And yet another one bites the dust... do I smell or something????
And yet another one bites the dust... do I smell or something????
Member since:14.10.2003
Reviews:32
Members who trust:26
This Friday just gone I made my way back to Birmingham to pick up my exam results. Having already decided to go out that night, I opted to book a cheap-as-hell room to crash the night. At £26 and smack bang in the middle of Broad Street (Birmingham's clubbing area) this place fitted the bill pretty well. I didn't expect too much given the price, but that said the hotel failed to deliver on every single count.
Having arrived in Birmingham quite early since my results were released at midday, I ambled down to the hotel at around 1.30. Now check-in IS posted as 3pm on the website, but usually most hotels are fairly accommodating. I actually had no intention of checking in till 3,
but I just wanted to dump my bag. The receptionist was pretty rude, informing me to come back at three before I'd even opened my mouth. After I asked her if I could at least leave my bags, she gave me an evil look and flounced around a bit. Honestly. Eventually she took them and put them behind the desk at which point I left pretty sharpish to have some lunch. You can buy food in the reception area but it's stuff like Ginster's sandwiches and so on. There is no bar or restaurant.
Anyway, on coming back at 3 I was given my key and went up to my room. Not a great room, but big considering the price I'd paid, and the inclusion of a sofa (albeit a battered tatty green one) was a nice touch. That's where the niceties end. The layout of the room was baffling - you could not watch the TV from the bed. That said, you couldn't watch the TV at all - the remote did not work. "No problem" I thought, I'll just call reception. Of course, I then realised you can't call reception. Travelodge removed this facility to "cut costs" and offer cheaper rooms. "Never mind" I thought, I'll have a shower before my big celebratory night out. Well, even that didn't work - the shower was lukewarm at best and the bathroom filthy. Travelodge do NOT provide any toiletries and only provide 1 towel. With two staying in the room, that's a bit silly.
The bed itself was large, but pretty lumpy and uncomfortable. You get the standard tea and coffee (although not enough milk) and crappy Pay TV movies (if the damn thing worked).
At this point I'll also mention that my mate was also staying in the same place, 2 floors up. His room was not much better, so I figured there was little point in changing.
Anyway, after my night out (a good night was had by all :)) we came back at around 4am. This is where my beef with the hotel really took off. The front door operated on a swipe system at night… that was turned off. If you needed to get indoors in a rush, for example you were being chased down the road (quite common in Broad Street), well, you couldn't. After pressing the buzzer, the reception desk opened the door after making us wave the key cards at the camera.
No problem, I thought. Just being safe. It wasn't until we got indoors that they started getting stroppy. "What room number?" they asked.
"501" I replied.
"There are already people staying there"
"Yes. I am staying there"
"There are two people already in the room. What's your name?"
"Shah"
"Yes that's the name of the person in the room"
"No. That's my name"
"No, Mr Shah is in the room. What room number are you?"
And so on for a good 15 minutes. They then proceeded to have the same argument with my mate.
This was quite possibly the most ridiculous scenario I have ever come across. What made it even worse was the fact they followed us up to the room. I have never felt more pissed off at being treated so poorly. They basically accused me of lying, then accused me of trying to sneak extra people into the room, then were just downright rude. Luckily I am a stubborn old so-and-so so I got access to the room (which I had booked and paid for) in the end.
To top it off, the maid bounced into my room at 10am despite the "Do not disturb" sign and checkout not being till midday.
What a load of BS.
I'm sorry, but there is no way I can recommend this place. Yes its cheap, but only if you book well in advance. The slandered rate is £65. For that price, you can stay at the City Inn a few blocks down, and get treated like a human being.
Avoid, at all costs.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Well I certainly wont be staying there! Great review though, its quite funny when you look back but Im sure it wasnt at the time. xx
Dan_ep 29.08.2006 10:17
Sounds very frustrating! I wont stay there. Dan.
RICHADA 26.08.2006 16:06
Unlike the subject of it, at least the reviewc was very helpful! I now avoid these Travelodges, most of them are tired and in serious need of upgrading. Inkeepers Lodge for me - every time! Richard.
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Aug 6th, 2006
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (98%):
