Roomzzz Leeds City West

The apartment was dirty and scruffy, nothing like the clean, modern places in the pictures. Paint was peeling, the walls were grubby, there were streaks on the microwave and inside the fridge, and the appliances were greasy and filthy to the point of being unusable. It also smelled of old oil. We stayed at Roomzzz Leeds Headingley Apartment, but there was no reception there. Check-in was at another postcode, which we only found out a few days before our visit. Both key cards stopped working and left us stuck in the corridor, with our dog locked inside crying. I called reception to ask them to bring replacement cards, but was told nobody was available and I had to go there myself. The round trip took 35 minutes in the awful traffic. They also tried to charge £80 per day for the dog, when it should have been £80 for the whole four-night stay. Thankfully, they amended the charge.

There's a good coffee machine in the lobby, with croissants for breakfast, which is handy if you don't need a hotel buffet. The location has some good eateries and restaurants just steps away. Leeds city centre and the station are about a 20-minute walk, or there are bus stops very close. Parking is easy, either in the lot across the road or in the garage if you can get a spot, though that costs extra. Booking online through their own website is easy. The studio was great value, clean and spacious, and suited a few days' stay. It had a kitchenette, laundry machine, dishwasher and space to hang out.

The location is excellent if you're driving. You can park free on the road from 8pm to 8:30am, then use the lot across the road for a few quid. The room was nice, though I wish the beds were king size. The shower was tiny, just 80x80cm, and was the only real downside. Rooms run very warm, but they do provide one little fan.

For a longer stay, the studios could work well. They're a bit bigger than a standard hotel room, have useful kitchenettes, and the hot water and pressure were good thanks to the immersion heater and tank. The price is budget, reception staff were pleasant and helpful, and check-in was quick and simple. I was there for three days on business in Leeds City Centre. The location wasn't brilliant, and my female colleague and I didn't enjoy walking to and from the office, especially in the evening. It's a 15-20 minute walk with a trolley bag, though you could get a cab or maybe a bus. The rooms were dated and more about function than looks. The shower is tiny, the bathroom light and fan didn't work, and a few other things were wobbly. There was a strong smell of smoke in the room, especially in the curtains. Maybe I'm sensitive to noise, but I could hear people coming and going, as well as the lift. I wouldn't rule the hotel out, but location and your priorities during the stay are worth considering.