lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
I've never had a good night's sleep in a Premier Inn, but I've had a lot of worse nights of sleep in other hotels.
Travelodge is hell.
Having said that in the North of England. Not bad. The South East has not been its strong point for me.
How would you fund Unis if you don't allow them to increase fees? Genuine question?
They should have a genuine market. Charging economics students at LSE and Cambridge or law students at UCL and Oxford who will go on to earn a fortune as investment bankers, KCs and corporate lawyers the same as arts and humanities graduates at lower ranked universities who will earn average salaries at best if that is just absurd and always has been.
The higher the graduate earnings premium of the course the higher should be the fees
The level of the fees is largely irrelevant now, because the interest charged is greater than the the amount most people are paying it back.
They pay 9% of their marginal income past £25k. If they got the average maintenance loan and the standard fees level, then they'd start with nearly £55k of loan. Unless they are earning over £70k per year, they will be paying less than the interest on the loan and the principal will continue rising.
At this point, then if fees go up to £10,000 per year, or £15,000 per year, or £20,000 per year, or £100,000 per year, the net effect on the graduate is unchanged: they have 9% of their income above £25k per year deducted from their pay slip until the age at which they are exempted from further payments. This is 30 years after the first repayment due for those who started between 2012 and 2023, and 40 years for the poor sods who started in September 2023 and onwards.
Yeah, the system is a mess.
That's broadly the system working as intended - it's a graduate tax dressed up as a loan.
Increasing the level of the fee increases the funding to universities, and marginally increases the future expected loan repayments for the minority who do pay the loan back and escape the graduate tax early.
If they were to double the interest rate charged then it would make the system more progressive - higher earners would pay more before paying it off. But people struggle to see past the words used and can't help but think about it in conventional debt terms.
It may be working as intended but the intention is wrong. Living costs for young adults are appalling and it's no coincidence the birth rate is plummeting if people can't afford children.
The interest rate should be the lower of the BoE Base Rate or CPI, and make it a state loan on the government's books.
I'm not sure that reducing the amount the wealthiest graduates pay back, while making no difference to those lottery down the income scale, it's really going to help that much with your objections.
It's certainly not the system I would have chosen, but any radical change looks likely to be very expensive, and there are much higher priorities.
Wealthiest graduates could pay more in National Insurance and inheritance tax.
Rather than bodging one part of the system to address failures elsewhere in it, we'd be better getting the fundamentals right.
Anyway, the wealthiest will pay for the fees up front so won't be paying anything back later.
Jeremy Hunt has said he won't serve in the shadow cabinet. Makes his decision to fight so hard to keep his seat even stranger.
Still harbours leadership ambitions? He's hardly old and should Badenoch prove disastrous would be the leading emergency safe pair of hands and get us through an election candidate.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
"Luxury" hotels are such a poor bang for buck. And half the time they're not even relaxing. Watching out for being shafted for £10 for a bottle of water, trying to master room light switches and shower controls that didn't need reinventing, getting a migraine trying to work out what room category to select to get what upgrade based on what pathetically named elite status I have with the chain.
This is a ridiculous debate. Of course a luxury hotel is not gonna be fun if you only barely afford it. And every bill makes you nervous
If you can barely afford it DON’T STAY THERE - it won’t be enjoyable or relaxing. Check in to a nice cheerful 3 star and enjoy your holiday
Only go to a luxury hotel if it is free or you are seriously rich and don’t care about the bar bill. Then they can be immensely fun and they are not “overrated” at all
The only reason why these markets could be different would be if:
(a) The election was thrown to the House of Representatives, in which case Trump should be favorite or (b) Trump ceased to be the Republican nominee between now and January 6, and someone else was inaugurated.
Well, people have been taking potshots at The Donald, and his door handle problem in the garbage truck stunt might indicate some marble lossage (or that he needs glasses!).
And you left out whales dumping millions of dollars onto betting markets without regard to efficiency.
The much lesser talked about massive increase cost in going to university, cost of accommodation.
Also, again, as always, very few of those going to uni now are paying back their loan, so another £750, its just another liability for the taxpayer 30 years down the line, rather than the individual really being on the hook for it.
Are you suggesting that it's another example of the Housing Theory of Everything?
Not exactly. Universities, not being able to being able to increase fees, things like accommodation costs they have quietly rammed up more and more to bring in extra income. In conjunction, more going to university, more need spaces, so squeeze, and private operators have come into the market funded by big investors who see it as a way to make superior returns than other capital projects.
And this can be "afforded' by the fact students can take out this much bigger loan.
I'd argue also that the general standard of Uni accommodation has vastly improved in the 30 years since I was an UG. Students expect en suite rooms, decent wi-fi/internet etc. I'd suspect that off campus is vastly better too (although that may be wrong).
Uni's have been very constrained by the funding model and have responded in the ways that they have.
I think that is true, but with that increase in quality (which I think matches the demands of students e.g. wanting an en-suite), the costs have been vastly inflated. Also lots of naughty things, like having to pay for larger number of weeks, when they aren't even there.
There is a reason a number of these mega private hall operators have got into the game in the past 20 years, there is really good money to be made.
Certainly quality has consistently trended upwards.
When my family received a couple of purpose built student houses back from a longer term lease to a local University back in 2012 or so ("no longer required as not good enough eg no ensuites"), which were two from a terrace of 10 identicals, everyone refurbished. I specified that ours would have dishwashers as a "nicer-place-to-live" distinctive vs the others in the terrace, to make sure we had an extra edge and ceteris paribus would rent out first.
At that point it was quite unusual. Now my letting agent tells me that half of their student housing stock has dishwashers installed; I asked them at a meeting last month.
That's basically across the board within any segment.
A dishwasher starts at £219 on Currys.com and lasts circa 10 years. So amortised that's £21.90 a year, or £5.48 per student assuming a four person house.
Hmm.
Roughly. 10 years is a bit ambitious in a student house, and it would want a brand like a Bosch rather than low end - a single repair more than accounts for the difference. It's worth it as an extra layer of "what a nice property" to help further avoid the (admittedly small) risk of having a vacant year. The same goes for decent matched separate washer and dryer, and all the rest.
