Premier Inn Hereford Holmer

I wouldn’t choose this place for a summer stay. My west-facing room was already 29°C after its window had been left open all day, and without air conditioning I was trying to sleep in 30.5 °C heat during record-breaking temperatures in May. It made me really unhappy. The room seemed to be above the hotel’s "restaurant," and the smell of beef tallow was constant. On the second night, I asked reception for advice or anything that could help cool things down. They lent me a grimy extension cord and a top sheet. I managed to rig the fan in the window to pull some warm air out, which brought the temperature down to a more bearable 26.5 °C. Still, this wasn’t how I wanted to spend my vacation. I wouldn’t come here in the summer.

Stuart went out of his way to make sure our group had a pleasant visit. Reception and bar staff were exceptionally friendly, too. I was here for a work trip with colleagues, and my room was clean, quiet, and had everything I needed for a great night’s sleep. I’ll be back when I’m in the area again.

Breakfast was lovely, with plenty to eat, though the dining area is rather small. There’s lots of parking, and the staff were so friendly. They seemed short staffed, but nothing was too much trouble. The hotel was being updated while we were there, although the prices hadn’t changed. My room had just a clothes rail and no drawers, so I had to leave a lot of things in my cases.

The staff were kind and helpful, and the room was cheap. Blackout curtains were useful, and the shower worked. But the room was dusty and generally not very clean. The hotel is a long way from the centre, though there are shops nearby, and breakfast was only middling. I stayed four nights and came away with mixed feelings.