The cost of just about everything has gone up, and hotel accommodation is no exception.So can you still find value-for-money rooms at UK hotel chains?
And is it sometimes worth paying a little more for the right experience? We reveal the best large and small hotel chains - and the ones you should avoid. UK hotel guests are paying £22 more for a night's stay, on average, compared with a year ago - a 21% hike - but are they worth the money?
We asked 4,447 Which? members and members of the public to tell us about their experiences of large and small hotel chains in the UK. They rated everything from cleanliness to bed comfort and also shared their thoughts on food and customer service.
Best large hotel chains in the UK
This year's results, which are based on a survey of 4,447 Which? members and members of the public, saw Premier Inn yet again at the top of the table - despite the fact that guests are paying around 35% more for a room. But the UK's largest hotel chain is still the second cheapest in our survey and it's consistently clean and comfy rooms remain a winning formula.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 78% | £89 | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 76% | £204 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 74% | £129 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 71% | £127 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 70% | £98 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 70% | £188 | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 69% | £119 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
USING THE TABLE A large hotel chain has 31 or more hotels in group worldwide. Based on an online survey of 4,447 Which? members and the public in August 2022. Star ratings from one to five. Which? Recommended Provider is based on customer score and other criteria, including at least four stars for cleanliness. Customer score - combines overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending.
Best small hotel chains in the UK
This year's small hotel chain results, which includes hotel chains with 30 or fewer hotels worldwide, saw Warner Hotels at the top of the table.
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|---|
| 77% | £173 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 76% | £170 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 71% | £189 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 69% | £136 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 68% | £164 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 66% | £146 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 62% | £147 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
USING THE TABLE A small hotel chain has a maximum of 30 hotels worldwide. Based on an online survey of 4,777 Which? members and the public in August 2022. Star ratings from one to five. Which? Recommended Provider is based on customer score and other criteria, including at least four stars for cleanliness. Customer score - combines overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending.
Best vs worst: budget chain stays
Premier Inn – 78%
Once again, Premier Inn has come top of our table of large hotel chains, with members' experiences confirming you'll get a clean and comfy bed, regardless of where in the country you check in.
The budget chain was awarded five stars out of five for cleanliness and the description matching reality, with guests telling us that quality was 'pretty much guaranteed'.
Yet the hiked-up prices haven't gone unnoticed, even by its loyal fanbase. The chain scraped just two stars for value, meaning it's lost its Which? Recommended Provider status this year. In a cost of living crisis, we won't endorse any brand that gets less than three stars in this category.
Which? verdict: Comfortable accommodation you can count on.
Browse Premier Inn's full range of hotels
Travelodge - 63%
It's quite an achievement for the cheapest hotel in our survey to gain a poor rating for value for money, but Travelodge has managed it. Guests complained of tatty decor and rooms desperately in need of an update.
Worse, the UK hotel chain gained an unappetising one star out for five for its food and drink. Several members told us there wasn't a restaurant on site, or they received breakfast in a box. Others who did sample the buffet said it was 'inedible'.
The chain's three-star rating for cleanliness also jars when compared with Premier Inn's perfect five. Travelodge is just about passable for one night but, as one guest succinctly put it, 'it's not a good as Premier Inn'.
Which? verdict: It's the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.
See Travelodge's hotels across the UK
Best vs worst: small chains
Warner Hotels - 77%
Warner isn't your typical hotel chain. The adult-only stays in a range of countryside and coastal properties include breakfast and a three-course dinner. There's also evening entertainment plus oodles of activities, from archery to croquet.
Despite the extras, it's not the priciest brand in our survey, and it gets a well-deserved four stars out of five for value for money. In fact, the brand gained no less than four stars across the board, including for customer service.
It would be difficult to get bored at Warner Hotels, but the all-singing, all-dancing Center Parcs-style stay won't be for everyone.
Which? verdict: Great quality if you're looking for an action-packed getaway.
Look at all of the Warner Hotels' properties
QHotels - 62%
Some QHotels are set in stunning historic buildings, such as the 17th-century Jacobean Crewe Hall in Cheshire. Others have spas or are conveniently close to city centres.
