London Budget Hotels - Travelodge vs. Premier Inn Review

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  • čas přidán 23. 11. 2023
  • If you want to book a stay in London, there are literally dozens of Travelodge and Premier Inn properties in and around the city. You have lots of choices, depending on which area you want to stay in and how much you are willing to pay. Watch this video to hear our tips at staying in these hotels, and see my review of Travelodge vs. Premier Inn… which we prefer!
    Thanks for watching. Please subscribe for more British travel adventures and advice! Cheers! XX Dara
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Komentáře • 176

  • @seanmc1351
    @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +7

    another tip, if you book in advance, thats great, if your a smoker, in premier inn, you can request your room close to reception, 3 days before your arrival, saves walking miles through corridors to go for a smoke, room allocated 3 days before and can be requested, also get your car parked next to the door, so if you do smoke, its cold night, you can sit in car, me and my wife done this often lol

  • @IamaDutch-Kiwi
    @IamaDutch-Kiwi Před 8 měsíci +2

    I will save this video for when we do manage a London escape. Great comparisons. Your 'tips' videos are so details and to the point. I find them very useful Dara. Another one to be mindful of when booking. 👌🇳🇱🙋‍♀🇳🇿🌺

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Cheers, Anita! I really liked how you stayed in small independent inns or b&b's when you visited Britain. You chose some great places!

  • @Rodaportal
    @Rodaportal Před 8 měsíci +2

    Your insights on Travelodge vs. Premier Inn are spot-on! 🏨💼 Avoiding hotel breakfasts is a smart move, and your tip about requesting a room close to reception in Premier Inn for smokers is gold. 😂 Loved the hilarious shower gel dispenser moment! 😆 Thanks for sharing these valuable tips and making the decision between these hotels a bit easier. Safe travels, Magenta Otter Travels! 🌍✈

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Was the shower gel part hilarious because I accidentally said something obscene? That's what someone else said, and I'm still wondering if I should go edit the video! I feel bad...

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      Specifically within Hotel Breakfasts…my top tip for your trip is , if you’re not that into sausages …think very hard about what you’re about to put on your plate..

  • @wendytsui0
    @wendytsui0 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Thank you very much for the info for the very useful tips.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 3 měsíci

      Thank YOU for watching and taking the time to comment! I hope you have a great visit to London! XX

  • @MadameMinima
    @MadameMinima Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thanks for your insight tips by comparing the two different hotels. Next time when Philippe and I travel to London (hopefully sometimes soon) and we don't find an affordable Airbnb or Youth hostel we will check your recommendations.

  • @The_Brit_Girls
    @The_Brit_Girls Před 8 měsíci +1

    Interesting comparison video. It's odd they didn't have a hairdryer in the Travel Lodge. I was surprised that the Premiere Inn was cheaper than the Travel Lodge in London. I believe it's usually the other way around. Lots of great advice and tips. Nice job, Dara! 👍❤

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      I've stayed in at least two different Travelodges that didn't have hair dryers in the room... you had to ask at reception! And sometimes they would run out! For someone with an unruly head of hair like me, that is not OK. haha!

  • @PostcardAndAPint
    @PostcardAndAPint Před 8 měsíci +2

    Premier inn over travel lodge every day of the week! They are expensive though, especially in central London. We tend to stay on the outskirts now as the centre is just out of budget now! The beds are so much more comfy in the Premier Inns. Good comparison! Cheers 🍻

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      One thing I didn't mention in the video is that if you are driving, like we were, it definitely pays to stay on the outskirts of town where the parking is so much more affordable than central London!

  • @hongk0ngfu3y
    @hongk0ngfu3y Před 8 měsíci +4

    i would put Premier Inn in the same league as Holiday Inn low/mid range and Travelodge the acceptable low end. Ive often found prices for £30-40 per night if booking in advance. No frills but when in London your hotel is just a place to shower and sleep. Can save a fortune finding a hotel just outside Central London but near a undergroud station.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Yes, I agree! Using public transport to get into the city is worth it. We have stayed in Canary wharf a couple times for that same reason. Fabulous hotel, but much lower cost than central London.

  • @Nick_r
    @Nick_r Před 8 měsíci +5

    I default to Premier Inn always a decent medium quality room reasonably priced and a restaurant next door. The others vary so much from location to location. Essentially you get a consistent standard with Premier Inn.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Good point! I think if you stay at a travelodge, it's good to get one that is a new property. The old ones can be pretty dodgy...

