Great Western Coffee Shop

From a suggestion in a "Frequent Posters" topic.   I (and many others, I know) make a variety of train journeys and stay away at t'other end;  I look for somewhere that's convenient, clean, safe, and friendly where I can get a good night's sleep.  Other's priorities will vary.   I'm opening up this new thread, which I'll make "sticky" so that people can post on places that they've stayed.

Notes:

Views posted here are personal. If you're the poster, you're responsible for what they say.  If you're making a decision based on the posts, you're doing so on the original poster's say-so and not with any recommendation from the board.  If you're responsible for the place being posted about and would like to comment - you're very welcome to sign up and do so, or to get in touch with me be email if you prefer.

Posting for hotels / B&Bs suitable for rail users in the UK. If you want to tell us about a great place that's a long way from the station, only do so in exceptions circumstances such as "owner will meet you off any train" - and let's stick to the British Isles and not dilute to great hotels in the Netherlands.   By all means tell us about those in a separate thread

This is a really good idea, though the postings may need organising so that they can be accessed in alphabetical order by station. Some recent ones...

Skipton (OK, well out of FGW-land) {SKI} : Herriott's. Immediately opposite the station. Very good and warmly recommended.

Newcastle upon Tyne {NCL} : Royal Station Hotel. Part of the station site and has a station-side entrance, though "security" barriers have made it more difficult to use of late. Rather old-fashioned, though the rooms have been refurbished to a decent standard.

Preston {PRE}. I use the Premier Inn that's 5 minutes walk from the station. Though there's a pub just outside the side entrance that's even closer.

Some others, that I've stayed in in the past, that are handy, but that I don't know what they're like at the moment:

Exeter St Davids {EXD} : Great Western

Carlisle {CAR} : County Hotel. Just outside station. If you're stuck between trains, their Mexican restaurant is a good place to eat.

Heald Green (south side of Manchester) {HDG} . Another Premier Inn that's handy for the station.

Derby {DBY} : Midland, but it's very pricey. Next door to the station.

Leeds {LDS} : Queens (same comment applies). Part of the station site.

Chesterfield {CHD} : Chesterfield Hotel. 100m from station. We used to use this for training courses on account of the ability to get to it by train from almost anywhere. But then it went into administration... Still trading, but no recent reports.

Morpeth {MPT} : Waterford Lodge. 5 minute walk from station down into the town. Recommended.

Portsmouth Harbour {PMH}: The Lady Hamilton.

Small pub/bed and breakfast. Excellent value and the roast dinners (served every day) are fantastic.

And that is in turn a good idea.   :D

If posters can add the station code (in curly braces?) I should be able to add a map - I've got one running already for the current "Four in a Bed" TV series rather than station-friendly hotels - http://www.wellho.net/demo/hotels.html

{PGN} Paignton

Stayed at the  The Ashleigh Guest House  (http://www.ashleigh-guesthouse.co.uk/) in 2010.  It is between the railway station and the seafront and overlooks the Paignton & Dartmouth steam railway.  Bright and clean with a very attentive host - who even remembered my name throughout my stay.  Excellent variety at breakfast, mini fridge in the room, good choice of channels on room tv and a decent lounge if you don't want to sit in your room.

Very reasonably priced, especially out of season.

Aha. I've stayed in the Ashleigh in Paignton as well!

I concur with bobm. Great location, great breakfast. I was able to watch some cricket being played on the neighbouring pitch with trains steaming in the background.

Off to see if I can dig up the pictures I took when there in 2009. Only about 8 memory cards to go through!

Can vouch for that - stayed there in 2011, although not - as far as I know - at the same time as BNM!

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/lhpmh.jpg)

Well that is just spooky......

Weird. Almost instantaneous posts each concurring with the other.  8)

