ibis Portsmouth Centre

The rooms at IbIs are small, but the space is used well and there’s just enough storage. The amenities are good too. We could leave our luggage there all day and spend an hour in the lobby late in the day.

The staff were welcoming and helpful, and the place was quiet, clean and comfortable. We ended up staying overnight after coming to Portsmouth to see family and a production. Our shared twin room had an unexpected accessible shower, which was worth its weight in gold. The beds were a little narrow and close together, but we didn’t fall out. Just avoid sleeping next to someone who’s an enthusiastic sleepwalker who throws punches, or you could try sleeping head to toe. There was a full-length mirror, a desk and chair, a small coffee table, a little bench, a fan, a hairdryer and an extra pillow. You can ask reception for more tea, coffee, sugar or milk. I liked the porthole-style windows with their naval feel, and the opening latches were quaint. There were also side lights. The lifts were useful. We booked ahead and thought it was well worth the price with breakfast added at the time. Breakfast was mostly self-service, though I wasn’t keen on the sausages. I accidentally pressed the help alarm, which I found behind a pillow at the back of the bed. A staff member came promptly and knocked politely, calling through the door. I hadn’t known it was there, but it was reassuring to see it worked so well. The photos after the visit show everything tidy and tucked away on arrival.

We stayed one night on Boxing Day and found the hotel pleasant and clean. The bedrooms are small but comfortable and tidy. We skipped breakfast and had dinner in the restaurant instead. The service was slow, though the food was tasty. We’d definitely stay again.

We broke down at the ferry port late at night, and the staff were very helpful arranging rooms. They also let us check out late while we waited for a hire car. The rooms are a bit tight, but at £71 when booking at 11:30 at night, all you really want is a bed. The bed was good, the room clean, and the staff excellent.