  • @JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers
    @JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers Před 8 měsíci +1

    Excellent video! Love that there are reasonable hotel stays in London, my thoughts were always $500+ per night. Question is Travel Lodge affiliated with the US Wyndham hotel chain? Couldn’t find a clear google answer. Another fabulous video Dara! ~Cara 😊

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Yes, I believe it is part of the same company. But I'm not sure I would stay at a Travelodge in the United States... 😬
      Thanks for watching and your nice comment, Cara! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  • @TravelingTramps
    @TravelingTramps Před 8 měsíci +3

    Some great advice for those travelling to London, Dara and Ian. If we were to travel there we would want to be in the heart of the city even if it's a little more expensive. The convenience of not trying to figure out transportation would be worth it to me. But, I'm not opposed to some less expensive hotels as long as the location was central. I believe the Travelodges are in the Wyndham Hotel Group of which we're members of. (members of several others too) But, that seems to be somewhat unclear in the UK. I see their not listed in the UK a being part of the Rewards program. (just checked) Anyway we enjoyed seeing some less expensive options and enjoyed seeing the room comparison.

    • @CRHead-id7gh
      @CRHead-id7gh Před 8 měsíci +5

      Travelodge UK is a very different beast to the North American brand, and as far as I'm aware, the UK doesn't offer the same benefits and rewards you'd expect in America. Best stick Premier Inn, they are everywhere in the UK and are pretty consistent across the board. As for staying on the outskirts of central London, that's the best idea 💡 to save you money. Hotel rooms can be a little bigger, quieter, and cheaper. Sure, if you stayed in the heart of the city, you'd have a 20-minute walk to an attraction vs 20 minute tube or bus ride, plus riding the transport is part of the experience of the trip. However, the benefits far outweigh the conveniences.

    • @TravelingTramps
      @TravelingTramps Před 8 měsíci

      I did find out that the Travelodge programs or rewards are not the same over there. The Premier Inn did look nicer here and from what I read are nicer overall. Our case is a little different than most. My wife Kathy suffers from Alzheimer's and the convenience of a short walk would be much easier. She's still physically capable and the walk would do us good. Would love to visit the UK, but I don't know if it's in the cards for us anymore. Thanks for your response! @@CRHead-id7gh

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Thanks Dave! The UK is very different in general with rewards programs... they don't have nearly as many. We Americans are lucky that way. 😉

  • @RichardWells1
    @RichardWells1 Před 8 měsíci +1

    You're absolutely correct about the difference between Premier Inn and Travelodge, and which one would prefer! Very surprised to see Premier Inn cheaper in some places in London: in the provinces it's normally Travelodge that knocks spots off Premier Inn on price. For example, a Travelodge room for £30 in Cambridge compares with a £47-£62 tariff for Premier Inn. I expect it's a decision about whether the quality is worth the extra! Thanks for your critique - always helpful!

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Thank you so much, Richard! The price is very wildly by location and Buy exact date. It is always fun to be able to find a room for 30 quid! One thing I didn't mention in the video that's very important is trying to find hotels that are new. Those are always a safer bet 😉

    • @RichardWells1
      @RichardWells1 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels Agreed! New is often better!

  • @MadameMinima
    @MadameMinima Před 8 měsíci +1

    I agree with staying on the outskirts of London. When we visited London 4 years ago, we rented an Airbnb and had to take the tube to go to the city. But considering the price difference it was worth the daily trips. 👍

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Definitely! If you just want a safe and comfortable place to sleep, you can spend your time exploring the big city!

  • @MadameMinima
    @MadameMinima Před 8 měsíci +1

    With our rented Airbnb being a flat we had the possibility to prepare our own breakfast, which was very nice....and healthy on top!

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      When travelling with a family it is usually the best option to do a rented flat like an Airbnb for sure!

