Which? has announced the results of its latest annual survey of UK hotel chains. Crowne Plaza, Sofitel and Radisson Blu all scored highly, but, perhaps surprisingly, it was the budget chain Premier Inn that came out on top in the large chain category.
Which? members rated 24 large hotel chains and six small ones in ten areas, including cleanliness, customer service, bed comfort, communal areas, value for money and whether the chain’s description matches reality.
Interestingly, the survey found that room price was not necessarily a good indicator of quality. For example, Britannia was voted the worst chain for the ninth consecutive year, with just two stars for cleanliness. But the average price paid for a room in a Britannia hotel was 50% higher than at Premier Inn, the highest scoring chain.
“At just £66 per night on average,” Which says, “ Premier Inn was given five-star ratings for cleanliness, Covid-19 safety measures and bed comfort, with customers enjoying their king-sized beds and choice of firm or soft pillows.
For those who want a little more luxury
“Premier Inn’s impressive customer score of 79 per cent was topped by the best small chain, Hotel du Vin, which scored 80 per cent from guests. For anyone looking for a little more luxury, its spotlessly clean rooms and powerful monsoon showers could prove tempting at £150 a night.”
Warner Leisure also scored well in the small chain category, with five-star ratings for cleanliness and the quality of its bathrooms. On average, guests paid £171 a night.
Hotels now better value relative to self-catering
Meanwhile, there’s good news for consumers when it comes to cost. British hotels are still among the most expensive in Europe, but, during the pandemic, they became much better value in comparison with self-catering accommodation.
Which? revealed last summer that the cost of private holiday accommodation was 41% higher than in the summer of 2019 — an average difference of £300 a week. Over that same two-year period, hotel prices fell by 13%
For the full results of the latest Which? survey of UK hotel chains click here.
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