Cheap hotels

The hotels will open close to stations, motorways, attractions and stadiums

A popular hotel chain has announced plans to open 10 new locations across the UK. The expansion will create nearly 700 additional rooms, with the hotels expected to begin welcoming guests between late 2026 and 2028.

The properties will be positioned near major railway stations, motorways, stadiums, business centres and visitor attractions. Hilton confirmed the hotels will operate under Spark by Hilton, its value-focused “premium economy” brand.

The company says Spark offers reliable and comfortable accommodation at an accessible price, although room rates and individual opening dates have not yet been announced. A total of 672 rooms will be added across nine locations in England and one in Wales.

The new hotels will open in Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Peterborough, Runcorn, Sunderland, Wakefield and Washington. The 10 properties have been signed through an agreement between Hilton and UK hotel owner and operator AG Hotels Group.

Paul Blackmore, vice-president of development for the UK and Ireland at Hilton, said: “With nearly 700 rooms in the pipeline, including the brand’s first hotel in Wales, Spark continues to gain momentum.”

The full list of new hotels is:

• Spark by Hilton Cardiff North – 51 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Coventry Walsgrave – 48 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Derby Station – 100 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Doncaster East – 51 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Hull Central – 51 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Peterborough Norman Cross – 99 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Runcorn – 53 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Sunderland Northern Spire Bridge – 63 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Wakefield South – 77 rooms
• Spark by Hilton Washington Newcastle South – 79 room
• Spark by Hilton Dunfermline – 53 rooms

The Dunfermline property is separate from the 10 hotels included in the latest agreement. Spark by Hilton launched in 2023 and now has more than 275 hotels operating worldwide, with over 200 additional properties in development.

Turning up at the hotel check-in desk straight away might be harming your chances of getting a more premium holiday experience

Checking into your holiday at the earliest possible opportunity might seem like the savvy move at first, but it could be ruining your chances of getting a luxury hotel room free-of-charge. According to industry analysis from travel experts, checking-in during a specific 90-minute window could be the ultimate strategy.

Graziano Gagliardi at Private Italy Tour claims that turning up at the front desk between 4.30pm and 6pm gives reception staff a much clearer picture of the premium suites that remain available. Arriving too early, say 2pm for instance, means housekeeping is likely still preparing and cleaning rooms, which leaves workers unable to confirm what higher-tier options are unoccupied for the night.

Gagliardi said: “If standard check-in begins at 2pm or 3pm, arriving immediately may not give you the best chance of an upgrade. Housekeeping may still be preparing rooms, while reception staff may not yet know which guests are arriving, cancelling or requesting changes.

“By around 4.30pm, the hotel usually has a much clearer picture of its room availability. If a larger room, a better view or a higher category is likely to remain empty, staff may have more flexibility to offer it.”

Turning up extremely late can also backfire, he claims, particularly at smaller boutique properties that operate limited front desk hours. He said: “Turning up at 10pm without warning is not a clever upgrade trick. If you expect to arrive late, always notify the hotel in advance.”

Holidaymakers booking shorter stays of one or two nights stand a significantly higher chance of being bumped up to a better class of room. Terms outlined by major hotel chains like Hilton confirm that complimentary upgrades strictly depend on space being continuously available for the entire duration of a guest’s stay.

A similar policy is enforced by Marriott, which explicitly states that room improvements are determined upon physical arrival at the front desk. Experts warn that travellers should remain realistic, as an upgrade often means securing a quieter location, higher floor, or better balcony view rather than the top luxury suite.

To maximise your chances, Private Italy Tour recommends using a specific phrase to politely ask front desk staff without sounding overly demanding or entitled. The travel guru suggests asking: “I understand it depends entirely on availability, but if there are any complimentary upgrades available this evening, I would be very grateful to be considered.”

Joining a hotel’s free membership scheme prior to travel can also boost your odds, as many major operators prioritize enrolled guests for empty premium spaces. However, guidelines published by Hilton Honors clarify that simply signing up does not guarantee a better room without holding eligible membership status or rates.

Guests celebrating genuine milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons are advised to notify the hotel a few days before their arrival date. Mentioning a real special occasion often encourages reception teams to offer a complimentary perk or a room improvement.

Finally, the experts strongly warn holidaymakers against manufacturing fake complaints or inventing faults with their original room just to pressure staff into moving them. Dishonesty is far more likely to harm your chances than help them, meaning a polite, well-timed request during that crucial 90-minute window remains your absolute best bet.