TravelValue: England: February 2018

Monday, February 19, 2018

"Flexibility" Is The Key To Air Power And A Charlotte House Core Value

Charlotte House Hotel

78 London Road

Peterborough PE2 9BP

United Kingdom

Phone number +44 1733 315870

Website: charlottehousehotel.com

Prices: ££££

Kudos to the owner/manager for her flexibility! Usually an expert and thorough logistician (after all, it was my military career field for 20 years), I somehow screwed the pooch on this reservation, booking this hotel for the day AFTER our scheduled arrival. I contacted the property that morning with my tail between my legs and, low and behold, they changed our reservation to that night without a cancellation (aka dumb ass) charge.

We arrived late after visiting friends I had not seen in 20 years just 20 miles south in Huntingdon and left early the next morning, so we did not have time to enjoy the hotel. Parking is in the rear, so take the street immediately north of the hotel (Park Street), then left again on Woodbine Street behind the hotel. If arriving after dark, you might see the slightly obscured "Charlotte House Car Park" sign on the fence adjacent to the property if you look hard enough (see photos below).

Rear of Hotel

A two-story Victorian building on the outskirts of town and less than a mile from the impressive Peterborough Cathedral (burial place of Catherine of Aragon and former resting place of Mary Queen of Scots), the feel is eclectic and somewhat modern, but warm, inviting and slightly charming The room was a tad odd with three steps down into the room from the entry, but it was large with an en suite bathroom, TV with cable, kettle with coffee/tea/milk/sugar, a comfy full size bed, and decent Wi-Fi. We slept well.

At £49.50 ($70.40), we kept the price under my preferred $75 limit and it included a delicious full English breakfast ... now that is a definitie TravelValue ... HOOAH!

CombatCritic Gives Charlotte House Hotel 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

Windsor, England: In The Shadow Of Windsor Castle Is A Georgian Charmer Fit For A Queen

The Royal Adelaide Hotel

46 Kings Road

Windsor SL4 2AG

United Kingdom

Phone number: +44 175-386-3916

Website: royaladelaide.com

Prices: ££££

Built in the 1830s for its namesake, Queen Adelaide, this Georgian hotel is elegant, quite charming, and just a short walk away from and with great views of historic Windsor Castle. Honestly, for £75 ($105) I was not expecting such a nice hotel and with breakfast included no less!

We parked in back in their private lot, but was told that parking would be an additional £10 when we checked-in. Once again, Booking.com did not clearly point out the extra fee for parking, so the front desk clerk apologized and upgraded us to a larger room with a view of Windsor Castle ... HOOAH!

The room was smallish, but nicely appointed with a comfy queen size bed and fast internet, something we had recently missed at some of the English hotels and inns we stayed at on this road trip. Then there was the view of Windsor Castle ... WOW!

Breakfast, which was included, was the best in recent memory with a choice of eggs Benedict, an omelette, or full English breakfast. I went with the eggs Benedict and my wife the omelette, both cooked to perfection. Juices, toast, coffee, tea and other selections (cereal, yogurt, etc) were also available.

When checking-out, the clerk told us that she would comp the parking because of Booking.com's oversight, saving us another $14.50. Now that's outstanding customer service and a great TravelValue ... OOH-RAH!

Fit For A Queen ... CombatCritic Gives The Royal Adelaide Hotel 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

London Gatwick Airport, England: Premier Inn = Weak

Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport A23 Hotel

Longbridge Way

Horley RH6 0NX

United Kingdom

Phone number +44 871 527 8406

Website: premierinn.com/en/gatwicka23
Prices: ££££

This will not take long because we were not there long and I was not impressed, even for the price. They did not even bother putting the cushions on the bed, they sat atop the wardrobe when we arrived.

Like the Premier Inn in Nuneaton, my only other Premier Inn stay, I found the stay inadequate. Arriving after 11PM for a 05:20 departure the next morning, I got about 2 hours sleep thanks to the noisy neighbor upstairs that I could hear walking around all night long (I am a light sleeper) and a cold. What a miserable night.

As was the case at the Nuneaton location, Wi-Fi was slow and nearly useless. This room was much bigger, but there were two single beds we did not need and one print adorned the walls, otherwise, they were bare. The TV remote did not work and there was mold in the grout on the bathroom walls. I have heard rumours (rumors for the Yanks) that they will refund your rate if you do not get a good night's sleep, but I saw nothing advertized and really do not care at this point. After two horrible experiences at Premier Inns, we will not be staying with them again.

They try to sell you breakfast at £9 ($12.50) a pop or a two course dinner and breakfast for £24.99 ($35) ... REALLY? There is also a £3 per person charge to drive you less than 1,000 feet to the North Terminal (via a 15-minute drive to the Marriott and South Terminal), so you obviously get nothin' for nothin' at Premier Inns. The room price was right at just £50 ($70) for an airport hotel, but they dime you to death for everything and the negatives far outweighed the positives, hence my rating ...

CombatCritic Gives Premier Inn Gatwick A23 Hotel 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Four Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"