Who's stalking who?  :o ;) ;D

From the last 18 months or so ...
{ALO} Claremont Lodge, Alloa - In desparate need of redecoration and update, but friendlyness maded up for that 110%
{GCR} Station Hotel and Cafe Bar, Gloucseter - really useful location and rooms fine. Breakfast service painfully slow
{PAD} Norfolk Plaza, Paddington - quite basic, but excellent value at Laterooms / cheaper and less stressful than commuting to MKM
{LIN} Bonsyde House Hotel, Linlithgow - BEWARE - "3 minutes from station" is in a racecar, and there are no taxis.
{LBG} LSE Bankside House, London Bridge - student digs, utilitarian but useful for bed in London overnight.
{LIV} Adelphi, Liverpool - faded grandeur; you'll love it or hate it
{PAD} Bayswater Inn Hotel, Paddington - OK for the night at Lateroom rates.
{MCO} Ibis, Manchester Oxford Road - yep, good, would certainly stay again
{FNB} Travelodge, Farnborough - not my cup of tea. Tired, clinical, breakfast (sortof) provided by clearly uninterested staff
{CBG} Fenners Hotel, Cambridge - well, it was near the station. Staff's parents dropped off / picked up with blaring radio and left engines running while waiting right outside my window.
Maldron, CityWest (Dublin) - Good; clean; lacked open restaurant though advertised it. Disinterested staff. Tram.
Savoro, High Barnet - Excellent room, superb breakfast. Staff concentrated on regulars to exclusion of others. Tube.
Smith's Guest House, Edinburgh - clean and tidy, but many rules and limited check in time.  Bus not train.

Chains ... which I also use and expect to use again;  can't think of any near stations that I've used though:
Holiday Inn Express
Premier Inn
Both chains generally good;  occasional exception at Premier Inn, but that's probably because I've used so many of them.

{YRK} There is a convenient Premier Inn less than five minutes walk (honestly) up the road from York Station in which I received a pleasant welcome despite it being busy.  However, next time I will opt for a much cheaper breakfast at J D Wetherspoon nearby (more basic, but half the price) and avoid the parties of lovely foreign students which dominated the breakfast room.

Wembley Stadium {WCX}. Ibis London Wembley.

I really like the Ibis brand and will choose them ahead of Travelodge and Premier Inns. Ibis London Wembley often has very cheap rates when there is nothing on at the Stadium which is right next door. Just 10 minutes to Marylebone from the adjacent Wembley Stadium Station or a 5-10 minute walk to either Wembley Central or Wembley Park giving access to many other parts of London by National Rail/Underground/Overground.

Ask for a front facing room on the upper floors for fantastic views over West London. I've stayed here numerous times and never found fault with either the room allocated or facilities. The queen size beds are really comfortable.

The rates here are often just half the price of other more centrally located Ibis hotels in London. Put the money saved toward a Travelcard or Oyster credit!

Thanks for the reminder.
Brentwood {BRE}. Premier Inn.

Melksham, Wiltshire. {MKM}

While his innate modesty may prevent grahame's posting such a link here, I personally can recommend the excellent Well House Manor (http://www.wellhousemanor.co.uk/), as I've stayed there several times.

A reasonably short walk from the station, or a cheap taxi ride - or a collection service may be available - to the hotel.  And vice versa, obviously.  ;D

Chris.  ;)

{SUO} Holiday Inn Express, Sutton, Surrey.
           Less than half a mile from the station, easy walk to do.
           I could hear music from the bar downstairs but it was fairly easy for me to get to sleep as I was so comfortable.
           Stayed for: 1 night in 2012 | Reason: Wedding
           Would I stay again: Yes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
{PLG} Premier Inn, Polegate (Although considers itself as Eastbourne, but it's definitely Polegate), East Sussex
          It's not far from the station, but it's not the best of walks to do due to it's location (it is walkable though) - Taxi may be easier from the rank outside.
          Good sleep. Nice breakfast.
          Stayed for: 1 night in 2011 | Reason: Too tired to drive back to Wokingham and due to time couldn't bother family.
          Would I stay again: No, but only because I have learnt to plan better for future :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
{PAD} Hilton Hotel, Paddington, London
           As some may know this hotel is fairly close to the station, definitely walking distance.
           Convenient location, comfortable room.
          Stayed for: 1 night in 2008 | Reason: Early morning train to Heathrow.
          Would I stay again: No, but only because I wouldn't need to and don't have the money!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
{RHL} Westminster Hotel, Rhyl, North Wales
          About 10-15 minute walk from the station to the seafront.
          Lovely hotel to stay in, family run hotel, had a great time when I stayed there.
          Stayed for: 2 nights in 2010 | Reason: Was on a rail rover doing a trip around all TOCs
          Also stayed there for a summer during my school years, but can't remember what year.
          Cheating slightly with this one as the hotel is in my family.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
{BHC} Lomond Park Hotel, Ballock, Scotland
          About 5-10 minute walk from the station
          Lovely hotel, stayed here a couple times when visiting some friends in the area.
          Staff are lovely and the rates reasonable.
          Would definitely stay again.

I need to remember where else I have stayed, will come back to this and update :)

Don't forget the new Premier Inn directly opposite St Davids, which is unhelpfully called Exeter Central...

Actually, it's worse than that - it's Exeter Central St Davids!

I've taken a liking to the whole Accor chain recently.  Stayed in both Ibis and Ibis Budget (formerly Etap) hotels in the UK and had no complaints.  Except at Etap Hounslow which is directly under the Heathrow approach.  I also stayed in a Novotel in Poland, much recommended.

Holiday Inn Express across the road from Bristol Temple Meads {BRI} is a good choice.  A two minute walk from the station and reasonably close to the city centre.  Breakfast included and fairly good prices.

{SLO} There's a Holiday Inn Express back of Slough station looks bulk standard.

{LDS} I stayed in the Hilton overlooking Leeds station. My room had two enormous beds - more emperor than king sized - which would have made it a good place to film a porno movie had I not been unaccompanied.  Breakfast was a buffet of everything - almost. "No black pudding?" I asked the chef. As I finally crammed the last morsel from an enormous plateful into my mouth, I heard polite cough. "I fried up a couple of slices from my personal stock, Sir", said the chef, offering two huge pieces of black pudding. Above and beyond the call of duty. As I had been out for a pizza and some of those pints with colleagues the night before, the meeting I was at later passed me by as if in a haze.

First experiments with extracting all this data ...

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/hotels.php

and I'm, going to add hotel name (that will mean going back to add markers to your posts, I'm afraid) and the name of the poster too.  But that may be a few days - you can already sort by distance from any particular station, and link back through to the original post in this thread for more data

Machynlleth {MCN}
Wynnstay Hotel, about 10 mins' walk from the railway station. Pleasant, comfortable rooms with slightly dated decor and an absolutely superb restaurant. They also have a pizzeria which was named as the best in the country by the Times, although it's closed Mondays so I wasn't able to partake when I visited a couple of weeks back.

Grahame, your map is lacking accuracy for some locations. You have Manor House for series 4 episode 7 near to Truro, when in fact it is on the Rame peninsular at the mouth of the river tamar on the Cornish side of the river. I cant speak for others as I dont have geographical knowledge

The Kings Arms, {LOS}. 

Lovely drinkers pub, with none of the complications that serving food brings.

Cracking breakfast mind, and half time 6 nations snacks...

"Excuse me while I drink my breakfast!" (I think W C Fields)

A really excellent Travelodge in Edinburgh just beyond the famous Balmoral hotel on the other side of the road. 5 mins walk from Waverley. Totally new sympathetic refurbishment in 2010  and paid just ^10 a night for a double room.

Edit - adding station code {EDB}

Gosh - thanks.   I'll move that one;  now that you mention it, it was a semi-educated guess.  And I need to move the Knife and Cleaver too from Houghton Regis to Houghton Conquest.   Will do when I add this week's places.

Also just going back and modifying a few posts here to add in {} around codes.

Talk on another thread of Brockenhurst {BCU} reminded me of an excellent B&B we stayed at once called The House on the Ford. Probably 3/4 mile at most from the station (which we caught the train to as a centre for a cycling holiday - and we hired the bikes right there at the station). A lovely, lovely place to stay.

http://www.holly-house-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk/home.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------
{CBE} Castle House Hotel, Canterbury, Kent

• <2 minute walk from the station
• Lovely hotel, short walk to the city centre

{CBW} ABode Hotel, Canterbury, Kent

• Around a five minute walk from the station
• Wonderful hotel, slap bang in the centre of Canterbury

Warning for both of these, on a student night (so Monday - Sunday) it can be quite noisy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
{CNM} Thistle Hotel, Cheltenham, Gloucester

• Around a twenty minute walk from the station, with lots of junctions to cross
• Good hotel, excellent restaurant
• Excellent rates available (^35 being the lowest I've stayed there for)

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I'll add some more later. I wonder how Graham's script deals with no existant stations. {BCD} perhaps?

May I recommend Seawards guest house, 5 mins walk from Falmouth Town, beachward (under the railway bridge) 44 Melville Road. Very handy for the Falmouth Beer festival, or indeed if you're just scratching the branch line.  8)

Edit - Adding {FMT} for the indexer - http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/hotels.php

Thanks for the recommendations.

The script is written to deal with benign posts, as everyone who signs up to this forum agrees to a code of conduct which includes (I paraphrase) not making life difficult for and wasting the time of the admins and moderators.  It's secure in that errors won't cause a problem on the server, but they add ugly lines on the display, as I expect you've seen by now.

