Premier Inns are a staple in any city. And, in the city centre of Manchester, you can rest your weary head and enjoy a fry-up at no less than seven of the hospitality chain's hotels.
But are all Premier Inns built the same? Are runny eggs a guarantee and at which hotels do you get the best - or the worst - service?
In Greater Manchester, there are 32 Premier Inns and, according to TripAdvisor, all, except one, are rated between very good and excellent.
Read more: Giant fairground staying at The Trafford Centre for bank holiday weekend and May half term
The worst
Premier Inn, Altrincham, Manchester Road
Advertised on TripAdvisor as a restaurant, the Premier Inn Altrincham still comes out well rated receiving an overall review of 3.5 stars. However, out of the 24 reviews on this hotel, five of them are ‘terrible’.
Mitchian, reviewing in 2020, was not pleased with the meal they received at the Premier Inn and said: “The food is not good and the service is bad. The fish was tasteless and the chips under cooked. Expensive. Bad beer.”
However, the same hotel has a second listing on TripAdvisor where it has received a four star rating - and has been reviewed more than 600 times, with 10 per cent of reviews coming in as poor or terrible. Only two weeks ago, FearlessTraveller2019 wrote: “The staff at this hotel were really polite and attentive. The bed was very comfy and the shower pressure and temperature was great. Parking was easy and plenty of space.
"However, compared to most other premier inns, the rooms did feel quite dated. The tv was small and uncooperative.”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £34 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester Central hotel, Lower Mosley Street
Of our city centre seven, the Central hotel comes out on the bottom. It’s still a four star stay, but with six per cent of reviews poor or terrible.
Just this week, Aoife K, wrote a two star review of the Lower Mosley Street hotel, claiming it has tiny rooms.
They said: “Very disappointed. We booked a family room for 2 adults and 2 teenagers, what we were given was a double room with 2 fold out beds squashed together. We had no room to move whatsoever.
“The bathroom was tiny. Definitely will not be staying again.”
However, this review is outweighed by a tidal wave of positive ones which praise the staff, the location and even the comfortability of the bed.
Dreamer63412865004 says: “Great hotel, great service. Staff were really friendly and helpful, and the room [was] lovely and clean. The bed was big and very comfortable.
“The hotel was in the heart of Manchester, where you could walk to the Bridgewater concert hall or to the library and art gallery.”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £36 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester Tameside (Hyde) hotel, Stockport Road
What lets the Tameside (Hyde) branch of Premier Inn down is its location, according to reviewers. While it gets four and a half stars out of five for value, service and cleanliness, 10 per cent of the reviews are either poor or terrible.
For b0wler 92, gave the hotel one star for sleep quality. “2nd floor room.. room temperature was high all night and wouldn’t turn down. Could hear everything for above us floorboards were so noisy and sounded like they have 10 people staying in the room making noise till 12 at night and starting again at 5am!”
Despite having a good night sleep, reviewer lyndseyeccleston was not best pleased with the area or the breakfast. She said: “The hotel itself was as expected, a very comfy good night sleep and great bathroom facilities. The surrounding area though not so great with rubbish in abundance being blown around the entrance and car park.
“The breakfast was below par compared to many other premier inn breakfasts had over the years, the food looked and tasted reheated and the crockery was not very clean. The pub also looked very tired and dated and not the cleanest. Cannot fault the staff however they were very welcoming and friendly.”
However Jone Stone gave the branch a five star rating, saying: “Never had a bad night. Staff always attentive and rooms are clean. Location convenient for work. Close to motorways but can’t generally hear them at night."
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £34 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester ( Cheadle ) Hotel, Royal Crescent
Despite being ranked seventh out of all the listed hotels in Stockport, the Cheadle Premier Inn's four star rating isn't enough to compete with the highest rated Premier Inns in our region.
A recent review, from TripAdvisor user Jonsie91, was titled ‘shocking’, adding: "Wi-Fi didn’t work in room, even paid for upgraded Wi-Fi and still didn’t work. Asked for room to be cleaned after first night and came back to dirt [in] my bathroom and bedding.
“Shocking all round and wouldn’t recommend.”
However, TheOutsider55 had a completely opposite stay at this branch and offered a four star review of their stay, saying: “We stayed one night at the Premier Inn (Cheadle). The ground floor room was a good size.
