Travel Lodge

[blueskiesandforests]

Is it worth paying for the breakfasts - are they big buffet breakfasts which will mean no lunch needed, or a bit meagre? They aren't a particular bargain, but then breakfast out never will be I guess...

Also if I book a saver price for a family room for 7 nights in a city centre 6 months in advance an I fairly much guaranteed to actually have the room when we arrive, or are there horror stories of this type of booking being bumped for higher paying last minute guests, as happens with some similar chain operations? Will it being a family booking for 7 nights make it more secure than the single night stop overs which often seem to get bumped to a less desirable location by some budget hotel chains?

Irregular yep I started by looking at Airbnb - found some lovely, reasonably priced, cottages in other parts of the country, even right on the beach ... Unfortunately it seems the Reading area isn't full of reasonably priced cottages, which I suppose is unsurprising as it's an expensive area to own property.

Crisp thanks for the link - I just looked, and the private rooms in that youth hostel are all booked out already (6 months in advance) for the week we need

where2 thanks, that's reassuring at least.

What dates are you looking at

Thanks Helly

First week of March Holey

4th to 11th March in reading eastbound Travelodge is 287 pounds for 7 nights in a family room, I doubt you'll find anything cheaper.

It's 245 pounds if you click on the find a room for 29 a night, don't know why it's different.

Yep you're right - I don't want to be in the motorway though. I'll just have to suck up paying more, or not stay as long. Will probably go with Reading central if I do book.

When I breezily said we'd come over I was thinking we'd take the train instead of flying (were in Germany and train would take 8 hours, and we've used long distance trains recently and found it pleasanter than flying) and book a nice little cottage or flat, as I'm sick to the back teeth of flight delays and security queues and queuing for an hour at passport control etc. A week in a cottage or flat was really appealing. But trains are more expensive than flights and cottages would be over the £1000 all on their own, without getting there and home.

Somehow any trip to the UK for just me and the kids ends up far more expensive yet also more full if compromise than a 2 week family holiday to Italy or Croatia or France with DH too. Was hoping to do better this time!

Think I'm going to sleep on it and ponder booking in again tomorrow!

Which side of Reading do you need to be? Bracknell is likely to be cheaper but might be the wrong direction.

I’m a Premier Inn regular but last week stayed at a Travelodge (Southwark)

Travelodge breakfasts are cheaper. The main differences are:

No porridge
Only scrambled eggs (no poached)
Croissants but no Danish pastries/blueberry muffins)
Cereals in mini boxes not dispensers
Typhoon Tea not Twinings (but fruit teas available)
White & brown bread for toast, no bagels.

I think the uk Yha is a lot more security conscious than its European counterparts. We get a lot of overseas family group visitors and they have often commented on this aspect. A shame it’s booked up on your dates.

I've just booked a Travel lodge for Edinburgh for next week.
The breakfast deal was terrible so we've skipped and will get something for better value in the city.

I was quite surprised as I usually use Premier Inn or Holiday Inn Express for trips by myself and the breakfasts are great.

Hmm ok I think maybe my dear of premier Inn bumping bookings needs getting over!

Premier Inn at Heathrow seems a bit of a bargain for our dates but it would be silly to stay at the airport all week... Although it could be rather fun in a surreal way I used to love airports and train stations, but am old enough to have flown a lot pre 9/11, when catching European flights was no more hassle than catching a bus.

Good trips on here about not pre booking breakfast.

I will get something booked over the next few days!