Market dynamics are that renting to a group of friends early has all the virtues of higher quality tenants who know each other, rather than potentially people who don't, which is far better for the property being looked after. A virtuous spiral.
OK, so the dishwasher costs £400 and lasts 5 years. That's £20 per student per year, or £1.60 a month, 40p a week. If we're looking at Durham, where the average cost per student per week is supposedly ~£150, how much has the cost per student per week risen over the last decade or so? My guess is substantially above 40p a week.
It's just classic landlordism. Look at this lovely dishwasher I have bought you out of the kindness of my heart (while putting up rents by 100% over the last decade or so).
I'm not sure what theories about "landlordism" or imputed stuff about "kindness of my heart" has to do with it.
There's no difference to any other service - it is a market, and about supplying customers with what they want in their service, which here is providing student accommodation, under what is a very (believe me on this, I could write a book about it) extensive regulatory regime. If you supply a good, high quality attentive service, you get the business from your target customers; if you don't, you don't get them and are left high and dry, or may get a different set of customer and may be left to do more extensive repairs etc.
The cardinal value in the accommodation I am discussing is that students usually want a "home from home" experience.
If Councils wish to broaden the supply, then they can be less restrictive with their Article 4 Directions, and pander less to "we want students in our city, we don't want any students HERE" local Nimby campaigns.
Either way, private rentals - whether converted houses like some or purpose built student dwellings like the ones I am discussing, are a less pricey alternative to most halls with their many high margin value-added services.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
Premier Inns are good if all you want is a quiet room and a decent nights sleep.
There are times when that is great but equally I don't mind paying extra for somewhere with a decent bar / lounge to wind away a few hours...
How would you fund Unis if you don't allow them to increase fees? Genuine question?
They should have a genuine market. Charging economics students at LSE and Cambridge or law students at UCL and Oxford who will go on to earn a fortune as investment bankers, KCs and corporate lawyers the same as arts and humanities graduates at lower ranked universities who will earn average salaries at best if that is just absurd and always has been.
The higher the graduate earnings premium of the course the higher should be the fees
The level of the fees is largely irrelevant now, because the interest charged is greater than the the amount most people are paying it back.
They pay 9% of their marginal income past £25k. If they got the average maintenance loan and the standard fees level, then they'd start with nearly £55k of loan. Unless they are earning over £70k per year, they will be paying less than the interest on the loan and the principal will continue rising.
At this point, then if fees go up to £10,000 per year, or £15,000 per year, or £20,000 per year, or £100,000 per year, the net effect on the graduate is unchanged: they have 9% of their income above £25k per year deducted from their pay slip until the age at which they are exempted from further payments. This is 30 years after the first repayment due for those who started between 2012 and 2023, and 40 years for the poor sods who started in September 2023 and onwards.
Yeah, the system is a mess.
Of course the level of fees is relevant, have a genuine market in fees and scrap interest on repayments of loans for the first 10 years post graduation entirely
Then that's an entirely different system. Without interest on loans, then, why, people might even pay it off. The entire point of it is to have it as a disguised graduate tax (I was told that the reason to have it this way rather than as an actual graduate tax was that you could avoid the tax by leaving the country, but you'd still be liable to pay it if it was a "loan" that you never paid off.
Huh. I suppose there are comparisons to be drawn with the contractor loan scheme that came about to evade taxes. Nowhere near exact, but both involved a loan that would never be paid off and both were shenanigans around tax.
They would still be imposed if loans not repaid after 10 years but the first 10 years when starting out on a lower wage should be interest free
It would, of course, involve a complete change in the entire system, and the level of fees that could be charged could render it such that only the children of the rich and the very richest graduates notice any difference (and for them it might indeed be better), but whatever.
It would also be welcome not charging interest on years 1 and 2 of the loans whilst people are still at University - would your digging up and changing of the system also remove this? If so, it'd be 12 years interest-free rather than 10.
If you go to actual market rates, we're looking at something in excess of £20k per year for most courses. With maintenance loans on top, they'd have to pay back £80k+ in those ten years, which would be difficult, but doable... for those who do indeed get a really decent income. It would preclude buying a house for those ten years, of course, because there's no way they could save up for a deposit AND pay the mortgage AND pay back £8k+ per year on their student debt. As it would be a proper debt in your system, lenders would treat it as such as well.
So, yeah, great for the rich and very rich. Would suck for the middle-classes and below.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
Have you stayed in either?
Whitbread are selling their Premier Inn adjacent restaurants, so breakfasts are no longer available as before in all locations. With their supply and demand fluctuating prices they are not good value for money. Although not as bad as Travelodge they are still pretty dreary. Through booking.com there are better, cheaper alternatives
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
Yep. They really nail their target demographic. They are the Wetherspoons of hotels
Good value and do the job. Nice bed. Quiet room. Soothing decor. Decent shower
There’s no bar really and the food is shite but you can get a takeaway curry and go to Costa coffee in the morning. Sorted
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
I consider a night in a Premier Inn as an absolute treat.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example. https://www.wired.com/story/california-will-keep-moving-the-world-forward/
I recommend reading the whole thing, which is why I didn't paste any excerpts. Fallows is a journalism legend, and this is one of his better efforts.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
"Luxury" hotels are such a poor bang for buck. And half the time they're not even relaxing. Watching out for being shafted for £10 for a bottle of water, trying to master room light switches and shower controls that didn't need reinventing, getting a migraine trying to work out what room category to select to get what upgrade based on what pathetically named elite status I have with the chain.
This is a ridiculous debate. Of course a luxury hotel is not gonna be fun if you only barely afford it. And every bill makes you nervous
If you can barely afford it DON’T STAY THERE - it won’t be enjoyable or relaxing. Check in to a nice cheerful 3 star and enjoy your holiday
Only go to a luxury hotel if it is free or you are seriously rich and don’t care about the bar bill. Then they can be immensely fun and they are not “overrated” at all
I once stayed in the Waldorf Astoria back in the day. It was substantially better than a Travelodge. But at $185 a night in 1986, it was more expensive.🤣
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
I consider a night in a Premier Inn as an absolute treat.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
If I won £10 billion in the lottery - ie more money than I could ever spend - then yes I would fly first class at every opportunity. Simply because it’s more relaxing and you get better sleep and downtime. Whyever not?!