If you had simply made a error this would, of course, have been quickly fixed by putting in the correct 3 letter code, but because of the probing approach you've taken, I can't deal with it that way.   I'm going to leave the script displaying the broken record at the moment as I have other things to do, and I'll come back this evening and robustify the thing against posts that feel it's clever to take up moderators / admin time by testing our security systems in public like this.

I'm currently staying in "Costa del Sanger", as I've termed it, at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus near Cambridge (science geeks will appreciate the name I've given it).

Not really near any major stations (Whittlesford Parkway is the nearest) but very functional for my visit.

Clean room and friendly staff, coupled with a beautiful site which is also the home of the human genome sequence.

The internet is free, fast and available across the whole site.  Tokens available at reception, or academic users can use eduroam.

{MAN} Ibis Budget, Pollard St, Manchester. Just one stop (New Islington, 3 mins) from Manchester Piccadilly on the newly opened tram line to Droylsden.

Extremely good value at just ^28. You don't get much for that, but what you do get is a perfectly adequate compact and bijou room with free wi-fi*, freeview TV with USB and if you want a continental breakfast, this can be had for an additional ^4.25.

May not be ideal for sharing a twin/triple room unless you know the person(s) with whom you are sharing very well. The reason for that is the shower cubicle opens directly into the bedroom. The shower head does have  natty colour changing LEDs though!

My only minor gripe is that there are no tea and coffee making facilities in the room.

Some pictures:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/ib3_zps5cb6c120.jpg)(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/ib4_zpsdb206ecb.jpg)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/ib2_zps46364b87.jpg)(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/ib1_zpse915f74d.jpg)

*I was reliably informed by the manager that wi-fi is to be free in all the Accor Hotels brands - Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis etc. Where it isn't currently free it soon will be.

There now - it's good.  And I brought a jar of coffee  ;D

On the theme of Ibis Budget, I would not recommend the Hounslow hotel.

The hotel is exactly what you'd expect, but the location is poor.  Despite being minutes walk from Hounslow Central tube and Hounslow railway station, it is directly under the approach to Heathrow, with the planes low enough that I could read their registration numbers whilst looking out of the window.  Even earplugs didn't block out the noise.

Just a few minor issues with the room is that it only had one plug socket and no in-room internet connection (chargeable or otherwise).

As well as that, the walk-up rate was actually cheaper than the online price.  I would have complained, had my employer not have offered to pay for my stay (but only told me they were doing this after my first night).

I believe the Ibis Budget Hounslow is a recent convert in name only from an old Accor brand - Etap.

Perhaps it hasn't yet had the full Ibis Budget refurb. Although I doubt any refurb would sort out the aircraft noise!

{SIV} Chy-An-Albany - St Ives

Handily placed five or ten minutes walk from St Ives station in Cornwall.  The five minute route involves some steep steps which might not suit heavy luggage or a ten minute walk which although uphill has no steps.

^60 for a single room and breakfast.

Very comfortable room with free wifi and NINE powerpoints.
Decent TV and tea/coffee facilities

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/stibed2.jpg)
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/stibed1.jpg)

Downsides?

Well very cramped bathroom
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/stibath.jpg)

..and breakfast.  Very hearty meal but they don't start serving until 8am which is not so good if you need an early start.

Butler's, in Cheltenham - {CNM}.    Don't want to shout too loudly as I want to be able to get in there next time I'm in that town.   My full review at http://www.wellho.net/mouth/4058_The-highs-and-lows-of-customer-service-Cheltenham.html .

Ramada Bristol City Centre, right next to St Mary Redcliffe and only a few minutes' walk from {BRI}. In some respects a fairly standard chain hotel, but the food was surprisingly good (although somewhat on the pricey side, glad I was on business and someone else was footing the bill), I really, really liked the design of their newly refurbished rooms and the staff were invariably superb.

Melford House Hotel, Farnbourough {FNB} . http://www.melfordhouse.co.uk/   A very pleasant surprise indeed - I booked at the last minute during last week for one night, when it was becoming clear that five commutes was going to degrade the quality of my work by Friday.   A big house in a leafy suburb within walking distance of the station - a home from home and an aim of the best of a hotel and the best of a B&B.  Great for the solo traveller - and a bit of an oasis in what I've previously found to be a desert of welcoming accommodation in that immediate area.

