We've used various Travelodges or similar in the Carlisle area; they are what they are. Services on the M74 including Annandale Water, Abington and Gretna also have motels.

Never tried the motel/hotel but I suspect that like the rest of the facilities Tebay Services might be a shout.

I'd also recommend the food at Tebay, not your usual motorway services burger-or-nothing, but a good selection of tasty knife-and-fork food.

Also, on the M74, Cairn Lodge services is owned by the same people as Tebay, also recommended. Its on a road running parallel to the M74 between J12 and J11

Also, to save you paying motorway prices for fuel, there's an Asda just off M6 J44 - follow Workington just off the motorway then right at the first roundaboout, literally two minutes. Also Tesco off M6 J43 towards Carlisle, also two minutes but Asda is often slightly cheaper.

I'd avoid the M74 services at Annadale Water, it's often very busy as it serves both sides, and the McDonalds there is 'unremarkable'. If McDonalds is your thing, then there's a good one in the Kingstown area of Carlisle just off the M6 J44.