Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre New Bridge Street

The room gave me a great night's sleep, with a very comfortable bed, no outside noise and air conditioning. Staff were friendly and accommodating. It's well placed for the city centre, and parking in the accompanying car park is £8 a day if you want the convenience.

The hotel staff were outstanding and incredibly helpful when I asked about the city. It's convenient for the city centre, though don't follow Google Maps blindly as I did. It sent me through some unpleasant back alleys behind the hotel. The room needs a refresh: stained carpet, chipped and stained bath, and peeling paint. Cleaners start around 7.30/8am, so use your door card if you want to sleep in.

The staff were fantastic, and I'd choose this Premier Inn again over the Quay side Premier where I've also stayed. The location, easy parking and helpful reception advice make it a good base for exploring the city. You can buy the parking ticket at reception. The car park is council run, has no lifts, and its stairwells smell like urinals, so you'll have to carry your cases. Inside the hotel, reception, dining and general areas are clean and modern. Breakfast was very good, and the vending machines are handy for a bottle of water after a night out. The rooms are tired and need a proper clean in places like the skirtings, corners, behind doors and under the soap dish, visible when you take a bath. The essential cleaning had been done, but those bits get missed over time. Tea bags hadn't been replenished either. You can get more at reception, but that's not ideal first thing in the morning.

The location is good, which is why I keep staying here, and the staff have been excellent on every visit. Still, the hotel needs some TLC. I stay at a lot of Premier Inns, and these rooms don't meet the usual standard. From the car park entrance, with its strong stale urine smell, everything feels tired.