Premier Inn Gloucester - Quayside

This hotel is highly regarded for its prime location adjacent to Gloucester Quays, offering convenient access to shopping, dining, and the city center. Its signature feature is the provision of free parking, a significant advantage for a centrally located establishment, though guests should be prepared for potential limitations during busy periods. Many visitors appreciate the comfortable beds and consistently clean rooms, ensuring a restful stay. The hotel is an excellent choice for sightseers and shoppers looking to explore the vibrant Quays area, as well as business travelers seeking a well-situated base. Families and couples also find it suitable for its accessibility to local attractions. To enhance your experience, consider booking a Premier Plus room for additional amenities, and be mindful that while parking is free, spaces can be scarce, so arriving earlier or having a backup plan is advisable.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities designed for convenience, with Premier Plus rooms providing enhanced amenities such as a fridge, coffee machine, complimentary bottled water, and chocolate. These upgraded rooms often boast a pleasant river view and are intended to include ultimate Wi-Fi, though some guests report this service can be slow or limited to a single device. Standard rooms are equipped with basic kettle and tea/coffee facilities. While free Wi-Fi is available throughout, its speed is a common point of concern. Guests can find vending machines for snacks and drinks on corridors. The self check-in terminals are a feature, but frequently reported as out of order, leading to manual check-ins. The elevator system requires a key card for security, though at times only one lift may be operational. The hotel also features a bar, which unfortunately often suffers from understaffing, limited stock, and early closing times. Some rooms lack a towel rail in the bathroom, and the wardrobe may be too short for hanging longer garments.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and appreciate the comfortable beds which contribute to a good night's sleep. However, several concerns regarding room comfort and condition are frequently raised. The air conditioning system is a common source of frustration, with many guests reporting it either does not work effectively, is too noisy, or fails to cool the room sufficiently, often remaining too warm. This issue is compounded by sealed windows in some rooms, preventing fresh air circulation. Noise is another significant problem, with complaints about street noise, sounds from neighboring rooms, and particularly footfall from above, which can disrupt sleep. While some rooms are described as modern, others are noted as tired or shabby, showing scuffs on walls, damaged furniture, or even plaster cracks. Some guests have also reported a fusty or damp smell. In the bathroom, issues include the provision of only one towel, occasional cleanliness oversights like pubic hair or spilled coffee granules, and an inadequate fan leading to condensation on walls and mirrors.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining and food quality is mixed, with many guests expressing significant dissatisfaction, particularly concerning breakfast. Common complaints include missing items such as eggs, bacon, and sausages, as well as food being consistently cold or overcooked. Guests often experience long waits for replenishment of popular items and report limited choices from the hot drinks machine. The breakfast is served in a separate building across the car park, which was formerly a Beefeater restaurant. Staffing shortages are a pervasive issue in the restaurant, leading to poor service, uncleared tables, and extended waiting times. For dinner and evening meals, guests frequently encounter long waits for orders, a limited menu due to stock unavailability, and concerns about food quality, with reports of raw or poorly prepared dishes. The bar within the restaurant is also noted for early closing and limited stock. While some guests have praised the efforts of individual staff members and found the breakfast to be good on occasion, the overall dining experience is often described as disappointing and understaffed.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of the vibrant Gloucester Quays, numerous shopping outlets, and a wide selection of restaurants and bars. This makes it an ideal base for exploring the city's attractions without the need for a car. A significant draw for many visitors is the provision of free parking on-site, a rare and valuable amenity for a hotel in such a prime area. However, it is important to note that while parking is free, spaces can become very limited, especially during peak times, often forcing guests to seek and pay for alternative off-site parking. The hotel also benefits from its proximity to the M5, offering convenient access for those traveling by car. While its location near a busy road junction can contribute to some noise, the overall accessibility to key areas, including a nearby Costa Coffee and a Spanish tapas restaurant, is highly appreciated. The train station is also just a short drive away, further enhancing its accessibility.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service presents a mixed picture. Many visitors commend the general friendliness and helpfulness of the hotel staff, particularly at reception, noting their polite and welcoming demeanor. However, the check-in process is a frequent source of frustration, often characterized by long delays due to insufficient staffing and self check-in terminals being out of order. Guests also report recurring key card issues, requiring multiple trips to reception for reprogramming or being given keys to occupied rooms, which raises security concerns. A pervasive theme across reviews is the significant staffing shortages impacting all areas, from reception to the restaurant and bar, leading to overwhelmed employees and compromised service quality. While some staff members are singled out for exceptional service, others are described as rude or unhelpful, particularly when dealing with complaints or unexpected problems. Housekeeping services are not daily unless specifically requested, and some guests have experienced staff opening their room doors prematurely in the mornings.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several specific operational details that may impact their stay. While free parking is advertised, the hotel utilizes a system managed by Horizon Parking, and some guests have reported receiving unexpected charges despite registering their vehicles, indicating a potential procedural issue. Another unique feature is the room key slot near the door, which controls the lights for energy efficiency; however, this can be inconvenient for multiple guests if one leaves with the key, plunging the room into darkness. For those booking Premier Plus rooms expecting enhanced connectivity, it's worth noting that the ultimate Wi-Fi often only supports one device, requiring additional payment for more connections. Furthermore, the hotel's "good night's sleep guarantee" is frequently mentioned by guests as a marketing gimmick that is not consistently honored, particularly when issues like external noise or room discomfort arise. The dining area, formerly a Beefeater, has been taken over by the hotel, leading to changes in service and offerings that some long-term visitors have found disappointing.