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Travelodge

(29 Posts)
grannyrebel7 Sat 28-Aug-21 08:59:35

My DH wants to climb Ben Nevis in September as part of a series of challenges he's set himself for this year. However, to stay in a double room in a Travelodge in Fort William is a whopping £571 for three nights! This is supposed to be a budget hotel! We regularly stay in a Travelodge in Tolworth not far from London and usually pay on average about £50 - £60 per night. Why is Scotland so much more expensive than somewhere just outside our capital city? Is everyone going up the mountain??!! I know I'm not!!!

Nannarose Sat 28-Aug-21 16:39:00

I am wondering how to word this, and simply say that I am not wishing to be critical of anyone who wants to set themselves challenges. So please take this in the spirit in which it is intended.
Over time, people have felt that they want to travel, to do challenges and so on. However, for some reason (and I'm not quite sure why) these have ended up centred around just a few places - certain destinations which have then become wildly popular. Of course I get the idea of doing 'highest mountains' but I would suggest looking at other mountains that represent a challenge, where there will be fewer people, and you can enjoy the beauty.

I have been up some beautiful mountains in the UK & Europe, and had some wonderful experiences. I'm not going to suggest them as you have to find the ones that would best suit you (yes, I know it's your husband!)

I would say the same about almost any 'popular destination'. Look at guides and think about what you really want to see and experience.

I realise that may not 'hit the spot' for your DH!

Aveline Sat 28-Aug-21 16:27:14

I agree Jackiest

Jackiest Sat 28-Aug-21 16:17:49

I think there should be a difference between the traditional b&b where the owner lived on the premises and made you breakfast and where you rent a flat or house for a short time thus preventing someone from living there.

Aveline Sat 28-Aug-21 16:12:25

Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam also clamping down on Air BnB. It's ruining life quality in cities.
I'm saying this here as I've noticed they've sponsored two threads on GN making it all look lovely. Well it's not for long term residents.angry

Chardy Sat 28-Aug-21 15:46:53

As I've said before, I'm a big Airbnb fan. I agree you learn much more about the locale and the locals than you do in a hotel.
Recently seen it from the other side, with a local friend, a flat-dweller, with an Airbnb flat directly above her. No problems yet, except sorting out rubbish for the bins. I explained there will be a visitor folder, and suggested she asks the owner, who she knows, to put a note in.
In 2018 a house at the back was Airbnb for a year or so, and there was no bother. He went back to 6 month contracts because, despite being near the sea, he didn't have enough takers.

Aveline Sat 28-Aug-21 14:11:29

Air BnB has ruined the centre of Edinburgh. Greedy landlords don't care about neighbours and other residents and snap up flats for short term lets. These tourists are on holiday and don't care about the noise they make or the mess they leave. It's a huge problem here. Luckily it's being clamped down on. Barcelona and several other large cities are taking similar action.
I gather it's not what the originators of Air BnB had in mind but it's grown into a monster in popular areas. Local staff can't then find homes near work in town and are faced with longer and longer journeys to work as they are pushed further and further out of town.
In Edinburgh Air BnB is a blight. Rant over.

Eloethan Sat 28-Aug-21 14:10:12

In cashing in exorbitantly on the reluctance of people in the UK to travel abroad at the moment, the British hospitality industry is in danger of guaranteeing that future holidaymakers will not entertain future "staycations". Now could have been the time when holidaymakers felt more encouraged to stay at home but, with prices being hiked so outrageously by many hotels and self-catering establishments, people will feel more inclined to go abroad once it is feasible to do so, rather than risk a possible rain-sodden holiday here.

We have stayed in Travelodges and they have, in the main, been OK but more basic than other similar, but slightly more expensive, hotels. They are generally quite cheap though.

I am reluctant to use Airbnb because of the impact on people needing to rent on a permanent basis. Apparently the introduction of Airbnb has significantly affected the availability for local renters.

