The Depot in Bath

We found the stay average and a little below what we expected during our family trip to Holiday Inn Express Bath by IHG. The room cleanliness was disappointing. Breakfast had a reasonable selection and was acceptable, though nothing stood out. Staff were adequate, but their manner felt neutral rather than friendly or welcoming, and we didn’t feel especially looked after. It’s fine for a short visit, but cleanliness and service could be better.

Watch out for the parking process. We stayed one night at the end of November, and the receptionist gave us a parking code and said to use it before going up to our room. We paid £7.50 for 24 hours, the only option the machine offered. It gave no other information about duration or changing the times, and nobody told us we had to pay again before leaving. Now I’ve received a £100 fine for overstaying, and they won’t let me appeal. This was at 11:30pm, with no one else at reception. The receptionist watched us use the machine but didn’t step in to correct us or say to do it again in the morning.

The hotel itself was good, but breakfast was a hygiene concern. I found a long hair in the scrambled eggs on the first morning and assumed it was a one-off, so I didn’t report it then. The same thing happened the next morning, which was very off-putting. I told a waiter, who said he’d pass it on to the manager, but no one followed up with me. I also suggested hair nets or tighter kitchen controls to stop it happening again.

I stayed for four days. Breakfast was okay, though there wasn’t any variety, and the staff weren’t very friendly. The central bus and train stations are an 18-minute walk away, and there’s a grocery store next to the hotel. There was no Wi-Fi when I arrived, but it was fixed later. The towels were very good quality and large. I thought the price was okay, especially with breakfast included.