Thank you all for your answer to my question about the B&B voucher program. It did not smell right so we are not going to do it. I think now we will do Travel Inns. I note the London one has gotten very positive reviews on this board-but we are going to be driving around, Has anyone stayed at Travel Inns outside of London? The website looks good and we are not fussy-clean and a reading light is all we ask for...

pdpop: Don't jump from B&B vouchers to Travel Inns. The County Hall Travel Inn is a special case. It is in an amazing location - and therefore charges more than other TI's.<BR><BR>But to travel around the UK using Travel Inns would be like traveling the States using Super 8's or Motel 6's. Perfectly safe, clean and economical. BUT not one ounce of charm or character in any of them.<BR><BR>There are THOUSANDS of wonderful B&Bs in every corner of the country that will be just as cheap (or less) as a travel inn, provide full breakfasts, AND are in thatched cottages, lovely townhouses, working farms, or mansions.<BR><BR>The only time it makes much sense to stay in a Travel Inn (except for County Hall) is when you need to be near an airport for an early flight. Then they are convenient and cheaper than other airport hotels. <BR><BR>Do not experience the lovely English hospitality from inside a Travel Inn! On you other thread no one said not to stay in B&Bs - only that you do not need vouchers to do it.

If I were travelling in the UK especially in the lower season, I'd use the book ahead system. You can do it from any Information Bureau, most towns have them. You can stay in one town and for a small fee the bureau will book you into accommodation for your next destination. You can end up staying in interesting places like farmhouses, old coaching inns etc. I'd avoid chains if I were you.

At the risk of possibly being flamed, I admit to having stayed in Travel Inns outside of London. They are as the others here have described them: safe, clean, economical and charmfree. Usually located close to a motorway or main road. <BR><BR>I wouldn't stay in a TI long term as a base for touring an area (rent a cottage or flat instead), but they're fine for a night or two. They offer a couple of advantages of convenience. Predictability. You can book ahead from home so you don't waste time making arrangements during your holiday. And you can cancel up to 4 pm on the day you're booked in case you do find somewhere more fun and charming along the way.<BR><BR>There are plenty of wonderful B&Bs in the TI price range but there are some real dogs too. I've experienced my share of lumpy beds, soggy toast funky bathrooms, and remote locations.<BR><BR>It's also a question of style. I like a little more privacy in my accommodations than most B&Bs offer and so if money is not the sole driver I still tend to choose a nicer hotel over a nicer B&B.<BR><BR>Just another view point for you to consider.<BR><BR>

One advantage of staying at Travel Inn (and other budget motel chains like Travelodge, Innkeeper's Lodge, Premier Lodge) is that they price by room, not by person. If you are travelling with children, you can have a room sleeping 2+2 for around &pound;40 to &pound;50 outside London, and in the case of Innkerper's Lodge, the rate includes buffet breakfast for everyone. Location can be a little inconvenient for those without car, though big cities often have lodges in the centre at (usually) slightly higher rate.

Forget Travel Inns!<BR><BR>We had the worst night in one near Oxford....in my opinion they have very little to offer and not good value.<BR><BR>B&B 's will likely give you nights to remember, rather than nights to forget.

Anyone who would rather stay in Travel Inns in Great Britain instead of lovely B&Bs in a Cotswold village, or on the Yorkshire moors, or in Edinburgh new town, or on the Devon coast, or anyplace else should probably stay home in Iowa or New Jersey.

We had a great time using Travel Inns and Forte Travel lodges around England. True, they are not charming and filled with local ambience. Our situation was that we were on a driving trip with our two children. The TravelInn and Travelodges had family rooms at a good price. They permitted cancellation until late in the day, and it was easy to reserve a room just a day or two ahead of time. Most were along a highway exit and not in the center of town. They were clean, comfortable, and priced right for a family. And they gave a paper each day, some of which at bargain rates for your next stay.

I have stayed in a travel inn outside london and found the facilities excellent. Its clean and good value for money. For more info, try the travel inn website on www.travelinn.co.uk