ibis Leicester City

The breakfast was sublime and the staff were really friendly. Wing and Anna deserve a special shout out for making my annual trip to Leicester feel special. The comfy beds and rooms with futuristic bathrooms made for a wonderful stay. The smart TVs didn't connect to the internet, though, so they weren't as smart as I’d hoped. I’d left my fire stick at home. I’d definitely stay here again.

The place was hygienic, quiet, and I had no trouble with the room, shower or working lift. The guy with glasses at reception was polite, friendly and helpful, and drinks were reasonably priced. My soda water was £1.80. I nearly gave five stars, but the breakfast buffet was just fine and the hash brown wasn't very good. McDonald's does a better one. The coffee machine needs repairing, and there was no coffee or tea available. Four stars.

The second night was in a standard room, and it was a completely different experience: clean and tidy, with a great shower room. But my first night in a disabled room was among the worst stays I've had. I'm not disabled, and the room was disgusting, damp and musty smelling, with dirty walls, a horrible wet room, a poor window blind and really poor heating. The bed was poor too. I stayed two nights, and that first room is why I'm giving it two stars.

The bed was okay, nothing special, as you'd expect from a budget hotel. The staff were polite and checking in was quick and easy, but I won't be going back. Parking was very limited, with only 11 spaces, five of them disabled bays, and work had started on the car park. On the first night, the fire alarm woke us and everyone evacuated. We later learned someone had been smoking in their room. I know that wasn't the staff's fault, but no one apologised, which would've been nice. Breakfast was minimal, though the food was nice. The restaurant had limited options on the second night, but the staff there were accommodating and the food was nice. After a run in 2 degree weather on the third night, I got in the shower and it went from lukewarm to freezing within 30 seconds. I had no hot water that night. The next morning I realised the room door needed an extra shove to shut properly, so anyone could have walked in during the first two nights. I ate at a restaurant up the road instead.