About 2 weeks ago I stayed in Watford central premier inn, very well positioned for spotting, the line from Watford junction to Euston ran along the edge of the car park. My room overlooked the line, yet I didn't hear a single noise. The room had double-double glazing. The hotel was well located for the wcml.
It was as expected from premier inn, nothing bad and nothing great stood out.

The script to search hotels mentioned by our member has been - err - amended as it wasn't working.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/hotels.php

The following on-line rail accommodation directory is now live: http://www.station-stays.co.uk

Suggestions and amendments welcomed, preferably via the Contact Form on the website.  Please bear in mind, though, that quality is more important than price!  The directory is for business and leisure travellers as well as railway enthusiasts.

Please check the criteria for inclusion on the Contact Form.

Your site (you are one of the people behind it, right?) looks very interesting and I expect I'll be making us of it.  I loved


Any thoughts of maps or other navigation aids as well as the alphabetic lists?  I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but I'll often stay a station or two up the line from where I'm working in order to find a hotel that suits me.

There's now a link page to the excellent map of all UK stations produced by Peter Hicks http://station-stays.co.uk/map

Nice map ... but it's not linking to the hotels for me  :-[

I know you're one of the folks behind the "station stays" site - do you mind if I pull the data into my geographic search?

OK ... I was on a role ... and the robots.txt file allows any crawlers to access the site ... so I've been able to set up a very crude example ...


and I can click on any of the three letter codes to "centre" it  ;D

Interesting!  Not sure why you'd want every hotel/b&b linked to a map. They're all marked either adjacent to or within 15 mins walk of a station. If you're interested in any particular hotel you can click through to their website for their exact location.

Example (using the area of the country in my example).   I'm going to be working near - say Kemble station but there are no [suitable] hotels near the station.  So I'm going to stay near another station and catch the train.  Let's see ... there are good hotels near Bath, Gloucester, Moreton-in-Marsh and Swindon stations, and I just thought that overlaying your excellent rail route map with your valuable data would allow people to zoom in on a line and find nearby connected stations.  I struggled with your alphabetic list for a near-station hotel that I can use to get to Bow Brickhill ...

I agree that there is little point in linking the local points to the stations on a countrywide map.

Yes, I see your point now, but Peter Hicks has only given us permission to put a link to his map and not to embed it into our site.

The directory now has over 500 places to stay.  Many thanks to all those who have contributed  :)

Barry Doe is reviewing the directory in the next issue of Rail Magazine in his Fare Dealer column.

Stoke-on-Trent {SOT} The North Stafford Hotel. Directly opposite the station exit, no more than a 30yd walk.

Faded glory is probably the best way to describe this hotel. Although on my recent stay (21/03/2014) I couldn't find fault. Everything worked, the room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and it had a full size bath as well as shower.

It isn't a hotel, but I'm recommend these apartments in Manchester if you have a group of people wishing to stay close to Piccadilly station {MAN} and gardens.  Six of us stayed here and the apartment was much more modern than the pictures suggest.  Having a proper kitchen helped too.  Only issue was one bedroom having two double beds ... not ideal!

http://www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/6562

Penzance {PNZ] - The Longboat Inn

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/pnzlong.jpg)

It is right opposite the railway station and I stayed there for one night during the seawall disruption due to the lack of the Night Riviera.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/pnzlong2.jpg)
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/pnzlong3.jpg)
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/pnzlong4.jpg)

Room was ^54.50 including Breakfast - which sadly I didn't get to try as I had to get going early.  The room had recently been refurbished and was amply supplied with power points - including some close to the bed.  So many hotels forget that people might like to charge their phone within arm's reach while they sleep!

A well stocked bar with real ale and a pretty extensive menu means an evening meal would not involve leaving the hotel.

Only two negative points - the plastic sheet liner did make the bed a little uncomfortable and the room did face the junction with the main road past the station.  It didn't worry me but might be more of an issue for a light sleeper.

Have added The Longboat to the website (http://station-stays.co.uk) on your recommendation and your photos!

Bradford International [BDI]. Stayed in the Premier Inn that's a five-minute walk away. The Premier Inn is fine, but the five-minute walk is very unattractive.

International? Do you mean Interchange?

Alas yes! I'd been booking a return trip to Germany just before I posted this, so my mind must have be far away...

