Holiday Inn Brentwood

As a regular stayer of this hotel, hundreds of times in last 10 years, I’ve noticed how much the service levels have dropped over the past couple of years. It’s very hit and miss depending on the reception staff, some Polite and recognise the amount of times you stay here, others just have a couldn't care attitude. The parking charges are an absolute joke, they have sub contracted parking out to a 3rd party, this used to be free for guests but greed has just taken over and it’s really annoying when you’ve already paid strong money for the room. I’d strongly suggest the hotel review whether to charge guests additional money to park a car as I’m now looking elsewhere to move my business because of this. The rooms(not all), are tired, some have been refurbished but not all so be aware when booking. It’s an expensive hotel but 3 star at best so you will get better value elsewhere.

Stayed for 2 nights in 2 x double bed room. The bar and restaurant very pleasant; dinner and breakfast very good and majority of the staff really friendly and helpful. If only the same could be said about the room. On entering, it was sweltering. Upon trying to switch on aircon, the instructions were for an older and completely different system (similar attention to detail with in-room phone which had completely wrong info on all the buttons!) - went to reception and Bradley said he'd be up to switch it on in a few minutes. We're still waiting. We figured it out and switched on - useless. An really helpful engineer who visited a little later admitted that the aircon was pretty rubbish, but gave us a fan. The bathroom was awful - holes in the very dirty door filled with polyfilla and left unsanded; sealant around bath coming away and mouldy in areas; tiles on back wall of bath painted over, but not very well. Fridge door dented and scratched. We mentioned both the good points and bad when checked out - the receptionist said they had regular complaints about the rooms and passed them onto management but apparently nothing happens.

Stayed Friday to Sunday, (17th - 19th) with my two children 14-12 yrs old. Friendly front of house staff and during the stay the hospitality team from breakfast to evening were friendly and welcoming. Rooms were fine and bathroom. Very clean no issues. The bar and restaurant is very modern and would have been a great venue for guests staying or people visiting to watch the sports. It was a very welcoming area and large. Is the hotel dated in some places, perhaps a little but actually not to the point it would impact a stay as many positives. We used the gym which was ok for a brief workout and the gym has external members and the swimming pool looked ok and facilities. Would I stay again - yes good location. Parking is a bit steep £12 for a night, but on the M25/A12 border everyone would park I guess if cheaper and free. Shame as I do hate paying for parking at hotels but just one of those. Overall a good stay - best points are the staff. Thanks - James room 009