Consumer champion Which? has released its annual hotel survey, where Intercontinental Hotel Group's Indigo chain and Premier Inn’s satellite brand, Hub by Premier Inn, have emerged as the

top hotel chains in the UK.

Over 5,000 people participated in the survey, rating their hotel experiences at 28 large and nine small hotel chains across the country. Guests assessed their stays across various categories, including cleanliness, customer service, bed comfort, the accuracy of descriptions, and value for money. The overall customer score was determined by combining overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.

Although no chain achieved a perfect five-star rating for value for money, many chains still made a positive impression.

The Hub hotels received praise for their "convenient" locations, with guests acknowledging the "extremely compact" rooms but appreciating their efficiency and thoughtful design, especially for shorter stays. Hub by Premier Inn received five stars for cleanliness, bed comfort, and accuracy of descriptions, and four stars for bedrooms, bathrooms, customer service, and communal areas and décor.

Hotel prices have seen a significant increase, with an average rise of 13% this year, according to ONS data, making budget stays less affordable than in the past. In fact, 78% of the hotel chains included in the survey were reported to cost well over £100 per night on average, further highlighting the importance of finding the right value for your money.

Wetherspoons, a budget pub chain, secured third place with a customer score of 73%. With an average nightly rate of £84 reported by respondents, it represents one of the more budget-friendly options, earning four stars for value for money.

Premier Inn also achieved the status of a Which? Recommended Provider, receiving five stars for bed comfort and four stars for bedrooms, customer service, cleanliness, value for money, and accuracy of descriptions.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, pointed out the challenges of finding reasonably priced accommodation in the face of rising hotel prices, highlighting the differences between the best and worst hotel chains. Premier Inn and Wetherspoons, in particular, were praised for offering good value options.

On the flip side, Britannia found itself at the bottom of the rankings for the eleventh consecutive year, receiving a mere 48% score. The chain received poor ratings in various categories, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi quality. Travelodge and Mercure, with joint scores of 56%, also ranked poorly in the survey. Photo by bryan..., Wikimedia commons.