Programs: AA, BA, BD, MCC, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routieres, PCR
Posts: 8,000
Staybridge Suites, Liverpool
We had a great weekend in Liverpool. We also stayed at the Staybridge Suites.
The hotel website says 'Staybridge Suites is an all-suite, non-smoking, extended-stay hotel that caters to guests looking for just one night, one week or longer.' We have stayed in all-suite hotels in the US and like the concept. I was looking forward to such a stay in the UK.
To me, a suite is a room with at least a separate living area, two rooms or equivalent. At Liverpool, we booked a '1 King Bed Studio Suite nonsmoking' and got a room with no separate living area, with fridge/washing up machine, cooker, crockery etc. For around £25 more, we could have booked a '1 King Bed 1 Bedroom Suite nonsmoking' but didn't think the extra worthwhile for a 1-night stay.
There was no bath - imagine an extended stay without a bath! The shower was fine, but I do like the occasional soak. Presumably the space not used for the bath enabled the space for the kitchen equipment.
We had a miserable welcome, feeling that we were disturbing the (seated) reception person. Oddly, there was no promotional material about the hotel or Liverpool either at reception or in the room. No upgrade was offered or expected.
The evening before leaving, I asked for a late checkout and was offered a late checkout until 15:00 for £20, which I declined. They said to ask the next morning, which I did and was told all the late checkouts had gone.
At checkout, another miserable person took care of us. We paid by chip-and-PIN. The terminal requesting my PIN did not show the amount but I entered it anyway and paid. The person then asked me to sign an A4 receipt confirming that I had paid! I restrained the urge to sign M Mouse.
The hotel shows rates minus VAT, which is added on checkout. I thought this dishonest ruse only applied at some London hotels and was designed to confuse visitors from North America. Clearly, it has spread to Liverpool.
It was OK for a short stay. We wouldn't bother another time as there is a lot of accommodation nearby. The Jurys Inn is next door, and the HIE, CP, Ibis and the soon-to-open Hilton are close by.
We walked to the hotel as we knew where it was. We couldn't see it at first. The logo is very difficult to find. For anybody else on foot or driving, look for the Jurys Inn whose logo is well visible. This hotel is next door.
Programs: SPG Platinum, PC Platinum RA, Skyteam Elite
Posts: 529
Thank you very much for your report.
That makes me very looking forward to my 6 night stay there next week. (British housing concept, btw, consists of sqeezing as much stuff into as little space as possible - that applies to a lot of hotels as well. Reasons unknown...)
Tripadvisor is quite positive about the hotel, though. Let's see...
Programs: AA, BA, BD, MCC, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routieres, PCR
Posts: 8,000
I'm sure the 2-room suites are fine.
About the VAT surcharge (the point being that prices in the UK are supposed to be VAT-inclusive), when I checked the folio on the TV, the nett rate was shown with the amount of VAT shown as '?????' with no other description.
Programs: SPG Platinum, PC Platinum RA, Skyteam Elite
Posts: 529
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger
I'm sure the 2-room suites are fine.
About the VAT surcharge (the point being that prices in the UK are supposed to be VAT-inclusive), when I checked the folio on the TV, the nett rate was shown with the amount of VAT shown as '?????' with no other description.
It should have been '!!!!!'.
Just checked my booking, and it shows the tax. Thanks for noting this, because I did not see that they were excl. tax. Tax/VAT should be 15 %.
About this, this is actually not really allowed in the EU. Only when a business mostly addresses business customers, i.e. in b2b contracts. But, well, it's the UK
I booked a "small" room but was hoping for an upgrade, since I have to pay myself and 20 Pound plus VAT at six nights is, well, as much as a decent dinner every night Won't expect an upgrade now...
Programs: AA, BA, BD, MCC, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routieres, PCR
Posts: 8,000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chinatrvl
Won't expect an upgrade now...
You never know. I wouldn't say our experience was prescriptive. It all depends on occupancy and who's on duty. One of the three reception people we met - the lady with red hair (Lisa, I think) - was fine.
I stayed there last week for two nights. Good Rate - Stayed on a 2-4-1 so worked out really cheap Free Breakfast Although the selection is a little odd (no cheese or meat - well I couldn't find them anyway) there are hot items & they did appear to change the selection over the 2 days. Room - I had a standard suite which I really liked - It had a nice TV with a good section of Freeview & Sky Sports Channels - I had a better view this time too. Parking - £8 per day isn't that bad for central Liverpool. Managers Reception 6-8pm - Mon-Thurs. Free Beer/Wine & Nibbles.
Not So Good
Nothing too big!! No Upgrade but actually I really liked the standard suite anyway Car Parking - The underground parking is a little tight so if you have a large vehicle you may have fun! VAT issue is a little annoying. Late check-out fee - seems a little opportunistic to me
To me, a suite is a room with at least a separate living area, two rooms or equivalent. At Liverpool, we booked a '1 King Bed Studio Suite nonsmoking' and got a room with no separate living area, with fridge/washing up machine, cooker, crockery etc.
I've used a couple of Staybridge in the US, and regularly stay at the Sao Paulo one. I've never, ever, received an upgrade to a full suite. But at least in SP the room's fine- big enough for a functional division, and the rate includes an excellent breakfast. So no need to test the kitchenette.
Staybridge seems a little semi-detached from the PC programme: doesn't it give less points per USD?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger
The hotel shows rates minus VAT, which is added on checkout. I thought this dishonest ruse only applied at some London hotels and was designed to confuse visitors from North America. Clearly, it has spread to Liverpool.
This is cheeky and opportunistic: it should be stopped. NA visitors are trained to expect tax to be added, as are business users in claiming VAT - those who are confused are UK-based users.
Programs: SPG Platinum, PC Platinum RA, Skyteam Elite
Posts: 529
Quick update
I had to - unfortunately - shorten my 6 night stay to 1 night (now going on IKEX3). Just checked in, got upgraded to a two room suite, without asking. Charming lady at check-in said, "oh you're a platinum, just sign here, here's your key".
Really great so far, large kitchen/office/living room and separate bedroom. Will post a "PC Experience" later.
(British housing concept, btw, consists of sqeezing as much stuff into as little space as possible - that applies to a lot of hotels as well. Reasons unknown...)
Won't expect an upgrade now...