They sound appealing, yet - according to Which? members - the brand struggles with consistency across its 14 properties. One guest told us they were expecting to stay in the beautiful old house depicted on the website, only to end up in a 'basic' outbuilding.
Another told us the quality had varied across the three QHotels they'd visited. The communal areas and amenities were also a letdown: members gave them just two stars, compared with Warner Hotel's four stars.
Which? verdict: Inconsistent stays that often look better in the photos.
The worst UK hotel chain
Britannia - 56%
As of this year, Britannia has been bottom of our survey for an entire decade. We can't even say it's cheap. with plenty of better-rated brands beating it on price.
Britannia's downfall is particularly sad when you consider its illustrious past. The Adelphi in Liverpool was once the departure point for wealthy passengers before they boarded luxury liners, including the Titanic.
The beautiful historic buildings in prime locations remain, but the interiors are showing serious signs of neglect. The brand received just two out of five stars in every category, including cleanliness, with one guest describing their stay as 'absolutely dire, drab and smelly'.
Which? verdict: Run-down, dirty and once again the worst hotel chain in the UK. Avoid at all costs.
Other budget stays under £100 a night
Days Inn - 70%
Days Inn is the next best thing to a Premier Inn, if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful place to put your head down. The budget chain scored a reasonable three stars in most categories, and four stars for cleanliness and customer service.
While the general consensus was that rooms are a bit ‘shabby’ and ‘could do with revamping,’ you agreed they still offered fairly good value for money and a comfortable night’s sleep.
Convenient locations near motorways was the deciding factor for several of you on long journeys. You also told us that staff were friendly and helpful.
Which? verdict:Offers clean and comfortable stays in convenient locations, but a bit of TLC wouldn't go amiss.
Ibis - 69%
Ibis is far from luxurious, but budget doesn’t have to mean bad - as Premier Inn proves year after year. You paid a reasonable £99 per night on average and gave Ibis an overall score of 69%. However, the bedrooms and bathrooms weren’t up to scratch - scoring just two out of five stars. One guest told us that bedrooms were ‘nothing special’ and others complained about the small size.
It fared much better for cleanliness (four stars) - arguably the most important component of any hotel stay. Overall, for the price, you were satisfied - calling Ibis ‘reliable’ and ‘comfortable’ - and awarding it four stars for value for money.
Which? verdict: A clean, no-frills choice that will do the job for one night.
Wetherspoons Hotels - 68%
The pub chain’s food and drinks are famously good value - and its hotels are a decent budget option too. Wetherspoons scored a solid three stars almost across the board, plus four stars for its wifi.
While you weren’t wowed by the rooms, you described them as spacious and clean with comfy beds. The friendly staff were also praised, but rooms cost £10 more than top-rated Premier Inn, on average - perhaps explaining why Wetherspoons only bagged three stars for value for money.
Every hotel is attached to a Wetherspoon pub and customers were a fan of their city-centre locations, but a few complained about the noise. One member summed it up by saying: ‘Perfect for one night away.’
Which? verdict: A comfortable stay - but you’ll find cheaper, better-rated rooms elsewhere.
How we rate UK hotel chains
In August 2022, we asked 4,447 Which? members and members of the general public to complete an online survey about their experience of staying in small and large UK hotel chains in the past 12 months. To be considered a chain hotel, the hotel group must have a minimum of five UK properties. Large hotel chains have 31 or more properties in the group worldwide, while small chains have a maximum of 30 properties in the group worldwide.
FAQs
LTI announces the World's Best Luxury Hotel Brands 2022
- Six Senses 82.6% (1)
- Mandarin Oriental 81.0% (2)
- Rosewood 80.3% (9)
- Auberge 78.8% (3)
- Aman 77.3 4% (4)
- Oetker Collection 75.7% (7)
- One&Only 75.0% (6)
- Belmond 74.7% (5)
Right now we are monitoring 9491 hotels and 147 chains in 275 cities within United Kingdom.
What is better than a 5-star hotel? ›
More than five stars
Some hotels have been advertised as seven star hotels.
What are the top three hotel chains in the world? ›
The three largest hotel brands by number of properties are OYO, Wyndham, and Marriott.