  • @chrisamies2141
    @chrisamies2141 Před 8 měsíci +3

    I like Premier Inns. Although I would recommend going for a 'refundable' in some circumstances - having got caught by this where I was going to stay over for a concert, the concert was cancelled, and I was left with a hotel room in a city I didn't really want to go to - would have liked to transfer to another hotel in another town, but you can't do that. If you don't mind changing your dates in that particular town or city then fine.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Yes, I agree. Often we know that our plans are "definite" barring any health emergencies. So we often get refundable. But for something like a concert, or a business trip, refundable is a better idea

  • @andyrobertshaw9120
    @andyrobertshaw9120 Před 8 měsíci +4

    Totally agree that Premier Inn is a better hotel that Travelodge, and really for much the same price.
    At Premier in, on can change the dates of a stay, even on a non-refundable booking, unless they choose the very lowest tariff. I often to this,
    Would say to do a search somewhere South of London (eg, Croydon), and somewhere north of London (eg. Borehamwood), to see where is less expensive near either of these.
    Premier Inn also famously do a meal deal. One can pay £25, and have an evening meal, with a drink, and breakfast. I think this is very good value.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +1

      This is Dara's husband, Ian. What you're saying is a good point. I was researching hotels for summer 2024 and found that the Wembley Premier Inns were substantially cheaper with rates as low as £60/night in July, when Central London hotels typically start at £200. You just have to be willing to take a 30 minute train ride into the centre of London, no big deal.

    • @andyrobertshaw9120
      @andyrobertshaw9120 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@ians3586 have stayed at the Wembley Stadium Premier Inn in August. Nothing on at the stadium, just a reasonably priced hotel in zone 4 of the city, I believe.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@andyrobertshaw9120 even less expensive is the Hammersmith Talgarth Road. In July it's as low as £51per night. On Google Street View it is just a construction site so it must've just opened. It's a five minute walk to the underground.

  • @WITYTRAVELS
    @WITYTRAVELS Před 8 měsíci +1

    The hotel comes with a magenta coat and coffee mug? Perfect!

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Well that would be nice! If any hotel we're going to do that, it would definitely be Marriott Moxy! Everything in those hotels is magenta! Lol

    • @WITYTRAVELS
      @WITYTRAVELS Před 8 měsíci +1

      Yea, remember that video!!

  • @matgilliver6965
    @matgilliver6965 Před 2 dny +1

    If you are a whitbread shareholder, the owners of premier inn(64 shares I think) you can request a shareholder card that gives you free breakfast for you and up to 4 people aswell as 10% off in the restaurants in premier inns

  • @GENerationXplorers
    @GENerationXplorers Před 8 měsíci +1

    really useful this, i find Premier Inns to be a standard price across the board whereas Travel Lodge you can find a bargain night at if you boom in advance and are flexible. great difference between the ones in London Dara. some terrible design choices in the Travelodge with storage space. yes thise dead mans switches are annoying, i wonder if it stop/starting so often is more of a hazard? the travelodge is a nightmare to connect to the wifi, which is a couple of pounds per night for just two devices. i mean Haylings is so reasonable why don’t they use that everywhere as standard? i have seen Michaels routine on body wash, very funny. gosh they both have really flexibile prices, we use the same system to find dates..
    very well put together and very helpful.
    great review ❤
    definitely wouldnt buy food from either Travelodge or Premier Inn! 👍

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Yes, I remember when we were investigating places to stay up north we found some incredibly low rates for travelodge if you plan far in advance and cherry pick the days with the low prices!

  • @Andy_U
    @Andy_U Před 8 měsíci +1

    Hiya. I used to stay at a Premier Inn all the time but then their prices went through the roof and I had to change to Travelodge. Now they're both more or less the same, so I generally go for whichever is the lowest price option that matches my itinerary. Let's face it, all you need is a bed and a shower. Well, you do if you're single (sob). I DETEST shower curtains, however. And I still LOVE what is now called the Premier Inn all-you-can-eat Unlimited Cooked Breakfast. Let's face it (again), you and Ian just nibble on a crust most of the time, but I will, virtually, go through the Menu! I don't believe I've EVER had breakfast at a Travelodge.
    Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe. All the best to you.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci

      I think you're right, Andy. I used to think that I was capable of eating a lot but then when we started traveling with friends I realized that I could not keep up with my male friends in terms of what they were able to put away during a meal. I think part of it is that I am just getting old. It is crazy how expensive things have gotten compared to how they were just five years ago. Fish and chips used to be a bargain, for example, but that's no longer the case and until recently, when Dara and I would travel around Britain, we'd only stay at £100/night places once or twice on a trip. They were extra special places but now that is pretty much standard.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Andy, your comment was very entertaining! Ian and I sat down to enjoy a big meal of Thanksgiving leftovers and Ian was laughing whilst reading your comment about us "nibbling a crust"!! I do think that prices for Travelodge and Premier Inn can be similar, and that's what prompted me to make this video. After staying at both types of hotels literally across the street from each other I found that one was so much better. Having free Wi-Fi that actually worked is a huge deal for someone like me!
      There's no shame in enjoying all you can eat breakfast! I know a lot of people do. I really made this video for Americans, and I don't want them to judge English breakfast based off of what they get in a Travelodge 😉
      Thanks for watching and leaving a lovely comment. I really appreciate your continued support 🙏
      Cheers XX Dara