I stayed in Torquay Premier Inn on Saturday night. 100 metres or so along the seafront from the station.
I struggled to get to sleep due to the heat of the room. It was very muggy, which although a non-controllable, the air con unit in my room was so loud I couldn't have it on and sleep at the same time. Left me an uncomfortable night's sleep.

The hotel was well positioned for the town centre, seafront and also Paignton and I think if the air con was quiet or room temperature was tolerable it would have been a good stay, but I had an uncomfortable nights sleep as a result of the muggy conditions.

I think richwaricker was unlucky. I have stayed 3 times at the Premier Inn at Torquay and found it to be quite OK with no problem with noise or overheating.
Premier Inn have a "good night's sleep" guarantee and will refund your money if you're not satisfied. I invoked this once after staying at a very noisy Burton-on-Trent, and they refunded both nights without question.

If the room had been cooler or the air con unit quieter it would have been a good stay without a doubt. Our room had the sun coming in the window most of the day.
Admittedly the heat was probably uncontrollable for premier inn, but a noisy air con unit was within their control.

I recommend the Bluebell at Neath Not much further than the west end of the platform.  Well kept good food.  The only complaint by some was the lack of parking. But if you have come by train...

Hope you got a refund under their "Great night's sleep guaranteed" scheme.

I have and it wasn't a cheap booking neither due to only booking 5 days in advance.

Dogs - Trains - Overnight and also self catering Accomodation

Background - I'm getting requests for dog friendly hotels and self catering near railway stations.  And taking the definition as within a 20 minute WALK of the station - many places say "dog welcoming by train" by in practise turn out to be a bus ride from the station.

1. St Germans and Hayle
http://www.railholiday.co.uk

2. Penhelig
http://www.penheligarms.com/bedrooms-and-rates

3. Melksham
http://www.wellhousemanor.co.uk

4. Accor Hotels (many locations) [Ibis, Mercure brands]
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/brands/hotels-ibis.shtml

5. (ish)
Late Rooms allow something like "Plymouth Railway" to be entered as the destination.
However, the "per friendly" option seems to have disappeared from their facilities menu

By contrast Booking.com has a pets allowed filter but you have to look at individual hotels to see how far they are from a station.

Has anyone used airbnb before?  In many places, city centre apartments appear to be cheaper than hotel rooms.

I was recommended by a friend and have booked a nice looking apartment (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1631778) in Central Nice for ^65 per night.  Slightly cheaper than a hotel (excluding Ibis Budget and Formule 1).  Advantage over a hotel is that I get a small kitchenette (microwave, kettle, hobs, fridge), a dining table and futon/sofa.  I will report back after my stay.

There is a scheme for new customers to get ^23 off a booking when referred by an existing customer, as I was.  Although I later discovered there were more advantageous discount codes online.

(They also let you filter for properties accepting pets)

_{Edit by FT, N! to correct fonts. I hope it was ^65, as I guessed, not ^65 - check first!}

Brucey- I have been recommended airbnb but never used them. Looking online they seem to have a good reputation.

I've recently stayed at travelodge gatwick Central. Bedroom accommodation was clearly recently refurbished with an excellent bed, very comfortable. At ^30 a night it was very good value for location.
The hotel is advertised as recently refurbished, however they seem to have forgotten the bathrooms, which in my room had cracked tiles and looked dated.

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/517/Gatwick-Airport-Central-hotel

Also stayed at premier inn gatwick A23, again very comfortable room, slightly more expensive than travelodge at ^35 but had a good bathroom!

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/GATMTI/london-gatwick-airport-a23-airport-way

The travelodge required a bus transfer at ^3 I think it was (probably walkable, about 1 mile away, but I arrived about 8pm off the train and flight was 6am so couldn't be bothered to try and walk BNM explains below), the premier inn had the option of a bus transfer again ^3, but was walkable from the north terminal being situated on the exit roundabout behind the petrol station.

I have done the walk from Gatwick station to Gatwick Travelodge. About a mile, yes. But not recommended. Along busy main roads with not very pedestrian friendly junctions.

Earlier this year I stayed at The White House Hotel in Horley so I could catch an early morning flight from Gatwick. Not too long a walk from the station, a pleasant hotel and I slept well. A short walk to a bus stop to get to the Airport in the early hours. Bus arrived on time. Two weeks ago I decided to do something different. Instead of staying at a Gatwick hotel the night before, I decided to fly out the afternoon before and spend one extra night in Berlin. The main reason for this is that on some previous city breaks I have been so tired when I arrive at the hotel approx 10 / 11 am I have crashed out on the bed and lost the afternoon hours that I had planned to use for sightseeing.

