Premier Inn Seaton

I’m afraid Premier Inn has lost its way a little. I’m happy to put up with some aspects but not for the prices that have steadily increased.

Rooms are very clean and bed comfortable. Staff were friendly and helpful as always. The only letdown is the lack of staff in the evening. We booked for the meal deal for two nights as we usually do but this time staff had been cut there were only 2 members of staff on and they were serving at the bar , cleaning tables seeing to any guests at reception desk as well as taking orders and serving food . This led to a drop in the standards you normally provide. Not fair on the guests or staff . We’ll give the restaurant a miss in future

I have read the negative reviews and don't agree with any of them. We only stayed one night and everything was great. Family room was clean and had plenty of space for us all. All staff were very friendly and happy to help. We had breakfast and there was plenty of variety. Would have no problem staying here again if we were in the area.

The rooms and public areas were roasting hot, heating on full blast it was unbearable. There was no way to get the bedroom below 19 degrees which is far too hot for sleeping, especially as the windows don't open at all! It’s really unpleasant being trapped in a completely sealed room with no fresh air and no way to lower the temperature. The toilet paper was awful cheap crispy stuff in a single sheet dispenser. Bed covers were nasty cheap sweaty synthetic fibres. Bathroom ceiling was mouldy. Tea and coffee facilities extremely basic, not even a biscuit. Travelodge are doing budget accommodation like this but to a much higher standard so there is no excuse, this was a £100 stay for 1 night so I expect better.

One can always rely on a Premier Inn to have comfortable beds and clean rooms. This was no exception although we were a bit disappointed to find that there was only a shower and no bath and that the bulb in one of the bedside lamps was in pieces.... OK... acceptable BUT the restaurant was NOT a good experience. We had travelled many miles to get there as we were travelling on business and were looking forward to a quiet, but relatively quick, meal (both dinner and breakfast the next morning) so that we could rest and then depart quite early the next day. Our table in the evening was booked for 7pm. The restaurant is very small and we appreciated that it was busy as it was the Easter holiday time. The staff were lovely and valiantly tried to sit us as far away from a table containing very noisy children as they could. We found ourselves behind a pillar which was fine except that we kind of became invisible to the staff. After waiting and waiting for someone to take our order, we gave in and went to the bar to put in our request. It took a while to serve us but we got our food and it was lovely. We then ordered dessert but again, we were forgotten and it was 45 minutes before this arrived, despite us reminding the service staff 3 times. In the end one of these actually went into the kitchen to prepare our desserts himself! We were then given a free glass of house wine each by way of apology. We cannot fault the serving staff, they were run off their feet, bless them, but there needed to be more staff serving and more cooking at peak times of the year such as this. Unfortunately it was the same story at breakfast. We waited 15 minutes for a table and then : there were no cups, no plates at the hot food buffet plus eggs and bacon had run out so we waited for them to be replenished. Also bread and croissants containers were empty and the berries (usually delicious) were still frozen and the orange juice was very weak. This is a very small and noisy restaurant and was not a pleasant experience. We feel that, had we known, we would not have paid for the meal deals and instead bought a sandwich from the Tesco just across the road. Incidentally, are children no longer taught to eat with anything but fingers and do their tablets really have to be on and if front of them the whole day, including mealtimes? Lovely staff.

Excellent service from receptionist Dave Rudkin and chef Matthew RohBerts who had run out of fried eggs and he very kindly brought us out two on a plate to our table and on a return visit for breakfast weeks later Dave Rudkin recognised us and had a lovely conversation with my grandson.

Check in- tried the auto check in as no one on reception. Auto check in not available for the type of booking done. Young lady from restaurant asked if could help, tried her best however was clear no experience on the desk to help guests. Manager was called. Manager was swift to resolve the check in details. Then it all went a bit array. Manager asked what time I would like to go for dinner, advised it is quiet at 19.45pm so guess what... I booked as advised that 19.45 is good to go. 19.50 arrived at restaurant desk to be left waiting 10 minutes Seated.... after a guest behind me was seated first. (No idea what time his reservation was for) 20.15 waitress tried giving me someone else food. I advised I haven't even had a drink order taken yet. Table before me had their order taken and mains delivered before a drinks order has even been taken from myself. 20.20 order taken by waitress and shortly after a drink on the house arrived without complaint. 20.25 starter arrived. 20.35 starter bowl taken away and asked for additional drink. 21.05 main arrived but no additional drink. 21.20 main finished and no drink arrived. 21.25 asked waitress to cancel order for drink, and left restaurant. Unfortunately the management do not seem to be able to supply the staff required to run the restaurant efficiently. The restaurant could do with a full time bar person alone. The drinks that were trying to be ordered whilst I waited for my meal alone I believe would be enough to warrant this additional staff member. Seeing as they were busy all evening I think they would of missed out on sales to the hundreds of pound just tonight alone. Hotel is in a good location just a 10 min walk to the seafront. Staff seem like they can't do enough for you, just lack on delivery of this unfortunately in terms of the restaurant. I would think for the area it is also one of the cheaper places to eat, making it ideal for the economic squeeze we are all under. I feel they are under staffed or under qualified for the amount of covers they are trying to do on a Monday night, especially when most of the local takeaways and restaurants seem to be closed on a Monday. Perhaps look at temporary staff to cover the busy nights. Pull staff from other local hotels of the same chain. The chef seemed overwhelmed in the kitchen for what seemed like not alot of covers at any one time to be carried out. People waiting for cold desserts for some time. Overall I can not see how this one is part of the same chain than the Honiton one, it feels like it is run by different company altogether. Very odd. Premier inn thyme, in an order of being seated. 1. Seat people WITH menus 2.take a drinks order 3.deliver the drinks order 4. Take order of starters (mains if they ready) 5.deliver order of starters 6. Drinks empty?? Would you like another....get another sent to table. Easy repeat cash income for your business, why wouldn't you? 7. Get those mains out. 8.drinks empty? Can I

This hotel is noisy owing to the timber frame construction of the building. Unless you book a room on the top floor you will be kept awake by what sounds like elephants in the room above you! You will need earplugs. The car park is full of white vans and the hotel is frequented by tradesmen, many of whom like to talk noisily on their mobile phones in the restaurant. The food was OK and the staff friendly. Comfy bed. Within walking distance of the pebbly beach and town centre.

The hotel location is perfect, although there was no sea view. The Tramway and beach are a very short walk away. There is a charge for 24 hour parking but that was expected. The staff were all great, friendly and helpful. We had a problem but it was quickly sorted by reception. Breakfast was very good and plenty of choice. I would say the hotel is becoming a little worn and needs some tlc in places. Linen in particular needs inspection.