Travelodge London Heathrow T5

The biggest problem for me is the car park. It's too small for the hotel, so parking is a pain. On my last stay, room service didn't come by until around 5 in the afternoon, after I was back. Still, of the two Travelodge places I use for training trips, this one is the better. Rooms are perfectly adequate for one person or a couple, and you can take food back to your room. The meals have improved a lot and are filling, even if they aren't top-notch. Breakfast is okay, with enough choice. Most staff are cheerful and helpful, and there seem to be more of them around now, so issues usually get dealt with. It's a Travelodge, so nothing fancy.

The location is a real drawback, with local amenities miles away. In good weather, it's a pleasant 20-minute walk to the nearest bus stop. We slept well because the bed was very comfortable, and breakfast was fresh, enjoyable, and kept well stocked. Staff were friendly and welcoming. Dinner was the opposite: slow service, and the food arrived overcooked or cold and below a good standard. We also had to ask for the room to be cleaned, and there weren't enough little supplies in it.

For £39, the family room was good value. It had enough space for the four of us, and Terminal 4 was less than a 15-minute drive away. We ate a late dinner and the food was good. The room was well insulated, so once we were asleep we couldn't hear the planes. Our room was a long way from the lifts, but they moved us closer when I asked.

The room itself was clean, but worn out, and the bar tables were dirty. There were holes in the sheets and towels, and the AC rattled all night without letting me turn it down. I wouldn't stay again. The staff, though, were friendly and helpful, including when the bus ticket machine broke, and I appreciate the effort they put in. If you're coming from Terminal 5 by cab, expect a £25 fare and that several drivers may turn you down before you get there. Even with the good staff, I'd stay somewhere else.