Holiday Inn Basildon - Basildon, United Kingdom 

I spent three nights here on business and on checking in noticed the hotel charges a ?50 fee if you leave early, never a good sign. The standard rate is ?155 a night which is a total rip off for a hotel with no leisure facilities and in such a poor location. On the plus side the staff were all nice- very friendly and helpful, although one member of staff informed me when I asked for coffee at breakfast that she wasn't allowed to serve me coffee. The room was OK, the bathroom fine with good water pressure. There was no shower cap and the shower sprayed everywhere so despite the notices suggesting visitors shower instead of bathing, I had to bath to avoid getting everything (including my hair) wet. On the down side the location is awful, I felt trapped as I had travelled on public transport and there didn't seem to be a bus service to the area. Festival Park is noisey, there are no proper restaurants there, just fast food/junk food places. The hotel itself is ugly, there are no leisure facilities. It seems aimed at the lazy, anyone attempting to use the stairs rather than the lift is faces with dirty and grim service staircases. I have to return to Basildon and I will be looking for somewhere else to stay.

I stay in this hotel three - four times per year. It has changed a lot since my last visit in June this year. It looks much cleaner and the staff attitude and service has changed for the better. The whole place has a friendly welcoming feel about it. Restaurant selection and decor need some improvement. Keep up the good work!