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Star in the East...


rockershovel

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Just spent a tiresome night in a Premier Inn in Grimsby. Why does a modern hotel chain at the upper end of the “business and overnight” sector think it’s acceptable to have no air-conditioning? Stuffy and unpleasant. Food was downright poor and the cider tasted watery, didn’t finish my pint (which is most unusual). Typical location on a nondescript light industrial estate made for constant traffic noise through the night. 

 

I’m also finding that the whole “working in the U.K. to slow down a bit” isn’t really working out. The general relentless pace, disorganisation, and squalid site conditions just aren’t ringing my bell at all. The phone is ringing again, Ive already turned down a couple of nice little jobs.... I’ve presently got a possible Jack-up move in N Sea and a survey trip to the Caspian in the offing, if they come up it’ll be “have bag, will travel” time again. 

 

 

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I think there are two types of Premier Inn -

  • The family type: in town, air conditioning
  • The white van man type: cheaper, industrial areas, no air conditioning.

I was just checking out one I use on occasion when in outer London which is definitely the latter and just noticed it doesn't advertise air con either and is on a ring road.

  • Agree 2
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Haven’t stayed in one since.

 

I did have several nights in a Best Western in Skegness, which was rather pleasant if a bit cramped, as BW often are. Converting old buildings into en-suite rooms is challenging! 

 

 

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Premier inns can be very variable some have big rooms and aircon others tiny ones and no aircon 

There is one on the south side of burton which is really odd , no aircon and it's on a very busy road so in the summer if you have the window open you are awake as soon as traffic starts.

It's the only one I know that still has room keys rather than cards.

I use premier inns a lot with work 

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A small bouquet for a recent “find”, Travelodge at Bristol Filton. Hard to find amid a tangle of new development and temporary works, inadequate parking and a sweltering stairwell with two external glazed walls, but large rooms, WITH aircon ... also catering morning and evening, not something usual in Travelodge plus Costa and Subway adjacent.

 

I’d suspect that it owes its development to the RR Engines works, directly opposite. Probably intended to serve visiting reps and engineers. 

Edited by rockershovel
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13 hours ago, rockershovel said:

A small bouquet for a recent “find”, Travelodge at Bristol Filton. Hard to find amid a tangle of new development and temporary works, inadequate parking and a sweltering stairwell with two external glazed walls, but large rooms, WITH aircon ... also catering morning and evening, not something usual in Travelodge plus Costa and Subway adjacent.

 

I’d suspect that it owes its development to the RR Engines works, directly opposite. Probably intended to serve visiting reps and engineers. 

I once stayed in aTravelodge - it's evening dining came courtesy of Dominos and breakfast arrived in a box with one of those cereal/milk combinations.

Edited by woodenhead
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Many of the travellodges were built alongside Little Chefs, when they went bust / got sold off, Some ended up in places with no catering at all. The rest it's very hit and miss what you get. The last one I stayed in only had a Greggs,  The one that I see most (but I'm only stopping for fuel) has a  Burger king and Kentucky.. But they don't open till 10:00.. so you're stuffed  (or should that be unstuffed?) for breakfast..

 

 

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Both chains seem to suffer from inconsistent standards, although Travelodge more so. There’s also Days Inn, which I used to use but haven’t stayed at in years. 

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So, I did the trip to Kazakhstan, currently under the Shell NCOC banner. Stayed at the old Chagala Hotel of dubious memory on the outbound leg, THAT place doesn’t get any better. Return leg was at the Chagala Apartments, sometime apartment facilities for long-term expats and a better bet all round. 

 

I’ve had a few weeks off and a short stint of local casual work. Off to Aberdeen on Weds for a pre-contract meeting for a short job next week..

 

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As far as your stay in the Premier Inn is concerned, if you are unhappy with the experience tell them. We stayer in the Travel Lodge close to Kings Cross and was far from impressed, I thought over priced (as all the hotels are in that Location, noisey and cramped

 

In contrast on our return journey we stayed in an equally aged hotel opposite Turin railway station, whilst cramped it still had its late Victorian elegance and was a vastly better and had musc superior dining facilities, on a previous trip we had the pleasure of being put up in the Lingotto Congress which  was topped off with a visit to the old Fiat test track on the roof.  Just look at the prices against what is on offer.  Then ask me why I dislike London.

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Complaining at Premier Inn serves no purpose at all. The staff are well aware of your complaints, which they hear all the time; quite a few make some effort as far as their ability extends, offering light top sheets instead if duvets, buckets or bags of ice and electric fans. They KNOW customers expect air con, and know the chain doesn’t expect or intend to provide it. 

 

 

 

 

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