Premier Inn Leicester - Braunstone

You get what you’d expect from a Premier Inn: lots of free parking, clean and comfortable basic rooms, and welcoming, friendly staff. I’m giving it five stars with the understanding that this is a Premier Inn, not a five-star luxury hotel. It’s a dependable, straightforward place to stay.

The welcome was nice, and I was given my key and pointed generally towards the room. But opening the door, I got hit by a huge damp smell. There were two coffee sachets and a few milk cups, and the bed looked fine until I lifted the quilt and pillows: there was hair and pubic hair. I wasn’t too bothered, shook it off, and slept well. Breakfast was stone cold, with a cold egg and bacon that was still alive. The hot plate was a waste of time, so don’t expect a hot full English. Dinner wasn’t any better. A pint of Coke cost £4.10, and the burger had a really hard bun, a slice of green stuff, cheese, five chips, and a smear of coleslaw. It tasted awful. The same thing happened the next day, so it wasn’t a one-off. I wouldn’t book here again.

The food and staff at the linked Observatory pub were lovely, and the hotel staff were lovely too. The room was clean and well equipped. The mattress is the only thing keeping this from a five-star stay. It needs turning or replacing, and I ended up sleeping upside down. I stay at Premier Inns often, and this was my first uncomfortable night.

We stayed on 5th October, and the location was handy for Fosse parks, with lots of places to eat nearby. The restaurant had a good choice of food, and breakfast was very good. We also had a couple of drinks in the bar, where Nadine served us. She was nice and very helpful.