Hounds Gate Court

The extra-cost breakfast was hard to enjoy: rubbery sausages and flat, tough hash browns with a taste that reminded me of a hamster cage. The foyer also had people asking for cigarettes and money, and one canteen worker had a very strong marijuana smell. Inside the room, the bed frame had several unknown liquid stains, and the mattress made the floor seem like a better option. The tiny old TV was so far from the bed that watching it called for binoculars or blind faith. There was no air conditioning, hair dryer, iron, or ironing board. The toilet sat right beside the bed, and the walls had multiple holes. The dated decor felt like a police holding cell. I regret choosing Travelodge Central Nottingham. This felt less like a comfortable city break and more like a budget correctional facility. If I could give a negative star rating, I would. I can't recommend it unless you're after character building.

Check-in was quick and the staff were polite, and the central location is handy. The room was clean in a bare, prison-cell sort of way, though, and the dated decor looked untouched since around 2006. The pillows seemed packed with regret. The bed was the real problem. Its mattress had almost no support, and felt both as hard and as warm as an operating table. I've slept on floors, sofas, airport seats, and even a train tray table, and all were kinder to my back. I wondered if the hotel had teamed up with the NHS. I stayed awake most of the night, as if that were the plan. If your only priority is being in the centre, it may suit you. Anyone who wants to sleep or wake without feeling medically examined should look elsewhere, even at a park bench.

I was on the first floor, where reception and the bar/restaurant are, and there are two lifts from the main entrance on Maid Marian Way. The room was clean, though dated and due a refresh: the shower curtain had a hole and the windows were dirty. Bins being emptied outside at 6am made some noise, but closing the windows helped. Reception staff were friendly and the city centre location was great. I still don't understand why Travelodge only gives you 30 minutes of free WiFi in 2026. That's a general Travelodge gripe.

Good location, and the room was fair for what it cost. Noise from outside was noticeable, and the shower curtain stopped short of the bottom, so water went everywhere. Breakfast was okay.