Chelmsford City Centre hotel

Expected parking after seeing it advertised - it's blue badge only. So expect to look for parking when you get here. Staff are not helpful. Rooms seem dated and shower has issues. The room smelt bad as we entered. Was met dismissively when mentioned it. Id suggest somewhere else if you're looking here.

Despite the website stating that guests "can avail parking facilities at the hotel" when we arrived there on Friday evening, we discovered the only parking available is for Blue Badge holders booked in advance. I wouldn't have booked this hotel had I realised there was no parking. Reception is located on the first floor of the hotel so it was a bit of a trek for my partner to go in and ask where we could park our car. Arriving in the dark in an unfamiliar town was also a problem for us - I drove past the hotel initially as there is no sign to suggest this anonymous office block was actually a Premier Inn. It was only when we left the hotel to go and find somewhere for dinner that we looked up and saw the Premier Inn sign on the very top of the high block, completely in the dark - no illumination at all. Really very, very poor for a chain of hotels which we have used in the past in other locations with no cause for complaint. When we got into our room, the first thing I noticed was the unpleasant smell which I tracked down to the shower curtain - that definitely needed replacing. Depending on your needs, this hotel may suit - it's located very close to the station and it has lots of availability for disabled people in possession of a Blue Badge to be able to park but overall this is not a hotel I'll be rushing back to in a hurry.

I appreciate that Premier Inn is a budget hotel, but there should still be a basic standard of cleanliness and maintenance. The room was visibly dirty with wipeable stains left by a previous guest on and around the bathroom sink that I had to clean. The floor was visibly dirty and the bathroom had a damp smell. The room also needs maintenance. The skirting boards and ceiling in the bathroom had some water damage and the walls had chipped paint, drip stains and large scrapes throughout, and the shower rail was almost coming away from its hinge. What is particularly disappointing is that I’ve recently stayed in one of Premier Inn’s Premium rooms in the same hotel, which was noticeably better maintained and cleaner. It unfortunately gives the impression that the standard rooms are being overlooked in comparison. I completely understand that Premium rooms come with additional features, but that shouldn’t mean the basic standard of cleanliness and maintenance is significantly different. The communal area is by far the nicest part of this hotel, but unfortunately that doesn’t make up for the condition of the room. I’ve stayed in many Premier Inns before and understand exactly what to expect, but rooms should be clean and properly maintained. The location, nevertheless is fantastic and very close to the station which is useful. You don’t hear much from the Main Street which is brilliant and the staff were very friendly and helpful during the stay too.

Nikki and karis were perfect hosts had most enjoyable chat witb them both made me feel special a credit to the company

I thought the breakfast service was excellent Nikki and karis were perfect hosts and check in was faultless Thankyou