TURNS out you don't have to break the bank for a summer getaway.
George Redfern, 21, from Wirral, Merseyside, spent a night at the Coco Beach Hotel in Blackpool, and was pleasantly surprised.
Despite its rock-bottom price of £16.20 a night and a two-star rating on Booking.com, George discovered that this little hotel wasn't as grim as one might expect.
In fact, he says he'd stay there again.
George, a savvy content creator, embarked on his adventure after a diligent search for the UK's cheapest hotel.
His findings led him to the Coco Beach Hotel, and armed with low expectations, he set off for Blackpool.
Cheap Holidays
George said: "I knew it was going to be a bit run down and wasn't going to be the nicest."
Getting into the hotel also turned out to be a bit of a quest.
He added: "It took about five minutes to get into the hotel because the landlord's phone was broken."
Fortunately, a Good Samaritan from a neighbouring hotel recognised the landlord and helped him gain access.
Most read in Travel
Once inside, George's room was a surprising revelation.
He admits he was "surprised how clean it was for a hotel that cheap".
He added: "For the price, it was clean, but there were marks on the curtains, and I noticed that quite early."
He described the marks as "some kind of spray on the wall, which might deter other guests".
Despite these minor issues, George was impressed by the perks that came with his budget stay.
The room might have been small, but it was functional.
He continued: "The bed was clean, and the floor was clean, I got a free towel and coffee facilities."
In the end, George gave Coco Beach Hotel a solid three and a half out of five stars.
He explained this was "probably because of the space of the room and the shower system - it wasn't too hot".
So, if you're looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly stay in Blackpool, the Coco Beach Hotel might just be worth a try.
George's experience proves that sometimes, cheap and cheerful can go hand in hand.
For those brave enough to take the plunge, a surprisingly clean room with a few free perks awaits at the UK's cheapest hotel.
And who knows, you might just find yourself saying, "I'd go again" just like George.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, if you're still dreaming about booking that staycation without hurting the pockets, Away Resorts reveals the cheapest dates for UK breaks in 2024.
Elsewhere, this mum gets reals as she admits to taking her kids 'out of school eight times a year' - sighing at other mums paying through the roof to take their kids on holiday during half terms.
CHEAPEST hotels in the UK
Here's how to snatch the cheapest staycations this summer:
Premier Inn: has rooms from £37.50 per room, per night across the country, with more than 800 hotels and 75,000 rooms in the UK. All the rooms at feature a TV, free WIFI, tea and coffee makers and a desk. The family room will have either sofa beds or pull-out beds for the kids depending on the hotel. Families can also make big savings at , as up to two under-16s can eat breakfast for free when an adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast, which is £9.50. You have a choice between the all-you-can-eat cooked breakfast and the continental breakfast. The all-you-can-eat includes favourites like bacon, hash browns, sausages and eggs, while the continental breakfast is a lighter option, with fruit, cereal and fresh pastries
Travel Lodge: The budget-friendly hotel chain has rooms from £32 per room, per night, with 580 hotels across the UK.To bag one of the popular £32 rooms, your best bet is using to select your destination. Once you've chosen your destination, you'll be able to filter the search by price, room type, breakfast and parking availability. It will then show you how the prices compare on different days of the week, with the option to book your next stay up until next year. Travelodge standard rooms come with space to sleep up to four people, with one comfy king-size bed and one or two additional pull-out beds for children. The rooms also feature a TV, a small desk with a chair, a shower and toiletries. Hungry guests can make the most of the , which costs just £8.99 for adults - and if you're travelling with kids under 15, they get to eat for free.
Booking.com: , the online hotel travel agency, has some of the cheapest hotel and B&Bs rates in the UK and worldwide - with rooms . currently has at least 15 per cent off hotel rooms - the discount is a minimum of 15 per cent per booking, so you may find an even bigger bargain if you're lucky. It is worth noting the exclusive discount applies to the cost of the room only, excluding any additional fees or taxes.
Easy Hotels: Part of the easyJet brand, Easy Hotels has 43 hotels and more than 4,000 rooms across the UK and Europe. The chain is a "super budget" option and features rooms from £22 per night in the UK. also allows customers to change or cancel their booking up to 12pm on the day of arrival, without incurring any fee.
Weatherspoon Hotels: There are 57 across the country, all situated above or near a Wetherspoon pub. Most of them are also located in restored historic buildings, and all hotels serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the pub. Your room will be uniquely different based on your location, however, they all feature a complimentary coffee and tea maker, flat-screen TV, unlimited free wifi and toiletries. All hotels offer a 24-hour reception and a variety of rooms, including double, twin and family rooms, and even interconnecting ones.
Holiday Inn: and are part of the IHG Hotel Group, a British multinational hospitality company with hotels all over the world. Holiday Inn are great for family vacations, anniversaries, or weekend getaways, and prices start from £40 per room per night.All hotels provide free wifi, TVs and tea and coffee makers. While some also offer indoor pools, free parking, and kids eat free offers
Green King Inn: Greene King has pubs and hotels all across the UK, including popular locations such as Hampshire, Devon and Somerset. There are more than 130 hotels, with some in historical locations. Greene King currently has a deal on, with all travellers getting 20 per cent off food and drinks. The at the hotel restaurants for lunch and dinner reservations is available on all staycations when booking directly through the website. All breaks include a continental or full English breakfast, complimentary parking and free wifi. Some hotels are also pet-friendly.