Name: Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns
Address: Commercial Road, Derby, England, United Kingdom, Derby, Derbyshire, GB
Price range: $54–$176 per night
Rating: 8.4

What guests think

Across recent reviews, Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns is praised for friendly staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and a convenient location for East Midlands Airport, Donington Park, and motorway access, offering straightforward value for short stays.

Guests like the ample free parking, the on-site pub/restaurant for meals and check-in, and even mention an EV charger. However, several note noise from traffic and slamming doors, a few found beds very firm, and there are occasional maintenance issues such as poor hot water or a faulty bathroom fan. Food is generally decent value, though breakfast quality and speed can be inconsistent. Expect a clean, budget-friendly stopover with basic comforts in a convenient location.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests highlight ample free parking, an on-site pub/restaurant used for meals and check-in, and an EV charger; entry is secure and keyless. Some found the pub-based reception and signage inconvenient, noted the lack of a lift or vending machines, and felt on-site activities are limited.

Related guest reviews

8

Paul

Sep 22, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Couldn’t find a drinks or snack machine in the facility. Otherwise it nice and clean and comfortable.

10

Jennifer

Jul 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very helpful staff allowed us to check in earlier and pick up our keys before going off to a family gathering an hour away. Quiet, comfortable rooms with tea and coffee facilities in the room. Basic but perfectly fine for an overnight. Reception is in the Marston's pub next door which also provides breakfast, evening meals and nightcaps if required.

8

Alan

Apr 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I liked the keyless system, accessibility of the hotel. I was not happy with the food.

8

floyd

Feb 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Good value stay at a clean, accessible hotel with a reasonable pub/restaurant attached. The telly didn’t work properly but as I was only there one night I couldn’t be bothered to change rooms

6

joseph

Jun 14, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

What is exactly stated on the site. Clean and tidy but very little to do while staying at the hotel which is the only issue I have

10

Greg

Nov 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent parking and a handy EV Charger on the pub site. Very low key entrance check in but everyone was fab and could hear no sounds from room, worried about mc donalds outside bur great nights sleep

10

Gareth

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stayed here many times over the years as it's convenient for Donington racing circuit. It's not a 5 star hotel, but gives excellent value for money in comfortable surroundings. Hotel is 2 minutes walk from the pub making it a convenient stopover. Plenty of free parking as well. Will definitely be visiting again. About 9 miles from Donington.

8

David

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I enjoyed my stay at the Blue Jay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. My room was good and the bed was comfortable. Despite the Blue Jay being close to the major roads network I found a useful set of off road paths towards the city centre so could walk around easily to get to where I needed to be. Good size car park. I enjoyed my meals in the Blue Jay especially the apple crumble and custard. I would book to stay in the Blue Jay again when I visit Derby.

10

Richard

Mar 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I booked this hotel as a stop over before a holiday flight. The price was very competitive, which often means that the hotel is poor, but not in this case. The room was clean and nicely decorated and the bed was very comfortable. The one little niggle was that although 50% of the rooms were on the 1st floor there wasn't a lift. Not a problem for me, but potentially a problem for older people with heavy suitcases. Would i book again? Yes, absolutely.

6

Derrick

May 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Has reception written across the entrance door then a sign on the door saying go to pub for reception very annoying The bedding was so thick and for winter wasn’t the best

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Cleanliness

Rooms are widely described as clean and tidy, with housekeeping generally solid. A few reports mention hairs, areas needing extra attention, and occasional maintenance issues like limited hot water or a failed bathroom fan.

Related guest reviews

10

Keith

Oct 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Parking available, quick check in, and accommodation clean and comfortable.

8

Jason

Apr 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The bed rooms could do with a bit more cleaning

10

Jane

May 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Stayed here overnight after visiting family in Derby , check in and out easy, friendly reception staff. Very clean accomodation , tea, coffee etc, bath with overhead shower, good thick towels the room was quiet cheap overnight at £43 pub/restaurant on site for breakfast and meals, mcdonalds 2 mins walk away. Good very clean comfortable good stay.

10

Sadie

Sep 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Such amazing value for money. Very impressed, so clean and bed incredibly comfy!

6

Stephen

Nov 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

There was minimal / no hot water on both days!

10

David

Mar 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location for our business needs this weekend, very clean, still feels brand new

10

Caroline

Mar 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean, convenient and great value.

