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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Stevienickssleeves · 01/08/2018 22:21

There might be a pool! is there a pool?

28holid · 01/08/2018 22:22

God that's awful, the carpet looks disgusting

kaykay72 · 01/08/2018 22:23

We stay at a lot of budget hotels due to kids sport.

We tend to avoid travel lodge - some are ok but some are shoddy/seedy. Premier inn and holiday inn express are about level. Clean basic rooms, comfy beds. HI express has free breakfast buffet and the reception staff man the bar, so it’s usually open late. Premier inn have the comfiest beds, but tend to be attached to a chain pub for food/drink/breakfast. Holiday Inn proper is a small step up. Breakfast isn’t included, you have to pay for it if you want it, but it’s a nicer breakfast than HI express. They tend to have a nicer bar/restaurant area, and will often have a gym/pool/spa. They tend to have tea making stuff, hairdryer, often trouser press in the room. Still not posh/stressy, you don’t need to think about getting dressed up, tend to be families with kids or business travellers x

speakout · 01/08/2018 22:27

That room looks awful.

adoggymama · 01/08/2018 22:30

@Tartsamazeballs the Hilton's and Marriotts I've stayed in you can DEFINITELY tell they're nothing like premier inn/travel lodge. Hmm
Otherwise why would we pay premium?

MrsMWA · 01/08/2018 22:35

I’ve stayed in all types of hotel - Four Seasons to Kings Cross knocking shop. There’s really no actual difference. You pay, you sleep, you leave. It will be fine!

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 01/08/2018 22:37

It's a proper holiday Inn rather than the express. There is a pool.

It's the one at Doncaster, if anyone has experience with that hotel. I go next week.

OP posts:
oldsockeater · 01/08/2018 22:42

Take something to read at breakfast if on your own.
I always take earplugs too.

CSIblonde · 01/08/2018 22:42

Google it and see if it has pics re rooms, bar, restaurant . Then there isn't that fear of the 'unknown'. Hotels & check in are all v similar really, it just gets slightly more posh looking decor wise the higher you go. From booking Hotels at work few years ago its goes from lower cost Travel Lodge, but to Premier Inn, then large chain (Marriott or Ibis) , then 4/5star 'boutique'. They all have pics & virtual tours now. HTH.

thegreylady · 01/08/2018 22:45

Dh and I once stayed in a hotel in Manchester. Dh is a very keen cricket fan and he kept looking over at the blokes at the next table at breakfast and saying in a stage whisper,”Doesn’t that bloke look like Nasser Hussain?”
After the second time the chap’s companion came over to dh and said (also in a stage whisper),”That’s because he is Nasser Hussain!”

somewhereovertherain · 01/08/2018 22:50

Stay in holiday inns a lot in fact at a Crowne plaza as we speak.

Holiday inn proper defiantly a step up from travelodge and most better than premier inn.

Express more like travelodge

Crowne plaza a step up again

Do also like radioson blu and Marriott.

You’ll be fine.

mummyhaschangedhername · 01/08/2018 22:52

I just got back from a holiday inn today. We stayed two nights. Really just a tiny step up from a PI, it had a spa and conference centre.

No tips really. Food wasn't fantastic but breakfast was ok. Soft drinks were expensive but that's normal. I've stayed in a mix of hotels of various stars and more travel lodge type places. This was closer to travel lodge.

Pool had a range of times to use which was good though. I found staffing for the spa very poor, and needed my own towels because while they were supplied they staff seemed to disappear for large periods of time and it was difficult to use the facilities because of it and in particular to get towels.

It was nice enough though. I would use again.

Enjoy your visit.

Ontheboardwalk · 01/08/2018 22:59

Ah go and enjoy the break even if it is for work!.

My greatest pleasure in hotels is coming back to the room and having a made up bed waiting for me. That’s what matters to me

Nonotmenori · 01/08/2018 23:01

Hi OP, I'm currently staying in a holiday inn as I type. The room is exactly the same as the previous posters who posted photos. This is my second week here (new job) no pool or gym here. The staff are lovely. Last week my room had foundation on the floor and the curtains. This room wasn't too bad but carpets are dirty. Food wise no full restaurant but you can get pizza and a curry, but no room service. The bed is very comfortable and the aircon will have you feeling like you're in Antarctica!