What is considered a high end hotel? ›
What is the meaning / definition of Luxury Hotel in the hospitality industry? A Luxury Hotel is considered a hotel that provides a luxurious accommodation experience to the guest. There are no set standards (such as stars) for luxury hotels. Often 4 or 5-star hotels describe themselves as 'luxury'.
Who is bigger Hilton or Marriott? ›
Hilton has 18 brands and more than 6,100 properties across 118 countries. Marriott has 30 brands and more than 7,000 properties across 131 countries and territories.
What is the best day of the week to stay at a hotel? ›
In short, remember that getting the best deal on a hotel room comes down to a few basic rules: Make your bookings on a more favorable day of the week (try Tuesday or the weekend), try for last minute if you can, travel off-season whenever possible, and avoid checking in on Friday.
What are the main hotel chains in UK? ›
- Apex Hotels.
- Best Western GB.
- Clarion Hotels.
- Crerar Hotels.
- Dalata Hotel Group.
- Holiday Inn.
- Jurys Inn.
- McMillan Hotels.
What gives a hotel a 7-star rating? Officially, there is no such thing as a 7-star rating. The term 7-star was created by a journalist who attended the opening of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai and felt the standard five stars didn't do its decadence justice.
Whitbread is the owner of Premier Inn, the UK's biggest hotel brand, and with a growing presence in Germany offering quality accommodation at affordable prices. With over 840 hotels in the UK and over 82,000 rooms in great locations, you'll never be far from a Premier Inn.
Is IHG bigger than Marriott? ›
Marriott has about 2,000 more properties than IHG, and offers more brands. The more brands, the more price points and styles there are to accommodate different types of travelers or trips.
Why is there a Bible in every hotel room UK? ›
These are not left there haphazardly, but rather they are distributed by an organization, The Gideons International, as a means of evangelism. The Gideons hope to spread the good news of their faith to weary travelers by distributing Bibles in hotel rooms.
Can you legally live in a hotel UK? ›
You can live in some hotels indefinitely and for long periods of time which is essentially a permanent residence in some cases. As long as the hotel does not have restrictions on the duration of your stay, you should be able to remain there as long as you wish as a paying guest.
How many 7 star hotels are there in the world? ›
Because in actual fact, they don't really exist – the Burj Al Arab Dubai is the only one that has officially 7-stars.
What is the lowest rating for a hotel? ›
In the United States, a five-star rating system is often used by independent organizations like AAA to rate a hotel. One star is the lowest rating, and five stars is the highest score.
How many 10 star hotels are there in the world? ›
Burj Al Arab the world's only 10 star hotel - Picture of Burj Al Arab, Dubai.
What are top 10 hotels? ›
Top 10 hotels in the world for 2022
- THE OMNIA: Zermatt, Switzerland.
- Kayakapi Premium Caves: Cappadocia; Urgup, Turkey.
- Six Senses Laamu: Olhuveli Island, Maldives.
- Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort: Hopkins, Belize.
- Padma Resort Ubud: Payangan, Indonesia.
- BLESS Hotel Madrid: Madrid, Spain.
Hospitality Employment
| # | 34 Countries | YoY |
|---|
| 1 | #1 United States | +0.4 % |
| 2 | #2 Russia | +1.3 % |
| 3 | #3 Spain | +1.2 % |
| 4 | #4 United Kingdom | +1.2 % |
30 more rowsWyndham Worldwide is the second largest hotel chain in the world, with 697,607 rooms in its 9,221 hotels and employing 40,000 people globally. An American company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, it has 21 brands in 75 counties and offers everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxury vacation experiences.
5 Star hotels must meet the following criteria:
Hotel open seven days a week all year. Enhanced services offered e.g. valet parking, escort to bedrooms, proactive table service in bars and lounges and at breakfast, 'concierge' service, 24-hour reception, 24-hour room service, full afternoon tea.
What is the 15 5 rule hotel? ›
15/5 rule: When a guest is within 15 feet their presence should be acknowledged through some means whether a smile or head nod. Similarly, when a guest is within 5 feet they should be greeted in an appropriate manner whether that be a “hello”, “good morning”, or “good evening.”
Which hotel is number one in the world? ›
1 in the world: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, in Italy's iconic Tuscan countryside, is 2022's best hotel.
