Newton Abbot hotel

When we first arrived we were very disappointed in how badly it looked from outside . It looked so run down. We went to look at the restaurant and were a bit taken aback how bad it looked and thought it had closed down . The beer garden was closed down and rotting picnic tables. The bar area inside was run down and badly maintained. Dirty and scruffy and weeds everywhere outside. It only opens at 6pm . The bar area was grubby with stained chairs and very pricey with very few drinks available. Very basic menu . One evening it was closed due to the manager off sick. The reception staff were not very friendly or helpful . One plus was the room had air con but it was chipped paintwork and not cleaned well with a smell of mould . The restaurant area was nice inside with nice tables and chairs and music . The food was good at breakfast. On the whole it was ok but not the best or worst we have stayed at. Also don't bother trying to ring them as they never answer the phone. They explained that was because of staff shortages.

To the manager: I would like to highly commend one of your employees (Lewis I believe? Big beard!) who assisted a friend of mine with a battery problem this morning. Coming off shift, he very kindly offered to provide a jump start from his car to get things moving. This is not in his role as an employee but really dug my friend out of a hole! Unfortunately he then suffered an issue with his car which we were eventually able to diagnose and fix but at all times I was hugely impressed with his cheerfulness and willingness to help. If there was some way in which he could be recognised or rewarded for his professional approach then he should be.

Hotel a little tired. Staff good, but well under staffed at breakfast which affected our experience. Free parking good.

Very disappointing by comparison to other Premier Inns. Unusually we were staying for 7 nights. Corridor and public areas did not appear to have been hoovered during that time. Had to ask for room to be cleaned and bed changed (Policy of staff not entering room without consent.) Bins and towels to be left outside door on hall carpet if this service required. Despite this policy a lady from pest control complete with a sniffer dog entered our room unannounced using a pass key. No explanation provided other than just a routine visit to that floor although I am certain she only visited our room. Lift out of order for complete 7 days. Bar/restaurant unfriendly. outdoor area had old broken furniture and was littered with uncollected cups/glasses and weeds. Usually closed and lights out by 10.p.m. I think it is probably the most expensive Premier Inn we have visited and definitely the dirtiest. Staff just shrugged off any issues raised. Good comfy bed as usual and slept very well and the air conditioning was efficient and very welcome. Nice clean modern bathroom. Space where furniture clearly removed from room so lived from suitcases on the floor as storage is limited. Usually not a problem but we were staying for 7 nights. Might be a concern taking account of pest control visit

We as a couple always stay with premier inn whilst on our travels. We've only been disappointed a couple of times and this unfortunately is one of those times. Paid extra for the premium room only to find Cobwebs in the corner, badly stained carpet. Badly made bed which I had to remake.(The duvet cover was all scrunched up at the bottom) there was no choice of coffee pods and had to go to reception for teabags.