“The bed was comfortable and the bathroom spotless. Reception staff were welcoming and sorted out a problem we had with the TV remote quickly.
“The location was incredibly quiet given its location under a flight path and there is a park close by if you want a stroll. The price point was very good for the room and we were more than happy with our short stay.
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £34 a night.
The best
Premier Inn Manchester ( Prestwich ) hotel, Bury New Road
The four and a half star hotel has all of the makings of cracking Premier Inn, free parking, a restaurant and 86 per cent of reviews rated as excellent or very good.
Jude409 said: “Service excellent from staff who were pleasant, welcoming and professional. Food was well cooked from a more than adequate menu.
“Dining room staff were also very pleasant, efficient and professional. Overall a pleasing experience.”
Meanwhile, Christinekay had a five star stay at the Prestwich branch, and wrote: “I often stay at a Premier Inn when I visit Manchester, but my usual hotels were fully booked for the dates I wanted. As a result, I decided to book the Prestwich branch, as it was only a short walk from the local Metrolink tram station. It turned out to be a good choice.
“The hotel is on a main road, but set some way back, and I was therefore not bothered by the sound of traffic going past. The room was well maintained and clean, and there was a pleasant dining room where breakfast was served.
“Just as good were the staff, all of whom were very friendly and efficient. You have the impression of a well-run establishment. This is definitely a place to recommend, whatever your reason for travel.”
However, WolvoUK was not impressed with Prestwich and thinks that this Premier Inn could do with refurbishment. They said: “Premier Inns are usually reliable but this one is tired, the bed sagged, the room was very tired. Overall a poor premier in, for the money I'd go elsewhere.”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £34 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester City (Piccadilly) hotel, Dale Street
With more than 3,500 TripAdvisor reviews, the Piccadilly branch of Premier Inn is the most reviewed hotel in this list and is well loved by just under 90 per cent of visitors.
Gordon Z wrote a glowing review of this location, awarding five stars and saying: “We always book this hotel because it's in the city centre, clean, staff care about residents, good food, good night sleep and good value for money. We really recommend this hotel, just 5 mins walk to the Piccadilly train station and the same to the Piccadilly Gardens."
Meanwhile, Vickyhunt72 said: “My son and I went to watch Man City and needed an overnight stay. Hotel was 2 mins walk from Piccadilly train and metro station so in excellent location for late night return. Quiet at night, great breakfast especially as son was free!
“Easy to walk to football museum and arndale centre. Will definitely use this hotel again on next trip!”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £36 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester Trafford Centre West hotel, Old Park Lane
Most guests at this branch of Premier Inn are there for the shopping, a good day out at Trafford Centre followed by a comfortable night’s rest at a local and convenient hotel. For KA Forrester, the hotel was just that.
Their four star review was nothing short of glowing. They wrote: “This is a great hotel. The location is excellent as it’s a 5 min walk to the shops, tram, golf etc. The hotel is modern and staff are really friendly. Rooms were clean, a good size and quiet.
“We had breakfast and the food was good. This is a good location for families as there is so much to do around the place.
“Also handy to travel to Old Trafford. Free parking, and plenty of spaces.”
However, Karen S complained: “Appalling service. Asked for room to be cleaned at 10am, come back at 3pm room still hasn't been cleaned. Had to go and get toilet roll & put it in myself.
“The food in the Restaurant is overpriced for what you get. Won't be returning.”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £35 a night.
Premier Inn Manchester Bury hotel, Knowsley Place
The final best hotel on this list is in the centre of Bury. Peter A visited for work and gave it five stars. He said: “The rooms are comfortable and spacious and impeccably clean and the breakfast first-rate.
“Check in was swift where we were greeted by both Linda and Jackie who looked after us so well and are a credit to the hotel. Highly recommended for business and leisure stays and we will be returning on our next trip to the NW.”
However, for Kitkatkel13, the parking prices were a let-down, and so she only gave it three stars, writing: “Hotel including staff are exceptional but parking is extortionate.
“Parking is no longer subsidised and cost us almost as much as our first nights stay! Has put us off staying again which is a shame but the additional parking cost could be used towards a more luxurious stay.”
At this Premier Inn, the cheapest room costs £34 a night.
Premier Inn have been contacted for comment on this story.
READ MORE:
