A weekend in Southampton
So very early on Friday (21st April) I set off for Leeds/ Bradford airport. I was booked on an Eastern Airways flight to Southampton.
I checked in and headed to the Premier Lounge where after a 'bloody mary' ( and yes it was only 8am but I was on holiday).
My flight left Leeds at 10am, I was on a plane the size of a private jet but the flight was brilliant and its a long time since I have had complimentary drinks!
At the airport I headed over to The Parkway train station, I had it on good authority that getting a cab on the other side of the station would save me some money.
There is a bus during the week (X4) but it only runs hourly and I had missed it!.
So into a cab and less than 10 minutes later I was at The Holiday Inn Express ( M27). ( cost approx. £12)
I have stayed in these hotels before and they are sometimes a little 'tired'.
Not so this gem.
Walking into a beautiful entrance I was greeted by the receptionist, who couldn't check me in ( I was too early) but who locked my bags in the 'luggage room' ready for when I came back after cricket.
This was the reason for my visit and with The Ageas Bowl being less than a minutes walk from the hotel, who could ask for more.
The photograph above is the style of room that I was in, the sofa bed made a great place to put my case ( it was back to a sofa and not made up to a bed).
The room was large with lots of space to move around.
My only gripe?
No bath!, as is the modern way in hotels now.
I miss baths!
However the bathroom was perfect with good mirrors, and as there was no 'dressing table' type mirror in the bedroom, so I have to put on my slap in there..................under the harsh lights, well at least when I got into the soft lighting of the lounge/ bar I must have looked better! ( I hope)
A quick change in Friday night saw me having a bar meal and drinks downstairs with the voice of Yorkshire cricket Dave Callaghan and the Yorkshire 'chauffeur Mark.
The menu was ideal and although there was nothing marked down as vegan, they sorted out a meal for me without any fuss.
The prices were also very reasonable.
Saturday morning saw me head to the restaurant to see what was for breakfast ( all in with the price).
There was bacon ( well cooked too) herby sausages, fluffy scrambled egg and baked beans.
5 choices of cereal, fruit and yogurt, croissants, muffins,
As much toast as you could eat and soya milk for those awkward people like me!
I had a substantial brekkie, ( Weetabix and skimmed milk with forest fruits, beans on toast and toast and marmite).
And it was lovely.
When it came to time to leave they even locked my case safely away for 6 hours after I had checked out. I collected it when I left the cricket and they even called a cab to take me to the airport.
Nothing was too much trouble.
If you visit and want to see more of Southampton there are bus stops outside the hotel which can get you into 'town'.
There are also shops about 10 minutes walk, which includes an Asda ( well you never know when you will need an Asda now do you?).
All in all this was a great weekend break in an exceptionally well presented hotel.
I would highly recommend a stay here.