I've booked Croydon EasyHotel for 2 1/2 weeks time. Only intending on using the room to sleep so as long as clean and bed comfortable i'll be happy. Base cost was ^19 per night and then I paid ^2 extra per night for a window room.

Can anyone recommend a hotel near South Kensington station (or within a short commute) that costs less than ^147 (about ^111) per night, including breakfast, in early April?

My employer has a maximum level that isn't quite compatible with London pricing.  I've already had one expensive booking over the limit this year, so don't want to keep having to get special dispensation to overspend!

Plenty of Travelodges in Central London that'd come in well under that price. Then just choose the one you think best for the short commute.

London Fulham Travelodge for example. ^47 on Monday 4th April. Short walk to West Brompton for 8-9 minute District Line journey to South Kensington.

Brompton Hotel, right outside South Ken station, ^94 per night throughout April, includes Breakfast, WIFI etc...

EasyHotel have a South Kensington hotel. I checked them out on trip advisor before booking the above mentioned trip in just over 2 weeks time, and typical feedback is clean and comfortable, but no mod cons. Not even Tv in the rooms (can pay ^5 per 24hrs to hire one). I've paid ^21 a night for what I would deem a short notice booking in their hotel adjacent to East Croydon station.

Do they have windows? For me that is essential for any room. I want to see out of a window and be able to open it if I choose. Some of these cheap "cabin" hotels just have walls and a door.

A room with a window is a couple of quid more a night than an inside room. For my booking the windowed room was ^2 a night more than an inside room.

Essential for me too. I want to be able to do one through it in case of fire. (Or, in my younger days, returning partner / father).

there is a decent Premier Inn between South Ken and Earls Court.  Sometimes it is cheap sometimes less so, but plenty of hotel chains IHG and Novatel certainly (and wholesale Sites like Hotels.com) seem to be running January Sales at the moment.
 

Thanks for all the South Kensington suggestions.  There are plenty of places to consider.

I hadn't thought of Travelodge or Premier Inn.  They (and all the other cheaper places) aren't available at the travel agency that we are recommended to use.

Staying in the IBIS at Temple Meads on Friday...^45. will report back! BTW How can I locate all the recommendations to date please? Jim

The Temple Meads IBIS was excellent. A good view over the station Eastern throat! Declined breakfast however at over ^8 a pop!
Comfortable bed and a good sleep! ;D

A follow up on my previous post regarding Easyhotel. It was immediately next to east Croydon station. Beds were comfortable, room clean. Ensuite shower was a nice power shower nice water jets.
It would be somewhere I highly recommend if you just want somewhere to sleep, but if you want somewhere to spend time in a hotel I'd say avoid due to limited facilities, no tv etc

Just stayed at the Long Boat Inn in Penzance right next to the station. Great location and decent prices but if you want a quiet night (as I did as was starting off on St Michael's way at the crack of dawn) make sure to request a room on the second floor. First floor rooms are quite noisy due to their location above the bar area.
Also a handy place to know of for leaving luggage. They charge ^3 per item for non-residents but still a lot cheaper than normal station left luggage and nowhere else to leave luggage in the town.

I'd agree - see my earlier post - http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11917.msg152057#msg152057 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11917.msg152057#msg152057)

(CBN) The John Francis Basset, a Wetherspoon's hotel in centre of Camborne. We stayed three nights, eating in the adjacent pub, and had no complaints.

• 5 minute walk from Camborne Station
• opened in 2015 so facilities excellent, including free wifi (not tested)
  
• rooms large, d^cor sombre - grey, cream, wine, white - coupled with all meals being taken in pub of same name, may not appeal to solo traveller or someone preferring a more intimate B & B
• a few rooms do not have natural light (the hotel being a conversion) but a direct telephone call prior to booking will elucidate
  

Quite right! You can get eggs benedict and a few coffees at Spoonies round the corner (Knights Templar) for a fair bit less.

But what time from? Ibis is 0630....

The Knights Templar is open from 7:00am.  ;)

I've been in the Torquay branch for breakfast (which can be better than expected, if no gourmet experience) just after 8.30am. A couple of old boys were boozing, clearly not on their first pint. Saga louts or lager louts? Bit early in the day for me.

