Our family of 4 will be using Marriott points for either County Hall or the Renaissance Chancery Court. Our parents need to stay close by in more affordable lodging. Is the County Hall/Premier Travel Inn our best bet?

I think I have a preference for the Renaissance, but can't find any decent lodging alternatives close by for the parents (the Travel Lodge Covent Garden is the closest I've found and it sounds terrible). Any suggestions?

Have you tried using Priceline? They might end up with a better hotel than you.

Personally I'd be a bit embarrassed putting my parents into steerage while I travel first class

Well, Alan, sounds to me eminently sane. I'm sure it's been discussed with the parents.

So, OP, what's wrong with the Travel Lodge Covent Garden? Why does it sound so horrible?

I use Priceline all the time, but can't in this case because there is no way to guarantee a Marriott will be near the winning hotel. They want to be close to us.

The choice of their accomodation level is their decision, not mine. I don't have any choice is mine since I want to stay for free.

chimani - the reviews on TA make it sound like a Motel 6 in a good location. I believe my parents want something a little nicer than that (something comparable to the Premier Travel Inn County Hall or a nice B&B).

The Travel Inn would be a great solution for your folks - IF they can get in. Because of its location, it is very popular and does book up. For youe unique situation, there is probably no better "two fer" than the County Hall Marriott/Travel Inn (unless you had enough points to treat your parents too )

Premier Travel Inn in County Hall is not much better than a Motel 6 in my opinion. Your B&B suggestion is a better one, but I am not too sure there are any - or ceratinly any nice ones - in that area.

Sorry to disappoint.....

Londonman - have you ever actually stayed at that Premier Travel Inn???

For what it is - it is a very good property in a fantastic location. It is basic but modern, clean, and well managed.

The Travel Inn sounded fine - it was the Travel Lodge that was a question mark for me. I think we will stick with our reservations at Marriott County Hall and the Travel Inn County Hall. Thanks for the input!

What is a "motel 6"?

What makes it unbearable?

I'll step in here and say that obviously we are looking at two different views on what people like where they stay. I don't think anyone is suggesting that Motel 6 is "unbearable" except that it has no charm, no character, and is depressingly boring. That's fine for some people who only want clean and a bed to sleep in. It's not fine for some who want their lodgings to be more than that.

Patrick - but you get what you pay for, don't you?

Especially in a big city.

And it's only a bed after all.

I get the impression from the OP that the parents don't want to spend megabucks.

But if a 'Motel 7' isn't up to scratch then they may have to.

I mean, you can stay in London for a lot less, but each to his/her own.

No, chimani, you missed my point. It's not that some people want luxury when they don't want to spend money for it. But some people prefer "cheap and simple" charm compared to generic dormitory. And often you can get either for the same price. You may not understand this, but some people would much rather stay in a three room B&B filled with cutsie knicknacks than spend the exact same price on a generic but spotlessly clean Hampton Inn down the street. Different people have different wants. Yes, both have beds -- and both are clean, but that isn't the point.

Your comment "it's only a bed after all" proves my point. Some people want a little charm or atmosphere with their bed. You don't care. Others do.

In England, Travelodges and Premier Travel Inns are very different AT THE MOMENT.

They look the same on paper (almost exactly the same facilities) but they FEEL completely different. Premier Travel Inns are cheap, cheerful, and bright - Travelodges seem a bit dated and unloved. I think the difference is probably because Premier Travel Inns are the result of a recent merger: they still show the results of the facelift that was done to give the hotels from the two original chains the same new look.

When Travelodge get their act together, their hotels have the potential to be as pleasant as PTI. At present I would not recommend them.