Travelodge Review

When going on holiday one of the most important things is choosing the right place to stay. Whether in the UK or abroad a bad hotel can ruin the holiday. Whilst on a recent visit to Blackpool, we had the opportunity review a local Travelodge located in the South Shore region of Blackpool.

The location of the hotel is fantastic as it literally takes less than five minute to walk to the beach and Blackpool front, but it far back enough that you still get peace and quiet at night which is great as everyone knows how lively Blackpool gets at night,

The hotel is large with over 400 rooms on 4 floors. We were on the top floor which was not a problem as there were elevators if you didn't fancy the stair climb. The room itself was a double. It was immaculately clean when we arrived. I was really impressed at how neat and tidy everything was. Nothing was out of place and there wasn't even a spec of lint on the carpet. 10 out of 10 for the housekeeping. We had an en suite which was designed lovely and featured a bath and a shower. There was a TV with free to air channels , a kettle and plenty of tea and coffee which all got replenished when the room was cleaned. The bed was amazing. If I could have sneaked out with it strapped to my back I would have! Super comfortable.

I know that Aalliyah would choose the breakfast as her favorite thing of the whole holiday! Travelodge offer a fantastic breakfast service. It is an all you can eat buffet style breakfast featuring cooked breakfasts, cereals, jams etc and what's more is that children eat free with a paying adult. Fantastic value for money and on the second day we visited the Blackpool pleasure beach and our hearty breakfast kept us going right through until later that evening when we went out for dinner. If you don't fancy eating out they served dinner too and always have a full stocked bar.

The staff were always on hand to answer any queries and there was someone at the front desk at all times. The service received at Travelodge was outstanding and I wouldn't hesitate to go back. I am returning to Blackpool in April next year and I am certainly going to be staying here again. You are guaranteed a pleasant stay here in a nice clean hotel with everything you could need and I recommend Travelodge to anyone whether single, couples or with children.

Going away? Why not check out Travelodge where you can find great rates across many different locations.

*Complimentary stay received for review purposes. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Spending My Winnings - The #Spend20k Challenge

Everyone of us has at some point daydreamed about what it would be like to win the lottery and fantasized about all the wonderful things we would buy with our winnings. With changes to the National Lottery taking effect in October, Britmums have been asking "How would you spend 20k"?

This is an unbelievable amount of money and when you are virtually spending your winnings, its very easy to spend it.. So here goes.. This is how I would flitter my windfall away.

First things first. A new TV! Yes you heard me right, not a holiday, champagne or a jacuzzi but a television. I have had mine for over 10 years now and it is seriously on its last legs. Turns itself off when it feels like it, turns different colours on screen and now and then the screen decides to shift left so you can't even enjoy your Eastenders! With a nice big budget too then I'd go for simply the best!

64" F8500 Series 8 Smart 3D Full HD Plasma TV

£2999

The next thing I would buy is a new sofa. Like a lot of things when I got my first place my sofa was donated to me. It was only through donations and 2nd hand sales that I was able to fully furnish my property. I have a floral velvet horror with broken handles and ripped cushions. Sounds great doesn't it? I am a single mum struggling to return to work so sometimes we just have to make do, so if I could choose ANY sofa? Then it would definitely be this one!

Palatial 3 Seater Electric Recliner Leather Sofas x 2

£2198

The next thing would be an intensive driving course! I love doing things with Aalliyah even if its just a walk round a country park or adventure trail, but sometimes Its just so restricting not being able to drive and not being able to just get up and go somewhere on a whim.

One Week Pass Intensive Course

£760

So what next... Well how about a car? After all I am now fully qualified to drive! I have always fancy cruising around, with my sidekick in tow in a mini cooper convertible.

Mini Cooper Convertable

£4500

Aalliyah always loves it when we go anywhere and she has her own money to shop. Her last birthday, all she wanted was money, so we went to London and she had an amazing time shopping with her own money. So I would love to give her a lump sum to go on a fabulous shopping trip where she could buy all her favorite things.

Shopping Spree For Aalliyah

£1000

The next thing I would purchase would be a few gadgets. Aalliyah has been droning on about getting a phone for so long now and with secondary school just around the corner I think this would be the perfect time to get her one. I would also love an iPhone 5! No particular reason other than a selfish "I want one" . I would love a kindle so I could get back into reading and would love to update my camera to a more advanced model so I can really start enjoying my passion for photography.

Tech/Gadgets

£2000

My laptop has broken buttons, crashes over 10 times a days, overheats, doesn't work without being plugged in and take hours to uploads photos. How I manage to blog on it is a miracle so the next thing I would buy would definitely be a shiny new laptop thats gonna load pages at the click of a button (that isn't broken)

ASUS Zenbook Touch Screen Laptop

£1499.99

I can't remember the day when I woke up and didn't have a back ache, so the next thing on my list without question would be a new bed and memory foam mattress  Like the sofa, my bed was given to me when I moved in and although it has served its purpose and saved me from sleeping on the floor, it is thread bare and showing springs. It's got to go! So I would buy this beauty instead.

Aspen Walnut Bedstead and Elixur Memory Foam Mattress 

£2000

Well I have racked up quite a bill so far haven't I? I have so far spent £16,956.99p. This leaves me with £3,043.01p. There really is only one more thing that I would like to do with my remaining windfall and that is a holiday. Aalliyah is ten years old and we have never had a holiday together. I would love more than anything to give her the holiday of a life time. I am talking about 2 weeks all inclusive in Florida, swimming with dolphins, visiting every water park, every theme park and really giving her the time of her life! That would be amazing!

I have had a blast being able to escape into the land of make believe and spend my virtual winnings. It would be amazing to be able to do so but for now its back to reality. Yes I struggle at times, yes its hard and we don't always get to enjoy as many luxuries as I'd like to but I am grateful for what we do have. I have a wonderful daughter who is appreciative and grateful for everything she has. We have our health, a roof over our heads and when I look at others less fortunate than us I realise how lucky we are. But most of all we have love. Money can buy a lot of things but it definitely cannot buy true love and happiness. I would swap all the riches in the world in a heart beat for the love I share with my daughter. Nothing comes close...

This post is an entry for BritMums #Spend20K Challenge sponsored by The National Lottery, with more ways to win more money on the new Lotto game. Find out more about new Lotto, which starts in October, here –  www.national-lottery.co.uk