Happy Holidays (Holiday Inn in general)

Member Name: glenny

Product:	Holiday Inn in general
Date:	31/10/01 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Number of Locations, Fitness Clubs, Customer Care

Disadvantages: Breakfasts Are Expensive

An opinion on Holiday Inn, the new name for the Posthouse chain of hotels.

Over the last few years whenever I have been Travelling somewhere in the UK I have always stopped in these hotels. I have stayed in the Great Barr Birmingham hotel twice now and also there hotel in Salsbury(near Oxford) and have called in many more for lunch etc and love the quality of service that they offer.

First of all their hotels are always clean, from your room to the Fitness clubs, which I find to be there biggest strength in particular. How nice it is to be able to wake up on a morning and go for a swim and relax in a Jacuzzi when you arrive the night before, stressed up due to travelling. A great Feature as it does help to get a good night's sleep.

Breakfasts are usually not included in the price you pay for your room, and do seem a little over priced at £10 a head, but for this money you do have un-limited access to your choice of food. And there's another good point, the choice. You can have cereals, full cooked breakfasts or your choice of fresh fruits and yoghurt and why not wash it down with your choice of tea, Coffee or many varieties of fruit juice's, all of which I have always found to be fresh and hot, where applicable :).

Meals provided in the hotels are usually to a high standard too. You have lots of choice, some fancy, and some plain and can eat in the restaurant or your room, which ever you prefer. Prices for meals are thankfully a little more acceptable, ranging from £6 to about £15, and plenty of choice in between.

I have also found that the best way to get a good price for your room is to book through central reservations. Booking in advance does help, not only the price but also the availability of rooms, which can at times I have found to be thin on the ground. Rooms vairy in price from about £30 to £50 a night, I always pay a little extra and stop in an executive room as the furnishings are better quality a
nd you have sky channels on the TV. Booking this type of room can be very inexpensive if you do so in good time usually between £5 and £10 a night more.

Now to the problems I have experienced. Firstly the only 2 problems I have ever experienced have both occurred at the great barr hotel. The first time I stopped in the great barr hotel I booked through central reservations, and to my surprise the great barr hotel had received no booking from them, one quick to central reservations did rectify this problem slightly, as they confirmed that I was correct and should have a room for the night, but as it was the opening weekend for the motor show they only had one free room, which was a Double, and I needed a Twin as I was travelling with an aunt, however I accepted the room as it was an executive one and I would not be charged any extra and the manager offered us a free three course meal in the restaurant, and I was relegated to the floor for the night :(.

The second problem was two years later (motor show time again) when I did get my correct room. But when I arrived in it the window was Severely warped, letting a gale blow through the room, as it was a cold & windy day. And with one call to reception I was told the hotel was full, but would I accept a free three course meal (again)!!. So I accepted and blocked the gap up with toilet paper and fired the radiator on full blast :), which worked a treat!.

Also each morning a newspaper is placed outside your door, free of charge and you can order different types to be delivered as well.

From what I have seen of these hotels they provide excellent customer care and not a bad three course meal! :). Another satisfied customer!.

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