Hotel Travelodge Birmingham Frankley M5 Southbound (Birmingham, United Kingdom)

This hotel’s roadside location off the M5 a few miles south of Birmingham appealed to guests as it was in a great spot for breaking up long journeys and also made a viable alternative to city centre lodgings because of the good road links. Drivers also appreciated the free on-site parking and said it was relatively easy to get to area attractions, sports venues, shopping centres, museums and universities. Another bonus was that there were shops, eateries and petrol stations on-site in the motorway services.

The pleasant, welcoming and efficient members of staff offered good customer service and a hassle-free check-in, according to many reviewers. Guests also welcomed the offer of discounts on selected food and drink in the service station.

The remodelled rooms with bright decor, king-size beds and flat-panel televisions won praise from guests. Although they were reportedly simple, many visitors said the rooms were spacious and clean with comfy beds, making them fine for a stopover. Those prioritizing affordability commented that the room rates were usually competitive so they got decent value for money.

It disappointed travellers that the free Wi-Fi access was limited to 30 minutes, after which charges applied. Furthermore, it was occasionally claimed the signal was prone to dropping or that speeds were poor.

Light sleepers were sometimes bothered by nuisance noise travelling through thin walls from adjacent rooms. Motorway noise was also detected in certain rooms. Musty smells also proved to be off-putting for some guests.

There were minor cleanliness issues reported in some rooms such as unsatisfactorily cleaned carpets and leftover rubbish. Several critics also said they struggled to adjust the room temperature to their liking.