Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns

Hotels
•
Marston's Inns
8.4 (2169 reviews)
Commercial Road , Derby , gb

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean and tidy rooms (majority reports)
Excellent location near food outlets, attractions and parking
Air conditioning in rooms appreciated during heatwave
Friendly pub/bar staff and good pub food often mentioned
Free parking and EV charging; family-friendly facilities
Cons:
Inconsistent service (some rude reception/manager incidents)
Food quality inconsistent; some reports of poor/overcooked items
Occasional failures in housekeeping (room not cleaned, towels not changed)
No lift and several flights of stairs in some areas
Drain smell outside and occasional check-in waits

Categories

Cleanliness
8
Mostly reported as clean and tidy across many reviews, but a few serious negatives (room not cleaned for 3 nights, lack of towel changes, and an outside drain smell) lowered the score slightly.
Service
8.5
Generally praised staff and friendly pub/bar staff in multiple reviews, though there are notable negative incidents (rude receptionist, a manager refusing an advertised offer) — overall service is positive but with a few impactful lapses.
Location
9
Repeatedly highlighted as a strength: convenient for food outlets, Alton Towers travel, pub next door, and free parking; location consistently praised.
Room Quality
8.2
Rooms described as comfortable, clean and with welcome air conditioning; some comments about beds being too firm for some guests and occasional initial temperature issues on arrival.
Amenities
8
Good practical amenities mentioned (free parking, EV charging, play area, aircon). Some shared spaces (breakfast/bar area) have seen better days, so amenities are solid but not premium.
Value for Money
8.5
Several guests called it good value or 'cheap and cheerful' and praised family rooms and space; a few issues (unexpected breakfast charges, food quality) temper this but overall value perception is positive.
Food and Beverage
7.8
Mixed reports: many enjoyed the breakfast and pub meals, while others reported poor food quality (overcooked carvery, stale vegetables) and issues with advertised offers not being honoured.
Overall Experience
9.2
Overall stays were described positively (good location, family-friendly, comfortable rooms, helpful staff in many cases), though occasional service failures and food/cleaning problems impacted some stays.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 21:45

Property Description

Modern Comfort and Convenience
Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns offers a relaxing stay just minutes away from Derby Cathedral. The guest rooms are equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including a seating area and flat-screen TV.

Delightful Amenities
Enjoy a delicious continental or Full English/Irish breakfast during your stay at the hotel. Additionally, the property features a charming children's play area, perfect for families traveling with little ones.

Convenient Location
With key attractions like Kedleston Hall, Calke Abbey, and Pride Park Stadium nearby, there's plenty to explore around the hotel. Plus, being just 10 km from East Midlands Airport, your travel convenience is assured.

Book your stay at Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns now for a memorable experience!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 2169 reviews
Cleanliness: 8
Service: 8.5
Location: 9
Room Quality: 8.2
Amenities: 8
Value for Money: 8.5
Food and Beverage: 7.8
Overall Experience: 9.2
J
Jody • family_with_children • gb
10
Happy 😃
Pros:

Friendly service

Cons:

Clean & accommodating - professional

2026-08-15 • via Nuitee
C
Christel • solo_traveller • be
10
2026-08-15 • via Nuitee
M
Mack • solo_traveller • jp
9
2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
M
MelissaFulton • solo_traveller • gb
6
Stayed for AC on hottest day of the year
Pros:

Reasonable price, good AC, good-sized room, plenty of beds. We booked because the temperature was 38 degrees and I have a newborn baby. I needed the AC.

Cons:

Not the cleanest - stains on single bed, window and lamp—no toilet paper when we arrived. Reception is in the pub and not manned or easy to get ahold of. Double bed was very hard.

2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
A
Andrey • solo_traveller • gb
9
Great spot for a stopover on a long drive
Pros:

Good value for money with all necessary amenities and no extra fluff: AC, EV charging onsite, clean sheets, quiet rooms, pub nearby.

Cons:

The location only works if you travel by car and stay for a night on a long journey. It’s kinda in the middle of nowhere, especially on foot.

2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
O
Omed • family_with_children • gb
8
No comment
Pros:

I rested very well the air was very nice.

Cons:

I wanted to be in floor 1 because I have a family and it’s hard to get up and down.

2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
D
Danny • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
J
Jason • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • family_with_children • gb
7
A good place to stay at a price I was willing to pay
Pros:

Breakfast and all food was fab. Room was cleanish apart from a few cobwebs and no soap in the bathroom.
Beds were ok

Cons:

No soap in the bathroom. Maybe a second check on cleanliness.

2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Location, staff and restaurant

Cons:

Bed was uncomfortable me and no extra pillows provided

2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
D
Dennis • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

It was just what we needed to attend a funeral in Chaddeston.

Cons:

Nothing ig was all fine.

2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
A very relaxing weekend. Visited friends and
Pros:

did not have breakfast

Cons:

exceeded my expectations

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Clean and tidy

Cons:

Only one towel in the room so had to go ask for another one. No offers or discounts offered for the adjoining pub. Staff in pub/restaurant weee unhelpful and gave incorrect information. Paid almost £40 for 2 carveries which at 5pm had very little to choose from.

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
N
North & Tide Photography • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

It was nice and quiet, the roo waa clean and food was great

Cons:

The spoiler was the bed, it was really hard and not forgiving for us

2026-08-09 • via Nuitee
H
Heidi • family_with_children • gb
9
Pleasant , enjoyed a goods nights sleep
Pros:

Quiet, clean and very comfortable

Cons:

Just the outdoor seating areas , they need replacing or refurbishing

2026-08-09 • via Nuitee
P
Patricia • family_with_children • gb
9
Good enough for a one night stay
Pros:

Room was clean and staff very polite

Cons:

No toilet paper holder in bathroom just left with a plastic disc on the wall
Breakfast could have been warmer … perhaps needs to be on warmed plates

2026-08-09 • via Nuitee
F
Felicity • family_with_children • gb
10
Great place to stay with kids
Pros:

Clean and good location

Cons:

N/A

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
F
Fletcher • solo_traveller • gb
8
Decent.
Pros:

Decent room. Decent food. Decent staff.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
F
Fletcher • extended_group • gb
8
Decent hotel and pub if needing somewhere to stay for a night or two for work.
Pros:

Room had aircon, which considering the heatwave was very welcome indeed. Was set nice and low so entering the room was bliss! Breakfast is pretty decent and they are more than willing to accommodate different requirements. Also ate their in the evening too, normal pub grub, but decent food.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee