I have stayed at two Innkeepers Lodge's, both were in Greater London - Beckenham and Croydon South. Innkeepers Lodge were created in about 2001 I think and they have 70 lodges as of Spring 2004. They are budget lodges, however, provide a comfortable, clean, refreshing experience of hotel, and have great value with all the facilities that you need. Unlike the other 'budgets', Innkeepers Lodge has 3 different styles of rooms (Travel Inn, Premier Lodge and Travelodge, all have 1 style of room, although some are still being refurbished into the styles.) In the 2004 Directory (and all the others up to now) have pictures of each of the styles of rooms, and they are also shown on the website www.innkeeperslodge.com

BOOKING
Booking, in our experience has been very easy, we have been 4 times, and we have tryed both ringing them up, and booking via the net. Booking by phone is on 0870 243 0500, and they are open 7 days a week. On a Mondoy-Friday, they are open 8am-8pm and on Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm. On Bank Holidays, they are open from 10am-4pm, but they are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Alternitively, book online on www.innkeeperslodge.com and you can securely register, so when you book again, you log-in and info will be completed fo you. When you arrive at the lodge, you pay for your room on arrival, and other purchases as you make them. Then, when it's time for you to leave, you just drop your key at reception, and off you go to wherever you are going!

FACILITIES
All Innkeepers Lodges are lodges (gosh! suprise) that are attached to a Michels and Butlers pub and restaurant - either Toby Carvery, Harvester, Vintage Inn or Ember Inn. At Beckenham and Croydon, they have Toby Carvery, which have great fod, at a reasonable price (could drop it a little on Sundays?) but doesn't have a great choice of food, but then again, it is a carvery. I will say a little later about food in an Innkeepers Lodge. Some Innkeepers Lodges h
ave a reception, but then agin, some don't and you check-in at the bar!

CHECK-IN
As said above, check-in is either at reception, or at the bar. Check-in is usually quick, although once, there was a problem with a computer, with the irritating 'Page Cannot Be Displayed', the receptionist apologised, and, to be honest, it wasn't her fault! (Don't you just hate it at your computer when it happens!) At Innkeepers Lodge they have proper keys (in our experience) instead of the key cards, but they are still good.

ROOMS
As mentioned at the beginning of the review, Innkeepers Lodge are different, as not every lodge has the exact same look of rooms (some of the others ie. Premier Lodge and Travel Inn, have one style of room in all hotels, but are refurbishing some to offer that style) Innkeepers have 3 styles, modern(ish), in-between modern and classic and 100% old-fashioned. Fortunately, I haven't stayed in one with the old-fashioned look (see, I only like contemporary) Beckenham has the modernish style, Croydon has the in-between look. However, every one has the exact same facilities, and in our experience, they have always been VERY clean. Family rooms, ahev a double bed, witha sofa bed. Not the nice sofa-beds like most Travel Inns and Travelodges have, but those ones which are heavy, and the bed pulls out from inside the sofa, and is really heavy. Still, fairly comfortable though. They all have:
An ensuite bathroom, most, apparently just have a power shower, with sink and toilet, but some have all the above and a bath. You are proved with Toilet Roll, Large Towels and Dove and Lux fixed to the wall (aw, none to be able to take home!)They also have telephone, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryer and comfy beds. They all also have SKY TV, although, looking at the Directory, Maidstone, and South Queensferry don't haveb SKY TV and must have Terrestrial or Cable. They are all well decorated, but I prefer the more m
odern style (the 1st picture). The 2nd style is very good though. Very good rooms. Oh, they also have wardrobes (duh!) and hairdryer!

BREAKFAST
A FREE continental breakfast is included in the price and that is taken in the Restaurant. a buffet is provided and has Kellogs Creals, Yoghurts, fresh fruit, fruit segments, fresh bread, toast, warm croissants, preserves, fruit juice and tea and coffee (subject to availability). You can help yourself, and go back for more, but please leva some for everyone else! Yep, a rather nice way to start the day, from 7am to 9.30am Mon-FRi, and 8am to 10am on Saturday and Sunday. And it's all FREE!

FOOD AND DRINK
Food and Drink can be taken in the Toby Carvery, Vintage Inn, Harvester or Ember Inn, next door. The Directory and website tells you what each lodge has. We had Toby Carvery in both lodges we tryed. Food in Toby Carvery is very tasty and filling, and is very good value for what you get, but can get extremely busy on Sundays. The menu is not much more than Carvery, with maybe a few more things extra, but all are vegetables ect. OK, but you couldn't really go there every night if you were staying for a few nights! I have a review on Toby Carvery, if you wantto check-it out. Haven't tryed the others yet unfortunately.

OFFERS AND SHORT BREAK IDEAS
Innkeepers Lodge has a great offer which they started in 2002, and has been so popular, that they have extended it, even up until now. The offer is say Friday Night and Saturday Night and get the Sunday Night (and of coure add, but pay for any additional nights!) This is great value, and, if you're like me, and enjoy going on long weekends every now and then, this will allow you to extend your stay from a two nighter, to a three nighter, and maybe even more! Breaks are available from £29.95 per room pre night, and include complimentery breakfast. Remember, some rates maybe more than this, but I don't think they're too bad.
Also, Innkeepers Lodge, do short break ideas, where you can subscribe on the internet, or just look on the page on the internet, and has ideas to make a perfect leisure break at a certain time.

Thanks for reading, remember, like Travel Inn, Premier Lodge, Express by Holiday and Travelodge, all Innkeepers Room Rates are per room pre night.


OVERALL
Overall, in my experiences, Innkeepers Lodge has:
-Great Value
-Spotlessly clean
-Clean, Comfortable, Cosy bedrooms, with all the facilities that you want, and maybe some other things
-Next to great restaurants
-Friendly staff
-Free Breakfast, which is rare at budgets
-Great comfortable Breakfasts.

So, if you think, ooh, I would like to try one of the lodges that belongs to that ever so generous Innkeeper, have a look on www.innkeeperslodge.com and look around, and maybe order yourself a directory