Travelodge London Wembley High Road

I came to spend Christmas with my daughter, and the stay was really unpleasant. There was noise through the night, with people shouting in the corridors and doors banging and slamming, and it didn't seem to be controlled. I won't return or recommend this hotel. Finding the car park was chaotic because it shares a lot with the shopping area called Wembley Square, and the signs were very poor. I had paid for early check-in, but when we arrived the reception staff couldn't say whether any rooms were ready. The room smelled awful, with cigarette smoke from previous guests mixed with overpowering air freshener. Cleanliness was unacceptable: the bed was dirty, the coat rack dusty, and the TV covered in fingerprints. The capsule coffee machine and desk lamp didn't work, and there was a broken cigarette in the bathroom sink. I'd booked for two, but there was only one small towel.

The room was clean, tidy and very good, with just one issue: the toilet had bad discolouration and needed bleaching or a proper clean. It didn't change my overall rating. I slept well, and the room looked over the shopping square, which was quiet after 5pm and caused no problems. I was staying for business and found the hotel easy to locate. Since I was driving, I used the nearby car park. The website's directions were a bit confusing, though it may just have been me; I expect it'll be easier next time. Ask for a ticket with a QR code, then scan it when paying at the car park in the morning to bring the charge down to £6, which I thought was a good price for London. Check-in at reception went smoothly. The entrance is at the rear, where you go into a lobby, take the lifts at the back, then ride up to reception, which felt a little odd. At night you need your room card to get into the lobby, though not in the evening. When I returned, someone was sitting on the floor there. Breakfast was adequate, with no big complaints. There's a coffee machine, but Travelodge only lets you dispense hot water, which felt a bit mean when I'd paid nearly £11 for breakfast.

My granddaughter and I would stay here again. The dining area was spotless, and the room and bedding were clean. You can open the windows if the air conditioning gives you a sore throat. Flavia booked us in and served our dinner. She was cheerful, patient and professional, and she and Deep were happy to help. My granddaughter has allergies, but her dinner was adapted to suit without any fuss. We had unlimited breakfast for under £12 for the two of us, and children eat for £1.

The room was very quiet, even with all the heavy road traffic nearby, and breakfast had a decent choice for a budget stay. You could see some wear and tear around the room, a bit more than I'd consider normal, and that's my only complaint. Still, I'd recommend it and the room wouldn't put me off staying again for future events.