Days Inn by Wyndham Donington A50

For £120 over three nights in late 2025, I thought the value was hard to fault. You get the basics, including a bed, TV, and a working bar, and the staff were genuinely friendly. The water was hot too. It does feel cheap in places. There are no evening meals apart from pizza, and breakfast is just Greggs. If you want cooked breakfast, nearby options include Richmond Village, Aston on Trent, or a number of pubs. I also wouldn’t choose it in the hotter months, since I’d prefer better quality air conditioning in summer. It’s not somewhere I’d go for pampering, so I can’t give it five stars, but it does what you need at a competitive price.

On this second visit, my room had fresh paint, new carpet and curtains, and a comfy desk chair. The staff were welcoming as ever and offered to help with my bags. Kathleen, who knows the area well, made me a veggie curry from the bar. It’s a good place to stay when you’re travelling for work. Parking costs extra if you don’t book direct. Siân was on checkout, and it’s always a pleasure to see them both.

The rooms are basic and feel overpriced, and the breakfast was disappointing: a box of cornflakes and milk, a long-life pain au chocolat, and bottled water. There’s a Greggs next door, which I’d prefer. Staff were helpful and around 24/7, and reception also has a staffed mini bar.

The rooms were clean and lovely and warm. Even with the bad snow, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, especially Jude, Sian, and Daniela.