Days Inn by Wyndham Watford Gap

I was chatting normally and making no noise when the person in the opposite room suddenly punched the wall. It scared my partner and me, and the picture above our bed fell onto the bed, narrowly missing our heads. I went to the other person’s room, but there was no answer. Then the receptionist came to say that the other guest had complained about noise, so I left. If you want someone in the next room to punch the wall and send a picture falling near your head while you’re in bed, go ahead and book. DaysInn is for lorry drivers only, apparently. Don’t bring your girlfriend, mistress, or family. Tiptoe around, whisper, and take down the wall pictures. I wish the picture had hit one of us so I could sue this cheap chicken coop. A poor excuse for a hotel. Avoid!

Good value for the money, and handy for the M1. Our room was a bit worn, and the window wouldn’t shut properly, so we could hear traffic outside. One of the double bed mattresses sagged in the middle and made you roll towards the centre. There’s also a useful drinks fridge behind reception, which is apparently new.

Saving £25 a night wasn’t worth it. I won’t stay at a Days Inn again. The staff were friendly, but the building has practically no sound insulation. Even when the window is shut, it doesn’t close properly, so lorries beeping outside sound as if there’s no window. Earplugs didn’t help: I was woken by the next room’s alarm, then their creaking floorboards and doors as they showered and left around 05:20. I might as well have stayed home and woken up then. I can see why the place stays run-down. Days Inn is a franchise brand and often doesn’t own its buildings. Franchisees operate on thin margins, so major refurbishment can be financially risky and hard to recoup through higher room rates. Meanwhile, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts keeps collecting franchise and booking fees regardless of a property’s condition, with little incentive to require upgrades. Wyndham also has mid-tier brands like Ramada, La Quinta and Super 8, and doesn’t want Days Inn moving upmarket to compete on price. As long as travellers put up with poor sleep on the road, this mildly profitable, decaying business model can keep going instead of improving.

Sarah at the front desk sorted things out when I realised I’d booked the wrong date. The rooms were spacious and clean, and I can’t fault the place. A really positive experience. Cheers, Sarah, you’re a legend.