08/2018 20:59

Treat it the way you would a Travelodge. Relax and enjoy, it will be fine.

bungaloid · 01/08/2018 21:00

All hotels are mostly the same. The more you pay the more plush they are, and generally the staff will probably be more helpful (or you can be more demanding if that's your way of doing things). I'm not a particularly fussy or demanding guest so I reckon very high class service is wasted on me.

LilMadAgain · 01/08/2018 21:00

Is there a scale for hotels a hotels position on this list indicates their realness iyswim? (serious question, I'm staying at the Ibis this month).

Toomanycats99 · 01/08/2018 21:00

I have stayed in quite a lot of holiday inns. They are a small step up from a premier inn / travel lodge but not that different!

HolyMountain · 01/08/2018 21:01

Don’t worry , you’re the guest. The reception staff will be courteous and polite.

‘Hi, I’m Mouse and I’ve booked a room for a few days’, that’s it.

Tartsamazeballs · 01/08/2018 21:01

Chain hotels are all the same, once you're in the room you can't tell if you're in a hilton, jurys Inn, holiday inn or Travelodge. Don't sweat it mate 👍

JustDanceAddict · 01/08/2018 21:02

Holiday Inn isn’t much better than PI I agree (and I like PI). You’ll be fine.

DitheringBlidiot · 01/08/2018 21:02

Holiday inn is more or less a travelodge with different decor. They are all much of a muchness. At holiday inn express you get free breakfast.

Mmer · 01/08/2018 21:04

Holiday Inn is basically the same as Travelodge. Nothing to be nervous about. Have fun on your trip!

crumpet · 01/08/2018 21:04

Treat it the same as a travel lodge - if it has a pool, or the breakfast room location isn’t obvious, just ask at reception. And they will tell you anything you need to know, such as if pool towels are provided etc. Their job is to make the guests stay run smoothly! Have a lovely stay.

Xenia · 01/08/2018 21:10

Holiday Inn is not exactly top of the range for hotels but all of them have the rule the customer is always right so don't worry about anything.

If there is a specific thing you want to ask us go ahead. You just arrive, they tend to take your luggage to your room for you. I usually check about wifi codes before I go up and also time of breakfast the next day but that is probably clear once you are in the room. I usually check it's what we've ordered eg we usually want single beds and often need them to divide 1 into two.

Probably best not to wander around looking too scruffy in some hotels. Not much else to remember.

raviolidreaming · 01/08/2018 21:14

they tend to take your luggage to your room for you

I've NEVER had my luggage taken to my room for me in a Holiday Inn!

BonnieF · 01/08/2018 21:15

A Holiday Inn isn’t a ‘posh’ hotel. It will be very similar to staying in a Travelodge.

The TV might be a bit bigger, the bedding might be a bit plusher, you might get a few freebie toiletries (you’ve paid for these, so take them home if you don’t use them) and there might be a kettle in your room with sachets of tea & coffee, but otherwise you won’t notice much difference.

If it’s a Holiday Inn Express, you will get a free breakfast. Just go downstairs into the breakfast room, find an empty table and help yourself to whatever you want from the buffet. I usually take a couple of pieces of fruit away with me Wink.

If you’re unsure about anything, just ask the reception staff. It’s their job do be nice and helpful to guests.

Enjoy your trip Smile.

SoyDora · 01/08/2018 21:18

I was going to say the same as the above... holiday inn is pretty much the same as a travelodge isn’t it? Certainly the case in my experience. So just approach it in the same way and you’ll be fine!

28holid · 01/08/2018 21:22

Holiday inn is about as far from a ‘proper’ hotel as you can get. It’s just a chain hotel like travelodge etc.

Screamingeels · 01/08/2018 21:24

Have you got a pool? If you have, no need to bring towels from room they'll give you one at pool reception. You might want to check times esp. If you are taking kids.

We often stay at Holiday Inn for pool and biggest family room (bigger than Premier or Travelodge generally).. Tis like a mini holiday!

QuestionableMouse · 01/08/2018 21:24

Thanks! I think it's because going for work and it's freaking me out a bit. I'll only have one small bag (overnight stay) so I'd rather take it for myself. I've paid for breakfast too which I normally wouldn't do.

OP posts:
soapboxqueen · 01/08/2018 21:31

Holiday Inns range from travelodge-esque (I love a nice travel lodge) to a bit more upmarket but it's hard to tell which is which sometimes. Express tend to be more like travelodge.

Eitherway they work the same. "hi I've booked a room for 3 nights" "Okidoki, here's your key/card/whatever"

Ginkypig · 01/08/2018 21:32

As long as you don't trash the room, your not making so much noise that guest down the corridors complain and your not going down to breakfast in your nighty then you'll be fine! Grin

Holiday inn isn't much different from travel-lodge really.

Enjoy it! I know your there for work but enjoy your time on your own reading or having a bath or with a cheeky glass of red and trashy tv.

Bizzylizzyloo · 01/08/2018 21:33

Don't be nervous!! It will be very, very like the travel lodge so you will know what to expect!

SparklyLeprechaun · 01/08/2018 21:33

There's really not going to be anyone trying to take your luggage up for you in a holiday Inn. It's just a generic chain hotel, you might get fewer cracked tiles in the bathroom and may have an iron in your room but that's it.

DrunkOnCalpol · 01/08/2018 21:35

It's not usual for staff to take your bag up at a holiday inn type hotel. The only difference from travrlodge is nicer decor and hairdryer/iron will be in the room, you won't need to ask if you want one.