Premier Inn Carlisle Central

I’d read a handful of very negative reviews before we arrived, so I had some reservations, but those concerns didn’t match my stay at all. The place was clean, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the service was well above standard. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout. Breakfast was more than satisfactory too, with a wide range of well-prepared English buffet items. Everything went well, and I’ll be back.

Jo made breakfast a lovely start to each morning. She was warm as soon as we arrived, found a high chair for our toddler before we even asked, and pointed out some good kid-friendly menu choices. At reception, Brian made check-in easy and took care to see we had what we needed with a toddler. His local tips were useful when we went out exploring. Both of them seemed to really care about their work and the guests, and their kindness made our stay much more comfortable. We’re grateful to Jo and Brian for making the visit so enjoyable.

There’s plenty of parking and the staff were helpful. The hotel is about a mile outside Carlisle, with a standard pub next door and a couple of supermarkets within walking distance. Calling it central is a bit of a stretch, though it isn’t too far from town. The rooms are okay, but the older site feels dated. My radiator made odd noises, and sound carries between rooms. The card machine at reception also struggled with my card a few times, though maybe it was just me.

It’s fine for a night, but this is really Carlisle West Premier Inn, about a 30-minute walk from Carlisle centre. When we asked at reception for green tea bags, they said they had none, though there were plenty at breakfast. Not great customer service.