Jackiest Sat 28-Aug-21 12:57:49

The last time I used airbnb was when I traveled around India and I always tried to stay in a room in a families house. That way I was giving a local family an income and I found they always looked after me. I learnt a lot more about the culture and the people of India than I would of staying in a hotel.

dragonfly46 Sat 28-Aug-21 12:25:14

We stayed in an Airbnb near my son one Christmas and the owner was not on site. It was lovely and took dogs. It had a garden.

Lillie Sat 28-Aug-21 12:23:32

air bnb in the uk is quite a way down the list for revenu
behind france and spain
it mainly appeals to the 25 - 35 age bracket
often the owner lives on site and home-sharing is actually more ecological or environmentally friendly
there was a gn member who had a good stay recently using this company

Nannan2 Sat 28-Aug-21 12:22:43

I've stayed in travelodge hotels in prepandemic times but some were better than others so I'm not convinced that they'd meet the super clean standards required for covid hygene- but at that price maybe its one of travelodge's best?? However i wouldn't be paying that when i bet there's loads of great hotels up there or nearby for less than that.I would google it and shop around.Travelodge are going to price themselves out of business and might go under by 2022! ?

JaneJudge Sat 28-Aug-21 12:10:52

I've just put it into booking.com for 10th September to 13th and loads of cheaper, much nicer options have come up smile

ayse Sat 28-Aug-21 12:07:40

Currently in the Lake District. Very expensive and going anywhere is a nightmare. Parking is £4.00 or £5.00 a pop. We won’t be coming again it’s far too busy and noisy.

Having said that, it’s a family holiday with children, grandchildren, partners etc. which we haven’t done for 8 years. Sadly DD and family are living in NZ so they couldn’t come anyway.

Aveline Sat 28-Aug-21 12:00:49

Air BnB just means fewer homes for local people.

Jackiest Sat 28-Aug-21 11:56:34

Try airbnb.com there are some for around £100 a night. Still far more than they were a couple of years ago.

Tizliz Sat 28-Aug-21 11:20:46

Only go up Ben Nevis if you like crowds. October would be a better time, but if the weather is ok it will be busy.

glammanana Sat 28-Aug-21 10:14:08

Try looking at "booking.com" for budget deals in the area my DD & partner are in a lovely part of Scotland at the minute and got a really good budget hotel for £194 for 3 nights B&B.

luluaugust Sat 28-Aug-21 10:13:32

I think there are around 200 Munros in Scotland perhaps this year do a few of them.

Peasblossom Sat 28-Aug-21 10:02:45

Would he consider a B&B.

I’ve always found the ones in that area very welcoming to walkers.

NotSpaghetti Sat 28-Aug-21 09:53:23

I think the short answer is yes.
"Everyone" is doing this. As someone said earlier, to the detriment of the paths and natural habitat.

grannyrebel7 Sat 28-Aug-21 09:46:59

No it's not but it's easy access to London from there. I expect Fort William is cheaper in the winter months, but not really safe to go up then. Think Mr Rebel will have to wait until next year smile

Zaseret Sat 28-Aug-21 09:23:56

Travelodge and Premier Inn have variable pricing depending on demand which varies from day to day, place to place. Supply and demand. Fort William has always been popular and Scotland is having better weather than England. I know Tolworth as my brother lives near there but it’s not a holiday destination by any stretch of the imagination.

Grandmabatty Sat 28-Aug-21 09:18:56

Grannyrebel the cost is outrageous but there are similar prices across the UK at the moment. And yes, everyone wants to climb Ben Nevis just now. There's a debate going on whether numbers need to be rationed due to erosion and pollution of the mountain. Fort William is also the end point of a popular long distance walk The West Highland Way so it can be a very busy place.

Greyduster Sat 28-Aug-21 09:14:00

Is everyone going up the mountain?. That may well be the case. More people have climbed Snowden this year than anytime previously and the forty minute plus queues to get to the summit and pressure on the footpaths are causing concern. I don’t doubt it’s the same with Ben Nevis. It always was busy. And Fort William is a tourist honeypot.

ExDancer Sat 28-Aug-21 09:12:42

Google 'budget hotels in Fort William'.