  • @john_smith1471
    @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +2

    A tip to myself & others is choose a new build TL or PI, I stayed in a TL that had previously been an office block, the floors were not solid, the original suspended floor joists were shared with adjacent rooms, so I heard & felt the neighbours whenever they moved around the rooms, also that former office block had no external sound insulation, at 7am the hand car wash people over the road woke me, so too the Laundry Van at 11:30 pm. a disturbed sleep & a poor experience and no quiet night guarantee with TL.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Oh my goodness! That sounds like a bad stay! Yes, after I finished editing the video Ian reminded me that I should've talked about staying in newly built or newly refurbished hotels. Especially with Travelodge, if you stay at a brand new place it's is a safer bet but it will be nice. Although apparently one must make sure it's not a badly converted building! 😳

  • @wencireone
    @wencireone Před 8 měsíci +2

    When I'm at work and outside of London, Travel Lodge tends to be the cheaper option, but when staying for leasure, the wife and I prefer Premier Inn, even if it's more expensive as generally a bit nicer. Never had to stay in London as it is mostly travellable for me

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +2

      It's nice to find out that sometimes the Premier Inn is actually cheaper!

  • @timelord5920
    @timelord5920 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Motel One is also worth checking out 😊

  • @netherherenorthere1000
    @netherherenorthere1000 Před měsícem +1

    We tend to like the hotel breakfasts. You can eat so much it is effectively "brunch". Children go free so that cuts the cost. If you want to avoid processed, mass produced products you need to avoid coffee shops like Pret and Leon as well and rent an AirBB where you can prepare your own.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 26 dny +1

      We do stay at Airbnb a lot. We just stayed at a wonderful place in the Yorkshire Dales and another fabulous place in Northumberland in the past few weeks. Both of them were renovated stables.

  • @stephenlee5929
    @stephenlee5929 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Hi,
    I have stayed in both Travelodge and Premier Inns, though not these ones,
    I don't think I have been in either without having a hair dryer, although, often hidden in Drawers, Cupboards, sometimes near the extra pillows.
    Did you ask at reception?
    Agree with you most of the time, if you are in a city, breakfast is better outside, but it is slightly more predictable if prebooked at the hotel.
    The area near Aldgate is on the boundary with 'The City' so has a business verses tourist clientele.
    The general indicator is the Sunday rate, Weekend rate and the weekday rate.
    The Travel Lodge low rate for Sunday suggests a business focus, Friday/Saturday a normally high.
    I think this Premier Inn is Tourist with the Travel Lodge being Business, there are 2 other of each within easy walking distance which may have different target clients.
    Sorry I mention this because it is a strange boundary area.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      I totally agree! We once stayed at a Marriott in the Threadneedles area and that is totally a business area! We got a great weekend rate there!
      As for the hairdryer, more than once I have been at a Travelodge where they didn't have enough hairdryers to go around! You had to ask at reception and sometimes they would say "sorry, we've given out all the hairdryers" !!

  • @rupertorgan7749
    @rupertorgan7749 Před 8 měsíci +3

    The tip about avoiding the hotel breakfasts applies across most European cities. When my wife and I book our city breaks it's always room only, then we find somewhere local and used by the locals for a breakfast, at often a fraction of the cost of the hotel breakfast.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Oh my goodness, yes! If you can go to a Parisian bakery for a fresh pain au chocolat, why would you eat mass produced pastries from the hotel?!?!

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      Hotels do rooms its their strong point..Chip shops do food,it’s their raison d’etre..dont confuse the two….i would never go to a chip shop to stay the night….

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@griswald7156 I should think not! But seriously, it is a sensible approach to things. I remember once eating at a 1950s style diner in Los Angeles that was known for burgers and milkshakes and french fries... they had a large varied menu, and I was thinking about ordering spaghetti. My friend said "I don't ever get pasta except at an Italian restaurant". That had actually never occurred to me in my young life, but I have embraced that motto for the last 35 years! For the best food, eat it at a place that focuses on doing that thing well.

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels was it Mel’s Drive in ?

