Travelodge Alton Four Marks

There’s ample parking, the rooms are a good size, the beds are excellent, and the bathrooms are good. But this Travelodge has little or no mobile signal. If you can get onto Virgin, you may get 30 minutes of WiFi a day, and can’t repeat it until the same time the next day. The room freshen-up just means clean towels and emptied bins. We found a piece of food on a chair when we checked in, and the bin bags are arranged so you can’t put rubbish in the bin. Their direct phone number is a premium-rate one, which I had to call. They charge extra for WiFi, early or late check-in and checkout, and room selection. It’s an expensive Travelodge because of its location, but prices are never low, and there are no restaurants nearby. It’s a basic hotel at a non-basic price. Has Ryanair bought Travelodge?

The staff were polite and helpful, but the room was missing basics like a hairdryer and fridge. It was a decent size, though the bathroom needed a good dose of bleach and the shower pressure was weak. The standard breakfast wasn’t what I expected and could do with another look. Travelodge needs to do a lot more to compete with Premier Inn. There’s no comparison.

My mum and her friend have been staying here for over seven years and have always found the staff professional and helpful. Lindsay is especially thoughtful about our individual accommodation needs. She helps with heavy bags and is always happy to answer our questions. She’s an exceptional member of the team.

The room stayed warm thanks to the old-fashioned panel heater, and the bed was comfortable. It was quiet, and the bathroom was clean, although the shower was like standing under a dripping tap. I knew what to expect from a Travelodge, but no restaurant and breakfast in a box were still disappointing. To me, it’s more motel than hotel. The staff were friendly, but you have to walk up the road to find anything to eat.