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
I was a rep on the road for ten years. Pubs in the middle of nowhere. Villages. The best places I stayed in. As for any noise in the bar. I got to know the locals so I was there with them. I learnt a lot and had a laugh and joke from time to time.
With his curious ability to cover everything ordinary one of Philip Larkin's masterpieces is about exactly this world. The first of the trilogy of poems entitled 'Livings'.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
I consider a night in a Premier Inn as an absolute treat.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
Food is poor imho
It’s terrible and they know it’s terrible. You’re not meant to eat in a premier inn. Get grazing picnic food from the nearest decent supermarket - or a takeaway
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
"Luxury" hotels are such a poor bang for buck. And half the time they're not even relaxing. Watching out for being shafted for £10 for a bottle of water, trying to master room light switches and shower controls that didn't need reinventing, getting a migraine trying to work out what room category to select to get what upgrade based on what pathetically named elite status I have with the chain.
This is a ridiculous debate. Of course a luxury hotel is not gonna be fun if you only barely afford it. And every bill makes you nervous
If you can barely afford it DON’T STAY THERE - it won’t be enjoyable or relaxing. Check in to a nice cheerful 3 star and enjoy your holiday
Only go to a luxury hotel if it is free or you are seriously rich and don’t care about the bar bill. Then they can be immensely fun and they are not “overrated” at all
In general, while there is a strong correlation between the expense of accommodation and the quality of my accommodation, in my experience the correlation between the quality of my accommodation (above a certain standard of horrific) and the enjoyability of my holiday is practically zero. (For me, if I am spending that much time in my accommodation that its quality makes that much difference then I am doing my holiday wrong. Though I accept that other people holiday differently.)
Trump. Farmers in the USA probably do not want tariffs imposed on China and the EU etc with regards to selling their produce and having a trade war in this area. I am wondering if any of them would vote Dem for this reason. However many may be conservative by nature. Hmm. Any opinions welcome.
How would you fund Unis if you don't allow them to increase fees? Genuine question?
They should have a genuine market. Charging economics students at LSE and Cambridge or law students at UCL and Oxford who will go on to earn a fortune as investment bankers, KCs and corporate lawyers the same as arts and humanities graduates at lower ranked universities who will earn average salaries at best if that is just absurd and always has been.
The higher the graduate earnings premium of the course the higher should be the fees
The level of the fees is largely irrelevant now, because the interest charged is greater than the the amount most people are paying it back.
They pay 9% of their marginal income past £25k. If they got the average maintenance loan and the standard fees level, then they'd start with nearly £55k of loan. Unless they are earning over £70k per year, they will be paying less than the interest on the loan and the principal will continue rising.
At this point, then if fees go up to £10,000 per year, or £15,000 per year, or £20,000 per year, or £100,000 per year, the net effect on the graduate is unchanged: they have 9% of their income above £25k per year deducted from their pay slip until the age at which they are exempted from further payments. This is 30 years after the first repayment due for those who started between 2012 and 2023, and 40 years for the poor sods who started in September 2023 and onwards.
Yeah, the system is a mess.
Of course the level of fees is relevant, have a genuine market in fees and scrap interest on repayments of loans for the first 10 years post graduation entirely
Then that's an entirely different system. Without interest on loans, then, why, people might even pay it off. The entire point of it is to have it as a disguised graduate tax (I was told that the reason to have it this way rather than as an actual graduate tax was that you could avoid the tax by leaving the country, but you'd still be liable to pay it if it was a "loan" that you never paid off.
Huh. I suppose there are comparisons to be drawn with the contractor loan scheme that came about to evade taxes. Nowhere near exact, but both involved a loan that would never be paid off and both were shenanigans around tax.
They would still be imposed if loans not repaid after 10 years but the first 10 years when starting out on a lower wage should be interest free
It would, of course, involve a complete change in the entire system, and the level of fees that could be charged could render it such that only the children of the rich and the very richest graduates notice any difference (and for them it might indeed be better), but whatever.
It would also be welcome not charging interest on years 1 and 2 of the loans whilst people are still at University - would your digging up and changing of the system also remove this? If so, it'd be 12 years interest-free rather than 10.
If you go to actual market rates, we're looking at something in excess of £20k per year for most courses. With maintenance loans on top, they'd have to pay back £80k+ in those ten years, which would be difficult, but doable... for those who do indeed get a really decent income. It would preclude buying a house for those ten years, of course, because there's no way they could save up for a deposit AND pay the mortgage AND pay back £8k+ per year on their student debt. As it would be a proper debt in your system, lenders would treat it as such as well.
So, yeah, great for the rich and very rich. Would suck for the middle-classes and below.
12 years would be interest free and the interest set after 12 years would be as set on a year 1 not year 13 repayment of loan.
The lower middle classes would also benefit from my plan to make fees for say arts and humanities and teaching and nursing courses at universities like Man Met less than a quarter of the fees that would be charged for say economics at LSE or law at Oxford
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
Some of them are pretty good. Heathrow Terminal 4 is an example.
Trump. Farmers in the USA probably do not want tariffs imposed on China and the EU etc with regards to selling their produce and having a trade war in this area. I am wondering if any of them would vote Dem for this reason. However many may be conservative by nature. Hmm. Any opinions welcome.
If they export a lot yes, if they don't they may welcome tariffs on imports of food competing with theirs in the US market
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
I've never had a good night's sleep in a Premier Inn, but I've had a lot of worse nights of sleep in other hotels.
Travelodge is hell.
I have a particular affection for the one at Blyth on the A1. And one or two others just happen to be in exactly the right place. So I am glad they are there, just occasionally.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
I've never had a good night's sleep in a Premier Inn, but I've had a lot of worse nights of sleep in other hotels.
Travelodge is hell.
I have a particular affection for the one at Blyth on the A1. And one or two others just happen to be in exactly the right place. So I am glad they are there, just occasionally.
