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The UK’s best and worst hotel chains The UK’s best and worst hotel chains
(1 day later)
One of the UK’s most expensive – as well as one of the cheapest – hotel chains have both been rated best in the country by readers of consumer magazine Which?One of the UK’s most expensive – as well as one of the cheapest – hotel chains have both been rated best in the country by readers of consumer magazine Which?
In a survey based on almost 6,000 people’s experiences of stays in small and large hotel chains, Sofitel and Premier Inn ranked first and second respectively based on nine categories that included cleanliness, customer service and value for money.In a survey based on almost 6,000 people’s experiences of stays in small and large hotel chains, Sofitel and Premier Inn ranked first and second respectively based on nine categories that included cleanliness, customer service and value for money.
Sofitel was only just ahead of Premier Inn, with an overall customer score of 83% compared with 82%. When you consider that the average room at Sofitel costs £144, more than twice as much as the typical £61 at Premier Inn, the budget chain’s customers are getting a good deal.Sofitel was only just ahead of Premier Inn, with an overall customer score of 83% compared with 82%. When you consider that the average room at Sofitel costs £144, more than twice as much as the typical £61 at Premier Inn, the budget chain’s customers are getting a good deal.
Worst in the list of 29 chains was Britannia Hotels, which for the second year running took the bottom slot – this year with a score of just 33%. Which? members criticised its hotels for being “run down” and “well past their best-buy dates”.Worst in the list of 29 chains was Britannia Hotels, which for the second year running took the bottom slot – this year with a score of just 33%. Which? members criticised its hotels for being “run down” and “well past their best-buy dates”.
“It can be a bit of a lottery staying with popular UK hotel chains as there’s such a massive gap in standards between the best and worst,” said Which? travel editor Jill Starley-Grainger. “Hotels that have fared badly need to look at their customers’ feedback and learn where they need to up their game.”“It can be a bit of a lottery staying with popular UK hotel chains as there’s such a massive gap in standards between the best and worst,” said Which? travel editor Jill Starley-Grainger. “Hotels that have fared badly need to look at their customers’ feedback and learn where they need to up their game.”
Travelodge, the second-most used chain after Premier Inn, was near the bottom of the table with 60% – though it improved its score from 50% last year.Travelodge, the second-most used chain after Premier Inn, was near the bottom of the table with 60% – though it improved its score from 50% last year.
For those who want to strike a balance between luxury and price, Hampton by Hiltons, one of the Hilton chain’s 10 worldwide brands, appears to be a good bet. It scored fourth overall, after Warner Leisure Hotels, but was given five-star ratings for the quality of its bedrooms and bathrooms, despite an average £80-a-night price tag. For those who want to strike a balance between luxury and price, Hampton by Hilton, one of the Hilton chain’s 12 worldwide brands, appears to be a good bet. It scored fourth overall, after Warner Leisure Hotels, but was given five-star ratings for the quality of its bedrooms and bathrooms, despite an average £80-a-night price tag.
In a separate investigation, Which? found that the cheapest month for a weekend break, regardless of the location, is September, while the most expensive month varied. The consumer body checked out average prices for a standard double room on a Friday and Saturday night stay in five cities: Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. While the most expensive month was different in each case, September was consistently the cheapest. Those staying at a city-centre Hilton Hotel in London, for example, would have paid £195 in September last year compared to £300 in the capital’s most expensive month this year, March.In a separate investigation, Which? found that the cheapest month for a weekend break, regardless of the location, is September, while the most expensive month varied. The consumer body checked out average prices for a standard double room on a Friday and Saturday night stay in five cities: Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. While the most expensive month was different in each case, September was consistently the cheapest. Those staying at a city-centre Hilton Hotel in London, for example, would have paid £195 in September last year compared to £300 in the capital’s most expensive month this year, March.
• This article was amended on 27 October to correct the number of the Hilton chain’s brands