Premier Inn Ashford North

The staff were excellent, and quickly replaced our cups when we asked. The shower was hot and had good pressure, though the sink water tasted a bit odd. Our room was tucked into a nook, so there wasn’t much air coming through the window, which only opened a little. It was 25 degrees in November, and the supplied fan just pushed the warm air around. That was the biggest problem by far. The rooms also feel very dated and badly need refreshing. There wasn’t a USB port, and having a plug only on one side of the bed wasn’t great. I’ve stayed at quite a few Premier Inns, and this was probably the worst one. It did partly serve our purpose, but next time we visit friends nearby, we’ll choose somewhere with proper temperature control.

The restaurant was a real plus, with a good choice of food and a deal for hotel guests. The beds were clean, too, and the location is great for Le Shuttle. But that’s about it. The hotel badly needs a revamp, the corridor smells musty and the room and bathroom weren’t cleaned properly.

It’s convenient for the tunnel, but there’s little else to recommend. The rooms are tired, and I started my trip with a cold shower because the whole hotel had no hot water that morning. I was travelling with a group that had booked several rooms, and none of us had hot water. There was nobody at reception when we checked out to discuss it. After I contacted Premier Inn support, some of the group got an acknowledgment, an apology and a partial refund. The rest of us, including me, were told that after a thorough investigation with the hotel, there had been no hot water issues. Apparently I imagined it.

We’ve stayed here many times. It’s a perfect stop if you’re travelling on Eurotunnel and breaking up a long drive from the North. The staff are friendly and efficient. The hotel is looking tired and ready for an upgrade, but that wouldn’t put us off.