When I travelled a fair amount for work, over ten years ago now, I always liked Novotels.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
If I won £10 billion in the lottery - ie more money than I could ever spend - then yes I would fly first class at every opportunity. Simply because it’s more relaxing and you get better sleep and downtime. Whyever not?!
Because I'd have a kid in tow and (1) I'd rather he experienced the real world, and (2) I'd prefer him to be able to enjoy himself without worrying about upsetting other people's bubbles of downtime and relaxation (or, if you prefer, I wouldn't want to become the sort of person who didn't care about upsetting other people's bubbles of downtime and relaxation.
V interesting change in language from Donald Trump as he speaks in North Carolina now. ‘It’s ours to lose. It’s ours to lose,’ he tells supporters. Never heard him acknowledging possibility of defeat before
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Pillows softer than concrete is a win in my book.
I stayed somewhere recently that had crunchy pillows...
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
I consider a night in a Premier Inn as an absolute treat.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
Food is poor imho
It’s terrible and they know it’s terrible. You’re not meant to eat in a premier inn. Get grazing picnic food from the nearest decent supermarket - or a takeaway
Yes, food in a PI does pretty much what it needs to which is to be edible and where you are. Again, a genius of prioritisation.
Trump. Farmers in the USA probably do not want tariffs imposed on China and the EU etc with regards to selling their produce and having a trade war in this area. I am wondering if any of them would vote Dem for this reason. However many may be conservative by nature. Hmm. Any opinions welcome.
It could account for Trump's weaker rural numbers in not a few states. There are reportedly a lot of small farmers who have not forgiven him for what they went through under his administration.
Anecdote, but I think it's probably real. And if torn over what to do, they'll just not vote.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
Have you stayed in either?
Whitbread are selling their Premier Inn adjacent restaurants, so breakfasts are no longer available as before in all locations. With their supply and demand fluctuating prices they are not good value for money. Although not as bad as Travelodge they are still pretty dreary. Through booking.com there are better, cheaper alternatives
Um, I think Whitbread are adding a breakfast room if the restaurant is going - for many locations though the restaurant isn't being sold they are simply converting most of the restaurant into a few more bedrooms..
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
My favourite hotels, and I mean those I stay in on work trips when someone else is paying, are the sort of continental European, town centre affairs where you can step out and be spoiled for choice of restaurants for dinner without having to eat in-house. For breakfast my main preference is that there be somewhere outdoors to eat, if possible.
The worst are out of town hotels on industrial estates (or in high rise blocks in developing country cities surrounded by highways) where you can't go anywhere decent without getting a taxi and you are held prisoner either by a choice of Toby Inn and Beefeater in the British industrial estate, or overpriced hotel dining in the developing country tower block.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
I stayed in the Hilton Double Trees near Times Square last Christmas. It was one of the worst accomodation experiences of my entire life. It was like a Youth Hostel. And it wasn't that cheap.
The problem for Labour is they don’t have a useful set of scapegoats to push the repercussions of this onto, like the Tories had with the LDs.
Davey has a chance to redeem the party with young voters now, although the Greens will also be rubbing their hands with glee…
I don’t think this is prime material for Badenoch to go down, because I suspect she will come out with something about theoretically changing the entire university model which will be very interesting but won’t really appeal to the relevant voters…
Trump. Farmers in the USA probably do not want tariffs imposed on China and the EU etc with regards to selling their produce and having a trade war in this area. I am wondering if any of them would vote Dem for this reason. However many may be conservative by nature. Hmm. Any opinions welcome.
If they export a lot yes, if they don't they may welcome tariffs on imports of food competing with theirs in the US market
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Pillows softer than concrete is a win in my book.
I always take my own. It's too important not to.
Yes, I hate the Premier Inn pillows - and the mattresses don't suit me either. I have always slept terribly when staying there.
Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4 used to be £50 a night and you get larger rooms than in many expensive places. But recently the price has crept up to £60 or £70. Easy to get into London from there on the Elizabeth Line.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
I've never had a good night's sleep in a Premier Inn, but I've had a lot of worse nights of sleep in other hotels.
Travelodge is hell.
I have a particular affection for the one at Blyth on the A1. And one or two others just happen to be in exactly the right place. So I am glad they are there, just occasionally.
Agreed. I have had a lot better experiences in the north with the Lodge.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
I consider a night in a Premier Inn as an absolute treat.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
Food is poor imho
It’s terrible and they know it’s terrible. You’re not meant to eat in a premier inn. Get grazing picnic food from the nearest decent supermarket - or a takeaway
Yes, food in a PI does pretty much what it needs to which is to be edible and where you are. Again, a genius of prioritisation.
Yes. Its like “if you insist we can provide food but it will be microwaved crap, up to you, you’re only paying sixpence for the room so we don’t have a fucking chef, obvs”
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Pillows softer than concrete is a win in my book.
I stayed somewhere recently that had crunchy pillows...
I've just bought four silk pillow cases as Christmas presents.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
A fun fact I picked up from running conferences in the US is that a lot of hotels there actively try to be four star because most companies will not let their people - however senior - stay in five star hotels. The price is less important than the stars.
Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4 used to be £50 a night and you get larger rooms than in many expensive places. But recently the price has crept up to £60 or £70. Easy to get into London from there on the Elizabeth Line.
I’ve found price of most Premier Inns has really gone up in last 5 or so years. Before that you had a decent chance of getting a very reasonable rate, now I think there can be little cost difference now between that and what would traditionally have been considered more “upmarket” options.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
I stayed in the Hilton Double Trees near Times Square last Christmas. It was one of the worst accomodation experiences of my entire life. It was like a Youth Hostel. And it wasn't that cheap.
The USA is the worst value destination in the world at the moment. And I travel for free and I still notice it. When I think what you can get in Japan for a third of the price…. Eeeeesh
Trump. Farmers in the USA probably do not want tariffs imposed on China and the EU etc with regards to selling their produce and having a trade war in this area. I am wondering if any of them would vote Dem for this reason. However many may be conservative by nature. Hmm. Any opinions welcome.
It could account for Trump's weaker rural numbers in not a few states. There are reportedly a lot of small farmers who have not forgiven him for what they went through under his administration.