Is Hilton considered luxury? ›
Hilton has a massive portfolio of hotel brands that stretch across several tiers: luxury, upper upscale, upscale, upper midscale, midscale, and timeshare.
...
Hilton Brand Overview.
| Brand Name | Hilton Hotels & Resorts |
|---|
| Tier | Upper upscale |
|---|
| Properties | 584 |
|---|
| Countries | 93 |
|---|
17 more columnsDec 20, 2022
Marriott's Luxury Collection offers high-end experiences in 124 iconic locations. These hotels are exclusive, sophisticated, and elegant.
Is Marriott considered luxury? ›
Marriott is well known for its portfolio of luxury properties that includes iconic brands such as the Ritz Carlton and St. Regis. After acquiring Starwood Hotels, Marriott owns some of the most aspirational hotels, including several all-suite properties in exotic locations such as the Maldives and Bora Bora.
Do hotel rooms get cheaper the longer you wait? ›
“Actually, hotel prices decline the longer you wait,” says Shank, “so if you haven't made plans yet, you can be rewarded for that with a better deal.” Same-day rates on HotelTonight are, on average, 10 percent less than if you book the day before, according to Shank. Be willing to live on the edge.
Is it better to book a hotel sooner or later? ›
While it's almost always cheaper to book a room last-minute, how much cheaper is it, really? Turns out, though a bit cheaper, don't expect the bargain bin here. Rooms average 13% less when booked last-minute than booked four months in advance.
What is the cheapest time to book a hotel? ›
The ideal amount of time to book a hotel room is only 15 days before your trip, according to a 2021 NerdWallet study. Looking at more than 2,500 hotel room rates between 2019 and 2021, NerdWallet found rates were about 13% cheaper when booked 15 days before compared to four months before.
What was the first hotel in the UK? ›
As for England's oldest hotel, the Old Bell Hotel at Malmesbury (pictured above) lays claim to this title. The hotel dates from 1220 and is reputed to be England's oldest purpose-built hotel. Situated adjacent to the magnificent 12th Century abbey, it was originally used as a guest house for visiting monks.
London's five star hotels are quite small on average by international standards. The largest, Grosvenor House Hotel, has only 494 rooms, and eighteen of them have fifty or fewer.
...
List of Five-Star Hotels in London.
| Hotel | 45 Park Lane |
|---|
| Location | Mayfair |
|---|
| Rooms | 46 |
|---|
| Notes | Opened in 2011, part of the Dorchester Collection |
|---|
81 more columnsuk's top 5 competitors in October 2022 are: premierinn.com, trivago.co.uk, laterooms.com, jurysinns.com, and more. According to Similarweb data of monthly visits, travelodge.
How many 8 star hotels are there in the world? ›
But there's only one, and that's the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE. The Burj Al Arab oozes luxury and glamour, and comes with a hefty price tag per night.
What is a five red star hotel? ›
Five red stars are awarded for outstanding facilities, service and all-round customer experience. With this award, Stoke Park gains the coveted rank of AA Inspector's Choice, joining just 49 hotels in the UK. Other five red star hotels include: Claridge's, The Dorchester, The Ritz and Gleneagles.
What city has the most 5 star hotels? ›
London
The British capital has consistently topped lists of the most five-star hotels in the world with around 75 hotels in the city alone.
What did Premier Inn used to be called? ›
The company was established by Whitbread as Travel Inn in 1987, to compete with Travelodge. Whitbread bought Premier Lodge in 2004 and merged it with Travel Inn to form the current business under the name "Premier Travel Inn", which was then shortened to "Premier Inn" in 2007.
Who bought Travelodge? ›
Accor Completes Acquisition of the Travelodge Portfolio by Salter Brothers to Add Nine Mercure Hotels to Its Portfolio.
Who owns Travelodge UK? ›
Travelodge
What IHG stands for? ›
Guest Experience. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) owns several well-known brands, with a portfolio of distinctive offerings that stretch across categories and regions.
Who is Marriotts biggest competitor? ›
Competitor comparison
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc Headquarters. United States of America. No. of employees. 142,000. ...
- Hyatt Hotels Corp Headquarters. United States of America. No. of employees. 44,000. ...
- InterContinental Hotels Group Plc Headquarters. United Kingdom. No. of employees. ...
