BA/Travelodge crew stays
Jul 6, 2017, 3:22 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,607
Having stayed in TL and Ibis (I'd say equivalent, rather than PI), what's there, what's missing.
Ibis for instance seems to only ever have one bin in the room, in the bathroom.
They both have a fixed to the wall squeezy handwash/shower gel, and no individual soaps/shampoos.
Always just a shower, never a bath.
I can't recall an ironing board, but I don't use them, so either might have one, and an iron.
Ibis for instance seems to only ever have one bin in the room, in the bathroom.
They both have a fixed to the wall squeezy handwash/shower gel, and no individual soaps/shampoos.
Always just a shower, never a bath.
I can't recall an ironing board, but I don't use them, so either might have one, and an iron.
Jul 6, 2017, 3:24 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,770
Cambridge has always been ridiculous for hotel prices. Don't know whether it's improved in the last few years but sounds like not.
Jul 6, 2017, 3:25 am
#33
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
I now have got to the point that I don't check the PI, it's usually in there in the likes of hotels.com, but not always...
However, I do appreciate the new T4 PI was doing rooms at £30 now that it has just opened. If there hadn't been that 2 hour Novotel "test how bad our website is" sale, I might have stayed in the first PI for ten years...
Seems to vary, it appears that I might have got a room in the Cardiff PI if I'd booked months in advance, but I think it's also block booked by tour companies too which throws things out...
I do regard the PI as a better quality than the TL... So one week £47, next week all booked out, random week in October. Cambridges PI, where I'm currently living, are £80 even at a saver rate in October... But that's probably just Cambridge.
However, I do appreciate the new T4 PI was doing rooms at £30 now that it has just opened. If there hadn't been that 2 hour Novotel "test how bad our website is" sale, I might have stayed in the first PI for ten years...
Seems to vary, it appears that I might have got a room in the Cardiff PI if I'd booked months in advance, but I think it's also block booked by tour companies too which throws things out...
I do regard the PI as a better quality than the TL... So one week £47, next week all booked out, random week in October. Cambridges PI, where I'm currently living, are £80 even at a saver rate in October... But that's probably just Cambridge.
London Gatwick Airport (A23 Airport Way) - £35, £35, £35
London Gatwick Airport (North Terminal) - £39, £39, £39, £29.50
Jul 6, 2017, 4:02 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,503
If you're going to insult BA and/or its crews, at least make it factually correct. There is no contract for BA crew to stay in Travelodge hotels. If crew are staying there then it is on their own dime and that is their own choice to make (many do indeed stay near airports before/after/between duties).
Unless you are mistaking it with the Premier Inn, which, as stated above, is an entirely different proposition.
Unless you are mistaking it with the Premier Inn, which, as stated above, is an entirely different proposition.
I would add, price really is not in direct correlation to quality. I write this just having spent a few days in the South of France so speak with recent experience
Jul 6, 2017, 4:06 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Top tip for wanting a bath - always book a family room - even book for two adults and two kids. You'll get a bath (almost!) guaranteed.
On check in reduce the number of guests with receptionist to remain compliant incase of fire evac etc
Price will always be the same
On check in reduce the number of guests with receptionist to remain compliant incase of fire evac etc
Price will always be the same
Jul 6, 2017, 4:30 am
#36
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
Jul 6, 2017, 4:42 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
I consider my (further!) contributions could be considered helpful through the thread - I found the initial opening a little insulting / belittling / gossipy towards crew.
And I was hot and grumpy last night. And my posts are usually positive and helpful. Out of character !
And I was hot and grumpy last night. And my posts are usually positive and helpful. Out of character !
Jul 6, 2017, 4:51 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Around somewhere
Programs: Gold, Some red card and some hotel cards.
Posts: 709
I've had some pretty rough experiences at travelodge. They went through a system of not investing in ongoing maintenance. We stopped using them 5 years ago and switched to PremierInn. They have a similar business model of pricing but generally are much better. The rooms are less stark for a start - travelidge go for a basic white everything. Maintenance is better. And in general a much better class of client!
Given the option I certainly would not stay at a Travelodge but willingly do at PremierInn - probably around 15-20 nights per year over the past five years. I would have sympathy for the crew having to stay at Travelodge.
Given the option I certainly would not stay at a Travelodge but willingly do at PremierInn - probably around 15-20 nights per year over the past five years. I would have sympathy for the crew having to stay at Travelodge.
Jul 6, 2017, 7:28 am
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Some Sofitels aren't all that great. I've had ordinary experiences in the CDG one a couple of times. I remember years ago seeing CO flight and cabin crew being dropped off at the Jurys Inn in Glasgow and thought it surprising at the time given it was on a busy street and only feet away from the railway at the back.
As for the budget hotels...our favourite is the Holiday Inn Express and our least is the Ibis.
As for the budget hotels...our favourite is the Holiday Inn Express and our least is the Ibis.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:11 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
THIS! Travelodges in the USA are not places I'd recommend people stay at. Usually older properties (no problem with that), BUT almost always filthy and run-down. Also often located in higher-crime areas. Some of them border on being used as halfway houses. We do have worse...Knight's Inns come to mind, but avoid both.
I do find it interesting though, as most US carrier union contracts state full-service hotels for pilots, and often the same for cabin crew. Most of these contracts require that there be shopping/restaurants/etc within reasonable walking distance as well.
I do find it interesting though, as most US carrier union contracts state full-service hotels for pilots, and often the same for cabin crew. Most of these contracts require that there be shopping/restaurants/etc within reasonable walking distance as well.
Jul 6, 2017, 9:24 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,607
THIS! Travelodges in the USA are not places I'd recommend people stay at. Usually older properties (no problem with that), BUT almost always filthy and run-down. Also often located in higher-crime areas. Some of them border on being used as halfway houses. We do have worse...Knight's Inns come to mind, but avoid both.
Jul 6, 2017, 10:25 am
#43
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 587
Crew might stay at the Travelodge usually when they commute before reporting the next morning. They'll fund this themselves in order to report on time.
The Travelodge isn't the hotel that BA put us up in when we're on duty at LHR, and so they have no contract with them.
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Views are my own and not that of my employer
The Travelodge isn't the hotel that BA put us up in when we're on duty at LHR, and so they have no contract with them.
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Views are my own and not that of my employer
Jul 6, 2017, 10:55 am
#45
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,204
Some Sofitels aren't all that great. I've had ordinary experiences in the CDG one a couple of times. I remember years ago seeing CO flight and cabin crew being dropped off at the Jurys Inn in Glasgow and thought it surprising at the time given it was on a busy street and only feet away from the railway at the back.
As for the budget hotels...our favourite is the Holiday Inn Express and our least is the Ibis.
As for the budget hotels...our favourite is the Holiday Inn Express and our least is the Ibis.
