Premier Inn Kendal Central

Room 218 is meant to be a Premier Plus room, but it was very disappointing. The shower was scalding hot because its temperature dial would barely move, as if it had seized. The hook on the bathroom door had been ripped off, there was paintwork damage, and the bedroom carpet had several stains. The desk was in terrible shape, too. Its broken, uneven chipboard edge was exposed and scratched my arm when I tried to type an email, so I folded the menu over it for protection. The desk was bowed near the window. After making a Nespresso and leaving for an hour, I returned to find water all over it and dripping down the sides. I then realised the machine was faulty and had been leaking repeatedly for a long time. I was glad I hadn’t left any electronics there, and wondered how nobody had noticed. Dinner was awkward. I waited over ten minutes beside the “please wait to be seated” sign, watching three other people in an otherwise empty restaurant. Then I was told there was no space because I hadn’t reserved. Really? I’m a regular Premier Inn guest, have a Premier Inn business card, and this was my second PI of the week. Having all this happen in a room meant to be Premier Plus was a real letdown. Hopefully it’s only this room. I’d have preferred to tell someone at checkout, but nobody came when I pressed the buzzer.

We came for a couple of nights just after New Year and had a lovely stay with my wife. The restaurant meal was nice, and Rose was very helpful when she showed us to our table, as my wife has a dairy allergy. It’s a great location for us as a halfway stop when travelling to see family in Scotland, and we’d stay again.

I finally tried the Kendal Premier Inn after staying at loads of their other hotels, and I’m not sure why I’d always skipped it. It was great, right in the centre, with its own car park. Spaces are limited and it’s pay and display, so get there early. I didn’t eat at the restaurant, but there are so many brilliant places to eat in Kendal that it wasn’t needed. The only letdown was breakfast. There was no chef on the first day, so it was cereal only. The grill was back on day two, but the breakfast still wasn’t up to the usual Premier Inn standard. Even so, I’d stay again. I tried a Premier Plus room for the first time and thought the upgrade was worth it. It had more comfort, chic touches, a coffee machine, plush furnishings and better toiletries.

The views were lovely, and the place is in a really nice, set-back area. The rooms were nice and clean, and the staff were exceptionally helpful. The food wasn’t the greatest; the fish could have been fried a little longer. With 90 rooms, the car park could be a lot bigger.