For many Brits, a trip to Wetherspoons is a familiar ritual, but far fewer are aware that the pub giant also operates its own chain of hotels. Deputy travel editor Milo Boyd decided to investigate whether a room costing just £55 a night represents genuine value or is simply too good to be true.
The Unbeatable Price of a Spoons Stay
Following a recent survey by consumer champion Which? that crowned a Wetherspoons hotel as the most affordable in the country, curiosity got the better of our reporter. He booked a stay at the Thomas Ingoldsby in Canterbury on a cold November Wednesday.
The price point is undeniably the main attraction. The Which? survey gave the Spoons hotel chain a four-star rating for value for money, one of only two hotel groups to achieve this. While the other, the Coaching Inn Group, charges an average of £128 per night, Wetherspoons hotels average just £70. The double room in Canterbury was a mere £55.
This budget-friendly ethos extends to the pub below, where the journalist enjoyed £1.89 pints of ale in the evening and a £2.99 vegetarian breakfast the next morning. In the economic climate of 2025, such prices were described as absurdly low and a significant factor in the overall experience.
Vibrant Vibe and a Surprisingly Perfect Room
The atmosphere at the Thomas Ingoldsby was a world away from some of the quieter, cavernous Spoons found in London. On this particular night, the pub was bustling with a diverse crowd of university students, cheerful OAPs, and solo diners, creating a genuine community feel.
A major perk is the proximity of the hotel rooms to the pub, located just a short flight of stairs away. This allows guests to take their pints up to their room or even enjoy a meal in the bath. Staff confirmed that last-minute room rentals are possible, though they may refuse service to visibly intoxicated guests.
The room itself defied all budget hotel expectations. It was clean, well-maintained, and comfortably sized. It featured a large desk, a well-stocked tea tray, a sizeable TV, and a thermostat that could be cranked up to a balmy 25°C—a welcome relief after a long day.
The Spectacular View and Final Verdict
The real showstopper, however, was the view. Room 110 offers a breathtaking vista of Canterbury Cathedral that few other hotels in the city can rival. Only two rooms in the building have this privilege, with others facing a less scenic outlook and potential morning lorry disturbances.
While not all-inclusive, the hotel provides decent Wi-Fi, biscuits, fresh towels, bottled water, and a generous supply of hot drinks. Check-out is at 11 am, and although breakfast isn't included, its low cost makes it an easy addition.
This stay completely transformed the reporter's view of the chain. He concluded that Wetherspoons has become one of the UK's last true 'third spaces'—a social institution where people from all demographics can meet. Now, by offering high-quality, incredibly cheap rooms alongside its famous pubs, its pull is even harder to deny.