Anecdote, but I think it's probably real. And if torn over what to do, they'll just not vote.
Yes. Good point. They have been threw this before.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
Yes, you are missing the point. A 16-yr old Citroen C1 is riches unbridled for someone in sub-saharan Africa living on $2/day.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
A fun fact I picked up from running conferences in the US is that a lot of hotels there actively try to be four star because most companies will not let their people - however senior - stay in five star hotels. The price is less important than the stars.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
Premier Inns are good if all you want is a quiet room and a decent nights sleep.
There are times when that is great but equally I don't mind paying extra for somewhere with a decent bar / lounge to wind away a few hours...
But that's the point: that *is* the market they're in.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Pillows softer than concrete is a win in my book.
I always take my own. It's too important not to.
Yes, I hate the Premier Inn pillows - and the mattresses don't suit me either. I have always slept terribly when staying there.
The best sleep I ever get is in a standard cabin with a porthole on the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Santander, and back again.
After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example. https://www.wired.com/story/california-will-keep-moving-the-world-forward/
I recommend reading the whole thing, which is why I didn't paste any excerpts. Fallows is a journalism legend, and this is one of his better efforts.
Great read, thanks for sharing. Had no idea the high-speed rail was so far along.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
A fun fact I picked up from running conferences in the US is that a lot of hotels there actively try to be four star because most companies will not let their people - however senior - stay in five star hotels. The price is less important than the stars.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
That's probably the luxury that you're paying for. And then Leon shows up...
I find that hotel room prices bear little relation to the standard of the hotel. This year:
The Lynch, is a wonderful country house hotel in Somerton. I can get a vast double bedroom for £140 a night.
Sofitel Gatwick, and Harbour Hotel Salcombe, are both soulless, bog standard hotels, at £200-£235 per night.
San Francisco al Monte is a stunningly good luxury hotel in Naples, where a junior suite with views over the Bay will cost you £240 a night.
Premier Inn is usually good enough, although the dining areas/bars can be icky.
Premier Inn always seems to me a bit like a prison.
With a boozer next door just to make you feel at home.
As someone who stays in more hotels in a year than many people in a lifetime I have to say I LIKE Premier Inns. They are clean quiet and reliable. And they have good bathrooms
On this point, I agree.
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
Yep. They really nail their target demographic. They are the Wetherspoons of hotels
Good value and do the job. Nice bed. Quiet room. Soothing decor. Decent shower
There’s no bar really and the food is shite but you can get a takeaway curry and go to Costa coffee in the morning. Sorted
I think it's Premier Inn (not sure about Travelodge) who are distinctive in that they allow cycles in their rooms. It helps that they are often single floor, or maybe just 2 storeys.
Again, a good example of segmentation, in a segment that communicates with itself so the message gets out.
Me, when I've taken a cycle to a hotel, I just don't tell them and expect to take it to the room. After all, a contact patch on a tyre is smaller than the sole of a a shoe, and they do not ban people.
Premier Inns are what the good US chain motels USED to be, before they suddenly tripled in price
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
wrt the relative merits of hotels and luxury hotels I'm delighted that you seem to have left behind your previously held absurd view that a £10 bottle of wine is no different to a £500 bottle of wine.
After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example. https://www.wired.com/story/california-will-keep-moving-the-world-forward/
I recommend reading the whole thing, which is why I didn't paste any excerpts. Fallows is a journalism legend, and this is one of his better efforts.
Great read, thanks for sharing. Had no idea the high-speed rail was so far along.
Yes, there's a lot of conventional wisdom overturned in the article. And he doesn't even really mention SF still absolutely ruling the planet in terms of venture capital startup funding.
Premier Inns are what the good US chain motels USED to be, before they suddenly tripled in price
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
wrt the relative merits of hotels and luxury hotels I'm delighted that you seem to have left behind your previously held absurd view that a £10 bottle of wine is no different to a £500 bottle of wine.
No, my view was and is that wine stops discernibly improving over £50 a bottle
Above that - unless you have a prodigiously refined palate (and even then I doubt it) - wine does not get “better” - it gets rarer and snobbier and older and more prestigious - but not actually better
Hotels are much more complex. A £2000 a night hotel will be significantly better than a £500 a night hotel
I believe the most expensive hotel room I’ve ever stayed in (I wasn’t paying) was a £10,000 a night Chinese Ming Dynasty moated mini-castle near Shanghai - authentic but transplanted, and surrounded by a transplanted sacred forest. Plus butler
It was fucking incredible and notably better than the £1200 a night exquisite ryokan in gion Kyoto where I stayed last week (and spilt red wine on their tatami mats)
Isn't the story of 2024 that Harris has lost ground relative to Biden among Hispanics, and to a lesser extent African Americans. On the other hand, she's doing slightly better among white voters, and in particular white women.
This is why she's more competitive than you would expect in Iowa and Kansas (and one would expect this to flow over into Wisconsin), but struggling in the South West.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
A fun fact I picked up from running conferences in the US is that a lot of hotels there actively try to be four star because most companies will not let their people - however senior - stay in five star hotels. The price is less important than the stars.
We flew to Manchester because first class rail was not allowed.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
I think the star rating can mislead a bit (but I have very limited experience). Stayed in the Hilton at the NEC this year and on the face of it its pretty good, but in reality it was run down, no air-con and a bit shit. They even ran out of certain key foods at breakfast.
You've misunderstood the star rating. It's a measure of facilities and services provided, not just their quality.
That's why some of the most stunning accomodation in Scotland is 1 star, because it's a hostel a day's walk from the road.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
Just catching up.
I haven't had a Citroen for some time (2 x Xantia), and I thought the C1 was this big one (like the CX) but I see it is the tiny one that looks like a froglet.
Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4 used to be £50 a night and you get larger rooms than in many expensive places. But recently the price has crept up to £60 or £70. Easy to get into London from there on the Elizabeth Line.
I’ve found price of most Premier Inns has really gone up in last 5 or so years. Before that you had a decent chance of getting a very reasonable rate, now I think there can be little cost difference now between that and what would traditionally have been considered more “upmarket” options.