- Accor SA Headquarters. France. No. of employees.
Ritz-Carlton is world's fastest growing luxury brand, more than doubling in value this year.
Why is there no room 420 in hotels? ›
Some hotels are playing it even more safe by removing room 420 altogether from their room numbers. It´s kind of a superstitious move – the same way hotels went mad some decades ago and removed level 13 and room number 13. Other hotels have been even more creative with their solution, labelling room 420 as “419 + 1”.
Why do hotels skip the 13th floor? ›
Early tall-building designers, fearing a fire on the 13th floor, or fearing tenants' superstitions about the rumor, decided to omit having a 13th floor listed on their elevator numbering. This practice became commonplace, and eventually found its way into American mainstream culture and building design.
Why do hotels use white sheets? ›
White sheets are one effective way for hotels to prove their standards of cleanliness. Much like how the wealthy used to wear all white to show that they could afford to keep it clean, hotels use all white linens to show luxury. (Although, admittedly, even less luxurious hotels use white sheets.)
Can unmarried couple stay in hotel legally? ›
Yes. No law in the country denies an unmarried couple a stay in a hotel. However, checking-in a couple is at the discretion of the hotel owners / managers.
How to live cheaply in a hotel? ›
Staying in hotels could work out to be cheaper for your budget.
...
So, here are five tips that will help you to live in an extended hotel.
- Find Out the Cost When You Plan On Living in a Hotel Long Term. ...
- Pick a Hotel that Offers Quality Services. ...
- Choose a Convenient Location. ...
- Select a Large Room. ...
- Bring Your Food Supply.
You can stay as long as the property allows, though rates may fluctuate over time. Although these hotels can hypothetically host guests for a night or two, most see guests who stay for five to seven days at a minimum since that's when discounts are typically applied. But there are some rare exceptions.
Which two hotel chains are generally rated the highest in quality? ›
The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons chains are generally rated highest in quality.
Is there a 7 star hotel category? ›
7-Star Hotels are hotels with the highest level of luxury available in the world.
Which is the only certified 7 star hotel? ›
Hotel Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Hotel Burj Al Arab is where the idea of a seven-star hotel came to life.
There is no official rating of “7-stars” for hotels. However, journalists, guests and hotel aficionados have dubbed these hotels as 7-stars simply for their grandiose accommodations and service. Exclusive to the rich and famous, these over-the-top hotel rooms feature lavish amenities that come with a hefty price tag.
Is there a 6 star rating for hotels? ›
It's impossible to know for sure what's in store at a six-star property because the rating doesn't officially exist. There's not even a globally accepted five-star hotel ranking, or a governing body in charge of dispensing stars.
What is a 5-star Diamond hotel? ›
The hotels that receive a five diamond rating are those that represent the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. These cutting edge hotels offer first class accommodations and an overall air of extravagance in their physical attributes.
Who decides if a hotel is 5 star? ›
America's go-to rating system is run by the American Automobile Association (AAA). AAA uses a Diamond Rating system, with five diamonds being the highest designation a hotel can achieve. In order to assign ratings to hotels, inspectors visit these properties unannounced.
What is the highest star hotel in the world? ›
How many 7 star hotels are there in the world? Burj Al Arab is the world's top luxury hotel and continues to be so, this 7-star hotel has been exquisitely shaped and modified into a world-class luxury hotel that has extraordinary experiences.
Is there a zero star hotel? ›
The world's first zero star hotel in 2009
Out of all places, Switzerland surprised the world in 2009 by launching a zero-star hotel. Here in the birthplace of luxury hotels, a converted nuclear fallout shelter made headlines as the world's first zero-star hotel. That is zero as in null, nada, none.
What is a zero star hotel? ›
The “Null Stern Hotel” — which translates to zero star hotel — typically consists of beds in idyllic locations in Switzerland such as vineyards and rolling hills. Their newest suite, however, is purposefully “anti-idyllic.” You may be sleeping under the stars, but you'll do so with no shelter or privacy.
Is it better to stay on a high floor in a hotel? ›
Next time you are booking a hotel room, you should make sure it isn't any higher than the fourth floor. A travel risk expert has revealed the best way to stay safe at a hotel – and rooms below the second floor are advised against as well.
