Great Western Coffee Shop

Just looking at prices for the Holiday Inn Express opposite Temple Meads and discovered something probably just as crazy as our current railway pricing.

Best Flexible Rate = ^99.00
Shop and Stay Rate = ^129.00

The Shop and Stay Rate is simply just an advance booking room (so it isn't even flexible) plus a ^25 Cabot Circus voucher.  So ^30 extra for a ^25 voucher and a less flexible room :o ::)

A less flexible room? Conjures up all sorts of images in my mind, involving rubber. Should I get out more?

The flip side is that I've managed to snaffle a room at the Holiday Inn, T**nt*n (not the 'Express' but the full bells and whistles 'proper' hotel) for ^39.00 B&B on Sat 5th Feb.

You pays your money.....

I got a nice deal at Premier Inn, Bristol City Centre on Boxing Day ^29 including Breakfast ;D

Also got the Hotel Ibis at Gatwick Airport for ^35 including Breakfast. But can't say how good it was (or wasn't) as I didn't actually end up staying there as I had to stay abroad longer than expected :-\

ibis get really upset on the phone when you book it and cant make it!

That's odd... I didn't receive any phone call from them asking why I hadn't turned up... But I suppose that was because I booked the non refundable room rate, so it didn't matter if I turned up or not, they still got their money! ::)

I was successful in a travel insurance claim so I got the money back, but at the time, the loss of ^35 was the least of my worries when compared to possibly losing a family member (Which thankfully we didn't ;D )

Very glad to hear that you didn't, thetrout.  :)

and from me too.. I'm glad it was ok in the end thetrout  :)

...and then discover that Holiday Inn have reduced the price further to ^37.00. B*gg*r!! Still, they have an 'Internet Price Guarantee', but the call to claim the difference back is to a telephone number priced at 10p a minute.  ::) Hope they accept the claim via email....

I've never succeeded with the "Internet Price Guarantee".  There are far too many terms that mean you simply won't get the difference back.

You're probably right, Brucey. Not too worried, it's only two squid. Gonna try for some comps when I check in. Used to work there and I have it on good authority that some of my previous work colleagues are still there. I think I deserve at least a free pint for nearly breaking my neck whilst in their employ:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7920.msg79393#msg79393

Although I did cost the hotel a new windscreen for a guest's car!!!