Reception staff and the Maintenance man fantastic....it was no trouble to take the sink apart to find my wedding ring which I had dropped down the sink!!! Nothing too much trouble. I didn't get their names....but a very big thank you.

The room was on the fifth floor nice and clean but cold. It is December and we just couldn't get the central heating warm enough, but a small fan heater was provided, which was a god send.

Rooms could do with better lighting for doing make up etc.,and breakfast could've been hotter, but in all a very good spot in Swindon to stay, good clean accomodation.

Overall Very good! Hotel was perfect for those in Swindon for one or two nights who want somewhere no frills to stay. Although "no frills", it was much better than other budget hotels such as Travelodge.

Having read some of the reviews about noise Especially on a Thursday night, I rang up in advance and asked to be placed on the "Quiet side" of the hotel. This is either the side which the main entrance faces OR the "station side" which is away from the night clubs - I endured a Thursday night (apparently the worse) and was almost oblivious to the noise - Had I been a few floors higher, I'd have been totally oblivious. REMEMBER: This is a City Centre Hotel, Noise to some extent is expected.

Another Myth to quash is the Police car situation - Across the road from the main entrance is a POLICE STATION so some police cars parked outside is to be expected!!

The main let down about the hotel was the parking situation. They suggested that I used the Shopping centre (Brunel West) Car park Which was about 5-10 mins walk away (depends how quickly you walk). I DID feel safe doing the walk back at night (Young lone Traveller) and although the car park currently looks a bit dilapidated, there are currently decoration and refreshment works being done to it. (and the hotel can validate your parking ticket so it only costs about £4 to stay overnight!!!)

Staff are friendly, although their strange shift pattern means that sometimes, the staff who serve you in the bar in the evening, are there when you go down for breakfast!

Talking of breakfast, It was OK. Nothing Gourmet but it was FREE!! Toast, Jam, Small selection of cereal, Couple of hot items ( I didn't sample them!) and some wonderful coffee machines! :)

If I was being REALLY picky, I'd mention the tiny bit of dust on the loo roll holder, and the fact that there are only 4 pillows per room so If you wanted extra "Firm" ones (which I did) then they can't really supply as it means another room going without!



Would I stay here again? The booking details are already written out as there is a possibility of a return next week!! :)

When I telephoned to book a room I requested a room on a lower floor as I am not keen on lifts, which they agreed to do. Unfortunately to get to the reception area you have to use the lift (they could do with a brighter light in the lift it was very dark especially if you don't like lifts). When I reached reception because I had read on a previous review about noise on a Saturday night I mentioned this and the receptionist (very kindly) changed my room. The room was lovely. Very large, almost like a suite and the bathroom was very clean and like another reviewer the shower was brilliant. Felt very relaxed and safe there as being a sole traveller.

Unfortunately getting back from my venue on Saturday evening as I knew it was in the nightclub area and asked for change of room didn;t have any worries and felt safe walking to hotel as entrance is a bit isolated. Its a key entrance but they do have 24 hour staff. To my amazement I could hear the music, luckily had ear plugs so did not spoil my night sleep, but woke about 4.00 and took them out and could still hear revellers. Other than that slept very well, bed was comfortable.

Breakfast was very good thought it was going to be just continental but they did supply some hot foot and a good selection of other continental style food.

When I booked out I did bring up the change of room and the receptionist said that I needed the other side of the hotel, where in fact my previous room had been but when I arrived they were still cleaning it as I had gone to the wrong room initially, so I think that is why they changed my room in any event. Also it was not a corner room so would have been a normal size room.

Overall I had a very good stay here and so long as you have earplugs or do not mind noise (I presume it is only over the weekend) I would recommend staying here for ease of being near town centre and railway station, you can walk to it. All staff that I came across were very helpful and polite and I would stay again. Hotel itself was very quiet, I actually thought I was the only person on my floor where in fact the hotel was very busy.

A very good location if ariving by train, just a few hundred yards from the station. Typical Holiday Inn Express except that the reception is on what is actually the second floor. Entrance to building by room key card. Rooms just as all other HI Express, but television did not work, and air condition seemed to giev cold air whatever temperature I set. Staff friendly and gave me a two hours extension so that I did not have carry my luggage around till my train departed. Area around the hotel is OK for daytime, but it the eveing it looked a bit rough with few people around. Good shopping nearby though, and very convenient for the Swindon Outlet Centre, just 10 minute walk away. If you like watching trains, ask for a room with a view towards the railway - if you do not like noise, choose the other side.
Breakfast is also typical HI Express - same dull sausages and beans they have evrywhere else - why is it so difficult to provide something better? feel sorry for the franchisees that have to put up with it!