Premier Inn Bishop Auckland

This hotel is widely regarded as a consistently reliable choice, offering a comfortable and welcoming stay that often exceeds expectations for a budget-friendly option. Its signature feature is the provision of exceptionally comfortable beds, ensuring a restful night's sleep for most guests. The hotel is frequently praised for its spotless cleanliness, the attentive and friendly staff, and its convenient location adjacent to a popular restaurant. It serves as an ideal base for a diverse range of travelers, including families visiting the area, long-distance travelers seeking a comfortable stopover, business travelers on extended assignments, and event-goers attending local attractions. For those planning a stay, it's advisable to note that while Wi-Fi is available, its performance can be inconsistent, potentially impacting those relying on it for work. Additionally, guests traveling with infants might consider bringing an extra mattress for the provided cots, as some have found them to be quite thin.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of practical facilities and amenities designed for a comfortable stay. Most rooms are equipped with air conditioning and blackout curtains, contributing to a pleasant environment for rest. Guests appreciate the convenience of tea and coffee making facilities within their rooms, with easy access to replenish supplies at reception. While free Wi-Fi is provided, some guests have noted that its performance can be inconsistent, particularly for demanding tasks. Ample parking is available on-site and is free of charge, though there have been observations of non-disabled vehicles occupying designated disabled bays. The hotel features elevator access to upper floors, and a covered walkway provides direct access to the adjacent restaurant. Some guests have reported occasional issues with key card functionality, requiring re-programming, and a few have experienced poor phone signal within their rooms. Additionally, the alarm system in accessible rooms has been reported as faulty by some users.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel generally receives high praise for its cleanliness and room comfort. Most guests describe the rooms as spotless and well-maintained, ensuring a pleasant environment. The comfortable beds are a consistent highlight, often complemented by the availability of extra blankets and pillows for added coziness. Rooms are typically spacious, and features like blackout curtains and air conditioning contribute to a restful atmosphere. While many guests report a quiet stay, some night workers have noted occasional corridor noise. The bathrooms are generally found to be clean, with good water pressure in the shower over bath. However, some guests have reported issues with the overall condition of certain rooms, describing them as "tired" with visible wear and tear, including holes in curtains and bedding, and signs of aging in the bathroom fixtures. A few isolated incidents of less than perfect cleaning, such as finding debris under the bed, have also been mentioned.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining and food quality are largely positive, primarily centered around the adjacent Brewers Fayre restaurant, which is easily accessible via a covered walkway. The breakfast consistently receives high praise, often described as "superb" and "excellent," offering a wide selection including a full English and continental breakfast. A significant highlight for families is the policy allowing children to eat free at breakfast. Many guests appreciate the option for a cooked-to-order breakfast, ensuring hot and fresh meals. While evening meals are generally considered good value and tasty, some guests have noted a perceived reduction in portion sizes and occasional unavailability of certain menu items. The restaurant can become quite busy, especially during peak hours. A few isolated comments mentioned breakfast items, including coffee, being served warm rather than hot, and issues with slow toasters. The restaurant also features a bar and a soft play area, adding to its appeal for families.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient location, making it an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area or serving as an ideal stop-off point for longer journeys. It is strategically situated near a bustling shopping arena and retail park, providing easy access to various shops and supermarkets, as well as a nearby petrol station. Despite its proximity to commercial areas, the hotel environment is generally described as quiet. Guests appreciate its easy access to major road networks, including the A1, facilitating travel to diverse attractions such such as Kynren, Durham city, Beamish museum, Bowes museum, High Force, Barnard Castle, and the coast. Ample free parking is available on-site. For those relying on public transport, a bus service is conveniently located right outside the hotel, further enhancing its accessibility to local points of interest.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff and service consistently receive exceptional praise, standing out as a major highlight for many guests. The team is overwhelmingly described as friendly, helpful, welcoming, and attentive, often going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay. Guests appreciate the generally quick check-in process and the staff's responsiveness to requests for extra amenities like tea, coffee, and pillows. The staff are particularly noted for their family-friendly service, assisting with arrangements like adjacent rooms and providing thoughtful touches for children. They are also commended for their support with luggage for guests with mobility challenges and for providing useful local parking details. While the vast majority of interactions are positive, a few isolated instances of less welcoming or unhelpful reception staff have been reported, particularly concerning initial check-in or specific requests for accessible rooms. Despite these rare exceptions, the overall sentiment is that the staff are a credit to the hotel.

Additional Information
For guests planning their stay, several additional points are worth noting. The hotel offers a convenient check-out time of 12 PM, allowing for a relaxed departure. Family rooms are available, and the staff are often able to arrange for them to be adjacent, which is highly appreciated by groups traveling together. A thoughtful touch for younger guests is the occasional provision of sweets on beds. The hotel is a popular choice for those on extended stays, including individuals on long-term work assignments or training. It's important to be aware that standard room servicing for cleaning and replenishment is not daily; guests need to request it each morning or collect items like tea, coffee, and toilet tissue from reception. Some rooms have limited charging points, which can be inconvenient for multiple devices. While generally quiet, some guests have noted that corridor noise can occasionally be an issue.