The Jurys Inn is a mid-range hotel about a ten minute walk from Watford Junction mainline railway station. I’ve stayed a few times when on business in Watford.

I recently achieved ‘Floor 2’ status – which provides a number of additional benefits:

  • Superior Room Package guaranteed – includes complimentary mineral water and biscuits, iron and ironing board, newspaper, 10% lunch/dinner discount during your stay, early check-in from 12pm, late check-out to 2pm
  • 1 x Costa Voucher
  • Premium wi-fi

And this has certainly improved my experience – although I mistakenly thought that the ‘Superior’ room would actually be an Executive Room with a larger bed and a safe. It can actually mean a standard room with no safe and, what I think is, too small a bed, but still with biscuits and water. However, I’ve since discovered that there are some ‘Superior’ rooms that have a large bed, but no safe and that’s what I’m aiming for now.

Check in is reasonably smooth, although it isn’t really clear that ‘Floor 2’ status has been recognised. On my first stay, I asked and was told that I’d been issued a standard room but with superior benefits. On my next stay, I was given a great ‘Superior’ room with a large bed. So for my next stay, I emailed ahead and asked for that room. A really helpful response from Diana on reception meant that I didn’t have to worry when I checked in. For my current stay, I didn’t email ahead and checked in yesterday. I asked for my favourite room and was told it was occupied. I asked if there were any other rooms like that, with a large bed. The reception manager said “Well we will upgrade you to one of those but next time you’ll need to book it” – I just said thanks rather than refer to Floor 2 status. I’m still not clear if that should provide the large bed rooms or not.

There is a wi-fi code on a piece of paper provided at check in. I’m not sure if that is premium wi-fi or not but it seems to work pretty well. I’ve never seen the free newspaper, but I don’t really need or want one.

You need to use your room keycard to call one of the three elevators – so it feels more secure.

The hotel corridors are quite long and you could find yourself at the far end of the corridor. Try to ask for something close to the elevator.

The rooms are clean and have a desk and small sofa or chair. There is a window  that doesn’t fully open, in case you feel suicidal because you’re in Watford I suppose! There is a kettle and tea and coffee – although only regular tea, regular and decaf coffee.

The flatscreen TV had all the UK Freeview channels.

There is aircon that seems to work, but it doesn’t match the temperature shown on the thermostat.

The bathroom was clean and provided tissues and shower gel – even though I hate shower gel and bring soap anyway. There isn’t a close up mirror.

I didn’t try the restaurant yet. The bar is pretty friendly and is also the place to pick up a Costa coffee – I used my voucher there without any problems.

Overall this is still a comfortable place to stay in Watford. I booked my rooms on a special offer and would gladly book next year if that offer was repeated. At prices over £80 you should check the prices of the two nearby Holiday Inns.