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@griswald7156 ha ha, no but you get extra points for knowing obscure American things! It was Ed Debevic's. My first job out of grad school I actually worked in Beverly Hills, if you can imagine! A place that was way beyond my budget or salary!

  • @john_smith1471
    @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Interesting video, have you seen the Premier Inn-Hub hotels? room a bit snug for two, solo visitors may like these and the rates, there are larger Hub rooms as well, rooms are techie, usb/hdmi ports, ambient lighting, Wi-Fi, rain shower, clever storage ideas,

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      I just saw them when editing this video. They look like a pod hotel we stayed in in London called Citizen M.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +2

      The nice thing about Premier Inn - Hub is that it's a relatively new concept, so you can probably count on the hotels to be fresh, clean, and modern while that's not always the case with original Premier Inn properties.

  • @paulguise698
    @paulguise698 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Hiya Dara, Me and my friend Michael are going to London next November, where sort of doing a historical holiday, Where going to Tower Of London, Jack The Ripper Tour, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and London Zoo, where staying at the President hotel, I know its expensive but we've gave ourselves 12 months to save for it, it should be a giggle, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      That sounds like a wonderful trip! You should have a great time! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

    • @paulguise698
      @paulguise698 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravelsI hope so,

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    When i went to London i stayed in Stevenage…i loved it,villagey atmosphere…with out the big city faff…24/7..
    (Every body needs a break from the mayhem)..you’re so right about the breakfasts Dara…Hotel Breakfasts..euww…but always ask for a receipt as i was charged for 2 days breakfast in Bristol……..and i specifically ordered “non petit dejeuner”..they repaid reluctantly £50, when i checked their receipt..
    Novotel has the best hotel breakfast ive seen…theyre worth going for..

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      We have had some amazing hotel breakfasts in Germany and Switzerland. It really depends on the caliber of hotel

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels i visited a cafe in Bath once, i wouldnt eat it …

  • @andrewfitzgerald2327
    @andrewfitzgerald2327 Před 8 měsíci +1

    We have stayed in many budget hotels in London. One served a plate of warm beans and two undercooked eggs for breakfast. I do enjoy Holiday Inn breakfast is included on some deals. The price differences are because Monday to Thursday are priced for business users Friday normally when the tourists visit for theatre trips. We have visited some 4* hotels that have been dreadful and one that put me and my boss in the honeymoon suite ,it didn't last😅.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Oh goodness! You and the boss in a honeymoon suite? That sounds like trouble on many levels...

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      Your boss might have told them you’ve done nuptials..it does sound like trouble he might suss that you’re not suitable for your position ..and put redundancy on the table..

    • @andrewfitzgerald2327
      @andrewfitzgerald2327 Před 8 měsíci

      @@griswald7156 we were working together for 25yrs ,he stood down and l was his boss. At the time l said to him who do l have to sleep with to get your job, his wife said ,not him. The problem arose because our secretary was called honey . She asked for the invoice to be sent to her, the ref Honey ......94. Because we were going to Paris the next day and it all got confused. It would never have worked he didn't want kids I already had 1.

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +3

    If you’re disabled,tell reception and they’ll give you a room near the door..
    Does anybody know what you have to say or do to get a sea view room in an Hotel…?has anybody tried bribery ?

  • @WITYTRAVELS
    @WITYTRAVELS Před 8 měsíci +1

    It seems to be popular to bash on AirBnb, but I don't see how people justify how expensive hotels are. Even with the week discount, a hotel room is €135 a night? That's mad.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Well, it is London! That wouldn't be a good deal in other places. But I totally agree with what you are saying about Airbnb. I have seen a few CZcams channels publish videos bashing Airbnb and they get these gigantic number of views! But if I were traveling full-time I can't imagine avoiding Airbnb! When you want to stay somewhere long-term and cook your own food, staying in normal hotels is just not an option... also, when travelling with a family it's the only way to go!

    • @WITYTRAVELS
      @WITYTRAVELS Před 8 měsíci +1

      All fair points! And for 20ish dollars a night difference, you might as well stay in the center and get more time to see the sights.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@WITYTRAVELS the one thing I didn't mention in the video was that we had our car. That was a big reason we stayed on the outskirts of town because the parking was easy and cheap. Driving in the middle of London is expensive and the parking is outrageous.

  • @john_smith1471
    @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +1

    I agree being flexible helps, but PI removed a very useful feature, they used to have an at a glance calendar view (weekly/monthly) with room rates, so you could choose a stay based solely on your budget, then fit yourself around the dates & location as long as transport worked out, I know there is still a search by price option, but I liked the calendar view option, more consumer friendly.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Oh yes, that is bad that they took that away! We use that feature when we are booking flights on American Airlines, and it is very handy!

