Travelodge Bristol Severn View M48

We drove from London late at night after a full day’s work, and arrived close to 11pm, exhausted. My two-year-old was falling asleep in my arms, but Harry at reception refused to let my family and me stay. He said the room wasn’t big enough, which I felt was untrue since I’d never had that issue at any Travelodge before. I offered to pay for another room, but he said none were available and the hotel was full. He also laughed at us more than once. From the start, I felt he didn’t like the look of us, and I felt the refusal may have been racial. They were apparently fine with us driving around after 11pm. We asked for the manager, John, who was rude and seemed incompetent. When we raised our voices, he threatened to call the police. I think anyone would be upset after driving for over two and a half hours, working all day, and then being turned away from a stay that had been booked and paid for. We were told to change hotels and that the booking would be transferred. At Avonmouth, Nicola said there was an outstanding fee because we had supposedly chosen to move, which wasn’t true, as Severn had refused us. She also couldn’t understand why we’d been sent there when Severn had eight rooms available. Since the children were tired, we had to pay again to stay. I felt Harry and John had some underlying problem with us and that my family and I weren’t welcome. The whole thing felt like an attack, and the way customers were treated was very unprofessional. I won’t return, and I’d advise anyone of colour considering this hotel to think again.

A lovely stay for my overnight stop. The room was clean and comfortable, and Lewis, the young lad on reception, was welcoming and friendly. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him. In the morning I asked a housekeeper, a young blonde girl whose name I didn’t get, for more coffee. She smiled and brought me some.

I got a really good night’s sleep, which is rare for me in hotels, and the bed was comfortable. The staff were friendly too. The location worked well for me, close to Chepstow, Bristol and M4 travel. The room I was first given smelled damp, so I went to reception and they changed it straight away. I do think all the rooms could use a good airing. The shower pressure was terrible, there were hairs in the cups, and the room didn’t seem to get dusted often. It’s a basic hotel with no food or drinks served, though there’s a Costa, BK and a Moto station nearby if you need something to eat.

I registered my car at reception when I arrived and parked in one of the hotel’s parking spots, but still got a parking fine on one of the two nights. I’d done everything I could to register the vehicle. Even though the hotel is cheap, the fine was about three times the room price, so it wasn’t worth it. Very disappointed.