Premier Inn Honiton

We'd go back without hesitation. I was nervous after reading reviews of this Premier Inn on Tripadvisor, but it was in the right place for our visit. The welcome from the staff as soon as we walked in was lovely. Our room was clean and tidy, and the hotel was very quiet overnight, so we slept well. We skipped dinner, though several people were eating. Breakfast was first class, served very well, and the hottest Premier Inn breakfast we've had.

The beds were comfy, as usual, and breakfast was yummy. The front desk guy was friendly, though I felt bad for him because he seemed to be doing everything, from serving food to checking people in. When we reported a small room issue, he said he'd go up and fix it himself. I hope staff get paid extra for taking on that kind of role. The place seemed short staffed. We couldn't get the meal deal we'd pre-ordered because the only available sitting was 8:30pm, too late for my eight-year-old. They refunded it, but it was still annoying since we hadn't wanted to go out again.

It was cheap and cheerful, but felt more like a contractor's place than somewhere for a family. The external door by the lift had flooded, and a huge dehumidifier was running all day and night trying to dry it out. The area stank of damp. My room looked clean but smelled extremely odd. I couldn't face the hassle of moving, so I stayed put. The restaurant was closed that evening for a reason nobody could tell me. I arrived at 5pm. Walls and ceilings are thin too: I could hear the man above snoring loudly. There was no phone signal or data at all, and the free WiFi was under 1 Mbps, so expect to pay £5 per 24 hours for the 25 Mbps premium WiFi. Fine as a contractor's bed for the night, but I wouldn't stay with family.

The location is great, near Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and the price is reasonable. We've stayed several times for short breaks, but the evening restaurant has never worked out for us. It's either closed, or staff discourage people from eating there in case they get “overwhelmed.” It's a shame, because the place has potential. Poor service and unenthusiastic staff seem to reflect a lack of management and resources. Reception is unmanned even when you need something, and the rooms and corridors are dirty. Breakfast was okay, but the front of house staff seemed uninterested, huddling together to chat loudly and use their phones. It felt as if work and customers were a nuisance. We'll find somewhere else next time, even if it costs more. I'd rather pay more and get the experience I'm paying for.