Ibis Southampton Centre

“Pre/Post Cruise Hotel in Southampton”

We stayed here for a night before our Princess Cruise to the Mediterranean. We came by coach from Heathrow, reading others reviews they said it was opposite IKEA, we spotted IKEA so we were near the property. We asked the only Taxi at the bus terminal to take us to the hotel as we had a large and c… more

We stayed here for a night before our Princess Cruise to the Mediterranean. We came by coach from Heathrow, reading others reviews they said it was opposite IKEA, we spotted IKEA so we were near the property. We asked the only Taxi at the bus terminal to take us to the hotel as we had a large and carryon suitcase, but he said it was just down the road, walking distance ( a polite way to wait on a better prospect). So we headed down towards IKEA, luckily the first person we met told us it was really close by and told us to look for the Mc Donald’s. With renewed hope we pushed our luggage till we saw the welcoming Golden Arches. The hotel is just beside the Mc Donald’s, they have three hotels on their property, Novotel, Ibis & Ibis Budget, but not one had working sign , if they had it we could have seen the hotel from the National Bus Terminal. The final part was walking through a big parking lot with not one light on. Our Receptionist was also the bar tender, he found our reservation and gave us our room key and we went to our room and true to form the door did not open! Had to go down again with our luggage and by then the small receptionist area was crowded, so eventually he gave us two keys this time and the door opened. The room was perfect for our needs. Small and compact, bathroom with shampoo/soap/hairdryer. There was an electric kettle to make some tea and coffee. If you plan to start repacking your suitcase it is rather tight, we did not have to, but just a word of caution. Not much room for two to walk around. Our rate did not include breakfast, but we were told that we could get the breakfast buffet for about £ 12 + person. This hotel met my specific needs, clean room, clean bathroom, centrally located near many shops for last minute items you might have forgotten to pack. The reception called a can for me to take us to the cruise terminal in the morning, it is about £ 10. This is a budget property and one should not have unfair expectations as the price reflects that.

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“clean - ok - duty manager needs customer care training !!!”

Ok stay, clean room....... however only issue was with the duty manager on reception who was rather lacking in the customer care department, mid conversation he picked up telephone to take call and when call finished walked away from me ! on this basis alone I shall not be recommending this establi… more

Ok stay, clean room....... however only issue was with the duty manager on reception who was rather lacking in the customer care department, mid conversation he picked up telephone to take call and when call finished walked away from me ! on this basis alone I shall not be recommending this establishment

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“Functional Ibis Hotel but becoming worn and tired”

Stayed here for work in October 2024 and having booked late, this was the only option not called travelodge. The area is awash with mid-range to budget hotels serving the cruise ships and this Ibis has a budget Ibis across the car park and an identical Novotel next door. The price of all the hot… more

Stayed here for work in October 2024 and having booked late, this was the only option not called travelodge. The area is awash with mid-range to budget hotels serving the cruise ships and this Ibis has a budget Ibis across the car park and an identical Novotel next door. The price of all the hotels varies widely depending on the demand from cruise ships l. First the positives. The staff were always friendly and attentive. A few have mentioned the bed not being the best but I had a thick mattress topper above a really comfortable mattress and slept well each night. It a good location for access to the cruise terminals and about a 20 minute walk from the centre bars and restaurants. Lots of parking. There is a single small lift. Now the not so goods. The hotel is very tired. My room had pebbledash on the interior walls and looked very, very old. The carpet was worn and stained and the desk was damaged. The WiFi in the hotel barely reached the corridor and was often not even detected in the room so don’t rely on this if you coming here hoping to work. There are no bedside plugs or USB ports next to the bed. The bathroom was old and tired and needs a complete refit. I had a 4ft long bath so no long soak after a long day here. The bath was lined with blackening mould and had the most basic over bath shower imaginable. That space would have made for an excellent walk in shower. So squeezing a tiny bath and fitting an after-thought shower is not acceptable. The fact it was grimy and going mouldy with attempts to mastic over the mould is a downright disgrace from an international chain. Housekeeping failed to make up the room one day of my stay despite the card being left on the door. I raised with reception but heard nothing further. There is a bar and restaurant on site but it’s nothing very fancy. I ate once in the hotel. When I ordered I was told no pizza was available, half the ingredients were missing in my second option. By the time my third option appeared from the kitchen it appeared that many of the ingredients were missing for that also. From listening to staff who seam to cover all bases between reception and the bar, kitchen staff didn’t turn up for work a few days while I was there . A few other reviews have mentioned the breakfast offerings. The breakfast here is adequate but nothing more. Cooked breakfast is not really my thing - it was always there and although limited - looked ok. I had hoped for eggs and only fried were available despite the sign setting out your choices but I only ever saw fried. I did ask for poached and was advised that wasn’t possible. I asked for an omelette- also not possible. The pastries were missing most morning with only toast and cereal ever present. There was an attempt at continental but this also varied wildly in its options from day to day. The coffee was basic machine ground coffee. The juice was highly sweetened ‘flavoured’ orange,apple, cranberry and not very enjoyable. A colleague staying in the Novotel next door and his room sounded about the same as mine. The Novotel lobby and bar were much more inviting space though. The Novotel also has a small pool and spa but is for guests only so I couldn’t use it. Despite being identical buildings the Ibis has no pool or spa facilities. The Ibis is functional but no more and needs some investment to bring it back to life.

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