The price of everything in the world of accommodation has really gone up. I'm staying in Cardiff and Swansea this weekend (taking my son on a university open day trip) and paying £86 and £139 respectively for a run-down Cardiff city centre hotel and a little cottage in the Mumbles. In November.
Isn't the story of 2024 that Harris has lost ground relative to Biden among Hispanics, and to a lesser extent African Americans. On the other hand, she's doing slightly better among white voters, and in particular white women.
This is why she's more competitive than you would expect in Iowa and Kansas (and one would expect this to flow over into Wisconsin), but struggling in the South West.
Whether or not Harris really is doing better among white voters is perhaps the big unknown that will determine the outcome of the election. It's not obvious why she would be.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
I stayed in the Hilton Double Trees near Times Square last Christmas. It was one of the worst accomodation experiences of my entire life. It was like a Youth Hostel. And it wasn't that cheap.
The DoubleTree Manhattan was sold just before Covid and transformed into Student digs...
After the Election, California (Yes, That Hellscape) Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example. https://www.wired.com/story/california-will-keep-moving-the-world-forward/
I recommend reading the whole thing, which is why I didn't paste any excerpts. Fallows is a journalism legend, and this is one of his better efforts.
Great read, thanks for sharing. Had no idea the high-speed rail was so far along.
Yes, there's a lot of conventional wisdom overturned in the article. And he doesn't even really mention SF still absolutely ruling the planet in terms of venture capital startup funding.
All this will stand it in very good stead when it succeeds and becomes a country of its own after Trump's third term.
Premier Inns are what the good US chain motels USED to be, before they suddenly tripled in price
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
wrt the relative merits of hotels and luxury hotels I'm delighted that you seem to have left behind your previously held absurd view that a £10 bottle of wine is no different to a £500 bottle of wine.
Some restaurants seem to follow this policy! I went to an Italian the other day and thought perhaps a Brunello di Montalcino - the cheapest they had was £350, so when you add service it's not far off. (Admittedly you probably couldn't get it for £10 in Italy)
With Premier Inns and Travelodges, the most important thing to take into consideration is how old the building is. The new ones are usually pretty nice, the old ones are best avoided.
lol. This hotel in the Philippines is…. £2,500 a night
However on its website it says “welcome to barefoot luxury, there is no need for a wallet here”
I SHOULD FUCKING WELL HOPE SO, IF I AM PAYING £2,500 A NIGHT
But *you* are not paying, right?
no, obvs not
looks like I am going tho, at least as things stand, so you can stare out at the London grey feeling a tiny bit happier, knowing that I’ll soon be in the 15th best hotel in the world, inshallah
Each to his own, but I've spent far too many nights in "luxury" hotels in foreign cities to be jealous. Personally, despite the often shitty weather and depressing grey skies, I prefer my own bedroom, possessions, home-prepared food, etc.
Luxury hotels are overrated. But then luxury is overrated, in my opinion, at the cost charged. It's like first class air: it's not remotely worth the value for the flight unless you take as sufficiently important not mixing with common people.
What an absurd statement
“Luxury hotels are overrated”
It’s like saying “small countries should be bigger” or “several colours are similar to green” or “I dislike fabrics”
It's not remotely absurd. I would not want to stay in many / most luxury hotels. If I had the money to spend, I'd spend it differently.
You are missing the point. If you could afford it you wouldn't be making the same kind of calculations that you are making now. Think of something you do or buy now. For plenty of people this would represent luxury beyond compare. But you think nothing of it because you can afford it, value it, and hence partake of it.
Same with fifty grand watches, luxury hotels, and the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail*.
*Edit: which, upon googling, looks like a Skoda.
I drive a 16-year old Citroen C1. I could get a newer / larger / more gadgety car but don't because the C1 does all I need and ask of it. Why pay excessively for what I don't value?
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
Just catching up.
I haven't had a Citroen for some time (2 x Xantia), and I thought the C1 was this big one (like the CX) but I see it is the tiny one that looks like a froglet.
Cool car.
C1 is also the Peugeot 107 and the Toyota Aygo...
Edit - it's not the Cygnet that was smaller and based on the iQ.
Premier Inns are what the good US chain motels USED to be, before they suddenly tripled in price
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
wrt the relative merits of hotels and luxury hotels I'm delighted that you seem to have left behind your previously held absurd view that a £10 bottle of wine is no different to a £500 bottle of wine.
No, my view was and is that wine stops discernibly improving over £50 a bottle
Above that - unless you have a prodigiously refined palate (and even then I doubt it) - wine does not get “better” - it gets rarer and snobbier and older and more prestigious - but not actually better
Hotels are much more complex. A £2000 a night hotel will be significantly better than a £500 a night hotel
I believe the most expensive hotel room I’ve ever stayed in (I wasn’t paying) was a £10,000 a night Chinese Ming Dynasty moated mini-castle near Shanghai - authentic but transplanted, and surrounded by a transplanted sacred forest. Plus butler
It was fucking incredible and notably better than the £1200 a night exquisite ryokan in gion Kyoto where I stayed last week (and spilt red wine on their tatami mats)
I'm very surprised that you, a noted restaurant critic, should hold such a frankly bizarre view
I mean you may not understand the difference ofc I get that but there is a difference. If you really think that , say, a 1982 Mouton should cost the same as a 2016 Ch. Batailley then you really have no business reviewing restaurants or food & drink.
If it's got a good bed and bedding, a clean bathroom, comprehensible lighting, unobtrusive air conditioning, unbroken internet access, an iron and ironing board, and a good bar (decent food and drinks), it's a luxury hotel. Throw in a gym, a terrace and a great location and you're in paradise. IMO.
Well yeah - but to tick all those boxes in Europe you’re looking at a good four star at least, and in a great location probably £200 a night minimum - too much for most people
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
A fun fact I picked up from running conferences in the US is that a lot of hotels there actively try to be four star because most companies will not let their people - however senior - stay in five star hotels. The price is less important than the stars.
We flew to Manchester because first class rail was not allowed.
I worked for a company that shall remain nameless that only allowed you to spend £xx a night on hotels.
