Holiday Inn Express Tamworth by IHG

The shower floor was slimy and very slippery, and there was orange mould all along the bottom of the shower curtain. The bed was very small, and breakfast was the biggest disappointment. There was only scrambled egg, and it was very dry. When I asked for poached or fried eggs, I was bluntly told no. The bacon was overcooked and sat cold in grease. I stayed for over 30 minutes, and the food wasn’t replenished. The only fresh fruit was a few small slices of watermelon, alongside canned mixed fruit. Coffee came from a tap and was so weak it tasted like dirty dishwater. I wouldn’t recommend this place if you want a decent breakfast.

Breakfast was a good buffet with the usual options, and everything seemed freshly cooked. There was plenty of tea and coffee from a machine, and the coffee tasted better than some I’ve had in coffee shops. The room was clean, the bed very comfortable, and although there was no bath, the shower was spacious and excellent. The hotel is nicely positioned, about a 10-minute walk from town. I’d most definitely stay here again.

They’re letting people stay here with free food, accommodation, and phone bills paid for when they arrive by boat. That feels extremely unfair to people who are struggling to get by and pay taxes. I’d avoid the hotel when it reopens to the public and boycott it. It’s an absolute joke, and it’s making Tamworth a horrible place to be.

I’ve pretty much lived at this hotel for three months. The staff are friendly and helpful, the rooms were clean, and the showers are amazing. There’s also plenty to do within walking distance in the evenings. The food menu changed, and there’s much less choice now, though meals take about a third of the time they used to. Someone isn’t always at the bar or reception, so you can end up waiting around. The room’s so-called air con is a fan that runs when it feels like it, doesn’t regulate the temperature well, and makes a lot of noise. It needs an upgrade. The beds are on wheels, and mine would move when I sat up. They need some kind of brakes.