    • @john_smith1471
      @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels A great PI booking feature, disappeared when they redesigned the website.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +2

      There's another problem with the PI website when it comes to figuring out pricing. If you select a number of days for your stay and then you click on "see breakdown", it is off by one day. It's been that way for at least 3 years and it's very confusing. Don't know why they haven't fixed it yet.

  • @stephennewton2777
    @stephennewton2777 Před 8 měsíci +3

    My tip for London, especially if driving is to look for hotels on the outskirts that are within easy walking distance of a tube station. You’ll not spend ages stuck in traffic nor paying eye-watering amounts to park in anorexic parking bays.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +2

      I agree with you 100%! I didn't mention it in this video, but that is the big reason we stayed at London Ealing. We were able to drive there and park our car reasonably. And it was easy to get to the tube station and get both into central London as well as get out to Heathrow. Our sons stayed there with us and were able to get themselves to the airport easily. I didn't emphasize the driving part because I mostly think this video will be watched in the coming months by people who aren't British. I assume most of them won't have a car when they visit London. But for Brit, definitely a good idea to stay on the outskirts of the city! Driving in London is not fun, and is very expensive!

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      My tip for London is stay outside the M25..in the Chilterns,Essex or Kent countryside..theres nothing nicer than zooming out of the metropolis into a leafy area after an exhausting day..and spotting your car in a fat free parking space..

    • @john_smith1471
      @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci

      @@griswald7156 Staying Outside the M25 solely for London can be a false economy, Train fares are pricey even if you travel off peak, parking is expensive, no easy nipping back to the hotel in the day.

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      @@john_smith1471 if you’re planning on visiting London and worried about cost, maybe one should be considering Bradford or Barnsley instead..and John you forgot to mention the eye watering fines you will be given in London if you overshoot your paid welcome into these greedy cash frenzied ,aero bar fault concrete multi story car parks…that will not be fit for purpose once everybody has exchanged their fossil fuel car for a battery version… a pack of cards waiting to collapse..the jokers will allow it to happen..no easy nipping back to the hospital in the day..
      take my tip..if as you enter,you’re seeing lots of green flashes everywhere lined up..just pay the minimum and get out..

    • @john_smith1471
      @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +1

      ​@@griswald7156 I’m giving my knowledge & advice of high travel costs outside the subsidised London travel zones, train fares/travel times/peak time restrictions/track closures/ reduced frequency, maybe one train per hour, assuming the location even has a station.

  • @luxpursuits
    @luxpursuits Před 8 měsíci +1

    My favorite - Premier Inn Earl's Court. Easy commute to and from Heathrow. Close to Central London, Kensington, Freddy Mercury's home and Diana's flat pre-royal life.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Oh, that's a great recommendation! We are always looking for hotels that are an easy commute to Heathrow! Lots of times our American visitors need to stay close to the airport before they fly out in the morning. Cheers! Dara

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +1

      I love exploring the Earl's Court area. It has some of the most beautiful architecture in London.

    • @luxpursuits
      @luxpursuits Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@ians3586 True. Not very architectural but don't forget the Doctor Who police box outside the tube station.

    • @luxpursuits
      @luxpursuits Před 8 měsíci +2

      @@MagentaOtterTravels Eearl's Court to Heathrow is about an hour's ride on tube. For the cost-conscious with a bit of time on hand this is a great option.

  • @ians3586
    @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +1

    For a step above the Premier Inn in London and Liverpool, I'd recommend The Resident a very small chain of hotels.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Yes great place in Liverpool!!

    • @stephennewton2777
      @stephennewton2777 Před 8 měsíci +1

      At @ £325 a night I should hope they would be. Can do much better in Central London, eg The Academy in Bloomsbury.

    • @ians3586
      @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci

      @@stephennewton2777 depends where and when you book. I just recommended The Resident after checking rates for a friend and for the 16th of May The Resident Kensington was £174 and The Resident Liverpool was £49. These were Black Friday specials but they run specials all the time. You just have to become a "member" which doesn't cost anything. I think you were looking at the rates for the one in Covent Garden which is always expensive.

