Holiday Inn Derby Nottingham M1/J25

The people were really nice, and the food was very good value, which was a big plus. The car park, though, has some really deep, severe potholes. You get enough of that on regular roads. When you pull into a hotel to relax, you don’t expect a big bang or bump, and in the worst case, a puncture.

The place had a damp and mouldy smell throughout, especially in the lower part of the building where we were staying. We had to leave in the middle of the night because the room had no effective heating. We raised it during the day, and someone brought us a small radiator, but it kept clicking off and barely warmed the room. After returning from a birthday party, we could see our breath as soon as we came in. If the heater hadn’t made the room warmer in four hours, it wasn’t going to do so overnight. With a seven year old and my respiratory conditions, we had to go. As we handed in the key, five other people from the bar also said their rooms were cold and that they’d complained earlier that day. I’d never stay here again or recommend it to anyone.

I used the function facilities and the bar, and the staff were so kind and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. The hotel is clean and modern, and it’s very close to the M1. Just watch for the entrance, as it’s easy to miss.

A quiet hotel near the motorway, with efficient, polite service. The room was clean and a good size. I’d recommend stopping here to break up a long drive.