Author Topic: [LEL17] A travelodge solution  (Read 5012 times)

Ben T

[LEL17] A travelodge solution
« on: 07 January, 2017, 02:03:57 pm »
Is anyone considering sleeping in travelodges/premier inn/equivalent during LEL, and if so have you worked out a plan as to which ones to use/where/when? Can't just be me considering this so just curious to what others have worked out.

(Without wanting to get into a debate about how good the dorms are, comfort vs hairshirt etc, and whilst recognising that the "one true way" is to simply ride to the next control and if too tired to do that then will be tired enough to sleep in the dorm, supposing hypothetically, one were to decide that sleeping in a travelodge/premier inn/equivalent is to be done a minimum of every other night - was just wondering what the logistics would look like.)

Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #1 on: 07 January, 2017, 02:05:41 pm »
The obvious honeypot Travelodge must surely be the one at North/South Cave?

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #2 on: 07 January, 2017, 02:37:35 pm »
Last time I had a start at 6.30ish. Night 1 was Scotch Corner Travelodge, Night 2 was Dalkeith Premium Inn & on the third night I slept at The Pock control. Night 4 was back in Loughton.
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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #3 on: 07 January, 2017, 04:22:06 pm »
There is no "one true way" in my view. There are as many ways to do it as there are participants.

Last time, we slept for the first night at the Thirsk control, slightly ahead of the bulge. Second night was in an hotel (not a travelodge) in Edimburgh. We had a 6 hours sleep in a proper bed (what a luxury!) and so were fresh and rested before beginning the southbound ride. Third and fourth nights were in controls, as it was getting more and more difficult to predict where we were going to end each day.

Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #4 on: 07 January, 2017, 06:50:13 pm »
We stayed here: https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/418/Edinburgh-Cameron-Toll-hotel

but did dorms for the other nights, with varying degrees of satisfaction, having much the same plan as our French Tandem friend.

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #5 on: 08 January, 2017, 09:01:17 am »
Remember that you have several different types of booking.. Saver is usually cheapest, but can't be cancelled. But there is a booking that you can cancel until noon on the day of arrival....

So you could book a load of rooms all over the place, on this basis, and keep ones you need and cancel the rest..

(This is also good for a 7 out OF 10 day LEJOG)
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Ben T

Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #6 on: 09 January, 2017, 10:05:09 am »
I actually always book flexible anyway even if I'm fairly sure I'm going to be going, because in the long run it actually saves money! There's only got to be one where i was "fairly sure" I was going to be going and then something else crops up and the money's down the drain!
That's actually quite a good idea, as long as you have sufficient mobile reception to cancel them, and remember to.

thing1

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #7 on: 10 January, 2017, 05:14:51 am »
Very useful thread. Travelodges in Scotch Corner and Edinburgh Cameron Toll booked.
At least one is definitely going to be canceled, maybe both depending no start time we end up with, but good to have got a foot in the door on it.

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #8 on: 10 January, 2017, 12:03:27 pm »
Make sure you phone to confirm your booking at some point.
I have known people to arrive at silly o'clock to find their room has been rebooked.

Redlight

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #9 on: 13 February, 2017, 05:21:09 pm »
We stayed here: https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/418/Edinburgh-Cameron-Toll-hotel

Worth getting a booking in ASAP if you're thinking of using it. I was casually looking at the weekend and prices were about £57 at the flexible rate. They're now £140+!  Perhaps someone there has realised that there's an unusual spike in demand.
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Phil W

Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #10 on: 13 February, 2017, 08:16:14 pm »
That'll be cookies in your browser causing the price inflation. The flexible rate is currently £59 in my briwser, first visit.

Redlight

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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #11 on: 14 February, 2017, 08:23:59 am »
Ouch!  I knew they used dynamic pricing but I didn't realise it was that personalised. I panicked and booked at the non-refundable rate so that's me £40 down. :-[
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Re: A travelodge solution
« Reply #12 on: 14 February, 2017, 08:46:01 am »
Your panic may have been partly justified - I had a look after Phil's post and got something like £144 as the non refundable rate. Given that my parents live in Edinburgh, I've never priced up Travelodges1 there before ...

(But yes, it's always worth using pornincognito mode when pricing up flights/hotels/hire cars, or just open a different browser.)




1: Auto correct preferred Travelogues. Frankly, so did I.