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57 replies to "Accommodation"
Travel Lodge near Salford Quays tram stop. Basic, but clean and comfortable. I went for the breakfast as well. Breakfast was ok. Try to book in advance as it’s much cheaper. The hotel was a 5 minute walk from the bus-stop and a 10 minute tram ride to Ladywell tram stop. A weekly tram ticket, brought in advance, online was £8.80 for the Eccles line.
Not much to do in Salford Quays, but small Tesco Express nearby, as well as a pub, Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquitos and an Indian restaurant.
I stayed at the Ibis Budget at the Salford Quays (on Trafford Road). Despite being a budget hotel, it was suprisingly clean and tidy. The room is very small and compact, so if you are sharing it may be too small but for someone on their own it was perfect size. Had a shower pod in the room, which was powerful and a toilet cubicle (which is small) and a sink in the room. There is a TV and a full length mirror. If you are someone who has lots of gadgets to charge, i would recommend bringing a 4 way surge socket as there is only 2 plugs and not one near the mirror for if you are drying/straigthening your hair etc. Although it is on main road, it is not too noisy at night (unless you sleep with the window open). Opposite the hotel is a small complex with restaurants on it which include Chiquitos, Frankie & Bennie’s, an Indian and a Hungry Horse chain (like a Westherspoons). Next to the hotel is a petrol station and a Subway and just a little down the road is a Tesco Express. To be honest, i was so full from the refreshments we recieved on the course that i only found myself going out 2 nights for a proper meal! I didnt have breakfast at the hotel so i can’t comment on that, but i brought my own breakfast box that i could eat in my room etc. However, you’ll find there are plenty of complimentary refreshments at the venue! If you are a big tea/coffee drinker, it is worth investing in a small travel kettle for the hotel as there isnt one provided and it costs £1.50/£2.00 to buy a hot drink at the hotel. The hotel parking is very limited (first coime, first served basis) and costs about £7 per day. To be honest, i tended to park in the complex over the road by the restaurants as it was £4.50 for 24hours and if you drive to the venue then the cost works out a lot lower. The tram station is just over the road (by the restaurants) and will take you within a 15min walk of the course venue. I drove to the venue everyday as the traffic was ok and the parking at the venue was free and plenty of it. You could walk to the venue everyday, but it will take you around 40mins. The Salford Quays are a 5min drive away (15-20min walk), The Trafford Centre is a 10min drive up the road and Old Trafford is just up the road (about 5-10min walk) if you are a fan! Overall, a good stay and would recommend for the price!
Hi,
This may be a little late now, but if anyone is looking for somewhere to stay during the Theoretical week, I have a spare room in my house that I’d happily let someone stay in for a reasonable price!
I live in Sale, about 6 miles/15 minutes drive from the venue. This would be more beneficial for drivers (I have parking available on the road and driveway), however Timperley tram is about 15/20 minutes walk if you prefer to do that.
I wouldn’t be able to provide you with meals I’m afraid, but you can of course use my kitchen.
I did the theoretical course in November just gone so I may be able to help out with some advice/support.
If anyone is interested pop me an email on “laurabroad at gmail dot com”
Thanks
Laura
I’ve disguised Laura’s email in her comment above to protect her from spam. Her email is her first and last name followed by @gmail.com
I stayed at Primer Inn Trafford Centre North. I would definitely recommend it; staff were friendly and very accommodating (the lady at reception came to get me on the first night to introduce me to another SLT who was on the course!) The rooms were big and modern with very comfortable beds! Breakfast was great also.
It seemed to be a popular choice for people on the course- there were 6 of us staying there all together.
I got a taxi the first day- £4.30 each way and it took about 10 minutes. After that another girl on the course kindly offered to drive us each day 🙂 traffic was never an issue in the morning.
You can walk it- about 40 minutes but I wouldn’t recommend it as the roads were very busy and pedestrian crossing was limited making it very difficult to cross the road!!
The hotel was also a good choice for the evenings as it was a 5 minute walk from the Trafford Centre, which was great for shopping and had plenty of options for dinner!!
I shared a room with a colleague at the Ivymount Guesthouse. The owners were keen to please and we had a small but quiet room at the back. However, the beds were narrow and very soft meaning I slept very poorly and had back pain by midweek. Water pressure issues in the en suite made the shower unreliable, and there was a teeny tiny sink, virtually impossible to use without getting the floor and walls wet (meaning mould was starting on the skirting boards). We were able to walk to the venue easily, and transport via tram to Salford Quays & town was straightforward (approx 3 pounds return). Taxis back from the Trafford Centre was expensive though (12 pounds). Our evening at Salford Quays was the most enjoyable – not too busy, Vue cinema, and interesting architecture. If I had to go again, I would choose the Premier Inn – they offer refunds if your stay is uncomfortable!
I stayed at the Ibis at Salford Quays. Very basic but clean and the car park costs £3 per day. Breakfast was paid for but I found that I didn’t really need it as there were plenty of refreshments provided for us at the course venue! I walked every day which took about 40 mins. Salford Quays is close by and has lots of bars/ restaurants, so plenty to do. Was a bit disappointed that there was no kettle in the room though. You can buy tea and coffee from a machine at reception for £1.50. I didn’t spend much time in the room but I had a good stay!
Ibis Budget at Salford Quays: Basic but clean and well maintained. The tram stops immediately outside and it’s quick and cheap to get to within a 10 minute walk of the venue.
I stayed at the Ivy Mount guesthouse in Eccles. There were a number of others on the course staying there too and as it is within walking distance of the course we walked over each day (20 mins approx) Breakfast was available if you wanted it.
I had a fridge in my room so was able to use my own food etc Food shops nearby
Nice location, request room at back of house as can be noisy at the front due to traffic. Taxi or bus to Trafford centre for shopping
The Ibis Budget in Salford Quays is a good basic (& cheap if you book far enough in advance) hotel, but one of its biggest plus points is that it’s right across the road from the tram stop, and the tram only takes 15 mins to Ladywell (closest to the venue) and they run really frequently. From Ladywell it’s only a 15-20 min walk to the venue. If you get a tram weekly season ticket (for £8.80) then you can travel the whole line for that week, which means you can easily get into Manchester City Centre in the evenings. Salford Quays itself is a great part of town, with bars, restaurants, the MediaCity complex, cinema, war museum and Lowry gallery. Oh and the infamous Salford Lads’ Club (of The Smiths fame) is just a few streets away, if that sort of photo opportunity interests you!
I stayed at the Premier Inn West – really good loaction as close to the Trafford Centre and Chill Factor (which includes a Nandos!) – both walking distance. I was able to get a lift to the venue – only took about 15mins to get there. Other students walked – this took a little longer (approx 40mins). From the train station to Premier Inn taxi cost was approx 15 pounds (both Piccadily and Victoria)
Premier Inn was clean and staff were super friendly – defo recommend.