Premier Inn Elgin

The Premier Plus room was spotless, smart and lovely. The coffee machine, fridge and lighting were all useful, and I was glad we’d booked that room. We also bought one of the paintings by a local artist displayed at reception. We were road-tripping in the Scottish Highlands and stayed at this Premier Inn for the first time. The reception team welcomed us warmly and gave us helpful advice about taxis, food and local activities. First impressions were fantastic, and we’d absolutely stay again.

The hotel is run down and needs a lot of care. Its decent car park was one good point, and the staff did their best. Perhaps they could have offered breakfast free of charge. We booked three nights B&B for a family wedding, then got an email 24 hours before check-in saying the bar and restaurant probably wouldn’t be open, with breakfast the only service available. After talking to people around Elgin, including taxi drivers, we heard the bar or restaurant had been randomly closed for a year. We understand staffing problems are widespread, but guests should be told when booking. We definitely would have chosen somewhere else. We wouldn’t have booked if we’d known, which is why the last-minute email after Premier Inn takes the booking feels sneaky. We’ve stayed with Premier Inn for years, but can’t recommend the Elgin one.

On a work trip, no dinner service and no WiFi made this a place I would have skipped. I paid for ultimate WiFi in advance, and it wouldn’t connect on either the free or paid service over a couple of hours. Reception said it worked there, but there was a known problem on our side of the building that had been going on since the previous week. Staff offered a room on the other side that should have WiFi, but I didn’t want to repack and move at 9pm. They could have told us at arrival. Like other reviewers, I wasn’t told about the lack of dinner service until I saw a sign. Staff also hadn’t mentioned breakfast information or the paid WiFi. I had to go to reception for a passcode, then return for help. Premier Inn knows people might book elsewhere if they knew about these missing services, so taking payment and announcing the problem late feels very sneaky. I won’t stay again and would suggest others avoid it.

The room was filthy and had a pungent smell. Staff tried fumigating it, but it still stank afterwards, like a cheap used car after they’d treated it with their machine. Breakfast was a bright spot, and the service was good.