Premier Inn Chichester South - Gate Leisure Park

This hotel is highly regarded for its convenient location within a vibrant leisure park, offering easy access to amenities and the city center, complemented by ample free parking. Guests frequently commend the staff friendliness and the general room comfort and cleanliness. While the dining experience, particularly breakfast, receives mixed feedback, the hotel's prime location near transport links and attractions makes it a popular choice. It is an ideal fit for business travelers seeking convenience, sightseers exploring the city, families enjoying the nearby entertainment, and short-stay guests looking for a comfortable stopover. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to register your vehicle at reception upon arrival to ensure free parking, and consider requesting a room away from the main road or leisure park for a quieter experience.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers free parking, which is a significant advantage for most guests, though some note that spaces can be limited during busy weekend periods due to shared access with the leisure park. The Wi-Fi connectivity receives mixed reviews; while available, many guests found the complimentary service inadequate for basic tasks, often requiring an upgrade to a premium option for functional use. The elevator and common areas are occasionally described as dated or in need of a refresh, with some reports of unpleasant smells. Other conveniences mentioned include ice machines and a vending machine, though the latter's appearance was noted by some.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The cleanliness of the rooms is generally praised, with many guests describing them as spotless and well-maintained. The comfortable beds are a consistent highlight, ensuring a restful night's sleep for most visitors. However, feedback on room condition is varied; some rooms are noted as being tired, dated, or having specific issues such as a musty smell, stained toilet pans, or inadequate tea and coffee provisions. Noise levels are a significant concern for some, with reports of thin walls, vibrations from external kitchen fans, and disturbances from car engines in the nearby leisure park, despite efforts like triple glazing. Additionally, some guests experienced issues with the air conditioning being loud or ineffective, and a lack of sufficient electrical sockets near beds.

Dining & Food Quality
The dining experience, particularly for breakfast, garners highly mixed reviews. While some guests praise the cooked breakfast for being made to order and tasty, many report significant issues with service delays, long wait times for food, and frequent shortages of items like orange juice, coffee mugs, cutlery, pastries, and certain hot food components. The restaurant atmosphere is sometimes described as dirty or untidy. Conversely, dinner service and food quality generally receive more positive feedback, with guests enjoying meals like gammon steak and peri-peri chicken, though some found specific dishes like macaroni cheese or bruschetta disappointing.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly advantageous central location, making it easily accessible just off the A27. It is conveniently situated within a leisure park that includes a cinema, bowling alley, and various fast-food restaurants, providing immediate entertainment and dining options. Guests appreciate its proximity to public transport, being only a five-minute walk from Chichester Station. The city center, including the high street and cathedral, is also within a pleasant 10 to 15-minute stroll, making it an excellent base for exploring the area on foot. The hotel's position off the main ring road also means guests do not need to navigate through the town center to reach it.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Many guests highlight individual staff members for going above and beyond, providing excellent assistance with rebookings, lost items, and general inquiries. Despite reports of understaffing, the team is often commended for their hard work and positive attitude. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient, though some guests experienced longer wait times, particularly during busy periods. Housekeeping services are available, but guests note that rooms are only serviced upon specific request, which some found inconvenient.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain operational aspects that may impact their stay. An early check-in fee of £10 may apply for those wishing to access their room before the standard time. The room service policy requires guests to explicitly request cleaning or towel changes, as rooms are not automatically serviced daily. Some rooms, particularly those facing the leisure park, may experience noise issues or vibration from external kitchen fans. There have been isolated reports of key card malfunctions and a fire alarm incident caused by a maintenance issue. Additionally, the accessible room design primarily features lowered baths, which may not be suitable for all mobility needs, and some rooms lack sufficient electrical sockets near the bed.