8

Maxim

Oct 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Quiet and clean

6

Gemma Louise

Apr 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

There were hairs on the bed and in the bathroom

10

Julie

Oct 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We stayed one night visiting family nearby. A good clean little hotel. Room was very clean and spacious. Could not fault it. Very handy having the reataurant and bar over the road. We had a nightcap and breakfast the next morning. A great choice. Will return when visiting this area again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are comfortable, modern, and reasonably spacious, with many guests sleeping well. Others report traffic and door noise, some footfall from above, and a few found the beds very firm.

Related guest reviews

10

David

Apr 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice roadside property with all the facilities you need. Reasonable prices and generous portions of popular food. Room surprisingly large and comfy.

8

James

Apr 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Spec was the same as a Travelodge. It was fine. Clean, comfy enough etc. Not quite as comfy as a premier Inn

8

MR Robert

Apr 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location and comfortable. However a lot of traffic noise

8

James

Jul 10, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice modern property and rooms were very spacious and clean. Secure entry into the building and very quiet at night despite being opposite a McDonalds drive thru. Only negative was the bed, it was rock hard and therefore very uncomfortable for me personally.

8

r

Jun 3, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff at the blue jay pub were absolutely lovely and so helpful ,all i have to say is probably a member of staff needs to be alocated in the hotel to save keep walking to the pub to get extra milk ,sugar and toilet roll ,oh and the doors from the hotel room doors are the most loud and scary ones being slammed for hours and hours on end and the floor from the room above us we were room 108 is the most loudest floor heard every footstep all around there rokm so came back from weekend stay very very tired but other than a few minor things we will defo be back next year and will tell family about the pub and hotel if ever in derby

6

Kathryn

Mar 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The location is surrounded by busy roads, so struggled to sleep.

8

Ian

Aug 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location, quiet apart from room doors

10

Greg

Nov 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent parking and a handy EV Charger on the pub site. Very low key entrance check in but everyone was fab and could hear no sounds from room, worried about mc donalds outside bur great nights sleep

8

MR Robert

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Convenient location for business. However there was a lot of traffic noise all night

10

Darren

Oct 30, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfectly nice hotel. Clean, modern rooms, comfortable bed, lots of pillows. Friendly and helpful staff. Don't think I've stayed at a Marston inn before, but i certainly would again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Staff are frequently praised as friendly, welcoming, and helpful, with smooth check-in and accommodating assistance. Isolated negatives include an unengaging breakfast server and feeling unwelcome when arriving late.

Related guest reviews

10

Karl

Jul 7, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The staff could not have been more helpful, I had to be admitted to hospital yesterday evening and my partner called the hotel who were so kind and understanding when it transpired that my belongings might need to be set aside. the lady who staffed the breakfast serving was so patient and smiley giving terrific customer service. THANK YOU so much!

10

Keith

Oct 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Parking available, quick check in, and accommodation clean and comfortable.

10

Don

Oct 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent value very clean and excellent staff.

10

Jane

May 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Stayed here overnight after visiting family in Derby , check in and out easy, friendly reception staff. Very clean accomodation , tea, coffee etc, bath with overhead shower, good thick towels the room was quiet cheap overnight at £43 pub/restaurant on site for breakfast and meals, mcdonalds 2 mins walk away. Good very clean comfortable good stay.

10

Peter

Jun 17, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

It was fab Lincoln was a credit to your business did a bit of everything and he knows how to treat guests right

10

Gareth

Oct 8, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

Convenient stopover for Donington Park race circuit. I've stayed there many times and find it great. The staff are friendly and helpful and the drinks and food are reasonably priced. Will be staying again!

6

Sheena

Dec 2, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Rooms nice and clean. Felt we were a bit of an inconvenience arriving so late in the evening. Breakfast was awful. I ordered a vegetarian option. The sausages were incinerated and tasted awful. The hash browns and mushroom were oozing fat so the only thing I ate on the plate was the beans and egg. The lady serving saw that I had not eaten most of it but never asked why.

10

Darren

Oct 30, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfectly nice hotel. Clean, modern rooms, comfortable bed, lots of pillows. Friendly and helpful staff. Don't think I've stayed at a Marston inn before, but i certainly would again.

8

David

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I enjoyed my stay at the Blue Jay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. My room was good and the bed was comfortable. Despite the Blue Jay being close to the major roads network I found a useful set of off road paths towards the city centre so could walk around easily to get to where I needed to be. Good size car park. I enjoyed my meals in the Blue Jay especially the apple crumble and custard. I would book to stay in the Blue Jay again when I visit Derby.