  • @Jamiejamester
    @Jamiejamester Před 2 měsíci +1

    I think a premier Inn is better for a hotel and a travelogue is better if you are travelling for businesses

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 2 měsíci

      Thanks for your comment. I had better luck with the WiFi at PI, so that would matter to me on a business trip. But we are staying at a TL tomorrow night for a few days ;-)

  • @john_smith1471
    @john_smith1471 Před 8 měsíci +1

    About Premier and Premiere, i have noticed previously when an American commented on the “English Premiere league” which was not correct, two meanings, two different pronunciations, how are the two words normally distinguished by Americans?

  • @seanmc1351
    @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Dara, the 2 best places to stay, travel lodge, i have stayed many times, as i delivered London on a weekly basis, is the gatwick, 6 floors 24 hour bar and 24 hour fast food, i was getting that for 70 per night, it was great as i parked in car park and they have parking attendant all night, , heathrow a great one also, that was a cheap one 60 to 70 a night, not as good as gatwick, but great if you are flying from either home to US, and you have early flights.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Thank you so much for these recommendations! We often have American friends visit who need to stay near the airport before they fly out in the morning, so this is very useful!

    • @seanmc1351
      @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels if they come into gatwick, gatwick travel lodge has a 24 hour shuttle to the airport, that why its basicly open 24 hours, i liked it because i was delivering bifold doors, i have 10k doors on show, but safe at gatwick
      heathrow because it is cheap, dont stay london last night, make your way to heathrow, 7 or 8pm, does not have to be early, takes the stress out of getting to airport in time

    • @seanmc1351
      @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci

      @@MagentaOtterTravels not just delivering in london, i lived there for 10 years also, north west london, i was in harrow, next to the posh school. worked in greenford, near ealing, great time, expensive, the credit crunch 2008 killed our business, needed to move north for cheaper rents

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      @@seanmc1351 I totally agree! That's an instance when you don't need your hotel to have a lot of amenities and added services. You just need a convenient and comfortable place to get some sleep!

  • @what_im_eatin_uk
    @what_im_eatin_uk Před 8 měsíci +1

    Love how you said you had to "pump on" the shower gel dispenser haha that means something very different in the UK 😂
    Travellodge is the hotel equivalent of Ryanair. No frills and they try and gouge you at every chance they get.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Oh no! Did I make this video now "for mature audiences only"?! I'm horrified!!! 😳😳😳

    • @what_im_eatin_uk
      @what_im_eatin_uk Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels Haha I think it's just my slightly immature sense of humor

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      @@what_im_eatin_uk seriously, if I said something X-rated I would like to fix it!

    • @what_im_eatin_uk
      @what_im_eatin_uk Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels not x-rated. To pump is a British term to pass wind

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      @@what_im_eatin_uk oh, I was thinking something much more obscene 😳

  • @seanmc1351
    @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +2

    premier inn in london, can go from 70 a night to 140 a night if there is something on, football, wembley arena, and the likes, i spent 6 years years in travel lodges, premier are the best if you can get cheap, as they tend to have a pub, or a toby attached, good for a drink and food, travel lodge, tend to be more isolated, maybe some garage food meal deal

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Garage Food? That's a new term I haven't heard before! 🤣

    • @seanmc1351
      @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels service station to you dara lol, they may have a meal deal, sandwich drink and snack, they normally do beer and wine, pricey to take to room lol,

    • @seanmc1351
      @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels travel lode is more for workers working away, but they are clean and cheap, i have a funny story about the premier in might make you laugh, i will type new comment, its premier in an travel lodge lol

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      @@seanmc1351 cheap and cheerful 😃

    • @seanmc1351
      @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci

      @@MagentaOtterTravels agreed, somehwere to put your head down shower,

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    I like Ibis and especially Novotel..i like too Holiday inn..and Doubletree by Hilton..and Best Western Dover...the Grand Harbour Southampton,The Queens Hotel,Southsea..

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      You have travelled a lot, Gris!

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      @@MagentaOtterTravels well you know Madge…you’ve either got it or you haven’t…

  • @ians3586
    @ians3586 Před 8 měsíci +2

    July is absolutely the most expensive time to stay in London.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      I didn't choose an easy time for my price comparisons. I want people to be delighted when they check prices at another time of year and see that they are lower than my examples 😉

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Immediately after the Cheltenham Gold cup is the” Midlands Grand National” 16th March…which is another grand event in the North East Cotswolds…

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      Where does that take place?

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels in the Midlands (North east Cotswolds…). One day event i think..in Uttoxeter..