Fire away if you've any questions.

FASH84 · 01/08/2018 23:05

Not sure what people expect from a budget hotel chain! The carpet in that room was clean, what's showing on the picture is a hairband and shadows

FASH84 · 01/08/2018 23:06

I stayed in a beautiful old hotel in Winchester by the cathedral, but no aircon and breakfast was shocking, when I'm working, there for a week and five months pregnant I know what my preference would be

28holid · 01/08/2018 23:11

Sorry FASH I clicked on it for full view and it's not shadows. You can see clearly a shadow below the table, but the rest of the carpet? That's not shadow. It looks disgusting.

Skiiltan · 01/08/2018 23:14

I think what the OP needs to know is:
(a) Will there be uniformed flunkeys trying to carry her bag and demanding tips?
(b) Will there be a mini-bar that she absolutely mustn't take anything out of unless she wants to be hit with a startling bill when she checks out?
(c) If they ask her if she wants a newspaper/alarm call/etc. will she be charged for it?
(d) What does she have to do before sitting down for breakfast (show card with room number to someone?) and does she have to wait for someone to come and pour coffee/tea for her before she goes to collect food?

I hate staying in hotels almost as much as I hate flying, but budget chains are generally okay as they have hardly any staff and don't harass you.

Nonotmenori · 01/08/2018 23:14

I forgot to add the bathroom sink is a bit crazy. It's massive and water goes everywhere! Mine leaks all over the floor every time I use it, but I cba to complain as it's my last night tonight.

Ps Flash both floors in two different rooms have been disgusting. There are marks all over my carpet. I'd take pictures but I cba

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 01/08/2018 23:19

I travel a bit in my job, sometimes clients pay for nicer hotels than I would myself. Only real difference is size of the room, breakfast variety (posh = more options like smoked salmon, perhaps omelet station and various posh coffees), how quiet it is, and how good the air con is.
Nobody ever rolled my suitcase up for me.
Travelling as a single female I do like to go for a drink or a bite alone but if anyone approaches me I say I'm in town with a friend who is doing something else right now and I'm meeting them later.
I like hotel doors to have a chain on the inside. I always make sure I know where emergency exits are.
If no chain I always bring a simple rubber door stop and wedge it from the inside. Got this tip from a friend who has woked in a lot of war zones.

GabsAlot · 01/08/2018 23:27

it used to be in the 70's but not now-ive stayed in posh and yes it is a bit ott but worth it they dont care who u are as long as u pay the rate

Weedsnseeds1 · 01/08/2018 23:37

Doncaster one has nice grounds.
It's better than a Travelodge, but you won't have uniformed bellboys hoiking your luggage around.
It's a budget hotel, but with restaurant, pool, spa etc.
You get the pool free if I remember correctly, but treatments are charged.

KenAdams · 01/08/2018 23:39

You'll be fine. Things I do when I stay away for work in a Holiday Inn style hotel are as follows:

  • order a Deliveroo to the room as I'm not a fan of hotel food unless there's a decent restaurant attached
  • take a Lush bath bomb for a nice soak in the tub
  • grab a few snacks and drinks at the train station
  • have the TV off and enjoy the silence (I'm very rarely properly on my own so the peace is amazing)
  • if there's a spa I might pop in there before my bath very briefly

For breakfast you go to the stand and give them your room number. Most Holiday Inns I stay at they ask whether you want tea or coffee and bring it you and the breakfast is all a buffet but with different cooking stations unlike a Premier Inn where they bring you your hot breakfast order.

Look in the drawers in the room for a pillow spray (can't remember if it's Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza that do that) because it's lovely and really helps to relax you.

Think that's it really. Holiday Inns aren't in the IHG premium range really so it shouldn't be too different from a Travelodge.

And finally don't be nervous. You can afford to stay there, whoever is paying for it. Just be you - you're a customer and they need you. You don't need to behave a certain way to look like you belong. You just do by virtue of the fact that you're there :)

Rebecca36 · 01/08/2018 23:40

You will be absolutely fine. Think of Travelodge only with more luxury and extras.

Enjoy!

rosy71 · 01/08/2018 23:52

It's pretty much exactly like going to a Travelodge.