I was in Chelmsford** yesterday and noticed that a Travelodge is opening 'soon'. I have checked the website (_www.travelodge.co.uk_ (http://www.travelodge.co.uk) ) and that says it is due to open on 30 January 2009. As it is within walking distance of the ERO it might be useful for those travelling long distances. You can't book rooms there yet but Travelodge prices are normally about GBP50.00, although if you register on the website you can often get early notice of discounted prices of less than GPB30.00 (or even GPB20.00) if you can book (and pay) well in advance. The downside is that the room price does not include breakfast and Travelodge have done a deal with a separate private parking firm, so parking at many of their hotels is no longer free (about GBP3.00 to 5.00 a night, depending on location). For those who go by car to the ERO, the Wharf Road car park (right next to the ERO) is now a 'Pay and Display' at GBP3.50 a day. **Frustratingly, I was working at both ends of the canal basin. I had to walk past the ERO several times and was unable to get time out to go inside! In any case I didn't have my notes or CARN card with me either. DaveD I raise money for charity just by searching the web! www.everyclick.com is an internet search engine with a big difference - it donates half its revenues to charity, please support them too!
DVDobbin@aol.com wrote: > The downside is that the room price does not include breakfast If the breakfast is like the one they served at the Kew Bridge Travelodge, then you can have an "as much as you can eat" cooked breakfast for 7.50 GBP: eg cereal and fruit juice followed by sausage, bacon, egg, tomato, baked beans followed by toast and marmalade. Tea and coffee for free :)))) However, if it's like the one they served at Warrington, then it's a packed breakfast :( Just a packet of cereal, a container of milk and that was about it with coffee you had to pay an additional 1.50 for from a machine in the lobby :( I hope it's the former rather than the latter. With a good breakfast, researchers won't need to stop for lunch - they'll still be too full from breakfast <G> Rooms are comfortable and they all have wifi internet connections too.