On the M1 Motorway Junction 45 Skelton Lake you will find the bustling Ramada by Wyndham Leeds East Hotel.
Our writer, Rachel McAlley visited overnight to see why the Ramada by Wyndham Leeds East Hotel is an excellent motorway stop-off location.
Firstly, I noticed a very different atmosphere from a city centre hotel or even a countryside hotel. Guests checking in seemed to be passing through the region on to somewhere further. The Ramada is a great stop-off hotel when on route to a different destination as it is located at the motorway services.
Secondly, the guests comprised of families, truck drivers, business people, event goers, and even dogs! Yes, this hotel offers hotels rooms with your four-legged friends. A great plus, and quite rare to have dogs allowed in such busy hotels.
Thirdly, it had a feel of a motel as the Ramada is just two floors high, with easy access to the car park directly outside the hotel front doors. Equally, there was lots of space on the ground floor with the main reception desk, bar and high stools, lounge with big comfy chairs, open concept restaurant, and breakfast area. The reception area even offers a small pop-up stall with travel essentials to buy.
Ramada By Wyndham Leeds East
An excellent hotel for people-watching from the bar or the lounge. I spotted Italian and Dutch truck drivers, families visiting to check out Leeds University for their children, and solo travellers with their dogs. There were a number of guests also staying at the hotel prior to watching a gig at the Leeds First Direct Area and Leeds United football stadium. It was a bustling and busy reception and lounge.
We stayed on the ground floor in a bedroom overlooking the garden, and kids play area. I couldn’t see the lake from my window but could see all the joggers, cyclists, and walkers on the lake path. I think I would have been able to see the lake from a first floor bedroom.
The hotel room was airy and bright, with blackout curtains, flat screen TV, and a very comfortable bed. A good sized, spacious room with dressing table/work desk and comfy chair to lounge in. Plus, the bathroom had everything needed for a hot shower and clean towels. By no means is this hotel luxury, but it is practical, comfortable, clean, and is in a great location. Priced from around £41 per night (depending on the date), this is an excellent option for budget travellers.
I dined in the bar/restaurant and we ordered haloumi fries to start with salt and pepper calamari. For the mains we ordered the BBQ bacon cheeseburger and the chicken and pesto pasta. Moreover, the main courses were insanely large portions. The staff mentioned that they didn’t have any garlic flatbread, which I fancied with the pasta, so I ordered loaded chips instead. The loaded chips were delicious but could have easily fed three people.
*Warning do not order any side dishes with your mains (unless you can eat loads) because everything is huge and you won’t eat it all! We learned this the hard way 🙂
Ramada By Wyndham Leeds East
As a result of being too full we couldn’t entertain a dessert, which was devastating for a dessert lover like myself. FYI the waffles covered in chocolate and fresh fruit would have been our choice, just in case you wanted to know, and they looked delicious!
We went for an evening walk around the lake and enjoyed some fresh air after dinner. Not many motorway hotels offer a location with lake walk or cycle path, but the Ramada by Wyndham Leeds East does.
Back in the room we were ready for bed, and watching TV before you could say ‘how long until breakfast’!
After a fantastic sleep, it was time to pack, head for breakfast, and then check out of the hotel. Breakfast was a self-serve buffet and was buzzing with a great atmosphere. Guests helped themselves to both the hot and cold buffet with cereals, pastries, yoghurt, fruit, and a full English.
Still full from dinner the previous evening, we opted for a minimalistic breakfast. Furthermore, we can highly recommend the sausages as they went down a treat with slice of toast, a cuppa and glass of juice! So, it was a fond farewell to the Ramada by Wyndham Leeds East.
Ramada By Wyndham Leeds East
Everything from the reception team, to the food, and the facilities to the hotel bedroom itself was really good. This hotel is the perfect choice for a quick stop-over and even better, it’s seriously good on the pocket too.
Visit Ramada by Wyndham Leeds East for more details, how to book a room, and general hotel info.
A Review Of The Bustling Ramada By Wyndham Leeds East – Words by Rachel McAlley
