About Premier Inns?

[KimberleyClark]

They’ve gone downhill IMO. Stayed in the one in Bodmin on the way to and from Cornwall. The first room we had the curtains were full of holes which we only noticed on waking up, on the way back, different room, one curtain was hanging almost half off the rail so couldn’t be closed. Nothing to drink water out of except the glass tea mugs. We stayed in one in Bromsgrove a few months back and the lift was out of order the whole time. I had a medium size suitcase and we were on the second floor. And they no longer do cooked breakfast buffet, you have to order it which I don’t like as I prefer to choose my own. And the continental breakkfast selection was very poor.

Not used them since they changed the bed, I find the Silentnight very uncomfortable. I used to like the Hypnos and used them regularly when visiting family and friends. I never had a dirty one, but customer service was often lacking and non-refurbed ones seemed to always have threadbare curtains. I now usually use pubs though and actually prefer it; they have a lot more personality, the food's usually better, and I feel smug that I'm helping a small, local business rather than a big corporation.

Did use an Ibis in an emergency in India though and was very impressed, really comfy bed. Don't know if it's the same here, but would happily give them a go. Holiday Inns don't seem to like me much, my keycard never ever works, and I've always found the staff really rude. Weirdly, I've had the exact same experience all over the world, though I know other people love them so think it's definitely a me-thing.

I stayed in the one opposite Exeter St David’s station very recently. Was perfectly fine, clean, good breakfast etc. Friendly staff.

But I do agree that many of the older hotels are struggling now. I only book the newer or refurbished PI hotels.

lifts break, I’m sure someone would have given you a hand, you only had one suitcase!
I stayed at an awful one in Hammersmith the window wouldn’t open and it was baking hot, at the same time it was only thin and o could hear everything. They refunded without quibble.

Fantastic stay at one in Belfast though, lovely staff and huge clean rooms.

A lot of the ones that took over old buildings aren’t always great, but I don’t think I’ve had a bad experience in a purpose built one yet.

I’ve stayed in 2 different ones recently and they were both great.

My only complaint was the curtain rail wasn’t held up very well and fell down on the first night!

Stayed in one in Belfast recently and whilst it was old, it was fine for the price

Excellent buffet breakfast - both hot and cold and some cooked to order, and the evening meal was really good - Bar and Block in house bar and restaurant rather than the Thyme. Very modern and lively

The only change / "downhill" thing I've found recently is that you don't get separate water glasses and coffee/tea mugs anymore. You get combined heat-proof glasses instead which serve for both hot and cold drinks.

YABU about the breakfast, as smaller PIs have always been to order and larger PIs are buffet based.

Fair point about the curtains. That's pretty rubbish if the cleaners didn't notice / report it before the next customer stayed there.

The lift situation is just unfortunate I'm afraid. Too late now but maybe a porter may have helped.

Just about to book in at the one in ST Austell, we were going to stop at Bodmin but changed our minds, glad we did.

We have asked for an accessible room as I'm disabled, with a wet room.

Will report back.

The one Bromsgrove as I understand is full of asylum seekers (dons hard hat) which is a shame as the pub attached to it used to be great. I always used to think Premier Inn was much better than Travelodge but I agree gone downhill. Bring back Lenny Henry.

Never go to Newcastle Quayside. It is horrific. We love the hub at King's Cross though.

Vastly varying quality - even in London - I recommend the one in Chiswick , big , very modern, good underground car park and a nice attractive bar and breakfast area - although nothing around it - we just get an uber into Chiswick , Have stayed their lots and often before going to Heathrow- On the other hand the one at Ravenscourt Park has shit tiny rooms but is more convenient for other facilities - like shops and cafe across the road. .

Re the breakfast, we’d stayed in the Bromsgrove one before and it was always hot buffet breakfast in the adjacent pub. However this time the pub was obviously not in use and looking a bit dilapidated and the non buffet breakfast was being served in a poky dining room in the hotel itself.

The PI’s I’ve stayed in in Edinburgh have been great. Clean, tidy, great buffet breakfasts.
That can’t be said for the one in Newton Aycliffe. It was older, tired, a bit grubby and the pub we had to go to for breakfast was grim. It was dirty, smelt like cooking oil and service was bad.

Can state St Austell is lovely. Clean room (no falling down curtains in fact look new).

Wet room is fully accessible and clean.

We even have a fan which was already going when we got in so the room is cool.

Oh and breakfast is buffet in a nice looking restaurant next door

@KimberleyClark That's interesting about an adjacent pub. It must be a one-off or a select few at most, as I've been to over 20 PIs and the food area has always been in-house, with a bar in the same area.

I'm guessing that any that did have a pub next door have switched to in-house, in line with the rest of the PIs.

Last week dd stayed in the new one in Lambeth - lovely, highly recommended - and the one in Euston which is...not...

I think they vary enormously, just as the price varies enormously. We have stayed in a lovely one, in Dorchester, in a premier plus room. It had better furnishings, a fridge, iron and ironing board. This room cost 2 - 3 times more than the one in Falkirk. The one in Falkirk wasn’t bad but a bit dated. The bed was comfortable and the staff were pleasant. What do you expect for less than £70 a night.

Bloody love a Premier Inn and will not hear a bad word 😂

We had a week in the hub at King's Cross earlier this year and it was spot on. Clean, comfortable, decent restaurant and very well located.

Agree, Euston was horrible. Heating didn’t work last time in February. The room was freezing and yes I did complain at time. We got a plug in heater. Room was still freezing unless sat right next to the heater.
I also had to ask for tea and coffee etc. Very stingy with the milk! Normally you can help yourself.

Staying at Peterborough and the Reception gave me a great room with a riverside view and the air conditioning is AMAZING! 🥵😁

I think PI have fewer staff on shift - and it shows that they are expected to do their own jobs with a broom up their arses.

The breakfast buffets will either have items missing or hot items gone cold/congealed. I'd rather find a local cafe instead.

They vary a lot as do their rivals. Always look at independent reviews.

I just moved to a Premier Inn next to Wembley on Saturday after I stupidly booked a travel lodge in centre London with no air con for two nights. It honestly felt like I had upgraded to the Ritz in comparison.

I did stay in a shabby one that was surrounded by seagulls and their shit at Newcastle Quayside a couple of years ago though so I guess they aren’t all equal.

@Megsdaughter is that the one at Carclaze? We were there in May. Comfy beds, great night sleep but the whole place is very, very, tired. Stayed there 3 or 4 times now. Staff are absolutely brilliant.
If it is that one sack off the pub for breakfast and go across the road to Niles Bakery!