Premier Inn Hereford City Centre (Old Market)

My boyfriend and I attend the Christmas Jumper at the racecourse every year. In 2023 and this year we ate breakfast at the Premier Inn before the event. We chose the Premier Inn as my boyfriend likes to eat a traditional breakfast whereas I prefer continental/cereal, etc. On both occasions we’ve had a great welcome with our table waiting for us and the selection of all food and drink are plentiful and always replenished. The eating area is always kept clean.

We often book this Premier Inn, it is convenient as our daughter lives very close by. We always try to book when prices are lower, as it's often just a bed for the night. The staff are always helpful and friendly, the range oms clean and comfortable. When we have eaten at the hotel the food is good, although we usually eat out.

The receptionist was very helpful, room was good and bed comfortable, however at breakfast the chef was incredibly rude, asking for a poached egg was like asking for moon and she kept moaning the food was being taken too quickly. The food was mediocre, tomatoes etc were only just warm, and had to wait 10 mins for bacon, so couldn’t eat a full hot meal.

Stayed at this hotel for the third time due to the location of the city centre. We have always had a lovely stay with no issues, until this week. The bed had a dip in the middle making it difficult to sleep, we just made do and didn’t raise this with the hotel staff. This wouldn’t put us off staying here again, other than I wouldn’t want to stay in the same room again unless the bed is sorted.

The last time I stayed here was great this time the opposite. Check in was different, car parking was paid at the desk last time, I was told that had stopped and I had to pay at machine in the car park, £2 more than last time at £7 par night. One lift working for over 200 rooms, staff less than pleased to greet you, only time I saw staff was at reception when checking in for 5 minutes and at check out when they were serving breakfast. Room was clean as was the bathroom but the coffee machine didn't dispense hot coffee, only cold (yes I read the instruction leaflet in the room) The air con was set to 19 degrees and would not let me alter the temp or fan speak despite a booklet in the room telling me how to alter the temp or fan speed! For the money I spent on upgrades compared to a standard room, I basically got a standard room for an upgraded price. Disabled parking outside was half full of vehicles with no blue badges, if the hotel has no control over the car park they should make it clear to people booking and explain the situation. My visit to this hotel earlier in the year and this visit are chalk and cheese, which is a shame as I loved my stay last time.

Premier plus room up to expectation. Niggles: 1. Horizon parking app was a pain. After going round in circles with it for 15 mins, gave up and paid at the machine - in less than 30 seconds! Receptionist said other guests had trouble with it too. I know Horizon is a different business but they are upsetting PI customers and spoiling the overall experience. 2. Early check-in is a joke. It can't be booked in advance, so is dependent on pot luck of how things are when you arrive, which interferes with planning the rest of the day. 3. Wifi: why can't you give a code for the Ultimate (8Mbps - is that really ultimate?) that lasts the whole stay, it can't be that difficult. Also rather flaky - took ages to get my wife's tablet and phone logged in (they work perfectly well in other places). 4. No decaff coffee pods. Decaff drinkers are being short changed: it's the same price as regular coffee and widely available. 5. I don't like being addressed as "my darling" by the receptionist. I know it's just the local way of speaking but calling me by my name or "Sir" would be better. Would we stay again? Yes. PI is generally good value and a constant good standard. Perhaps they could pay more attention to detail.