Holiday Inn Express Kettering, เคทเทอริง

All very comfortable and clean and new and had a nice ambience. Comfortable beds and quiet room.

Was pleasantly surprised by this hotel, normally stay in the the big chain hotel down the road but that was fully booked so ended up at The holiday inn express instead. Found it to be clean and comfortable, buffet breakfast included in price and was good, staff were all very friendly and helpful. Will be using this one instead in future, generally much nicer.

Air con was hopeless, spoke to reception told put in temp and the system will move to that temp. tried several nights to move temp from 17.5 to 21.00 did not move so mornings were very cool and the low setting of the AC sounded like a train all night. best I could ever get was 20.5 after being on from 8.0pm to 7 am reception offered a elec heater on my second visit to them.

The hotel is off the A14 with a *Harvester Pub and a Starbucks nearby. Because of this the Hotel only serves 'hot snacks' so there was no menu in the room, which we have experienced at other HIEs. I find the change of policy a bit confusing as I always thought that was the point of 'Chains', that you received the same service/amemities at that particular brand, but apparently not. Having stayed at many HIEs I was under the impression that you could have a free coffee from the machine in the hotel and take it back to your room, but here we had to pay. Also I told my friend there would be a limited menu available only to find there wasn't. However, I'm happy to take the blame and I now check the small print on the website before I book. Our room was spacious and clean with comfy beds. The TV was a bit dated and crackly and we had a shower curtain in the cubical. I dislike curtains as they always wrap themselves around you while you are trying to wash. Wifi was good but unsecured and parking was plentiful and free. For a one night stay it was comfortable. *The Harvester is closing on the 8th February and is being converted to a Miller & Carter so there may be no food options until it is up and running again. Also Miller & Carter Prices (compared to Harvester) will add considerably to the 'budget hotel' bill so It might be advisable to eat before you arrive otherwise you are a bit stuck.

Work was being done at the property, did not cause to much of a sound nuisance. However, I believe the work impacted on the room availability, leaving me feeling like I had been stuffed into a small room for children. Adjoining door into the next room indicated this leaving me felling as though next door could walk in at any time. Staff were pleasant upon check in, I did get grunted at when at the bar however. Property was clean with good parking, just missed that extra touch that leaves you feeling special.