Oxford South (Didcot)

The room was 25°C while it was 13°C outside, and there was no way to cool it down. We were given two fans, but they were noisy and didn’t help much, so we slept badly. It wasn’t the tranquil room shown in the TV adverts. The TV was faulty too, with the picture flashing every few seconds. A quiet room at a comfortable temperature should be standard, especially for a company that advertises those things as a selling point. I’ve made a formal complaint and expect a refund for the room. The staff were friendly and helpful, breakfast was fine, and the hotel is near Oxford.

We paid £125 a night, perhaps because it’s close to Oxford, which felt very expensive. The location is poor, just off an A34 junction beside a petrol station, and breakfast wasn’t inspiring. My first room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke despite being non-smoking; the second smelled damp. Staff moved me quickly, but gave no apology or explanation. Beyond that, the rooms were fine. It really isn’t the best Premier Inn in the country.

The wheelchair accessible rooms fit my extra-wide chair, and I could get into the bathroom. Staff are very good at supporting people with disabilities. The place is cleaner than most and well organised, with great staff. It also feels calmer than other Premier Inns.

After a long car trip, it was a decent place to rest with a friend who never stops talking. The view is of an A road and an office. The painting of three feathers might be the worst I’ve seen: it looked as if someone dropped a plank on it before the paint had dried, then just left it. Breakfast was about what you’d expect at a Premier Inn, perfectly circular eggs and berry mix that seemed microwaved to death.