I stay at this hotel every 3 weeks and up until last weekend (4/5/7) i had no problems what-so-ever and viewed it as a brilliant hotel but nothing spectacular (goes with the brand). However on the 4th of May there was a power cut which started when i was sitting in reception at 1535 in the afternoon. Immediately Matthew the duty manager was on the phone to the power company to find out how it effected the hotel and duration etc. (I mean within seconds). He even seemed to use his own phone to do this (it was a mobile). I left at this point thinking it was a loss for just a short while but this did not turn out to be so.

I returned at 1800 to find lack of power in the rooms, ajoining Beefeater or in the local area in general.

At 1930-2000 Matthew came into the bar and announced due to the emergency backup lights havivng been on since 1530 they would out within the hour and the bar had to close.

I returned to the hotel to find guests in the lobby with their bags. I went up to my room and shortly Rachel, the receptionist, came to my door and was very friendly and explained they had to evacuate the hotel to the sister branch, Ipswich North.

She explained travel to and from the other hotel would be provided and confirmed they would even pay for the excess from the other hotel to my place or work (£5 extra as 2 miles from the hotel).

The other hotel had been briefed to expect us and kept their restaurant open (chef didnt look pleased to be working 2hrs extra!!).

If you are staying in this hotel and meet Rachel or Matthew during your stay, you could not be in safer and more customer friendly hands! (Btw all other staff i have encountered have been fantastic also - especially at management level).

Word of warning - bar staff in the Beefeater were immature and working in groups of friends. There conversation whilst standing at the bar included each others sexual conquests etc and other grosser material. You could tell they were 18-20.

I stayed here for two nights a few weeks back. We initially booked one night, but as the London bombings occured and our London plans were rearranged, we requested to stay another night. The man on reception couldn't have been more helpful and managed to not only book us in (we were told the hotel was full) but to let us keep the same room. The room was the usual travel inn style - I much prefer these to the travelodges. One thing though, I wish they had hairdryers in the room! For breakfast you go to the restaurant next door and they were very nice there. I would recommend this place without hesitation.