Premier Inn Stockton-On-Tees/Hartlepool

The location just off the A19, north of Middlesbrough, was handy, and there was plenty of parking. I've stayed in plenty of Premier Inns, and this one was a good one. Staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating. The room looked freshly decorated, clean and smart, with a comfortable bed and pillows and a good shower. I liked the purple bathroom light for nighttime visits. Breakfast was good, with table service for the hot food, and there's a Toby Carvery next door.

The dining staff were friendly, and breakfast was hot, fresh, and had plenty of choice. The reception team made me feel at home straight away with how friendly and efficient they were. Great service, especially for business travel.

The heaters in the refurbished rooms are badly designed. Whenever the thermostat switches them on, they beep and keep you awake all night.

I returned a week later and ended up in an older room where the temperature never went below 26c. It had aircon, but it wasn't switched on, so I'm not sure about that promise of a good night's sleep. The carvery next door had also stopped taking walk-ins. On my first stay, I thought this was one of the best Premier Inns I'd been to: modern rooms, friendly staff, a Toby Carvery right next door, and easy access to the surrounding areas. I only missed the bath after the rooms were modernised.