10

Carolyn

Apr 1, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We stayed as a stopover on a long journey. Room was clean and tidy. Staff were friendly and helpful in the pub. We would stay here again.

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Location

Location is convenient for East Midlands Airport, Donington Park, and motorway access, and several guests found it easy to reach. Proximity to major roads brings some traffic noise for certain rooms.

Related guest reviews

8

MR Robert

Apr 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location and comfortable. However a lot of traffic noise

10

Tat Chi

Jan 1, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location and good condition. Great value for mobey.

8

Samantha

Nov 22, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean room in good condition. Good location with restaurants and Mac Donald’s near by. Easy access to motorways. Quiet nights sleep.

10

David

Mar 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location for our business needs this weekend, very clean, still feels brand new

8

MR Robert

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Convenient location for business. However there was a lot of traffic noise all night

8

Matthew

Jul 14, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very nice. Lovely room. The pub is good. Food was great. Really good location for Donnington Park. Mcdonald's for breakfast. All you need for a weekend.

10

Gareth

Sep 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stayed here many times over the years as it's convenient for Donington racing circuit. It's not a 5 star hotel, but gives excellent value for money in comfortable surroundings. Hotel is 2 minutes walk from the pub making it a convenient stopover. Plenty of free parking as well. Will definitely be visiting again. About 9 miles from Donington.

8

David

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I enjoyed my stay at the Blue Jay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. My room was good and the bed was comfortable. Despite the Blue Jay being close to the major roads network I found a useful set of off road paths towards the city centre so could walk around easily to get to where I needed to be. Good size car park. I enjoyed my meals in the Blue Jay especially the apple crumble and custard. I would book to stay in the Blue Jay again when I visit Derby.

10

Catherine

Dec 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room clean, excellent customer service from reception and staff in bar. Very efficient. Great location for East Midlands Airport, very easy and quick to get to for a early flight

8

Peter

Jun 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Close to motorway

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Pub food is generally good value with popular breakfasts, carvery, and desserts. That said, several reviews cite slow service and variable breakfast quality, including disappointing or overcooked items.

Related guest reviews

10

Karl

Jul 7, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The staff could not have been more helpful, I had to be admitted to hospital yesterday evening and my partner called the hotel who were so kind and understanding when it transpired that my belongings might need to be set aside. the lady who staffed the breakfast serving was so patient and smiley giving terrific customer service. THANK YOU so much!

8

John

Feb 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was great with the room, the food was good but a bit slow to arrive

10

David

Sep 10, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice comfortable room. Nice breakfast served. Great stay.

10

Gareth

May 31, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Convenient hotel for Donington park circuit. Food not as good as last time we stayed.

8

mark

Dec 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Good food reasonably priced with large choice for all catered. Clean warm room and a super breakfast next day that was very filling for a reasonable price allin for £8.75. Would def stay again

10

Karen

Sep 27, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

Blue jay was very nice all the staff was very helpful and friendly the food was good the carvery was amazing full English breakfast cooked to our liking would definitely stay there again.

10

Pamela

May 31, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean and comfortable rooms, good location, great breakfast

6

Linda

Aug 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff friendly. Roons very clean and pleasant. Disappointing breakfast

8

David

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I enjoyed my stay at the Blue Jay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. My room was good and the bed was comfortable. Despite the Blue Jay being close to the major roads network I found a useful set of off road paths towards the city centre so could walk around easily to get to where I needed to be. Good size car park. I enjoyed my meals in the Blue Jay especially the apple crumble and custard. I would book to stay in the Blue Jay again when I visit Derby.

6

Neil

Jan 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

An hour wait for food. Think they forgot me.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$65
February	$74
March	$81
April	$80
May	$87
June	$97
July	$91
August	$92
September	$86
October	$82
November	$70
December	$64

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4 $176	5
6 $56	7 $122	8 $106	9 $124	10 $86	11 $69	12 $108
13 $56	14 $96	15	16 $143	17 $59	18 $62	19 $95
20 $57	21 $79	22 $133	23 $148	24 $61	25 $59	26 $82
27 $54	28 $101	29 $138	30 $134

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $63	2 $74	3
4 $55	5 $95	6	7 $131	8 $58	9 $62	10 $94
11 $58	12 $112	13	14 $125	15 $142	16 $99	17 $133
18 $60	19 $86	20 $145	21	22 $66	23 $114	24 $142
25 $58	26 $76	27	28 $108	29 $61	30 $57	31 $112

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Very good

What guests think

Property Policies

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FAQs about Blue Jay, Derby by Marston's Inns

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