So you booked the hotel out of town, which was cheaper, and stiffed the company for the £90 (or more) cab bill to get back from the restaurant/pub you were in the evening as that was an allowable expense. Plus the cab in the morning to get you to the airport/train station.
Staying in a hotel in town close to where you were eating with good public transport links for the next morning would have set the company back an extra £30 a night.
Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4 used to be £50 a night and you get larger rooms than in many expensive places. But recently the price has crept up to £60 or £70. Easy to get into London from there on the Elizabeth Line.
I’ve found price of most Premier Inns has really gone up in last 5 or so years. Before that you had a decent chance of getting a very reasonable rate, now I think there can be little cost difference now between that and what would traditionally have been considered more “upmarket” options.
The price of everything in the world of accommodation has really gone up. I'm staying in Cardiff and Swansea this weekend (taking my son on a university open day trip) and paying £86 and £139 respectively for a run-down Cardiff city centre hotel and a little cottage in the Mumbles. In November.
Premier Inns are what the good US chain motels USED to be, before they suddenly tripled in price
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
wrt the relative merits of hotels and luxury hotels I'm delighted that you seem to have left behind your previously held absurd view that a £10 bottle of wine is no different to a £500 bottle of wine.
Some restaurants seem to follow this policy! I went to an Italian the other day and thought perhaps a Brunello di Montalcino - the cheapest they had was £350, so when you add service it's not far off. (Admittedly you probably couldn't get it for £10 in Italy)
It's weird that people (ie @Leon) accepts there is a price difference in just about everything and for very good reasons, but not with wine, of all things, where there is arguably the easiest difference in actual product and one that should be trivially simple for a supposed gourmand to understand.
So Labour avoided putting up petrol prices in the budget because of institutional memory of the 2000 fuel protests, but ended up with a much worse french-style farmer's protest on the way?
Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4 used to be £50 a night and you get larger rooms than in many expensive places. But recently the price has crept up to £60 or £70. Easy to get into London from there on the Elizabeth Line.
I’ve found price of most Premier Inns has really gone up in last 5 or so years. Before that you had a decent chance of getting a very reasonable rate, now I think there can be little cost difference now between that and what would traditionally have been considered more “upmarket” options.
Almost all prices in the budget to mid market are much more varied with demand than 5-10 years ago. Crappy budget hotel in Manchester on a saturday night when United are playing ? £250 please. Premier Inn (and this is not a dig) are like McDonalds or Wetherspoons - you know more or less wherever you go in the UK, the standard will be pretty much the same. Clean, decent bed, decent shower. Perfect when you are staying 1 night. I never imagine many people stay more than 2 consecutive nights. You don't need to do a load of research on where to stay, you won't be delighted by some quirky gem, but you won't be disappointed either. Some people seem to have lost touch with how much hotels & restaurants have gone up accross the board in the last 5 years.
Comments
It's a classic (to the point of being frequently cited in lectures, presentations etc on the subject) example of doing your market research right. Premier Inn surveyed the people who stayed there* and asked what their priorities were that would make for a good stay. Rather than gimmicks or even price (within reason), by far the stand-out answer was 'a good night's sleep'. Which is what they then prioritised in their business plan and their marketing. It's been very successful.
* Possibly also others in the same market who chose not to; can't remember.
Rather than bodging one part of the system to address failures elsewhere in it, we'd be better getting the fundamentals right.
Anyway, the wealthiest will pay for the fees up front so won't be paying anything back later.
If you can barely afford it DON’T STAY THERE - it won’t be enjoyable or relaxing. Check in to a nice cheerful 3 star and enjoy your holiday
Only go to a luxury hotel if it is free or you are seriously rich and don’t care about the bar bill. Then they can be immensely fun and they are not “overrated” at all
And you left out whales dumping millions of dollars onto betting markets without regard to efficiency.
There's no difference to any other service - it is a market, and about supplying customers with what they want in their service, which here is providing student accommodation, under what is a very (believe me on this, I could write a book about it) extensive regulatory regime. If you supply a good, high quality attentive service, you get the business from your target customers; if you don't, you don't get them and are left high and dry, or may get a different set of customer and may be left to do more extensive repairs etc.
The cardinal value in the accommodation I am discussing is that students usually want a "home from home" experience.
If Councils wish to broaden the supply, then they can be less restrictive with their Article 4 Directions, and pander less to "we want students in our city, we don't want any students HERE" local Nimby campaigns.
Either way, private rentals - whether converted houses like some or purpose built student dwellings like the ones I am discussing, are a less pricey alternative to most halls with their many high margin value-added services.
There are times when that is great but equally I don't mind paying extra for somewhere with a decent bar / lounge to wind away a few hours...
It would also be welcome not charging interest on years 1 and 2 of the loans whilst people are still at University - would your digging up and changing of the system also remove this? If so, it'd be 12 years interest-free rather than 10.
If you go to actual market rates, we're looking at something in excess of £20k per year for most courses. With maintenance loans on top, they'd have to pay back £80k+ in those ten years, which would be difficult, but doable... for those who do indeed get a really decent income. It would preclude buying a house for those ten years, of course, because there's no way they could save up for a deposit AND pay the mortgage AND pay back £8k+ per year on their student debt.
As it would be a proper debt in your system, lenders would treat it as such as well.
So, yeah, great for the rich and very rich. Would suck for the middle-classes and below.
A change from the usual Travelodge, or, if I'm lucky, Premier Inn.
Luxury is a relative term.
Whitbread are selling their Premier Inn adjacent restaurants, so breakfasts are no longer available as before in all locations. With their supply and demand fluctuating prices they are not good value for money. Although not as bad as Travelodge they are still pretty dreary. Through booking.com there are better, cheaper alternatives
Good value and do the job. Nice bed. Quiet room. Soothing decor. Decent shower
There’s no bar really and the food is shite but you can get a takeaway curry and go to Costa coffee in the morning. Sorted
So no, I don't think I am missing the point. If I won the lottery this week, would I travel first class routinely? No, I don't think I would. Although I probably would pay for the lounge.
That said, I never sleep quite as well as I ought given the comfort of the surroundings. Not PI's fault - just my body not quite adjusting to its new surroundings.