(Tis) the south western opposite tisbury station great food nice pub and nice rooms http://www.south-western.co.uk/

I wonder if some kind soul could point me to the hotel/B+B near railway stations thread/link...specifically looking for Falmouth...cheers, Jamie Comrie :)

Here it is:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11917.0

What kind of budget hotel are you looking for?

As a Falmouth lad I know the hotels well, worked in a couple when I was younger as well.

Thanks Richard...probably at most a twin for a couple of nights: nothing too exotic, relatively central but with en suite...no dates fixed but certainly July/August. Used to stay at Seawards on Melville Road which was good, but they have retired.

Thanks again, Jamie :)

This one is run by a family friend, I've only been in the public areas but very nice those areas look.

http://www.theobservatoryguesthouse.co.uk

Location wise it's at the top of Penmere hill on the roundabout adjacent to the rugby club, so at most 3 minute walk from Penmere.

Falmouth is unfortunately gone very expensive due to the uni in all aspects from accommodation to eating out to houses, with a lot of locals priced out, or selling up due to the stupid money their homes have become worth, they've cashed out and moved to places like Redruth where house prices are around 50% of Falmouth.

Aye, thanks Richard...will explore that one. I was aware it was becoming a bit trendy, but it's a while since I've talked to the locals. When my son attended the uni (and kitchen portered in the Mexican) I used to drink in the Oddies pub: about as local as you'll get I guess...loved it. Thanks again, Jamie

Good choice on the Station Stays website: http://www.station-stays.co.uk

The Premier Inn opposite St David's Station Exeter (EXD) has been recommended before but, having stayed there for three nights, I can endorse that it is both good and convenient for public transport.  There are two bus stops in front of St David's Station, going to the bus station, airport etc and the H bus goes directly to the Northcott Theatre during the day so it can be used for a matinee performance.  The short distance from hotel to station is on the flat, and the station has lifts, so for anyone with walking difficulties the Premier Inn Exeter Central St David's is ideal.  It also appears to be consistently cheaper than the PI's at Torquay or Exmouth.

Thanks for posting that detailed and useful update, Eliza.  :)

Found another gem

Elnor Guest house which is a ten minute from Liskeard Station.

Was a last minute trip and was able to book a single room for B&B at just £35.  Comfortable room, albeit with a shared bathroom, but the breakfast was wholesome and filling.  Would recommend.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/liskhot.jpg)

Had a recent stay at Ryde Travelodge. Standard Travelodge. Handy location 5 min walk from Ryde Esplanade, hovercraft, and catermaran. Wetherspoons 2 min walk. Despite its town centre Location it was very quiet, good sound deadening I guess. I slept well, it was clean, and I paid £34 (of Which I earned 5% cash back through my card issuer)

I stayed at The Palace Hotel in Buxton in September this year. Right next to the station and still a very impressive place. It's in the most interesting part of the town as far as sightseeing goes and not bad for sixty something pounds for a double room and breakfast per night (although that will get you a smaller but perfectly okay room round the back of the hotel rather than overlooking it's grander frontage).

Edit: Added a pic.

Snap & Snap! I also went through one of the cashback sites, but it didn't track as I'd combo'd it with another 10% voucher. I had a sea view of sorts (some of the rooms face that way and the sea is viewable between the buildings outside).

Bus stops nearby as well. There isn't a restaurant/bar, but being in the middle of Ryde town that isn't a problem as there are plenty of alternatives (as you mentioned!).

For a top notch B&B in Paignton, try Merritt House in Queens Road. Has had over 200 5 stars on Trip advisor out of 211 and the others were 4 star. The cleanest most comfortable place I have ever stayed in, and the quality and quantity of the exceptional range of breakfasts simply has to be seen ( and eaten) to believed !You will want for absolutely nothing here, as Kim and Steve, the hosts, have thought of it already. Just 5 minutes from the station and seafront.

I was at the rear, 1st floor, backed on to a courtyard alleyway kind of thing.

I've not stayed in a Travelodge since checking into one in London and finding the shower curtain covered in blood - it was like something out of Psycho - I was refused a refund so I told them I'd taken pictures, was about to send them to the Evening Standard and would be checking into the Hilton & sending them the bill. I got the refund.

Looks good on its website but why “The property is in a 10-minute walk to Paignton city center.”

Since when was Paignton given city status and moved across the Atlantic?

I'm going to "unpin" this topic and let it gently slide down the board (by posting this follow up, it will not drop like a stone!).  With trips away slashed, with lots of places being unavailable, and with much being out of date anyway this would be a good one to do a "fresh start" with in a month or three.