Over recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of new motel style hotels springing up around the country. Responding to a demand for lower price overnight accommodation, Whitbread Travel Inns are perhaps the best know chain, with over 250 motels now set up across the country. For £40.95 per night, you get a clean, modern double or family room, with your own bathroom and television. The hotels are normally situated adjacent to a family restaurant, so breakfast and evening meals are easily at hand - although not inclusive of the price.

Most Travel Inns are relatively new so the quality of accommodation tends to be very good. The rooms are a good size - particularly the family rooms - and are kept extremely clean. The beds are made up with continental quilts, rather than with sheets and blankets, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, and there are fold down sofa beds in the family rooms which you would need to make up for yourself, in the event that you want to use the additional space. There are additional pillows and blankets provided as necessary - the pillows are usually very unsubstantial, and you may need two or three per person.

In terms of extras, the Travel Inns keep things to a minimum, which is obviously reflected in the price. The rooms seldom have their own telephone - there are phone kiosks at reception, which charge payphone rates. You have your own small television, usually with the standard terrestrial Channels, and often with radio, which can be swivelled, but not moved completely. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided, but the rooms do not supply shampoo or bath foam, so make sure you take your own. I found the set up of the hotels quite frustrating in that if you want anything from reception, you have to leave the room and go yourself - no room service here. The bath towels were exceptionally small, and only one is put in the room, so couples or families will need to ask at reception for additional supplies (same thing will apply to extra tea or biscuits).

Service in the hotels is limited, but very friendly. Reception staff are keen to help, but are fighting a losing battle if you're already a bit teed off that you've had to wander down to reception yourself to get additional towels. The chain now state that they will refund the cost of the room if you are not 100% satisfied - a bold statement that backs up their intent, but I don't know how picky you are allowed to be.
I was disturbed by the hallway doors banging every time somebody left their room and the sheer number of rooms in such a small space meant that other guests could be heard in the corridors relatively loudly.