Travelodge Birmingham Central

The bin lorries emptying bottle bins every half hour through the night made for the strangest sleep. I also walked into a room that smelled immediately of feet, with yellow crud around the bath. The curtains didn’t cover the window, and there was a huge empty gap at the end of the bed for no apparent reason. I’d apparently been booked for “breakfast,” even though there isn’t a restaurant. A very humbling stay. Next stop, The Ritz!

We slept really well in a comfortable bed after a lovely evening out in the city centre. The room was spacious and clean, and the heater warmed it nicely. The TV and kettle worked, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Having Sainsbury’s across the road was handy. It’s a great spot for a night out in Brum. I’d happily stay again and recommend it.

The rooms need an upgrade. There weren’t enough sockets, none by the bed, and the lighting was poor, with switches that did nothing. The double-glazed window was blown, so you couldn’t see outside. Staff looked stressed, and seeing two security guards at night gave the wrong impression. On the plus side, it’s near the theatres, with plenty of places to eat and drink and ample transport into the city centre.

The location was the one good thing, very close to the centre. I’ve stayed at other Travelodge hotels, but this was the worst, and it clearly doesn’t meet the standard a regular customer would expect. At the price we paid, we weren’t looking for luxury, just basic service and hygiene. We booked three rooms for me and two friends for one night in late December, and checked in separately. The last friend to arrive had trouble getting his room because the staff clearly didn’t know how to do their job. He eventually got it after arguing with the manager. My room was freezing. The heater kept switching itself off after about 10 minutes, even when I turned it up. The bed and mattress were worn and outdated, there were no sockets by the bed, and the neon lights only seemed to work if you prayed. I wondered what would happen if someone who needed a CPAP overnight got one of these rooms. Cleaning didn’t seem to be their speciality either. There was stagnant water in the tub and hair left by a previous guest, who I believe was a brunette woman. I suggest updating the place.