Travelodge Micklegate York Introduce New Super Rooms

With 3 hotels in York already and a third being built at Monks Cross shopping centre it is pleasing to see a company having faith in the city. Admittedly York is a tourist hot spot, it also has race meetings in season along with a lively theatre programme.

York has been chosen as one of the first destinations outside London to have what they call Super Rooms in the central Micklegate Travelodge.

First impressions on entering the hotel are good: it smells new and looks more homely with a new comfy seating area by the reception. Check-in was swift and friendly and the staff I spoke to seemed like they wanted to be there.

All the Super Rooms are on the top floor. A walk along the corridor on freshly laid deep pile carpet, which your feet sunk into, was a good indication of what lay ahead.

The first thing I noticed upon opening the room door was the softer colour, gone is the cold egg shell blue and red colours you used to get, now it is all soft brown and deep blues, which are more pleasing on the eye.

A choice of pillows (hard and soft) is a good idea as is the iron, ironing board, hair dryer, bigger TV and the light dimmer that controls the brightness of the room lights. The Lavazza coffee machine lets you brew a good coffee. They have added Galaxy drinking chocolate and 2 Kit Kats too.

The working desk had a swivel chair which matched height wise with the desk, good ergonomics. I got the impression that they are trying to woo the business guest with these touches, but having to pay to use the Wi Fi (the first 30 minutes are free) is something that needs stopping as all of their competitors do not charge at all.

If they are serious about bringing in more business clients it seems a shame that they put so much into the makeover only to have to pay for what is now a basic business need.

The bathroom now has a shower with 3 heat settings and was powerful. Good heater in the bedroom.

I found it interesting that none of the printed menus or documentation in the room actually had the Travelodge name on it, again more of a softly softly approach.

To be honest you would not have known it was a Travelodge Room. The thick curtains and thicker shower curtain made it feel more upmarket.

Breakfast is served buffet style in the recently refurbished breakfast room. Framed wall drawings of Clifford's Tower and Castle Howard gave it a local twist.

The bacon, scrambled egg, sausages, tomatoes, hash browns and beans were hot and tasty. At £8.25 and free for children it proved to be very popular.

The Super Rooms are worth paying the extra £10.00 upwards that they charge. With the upgrade being so good their competitors will be loosing sleep.

Travelodge, Micklegate, York YO1 6JG
www.travelodge.co.uk