Premier Inn Rainham - Kent

The continental breakfast was good, and the room was comfortable. I’ve stayed at Premier Inn Rainham many times since 2014 and have generally found the staff pleasant and welcoming. This visit was no different at check-in: Danielle at reception was friendly and made me feel welcome. I also had dinner with a friend at Manor Farm Beefeater beside the hotel. The food was okay, though nothing special.

The Beefeater was the letdown. It wasn’t busy, but staff seemed more interested in their phones or avoiding our table. We waited 20 minutes before anyone took our first order, then 40 minutes for the first course. Getting someone’s attention for more drinks and dessert was a joke. Staff nodded when we tried to get their attention, then ignored us. It felt like there wasn’t enough experience or a manager coordinating things, and I won’t use it again. The rooms and beds, though, were very comfortable, as you’d expect from Premier Inn.

The cooked breakfast was good, but there were hardly any offerings otherwise. No Greek-style yoghurt or individual pots, no muffins, and no pain au chocolat. There were only a couple of croissants, and the hot water machine wasn’t working. We asked for more croissants and waited over 30 minutes; when they came, they were burnt. The staff seemed offish, and there wasn’t even ketchup. I was grateful for my shareholder card, which gives free breakfast with the hotel stay. If I’d paid for it, I’d have asked for a refund. At the Premier Inn, the staff were friendly and everything was good. There’s no lift, but if you’re on the first or second floor, you can ask to use the small luggage lift for heavy bags.

The room itself was clean, tidy and comfortable, like any other Premier Inn, so my issue was the parking fine. The parking is described as free, but the sign doesn’t make it clear straight away that guests have to register their vehicle at the hotel. There was no tablet or guest book at reception, and the staff member never mentioned registration when I checked in. I was disappointed by the guest relations team as well. Premier Inn should have staff take guests’ registration numbers during check-in, put a clear notice on the counter, or add a space for the number to the online booking form. I hope other guests see this and avoid getting fined.