Dirty Weekends In London's Budget Hotels

By Hazel Last edited 182 months ago
Dirty Weekends In London's Budget Hotels

A Which? Holiday survey has made the not entirely surprising discovery that some budget chain hotels in London and Manchester are not reaching high enough standards of cleanliness.

Ibis and Travelodge had the worst levels of hygiene in the findings, declared as safe by the chain hotels' spokesmen but most likely declared 'yucky' by users. Mould growing on mattresses in Manchester, urine splattered toilets in Euston and high levels of bacteria and dust in both northern and southern branches of Ibis and Travelodge did not provide restful sleepovers when the survey was carried out in September last year. Which? researchers posing as hotel guests visited 16 hotels and found Jurys Inn, Comfort Inn and Premier Inn the better chains - though Premier Inn for London had room for improvement according to the findings.

Budget may mean easy on the wallet but shouldn't mean 'not wanting to touch any of the surfaces in the room'. As we learned from the formidable Ruth Watson, Five's Hotel Inspector, the best kind of hotel room is one that feels like it hasn't been used by anyone else except you. Even if you're not expecting much because of the 'budget' bracket your booking falls into, there should be no need to bring white gloves and the How Clean Is Your House test kit with you, nor should you have to need to bring rubber gloves and disinfectant either. Ibis and Travelodge have taken on board the findings and have upped their game regarding cleanliness since the survey so book those budget rooms for this recession year with reassurance.

Last Updated 06 January 2009