Bud the Wiser

You know you're back in the UK when.......... you stay at a B&B and have to share the bathroom and toilet with 16 other guests.

Pistolpete2

Thank god for Premier Inn and Travelodge (except Travelodge food )! B&B prices are these days often taking the p_ _ s but there are some really exceptional B&Bs out there that offer a really good all-round package, incl en-suites, and genuine hospitality, without breaking the bank, if we can only find them.

Stayed in a B&B in Folkestone last year where you could sit on the loo and shave in the wash-basin mirror at the same time in an en-suite smaller than the bathroom on most cruise-ships IYKWIM.

chris955

Yes thank goodness for Travelodge, perfect if all you want is too go to sleep and sooo cheap. B&Bs arent supposed to be hotels of course, most we have stayed in have been quaint little cottages or centuries old pubs but I must say we have never needed to share the bathroom with 16 others though

Bud the Wiser

You know you're back in the UK when........ you stay in a remodelled B&B/Hotel and you have to lather yourself with soap BEFORE you have a shower in order that you can squeeze yourself into the shower cubicle that is now where the airing cupboard used to be.

Pistolpete2

Not just Folkestone then?

It's funny that you raised B&Bs and small hotels because that is an area where the Uk seems to really let the side down There are players in the market who are only there for a buck and provide the absolute bare minimum - in fact sleeping in itself is a major issue when it's at the height of summer and all you have are half-broken venetian blinds to keep early arriving daylight out.

Pistolpete2

A Travelodge can be right where you need to be (in London, at the airport or wherever) and at 25 quid (IF you can plan ahead) for up to three/four with clean and comfortable sheets, a/c in July/August and usually a quiet room and fairly regular refurbs. I would rather spend the 50 odd quid (100 in London) I'm saving by taking that route on another part of the vacation or simply save it but then that's me because I have to live on a budget.

Travelodge have built-in bars and offer basic food service while Premier Inn always have either a bar and restaurant or an adjacent pub/food outlet such as Beefeater or Brewers Fayre but neither in general* profess to being anything other than a basic hostelry providing breakfast so not that different from a B&B in concept, incl in check-in and check-out.

Been there and already done the cottages and centuries old pubs with or without my kids so I'm just comparing value and convenience these days. Because of the way that typical pubs are laid out, any upstairs bedrooms can be a real nightmare for noise and attempted sleeping so I've tended to shy away from them in particular.

At Premier Inn and Travelodge you almost always know what you are getting because it is a brand.

In the average B&B, the hosts never intended that you would be in their face and you only encounter them (or the hired help) at breakfast time and when you pay, if you are lucky, so once again it is just a bed (and breakfast).

Gold and Silver award and **** are of course very very different but then so usually is the price.

*Airport locations are often more extensive

chris955

I just installed a full sized shower cubicle where the airing cupboard was, we did away with the old tank and emersion heater and have a lovely big mains pressure shower...lovely

Bud the Wiser

You know you're back in the UK when......... you hear familiar words and sayings. Once heard "Oooops-a-daisy" and "Bollocks" within a few minutes of arriving at Gatwick. Strange how comforting that was....., " I'm home!!! "

Pistolpete2

From the Captain, or flight attendants?

chris955

I think that is your first positive one, I like it

Bud the Wiser

LOl, very good.

DaveLovesDee

Where is that ground then? There isn't a ground of that name listed for any of the teams playing in either England, Wales or Scotland.

Bud the Wiser

You know you're in the UK when.............. you do eventually find a parking spot you have to do a vertical limbo dance to get out of the car without the car door touching the car parked next to you.

brits1

You know your in the UK when you can get a great room for a miniscule of the price we use to pay in W.A minus the spiders, cockroaches etc etc lol

brits1

When..... you can strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and they dont look at you like your mad.

When.....I take my dog for a walk in the lovely countryside on our doorstep and not have to worry about snakes etc

When.....Someone lets you out/in traffic AND when drivers thank you for doing the same.....

When.....I watch excellent t.v

When.....I can hop on a plane to Europe in Under 2 hours and very cheaply

When.....My neighbours bring in our Refuge bins etc when we are away

When....I can just drop in and have a cup of tea with family and friends and have a real good laugh at the same time.