Holiday Inn Express Stafford

I’d told them online that I was bringing my small, well-behaved dog, but at check-in, which wasn’t until after 5 pm, I was told there was no room. I’d travelled down with a friend after attending a friend’s funeral, and I’m disabled. Then I was charged £30 for the dog and another £30 for cleaning. The extra charge hadn’t been made clear, and my bill went from £130-plus to another £60 on top. I emailed yesterday and haven’t had a reply. At that price, I expected my little companion to be treated as fairly as I was. Be careful about the charges.

The room was a good size and clean, and the staff were helpful. It’s a convenient location, with a decent breakfast selection. Nothing fancy, but it does what it promises, efficiently and cleanly. I’d be happy to stay again.

Jessica made a mistake on my booking easy to sort out, even though I’d stupidly chosen the wrong dates. She was training a new starter, stayed calm and helpful, found me a ground floor room, and gave my staffy a treat bag. She was back on an early shift the next day and had treats for him again. She’d mentioned a kitchen flood overnight, but you’d never have known, as she’d dealt with it. Her warm manner and people skills are a real asset. Give Jessica a pay rise! Top service, fixing problems with a smile. 😁🤍🐕‍🦺👌 We used the hotel as a halfway stop between Scotland and Wales. Breakfast was included and dogs were welcome. The room was large, warm and immaculate, with a wide-screen TV I plugged my Firestick into, and a sofa bed where my dog slept. The shower was warm and powerful, and the bed was very comfy. We’ll use this wee gem again and would definitely recommend it if you’re travelling with a dog.

The breakfast buffet had a full English, pastries, yoghurt, fruit, toast and croissants, and it came with our twin room. Staff were friendly and excellent, and the beds were comfortable. The room was nice too. A couple of drawbacks: there were only two plus sockets, which was a nuisance for a stay of a few days, and no air conditioning, so I imagine summer could be uncomfortable. There’s a restaurant opposite, plus a McDonald’s if you want a cheaper meal. I stayed in early December and would come back.