I stayed at the new Travelodge Falkirk in central Scotland last week and was horrified at just how close to the motorway it’s located. Now I do accept that Travelodges will be close to major roads and I’m not expecting the peaceful rural idyll BUT there are limits to just how close is too close for comfort.

When I checked in I was allocated a room on the first floor at the back of the hotel facing the motorway. I knew I’d never be able to sleep with the constant whoosing sounds, I reckoned the bedroom window was 5 metres from the motorway. Now it is possible to insulate against exterior noise as when I stayed at citizenM hotel right next to Amsterdam airport, no noise entered the room but this is not the case at the Falkirk Travelodge.

I went back down to the front desk and the charming receptionist was able to give me a room at the front as the hotel was pretty empty. I asked her if other guests had complained about the road noise and she said there had been complaints which had been passed onto head office. I’d hate to be in her shoes when the hotel is more than half full and irate guests can’t be moved to the quieter side.

What I can’t understand is why the Falkirk Travelodge was constructed so close to the motorway when the car park stretches in the front, the car park could have next to the motorway and the hotel built at the far end of the car park, where I was standing when I took the photo. It seems to me that the cars can enjoy a more restful night that the human guests.

Now I’m a big fan of Travelodge, they’re my favourite UK hotel budget chain because of their low prices and generally good standards but I’ll be carefully checking the exact location of Travelodges when I stay at one for the first time from now on.