My partner and I stayed at this hotel this weekend. We paid £35 for s double room, however if we had booked more in advance it would have cost £30. Breakfast was another £4.95 but we did not have this. I hope this is a well balanced review as the hotel did have positives as well as negatives.
Location: The hotel is in the Walsgrave area of Coventry, nearby is the University Hospital, Asda supermarket, McDonalds, two petrol stations and a pub. It is conveniently placed for the M6 and is a 10-15 minutes drive from the City Centre.
First Impressions: Driving in you are greeted by a building which houses the bar and check in reception. The receptionist who checked us in was very pleasant and gave us directions to our room (we stayed in room 4 on the ground floor). Our first impressions of the room itself weren't so great if I am honest. From other reviews I knew it was more a Butlins/Motel feel rather than what comes to mind when you think of a hotel but the outer building does look tired and in need of a paint. What struck me was the colours seem inconsistent with the colours of the 'Premier Classe' brand.
The room: The double room was small but plenty big enough for two and what I would expect for a two-star budget hotel. The bed was comfortable although the mattress was a little soft for our taste. The linen was clean and the duvet and pillows are both of good quality. Again, the room décor appeared very tired with dull paint (painted over wallpaper which was torn in places) and worn carpet. From other reviews I was aware of the metal shutters and these are disappointing. The rooms had no curtains only a flimsy net, so for privacy and being on the ground floor we immediately closed the shutters. Being metal they imply the area is unsafe and give you a disconcerting feeling. Being from Coventry I know the hotel is in a perfectly safe area but you can't help but get that feeling. The problem when you close the shutters is you then have zero natural light and the lighting in the room is very poor.
The other thing we did not like was there was a door in our room which linked to another room. We were able to lock it but it added to the thoughts of not feeling safe.
Other reviews have said the soundproofing of the rooms is poor and they could hear conversations in adjoining rooms. Whilst we could hear doors shutting we could not hear conversations. The only noise we did have was people walking by our room outside. Other reviews also commented that the tea and coffee facilities were poor. Our room had a kettle and supplies to make two teas and two coffees. The receptionists were very friendly and although we didn't have to I am sure if we had asked they would have happily supplied extra.
The bathroom was clean and the temperature of the shower was good. The power of the shower was poor and most the water seemed to be coming out the bottom of the pipe. Only one hand towel was provided which we had to use as a floor mat so essentially we had no hand towel. Despite the booking being for two people they only provided one bath towel as well meaning we had to go to Reception to request another. The receptionist was very friendly and got this for us with no difficulty.
Our only other complaint about the room was the TV although working had several lines going across the screen spoiling the image.
However, there are positives. As I have already said we found the staff friendly, the bed comfortable, the room clean and not too noisy and free wifi that is of a good enough speed.
Ultimately as a couple we would probably stay here again, however I would probably not stay here as a lone female. If we did stay again I would request for a room that does not have an adjoining door to another room (if such a room exists). I think most of our negative impressions would go if we were to visit in the future and find the rooms had been refurbished and the outside of the building brightened up a bit. If you are looking for a budget hotel and are not fussy then I would recommend this hotel.