  • @Poliss95
    @Poliss95 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Random tip. Don't click on the first video you see when you're in a rush because it takes you to a three year old livestream. 😂

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      You are just brimming with excellent advice today!🙌

    • @Poliss95
      @Poliss95 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels 🤣🤣

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    I thought Ian would talk like Jasper Carrot,so i was surprised when he spoke like an American on the bluffs..

  • @CRHead-id7gh
    @CRHead-id7gh Před 8 měsíci +1

    I've worked in travel for years, and when it comes to Travelodge, we call it Traveldodge.

  • @NewCastleIndiana
    @NewCastleIndiana Před 8 měsíci +1

    I’ve tried to suffer, travel lodges, but I’ve never had a problem with premier Inn

  • @Poliss95
    @Poliss95 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Tip No.6. Always ask for a complimentary upgrade. 😁
    Tip No.7. Don't stay in the Royal York hotel in Toronto first because it will make all other hotels look like hovels. 😁

  • @MadameMinima
    @MadameMinima Před 8 měsíci +1

    WOW!!! £573 compared to £823!!! This is a huge difference 😳

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      It pays to check out the competition! I decided to do this video after I had stayed at both hotels because they were right across the street and similar prices but one was definitely better than the other!

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    As well as deadman button hairdryers,have they got minute man showers too..?..theyre probably trying to avoid guests without an elastic band ,using them as overnight room heaters..i dont like shower curtains,give me a screen every day long..

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci

      I've heard that many British people HATE shower curtains. Americans are used to them so probably don't mind as much.

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels i really dont like it when the wet cold curtain brushes against me….euww..its a really cheap scary way to screen a shower..I can’t imagine the Savoy or the Ritz do those nasties..maybe im just spoiled..they have echoes of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” for me..or was it”Psycho”

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@griswald7156 Psycho... Norman Bates pulled back the shower curtain and stabbed her to death in the shower 😳

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels the Bates Motel in Aldergrove,…it looks lovely from the outside..but inside it has a shower curtain..

  • @user-uh9bi4wl6d
    @user-uh9bi4wl6d Před měsícem +1

    it seems rather far to walk from Eeling Broadway station to these hotel.

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před měsícem

      It was 15 minutes or so to walk there... my hubby loves to walk and loves to save a penny ;-)

  • @seanmc1351
    @seanmc1351 Před 8 měsíci +1

    i moved up from london 2010, met diane my partner after moving to the north east, we been together from boxing day, it was valentines, she said, as suprise, i have booked us into a premier inn, with toby next door, table booked, we get to premier inn, i said book us in i will get the bags, well she took ages, she not good on computers then, she came out she said she mess the booking up, we at a travel lodge, it was 9 miles away middle of no where lol, a (garage) service station, next to it lol, anyway got to travel lodge, drove back 9 miles for the meal, could not drink, 9 miles back, we went to (garage) service station got some snacks and drinks, we were up till 2am drinking and chatting, valentines night, we new couple so to speak, anyway, drank abit to much, i fell over, manager came and knocked on the door can you keep noise down, lol, he probably thought couple up there valentines going at it all night lol, we just got drunk, but made for a great story, totaly true

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    If you’re American try Mollies hotel..if you’re homesick,you’ll feel at home..

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      I had never heard of that chain before, so I had to look it up and see what it was. Interesting that they have American diners!
      However, I would hope that Americans when visiting England would like to have an English experience and not just a fabricated American one 😉

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@MagentaOtterTravels it’s an American Hotel with an English spin on it..I loved it but my Mollies app door entry card had an issue ..but if you’ve developed a frustration with Britain , it could calm you down I would think..and enable you to fulfil your holiday..I don’t know the driving might have done your head in..or the way people talk might have tipped you over the edge..haven’t had a waffle for two weeks maybe..and you’re getting antsy..

    • @MagentaOtterTravels
      @MagentaOtterTravels  Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@griswald7156 LOL

  • @griswald7156
    @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Lots of boat asylum seekers are housed in lots of hotels..

  • @peterdavidson3890
    @peterdavidson3890 Před 8 měsíci +1

    KEEP WELL AWAY FROM LONDON but if you have to - get in & get out as soon as possible.

  • @jeanlongsden1696
    @jeanlongsden1696 Před 8 měsíci +2

    I wouldn't go to Londonstan even if you paid me. everything there is well over priced and none is friendly.

    • @griswald7156
      @griswald7156 Před 8 měsíci

      You missed an I in your spelling…