Barnsley (Dearne Valley) hotel

Overall, the hotel was acceptable and broadly what you’d expect from a Premier Inn. However, the lack of staff — and the attitude of certain team members, likely due to being understaffed — really let the experience down. We paid extra for early check‑in at 11:00, but when we arrived at around 11:15 on Saturday 14/02/26, we were told no rooms were available. This was extremely frustrating, especially after travelling a long distance with two young children and needing to get ready for a family celebration later that day. The receptionist was friendly and polite, but we still had to leave the hotel and return later once the room was ready. Another guest ahead of us, who was there for the football, had the same issue. The room itself was exactly what you’d expect for the price: simple, basic, but perfectly adequate. It was clean and tidy, although the bathroom showed signs of mould in the grout lines and around the extractor fan. The fan made noise but didn’t appear to be extracting properly, which may explain the mould. On Sunday morning, my wife and I were walking down the stairs when a staff member abruptly asked whether we were checking out. When I replied that we were not, he seemed annoyed and walked off. This felt like a rather odd interaction, especially as guests do not need to check out at reception — you simply drop your keys in the box — so I’m unsure why the question was asked. On the Sunday evening a group of around ten of us went to the bar / restaurant intending to have drinks at the bar. There was no member of staff at the front on arrival, and some of the children in our group went to find seats. A staff member named Ryan then approached us and asked whether we had a booking and if we intended to eat. His tone suggested he was irritated, possibly because we had not waited at the “please wait here” sign. We explained that we were likely just having drinks, and he responded that this was fine. Once seated, I suggested that we look at the food menu in case anyone wished to order something. As there were no menus on the table, I went to the bar where I saw some menus placed to one side. Rather than simply taking one, I waited to politely ask Ryan, who was serving drinks to my father at the time. During my father’s order, Ryan questioned how many drinks he intended to have, which felt unnecessary. My father replied that he would probably only have one but commented later that it was a strange question to ask. When I asked if I could take a menu to look at, Ryan asked in a challenging tone whether I was ordering food. I explained that I did not know yet, as we needed to see the menu first. He repeated the question. I again explained that we wanted to view the menu before deciding. He then implied that I was being difficult, which I found unreasonable given that asking to see a menu before ordering is entirely normal thing to do at a bar or restaurant. I commented that he was the person who was actually making a very simple task of viewing a menu extremely difficult. Only at that point did he ask whether anyone in our party had allergies. I confirmed that someone did, and he then provided the appropriate allergy menu with a smug look on his face. While handing it to me, I remarked that the interaction had been hard work and walked away. As I was halfway back to my table, Ryan shouted across the restaurant from behind the bar asking if I had something to say to him. I had not spoken further since leaving the bar. Being called out publicly in front of other guests was embarrassing and unprofessional, so I returned to the bar to address the situation. Ryan stated that he was trying to “protect people with allergies.” While I appreciate the importance of allergy procedures, this explanation does not justify the tone or manner in which we were spoken to. If this was the concern, it could have been raised politely when I first requested the menu. For example when i asked if i could have a menu to look at he simple could had said 'yes, does anybody in your party have any allergies'. Additionally, allergy information was available via QR code on the standard menu and the person in our group with the gluten allergy would not order any food without first checking with staff. Overall, the interaction felt unnecessarily confrontational from the moment we walked in. I appreciate that a group of ten arriving at 19:45 on a Sunday may create additional work, however the restaurant was open and serving, wasn’t busy and we were simply requesting drinks and the opportunity to view a menu. Unfortunately, due to staffing levels, there was no one available at reception to raise this with, as Ryan appeared to be covering the bar, restaurant, and reception simultaneously which may explain his attitude. Looking at previous reviews, this doesn't seem like the first incident involving this member of staff. Since returning home I have tried to raise this issue with premier inn but have yet to get a response.

fantastic experience, and the service was excellent, a special thank you to all team members as follows Sarah katey Emilly Paul and Pj Becky Amina especially to Ryan for going the extra mile

Ryan and becky was amazing, very professional and served with great respect

Had a great evening in the social fantastic service from Emily Sarah and Ryan. Shout out to the chefs loved my goujons

After being to ill to travel I amended our booking by 1 week, I phoned 4 different phone numbers & spoke to 4 different people to explain that I couldn't do what I needed to do on the website, I needed a room on the ground floor with a double bed & a sofa bed which on the last phone call I was told it was done, however when we arrived to check in I was told we were on the 1st floor with 2 single beds. The lovely receptionist ( Becky) switched things around & full filled my request, thank you so much Becky you get my gold star, our stay was for 2 nights & all the staff were very friendly, polite & attentive, thank you all & I look forward to coming again soon