One of the better ones! (Travelodge Stirling M80 Hotel (Stirling))

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	Travelodge Stirling M80 Hotel (Stirling)
Date:	01/05/09 (168 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Recently re-furbished, friendly staff

Disadvantages: Not as good as Premier Inn if paying full price

It's not very often I stay in a Travelodge these days, as I do prefer Premier Inn and Express by Holiday Inn, so when looking for accomodation Travelodge is not my first choice.

This is because they are quite basic, and some are looking a little shabby and in need of refurbishment.
This Travelodge at Stirling in Scotland, is one I have stayed at on a couple of occasions. On my last stay I noticed it does seem to have been refurbished somewhat, and although it has always been clean, it had been looking a little tired and dated. This seems to have been rectified with a lick of paint, new furniture and TV's.

The hotel is situated on the Moto service area on the M80, Pirnhall, Stirling. It is approx 3 miles from Stirling Centre, so you would need to take your car to visit Stirling itself, or a taxi will cost you around £10.
This is a basic service area with the usual shop, Burger King etc, and also a tourist information centre. There is no problem with noise when we have stayed here and there are plenty of parking spaces outside the hotel.

The staff are friendly and helpful and check-in quick and easy. Check-in is from 3pm but it is possible to request an earlier check-in from 12pm if available, and late check-out up to 2pm, however there is a charge of £10 for this.
The rooms are clean and quite comfortable, with family and twin rooms available. The beds are made up with white, crisp bedlinen.
I found the bed quite comfortable and although there was only two pillows provided, I asked at reception if it would be possible to have some more, and this was no problem. I was also asked if I would like extra towels.
A flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities are provided.
There is no hairdryer in the rooms however, but you can borrow one from reception, along with an iron and ironing board if required.

The bathroom was clean with a bath and decent overhead shower. No complimentary toiletries are provided but there is a vending machine selling toiletry items. Most other hotels will provide these free of charge if you have forgotten some toiletry item, but at Travelodge you have to pay for them.

We have spent a couple of comfortable nights at this hotel, however at £56 per night I think is is quite expensive, when compared to what you get at Premier Inn or Holiday Inn Express for the same price.
I found out after our stay that there is actually a Premier Inn a couple of minutes drive away from the Travelodge, so on our next visit we did actually choose to stay there, as it was a little more luxurious and has a nice bar/restaurant next door. You are limited to the services area for something to eat when staying at the Travelodge.

It would be a bargain to stay here if you are able to obtain a £19 room online, which is an offer Travelodge often have available. They do sometimes offer some £9 rooms but I would imagine these are hard to come by and are snapped up quickly as I have never managed to secure one!

Stirling Travelodge is an ideal base to explore Stirling, but on future visits I think I would prefer to stay at Premier Inn unless booking a bargain room.
Stirling is a beautiful place which we visit often. I always think it has a certain 'air' about it, especially at Bannockburn which is roughly a mile away from the Travelodge. I have enjoyed visiting the castle and the Wallace Monument, which are 3 miles away.
If you are using Stirling as a base to visit the surrounding areas, then I would recommend a visit to the Trossachs, and maybe a trip out on Loch Katrine on the steamer. Loch Lomond is another favourite place of mine and is approx 25 miles away. I would also recommend a visit to Callander, and if you have children they will love a visit to Blair Drummond Safari park, which was a great day out.

I will be visiting Stirling again soon and hoping to be able to book a 'bargain' room, so maybe will be staying at the Travelodge again. I really cannot find any fault with it overall, as it is clean and comforatble, but if paying full price you may just prefer to book a room at the Premier Inn instead, for that little bit extra luxury!

Summary: Clean and comfortable, and a bargain if you can get it cheap!