Holiday Inn Express Gloucester - South by IHG

After breaking down on the M5, I stayed here for a night, stranded 4 hours from home. I was travelling alone and felt very safe, and the room was clean. There was a good choice at breakfast. The staff were so kind during a really stressful situation. They’re a credit to the place. Kindness costs nothing, and you don’t know what a difference it can make to a customer. Manager, give them all a free drink, they deserve it!

The food was great. I had chicken wings for dinner and breakfast was excellent. The hotel was clean and quiet, just 2 minutes off the motorway. The only downside was that the couple running reception and the kitchen on a very busy Mayday bank holiday could probably have used an extra pair of hands. Apart from that glitch, all very good.

Breakfast being included in the room price was a nice bonus, and it was decent too. The hotel was handy for getting into Gloucester and reaching the motorway. I'd stay there again.

The pub and restaurant sharing the car park made dinner easy, and there's also an American smokehouse just around the corner. I spent about 10 weeks here for work and would come back if I was working in the area. The staff are consistently pleasant, and my room was always clean. It's easy to find and has lots of free parking. The hotel is simple but perfectly nice. Breakfast is the usual buffet for this kind of place. I didn't try the other food or the bar, though both are available during the day. Reception also sells drinks and snacks, but they're expensive. There is a free ice machine, at least. The lack of air conditioning was rough during some of the summer heat. Each room does have a fan to help.