Fallows is a journalism legend, and this is one of his better efforts.
https://margaret-cooter.blogspot.com/2016/07/poetry-thursday-livings-by-philip-larkin.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0qdgndz5wzt
The lower middle classes would also benefit from my plan to make fees for say arts and humanities and teaching and nursing courses at universities like Man Met less than a quarter of the fees that would be charged for say economics at LSE or law at Oxford
"Hang on, how did that Clegg chap manage to trash the LibDems brand....tuition fees wasn't it?"
And in the USA it would be £350. America is insanely pricey rn
Two different Motel Ones = Glasgow Central, and Manchester Exchange Square
Ibis Cambridge station
Some B & B right beside Scarborough North Bay
Big shout out to Motel One - decent rate and really nice room, also great locations (also stayed in the Manchester Piccadilly one in 2019).
V interesting change in language from Donald Trump as he speaks in North Carolina now. ‘It’s ours to lose. It’s ours to lose,’ he tells supporters. Never heard him acknowledging possibility of defeat before
https://x.com/jonsopel/status/1853466714916151666
We should be thankful for them, even if they are pig ugly on the outside
There are reportedly a lot of small farmers who have not forgiven him for what they went through under his administration.
Anecdote, but I think it's probably real. And if torn over what to do, they'll just not vote.
The worst are out of town hotels on industrial estates (or in high rise blocks in developing country cities surrounded by highways) where you can't go anywhere decent without getting a taxi and you are held prisoner either by a choice of Toby Inn and Beefeater in the British industrial estate, or overpriced hotel dining in the developing country tower block.
Davey has a chance to redeem the party with young voters now, although the Greens will also be rubbing their hands with glee…
I don’t think this is prime material for Badenoch to go down, because I suspect she will come out with something about theoretically changing the entire university model which will be very interesting but won’t really appeal to the relevant voters…
I like their brutal honesty
New Univision Poll: Over 60% of Latino voters in Pennsylvania support Harris.
https://x.com/DentonRosegoood/status/1853462367738474851
Again, a good example of segmentation, in a segment that communicates with itself so the message gets out.
Me, when I've taken a cycle to a hotel, I just don't tell them and expect to take it to the room. After all, a contact patch on a tyre is smaller than the sole of a a shoe, and they do not ban people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidential_election_in_Pennsylvania
And he doesn't even really mention SF still absolutely ruling the planet in terms of venture capital startup funding.
Above that - unless you have a prodigiously refined palate (and even then I doubt it) - wine does not get “better” - it gets rarer and snobbier and older and more prestigious - but not actually better
Hotels are much more complex. A £2000 a night hotel will be significantly better than a £500 a night hotel
I believe the most expensive hotel room I’ve ever stayed in (I wasn’t paying) was a £10,000 a night Chinese Ming Dynasty moated mini-castle near Shanghai - authentic but transplanted, and surrounded by a transplanted sacred forest. Plus butler
It was fucking incredible and notably better than the £1200 a night exquisite ryokan in gion Kyoto where I stayed last week (and spilt red wine on their tatami mats)
Trump looks to be in an extremely strong position to me. I will be very (pleasantly) surprised if he loses.
This is why she's more competitive than you would expect in Iowa and Kansas (and one would expect this to flow over into Wisconsin), but struggling in the South West.
That's why some of the most stunning accomodation in Scotland is 1 star, because it's a hostel a day's walk from the road.
I haven't had a Citroen for some time (2 x Xantia), and I thought the C1 was this big one (like the CX) but I see it is the tiny one that looks like a froglet.
Cool car.
Edit - it's not the Cygnet that was smaller and based on the iQ.
I mean you may not understand the difference ofc I get that but there is a difference. If you really think that , say, a 1982 Mouton should cost the same as a 2016 Ch. Batailley then you really have no business reviewing restaurants or food & drink.
LOL.
So you booked the hotel out of town, which was cheaper, and stiffed the company for the £90 (or more) cab bill to get back from the restaurant/pub you were in the evening as that was an allowable expense. Plus the cab in the morning to get you to the airport/train station.
Staying in a hotel in town close to where you were eating with good public transport links for the next morning would have set the company back an extra £30 a night.
But it's computer says no, innit.
All these "Bargepole Badenoch" types who are going "Shadow Cabinet ... Noooooooooo, Not on Your Nelly" are interesting.
Why are they doing it?
According to Guido, we have Steve Barclay, Rishi Sunk, Jeremy Hunt, James Cleverly, and Oliver Dowden so far. Plus Select Committee Chairs.
Who's left over to join the Shad Cab? Is she going to have to go after the Leeanderthal Man?
@hzeffman
Breaking: Mel Stride shadow chancellor, Priti Patel shadow foreign secretary
Two biggest jobs given by Kemi Badenoch to former leadership rivals and — having been elected in 2010 — two of the most experienced Conservative MPs
https://x.com/restispolitics/status/1853456766014566764
📊 Final Polling by Research Co. (#52)
🔵 Michigan - Harris 51-47%
🔵 Wisconsin - Harris 51-47%
🔵 Pennsylvania - Harris 50-49%
——
🔴 Florida - Trump 52-46%
🔵 Minnesota - Harris 53-45%
🔵 Virginia - Harris 52-46%
🔴 Missouri - Trump 56-41%
🔵 Washington - Harris 57-41%
🔵 New York - Harris 58-42%
🔵 New Jersey - Harris 58-41%
🔵 California - Harris 65-32%
#52 (2.4/3.0) | 11/2-3 | 4,950 LV
https://x.com/IAPolls2022/status/1853437461600288945
Crappy budget hotel in Manchester on a saturday night when United are playing ?
£250 please.
Premier Inn (and this is not a dig) are like McDonalds or Wetherspoons - you know more or less wherever you go in the UK, the standard will be pretty much the same.
Clean, decent bed, decent shower.
Perfect when you are staying 1 night. I never imagine many people stay more than 2 consecutive nights.
You don't need to do a load of research on where to stay, you won't be delighted by some quirky gem, but you won't be disappointed either.
Some people seem to have lost touch with how much hotels & restaurants have gone up accross the board in the last 5 years.