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Summary of reviewsGateway Express generally receives positive feedback, especially for its convenient location and great value for money. Positioned in a beautiful area near the river, it offers easy access to the city center, local dining, entertainment and main transport hubs, making it ideal for both business and leisure travelers. Despite this central positioning, the surroundings remain tranquil, providing a peaceful retreat.
Many guests found the rooms to be clean, tidy and equipped with basic amenities like tea and coffee making facilities. The beds, while a mixed point, were often praised for their comfort. Good Wi-Fi and friendly, helpful staff further enhance the guest experience. However, some concerns were raised about room size, occasional unpleasant smells and the need for updates in decor and facilities.
The hotel's breakfast garnered mixed reactions. While some appreciated the affordability and quality, others felt the variety could be improved and noted issues with communication regarding breakfast options.
Cleanliness in the hotel also received varied reviews. Many guests praised the daily serviced, clean rooms and bathrooms, but some pointed out issues with dirty carpets, blinds and general neglect in common areas.
Overall, Gateway Express stands out for its strategic location, friendly staff and affordability, making it a popular choice for short stays. Despite some areas needing improvement, it provides a cost-effective and comfortable option for travelers. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
Offers budget-friendly accommodation. Suitable for families looking for essential amenities and a convenient location.
Hotel near Golf Courses
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Cheap Hotel
Small Hotel
Room Types
Double RoomFeatures include a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Single RoomFeatures include a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Family RoomFeatures include a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Twin RoomFeatures include a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Guest Reviews
6.6
Rated
Location
Situated in a beautiful area around the river, Gateway Express offers guests a superbly convenient location. It is incredibly well-placed for those wishing to explore the city, being super near to the centre and within walking distance of local pubs, restaurants and shops. Accessibility is a significant advantage; it's easy to reach from main transport hubs like the train and bus stations, making arrival and departure hassle-free. The hotel's proximity to the city center and key amenities ensures everything you need is close by, whether for dining, entertainment or work.
Many guests praise the hotel for its quiet surroundings despite its central location, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. With excellent value for money, free car parking and easy access to various facilities, Gateway Express stands out for its convenience and affordability. Whether your visit is for business or leisure, the location caters perfectly to your needs, offering a blend of comfort, cleanliness and practicality.
The hotel suits those on short stays or who need quick access to transport links with a pleasant 12-minute walk to the train station and even closer proximity to the town center. Despite being close to major roads, the area remains tranquil, adding to the overall appeal for both relaxation and convenience. While a few reviews noted some difficulty in locating the property initially or mentioned a run-down area, the general consensus highlights its strategic location, making Gateway Express a desirable choice for many travelers.
Breakfast
Gateway Express receives mixed feedback regarding its breakfast offerings, though there are some positive highlights. Guests applaud the affordability with some mentioning a great breakfast experience for just five pounds. The quality is frequently described as good and reasonably priced with several visitors appreciating the combination of a well-priced room and breakfast. However, there are also remarks on the limited choice available, indicating a need for more variety. A few guests experienced confusion due to a lack of clear instructions and absence of information packs in the rooms, suggesting that better organization and communication could enhance the breakfast experience. Despite these issues, the positive aspects of the breakfast, especially its value for money, resonate well with numerous guests.
Rooms
Gateway Express offers a range of rooms that, while leaning towards the smaller side, are consistently praised for their cleanliness. Guests frequently note that the rooms are clean, tidy and come with basic amenities such as tea and coffee making facilities. Comfy beds and good Wi-Fi are commonly mentioned, adding to the overall comfort of the stay.
Several reviews highlight that the rooms are well-maintained and space-efficient, making them suitable for short stays, though some guests found them a bit small, especially for families. Despite their basic nature, the rooms are generally considered great value for money and adequately meet the needs for a brief visit.
However, some rooms could benefit from updates and refurbishments with occasional mentions of tired decor and minor disrepair issues. A few rooms were noted for unpleasant smells, including smoke and dampness, which can detract from the overall experience. Guests also pointed out that some rooms could be cold upon arrival and the thin mattresses were sometimes uncomfortable.
Overall, while the size and occasional odor issues might be drawbacks, Gateway Express provides a clean, comfortable and cost-effective option for travelers. The hotel offers parking facilities, though it can be tight and while it might be a bit far from dining options, the friendly staff and clean environment make it a worthwhile stay.
Beds
The beds at Gateway Express have garnered a mix of feedback from guests. On the positive side, many have praised the comfort of the beds, noting them as comfortable, clean and even very comfortable in certain cases. Such positive comments suggest that at least some of the beds provide a restful night's sleep. Specific mentions of comfy beds and comfortable clean beds reinforce this sentiment.
However, a significant portion of the feedback points to various issues with the mattresses and overall bed quality. Common complaints include the presence of springs poking through the mattress, thin and worn-out mattresses and a notable number of beds being described as uncomfortable, lumpy or in disrepair. Several guests have reported experiencing backaches due to the softness or condition of the mattresses, indicating that the quality and upkeep of the beds might be inconsistent.
Additionally, there are repeated mentions of cheap/old mattresses and some beds being described as so uncomfortable that they led to a poor sleeping experience. Instances of bed bugs and unclean beds have also been cited, adding a concern about hygiene alongside comfort.
Overall, while there are pockets of positive experiences regarding the beds at Gateway Express, the overarching feedback suggests that there is a need for improvement in mattress quality and maintenance to ensure a consistently comfortable stay for all guests.
Cleanliness
Gateway Express garners mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness. Positives highlight that many rooms were clean, tidy and serviced daily with fresh and clean bedding. Guests noted the rooms were very clean and mentioned clean bathrooms and coffee stations being stocked up daily. However, several reviews pointed out significant areas in need of improvement. Common complaints included dirty and stained carpets, greasy and dirty blinds and a general state of neglect in common areas. Some rooms had a stale smoke smell, worn-out and thin mattresses and occasional holes in the walls. Despite these issues, the staff were described as pleasant and helpful, which may improve the stay for some guests. Overall, while there are redeeming qualities, there is a notable disparity in the upkeep and cleanliness of the hotel's facilities.
Staff
The staff at Gateway Express generally receives high marks for their friendliness and helpfulness, adding a welcoming touch to the hotel experience. Guests particularly noted the courteous service provided by the young man at the front desk and highlighted the overall friendly environment. The cleaning staff and a lovely lady at reception were frequently praised for their politeness and assistance. Despite some mentions of unhelpful or uninterested receptionists and occasional lack of staff at reception, many guests appreciated the efforts of the family running the hotel and the helpful young members of the team. Overall, the friendly and kind demeanor of the staff significantly contributed to a positive stay for many visitors.
No, Gateway Express doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Gateway Express.
No, Gateway Express doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Gateway Express.