Ibis Budget Lancaster Centre

For the price, it’s okay. The bed and pillow were comfy, and the shower was a little small but perfectly fine. The toilet and sink were fine too. The room was dusty, with marks here and there, and the TV was small and poor quality. It isn’t a smart TV, so I couldn’t use Netflix or mirror my phone. There’s no air conditioning, and the window barely opens, so I can’t recommend it for summer. There’s a cheap fan, and a radiator we didn’t try because the room was already too warm. Those issues, along with the TV, are why I took off two stars.

The room was a small twin, with a good-sized double-width shower and shower gel and hand wash. Staff were very nice and checked us in quickly. It faced the main road, so there was some traffic and people noise in the evening, but earplugs sorted it out. All in all, a good budget hotel and we’ll return. It used to be a Travelodge, and still has the same room layout and decor. The location is perfect, right in the centre of Lancaster. There’s parking opposite at Spring Garden car park, if you’re lucky, as it’s very small.

Our train was cancelled, so the room upgrade to a family room turned out to be a real help. There’d been a booking mix-up through a third party, but the receptionist, I think her name was Linda, handled it brilliantly. Thanks for such good service. I wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Lancaster.

The bed was comfortable, the shower worked well, and I slept fine despite the noise from the street. Being so close to the station is handy, and there’s a 'spoons nearby, though there’s no breakfast at the hotel. We went to the Cornish Bakery around the corner and liked it. The place itself feels pretty scruffy. The entrance is rough, the lifts work on and off, and it didn’t feel very secure. My room was basic, the window wouldn’t shut, and although the heater worked, the promised Wi-Fi didn’t work at all. There’s no real parking either. The location is its main plus.