I stayed in Nottingham’s poshest budget hotel and there was one thing I really loved

It's make or break for me in a hotel and this room had it

When you’re looking for a hotel on a city break you might spend hours browsing for that perfect boutique place. It’s often hard to know if what you’ve booked will actually be any good.

Boring as it might seem, it’s often better to plump for one of the big chains so you know what you’re getting. But as I discovered on a recent trip to one of Nottingham’s Holiday Inns, it’s actually better than what you might expect.

I was invited to stay at the Castle Marina branch which is a 15-minute walk from Nottingham Castle and the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub. It’s slightly out of the city centre just off Castle Boulevard, which was actually ideal as it was so quiet at night.

The hotel has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and it’s obvious when you enter the reception area that this is not your standard Holiday Inn. The lighting and seating is cosy, with squishy corner sofas and cushions tucked away in nooks around the space. Dotted around are bits of Nottingham memorabilia. Ice skates, Raleigh and lace were all over and even a Rolls Royce sign which is definitely more Derby - but I’ll let them off.

Checking into our room, I scanned the surfaces, going over my internal “night away” checklist. Coffee machine? Nespresso. Biscuits? Check. Teabags? Yorkshire! And for a major bonus, the window actually opened. You cannot beat fresh air in a hotel room - it’s often make or break for me on a stay. Big tick.

The huge bed, adorned with crisp white bed linen, was nestled among the tastefully decorated room. It was all quite trendy really which is not your usual Holiday Inn style.

On this occasion, we’d been invited to try the hotel’s restaurant. It perhaps wouldn’t be your first choice when staying in a city like Nottingham with so many amazing food options on offer. But the dining area was busy - and I’d recommend it. The menu was reasonably priced and full of crowd-pleasing dishes. For those with young kids who don’t want to end up somewhere unknown where no one will eat anything, it seems a perfect choice.

I chose a steak while my partner had gammon and both were solid choices. We both follow a low-carb diet and requested seasonal vegetables as a swap for the chips on both dishes, which the kitchen was happy to accommodate.

My highlight was the cheese board we chose for dessert, packed with local cheeses including my favourite, Colston Bassett Stilton.

The restaurant itself had a lively, welcoming atmosphere with a wide range of patrons. From an elderly couple to some children wearing sports team kits, I felt like you could arrive in your loungewear and not be judged.

I checked out the next morning after a peaceful night's sleep, wondering why I had always thought Holiday Inn might not be in my top choices of hotels. I couldn't fault it, and the recent refurb means it's pushing a more luxe vibe all around. A pleasant surprise.