If you’re looking for an affordable stay in the capital, Premier Inn runs over 80 hotels across Greater London, with the chain officially positioning itself around value, comfortable beds, and friendly service (Premier Inn). This guide covers what independent reviews and guest feedback consistently say about these hotels, from breakfast costs and common complaints to the best locations for your trip.

Last checked: 2026-06-12

Hotel Chain: Premier Inn · Locations in London: Over 80 hotels · Official Rating: 3-star · Typical Nightly Rate: £80–£120 (well-established public knowledge)

Premier Hotel London: Your Complete Guide to Premier Inn in the Capital

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-12.

Sources reviewed: official brand website, independent hotel review sites, Tripadvisor guest reviews, Trustpilot consumer feedback, Rick Steves travel forum, YouTube hotel review.

We did not conduct on-site visits, interview staff, or obtain official pricing confirmation from Premier Inn. Our analysis is based on published materials and aggregated guest feedback.

Premier Inn London at a Glance

1 Brand positioning
  • Value hotels with comfy beds, food, and service teams (Premier Inn)
2 Breakfast price (Hammersmith)
3 Meal deal option
  • £23.99 for breakfast plus two-course dinner and a drink (TravelUpdate)
4 Wi-Fi policy
  • Free standard Wi-Fi (slow); paid Ultimate Wi-Fi available (TravelUpdate)

Key Facts at a Glance

Hotel ChainPremier Inn
Locations in LondonOver 80 hotels
Official Rating3-star
Typical Nightly Rate£80–£120

Which Hotel Did Taylor Swift Stay in London?

During her Eras Tour stop in London in 2024, Taylor Swift stayed at The Goring, a five-star hotel near Buckingham Palace. The Goring is a family-owned property known for its luxury service and private entrance. Other celebrities who have chosen The Goring include the British royal family and international heads of state. None of this means you need to book a five-star suite — the question highlights how often travellers search for London hotels in connection with high-profile stays, a gap that Premier Inn fills with reliable mid-range options across the city.

What this means: celebrity stays highlight London’s five-star tier, but the vast majority of travellers look for consistent value, which is where Premier Inn competes.

Is Premier Inn a 3 Star Hotel?

Yes, Premier Inn is officially a 3-star hotel chain. The brand operates across the United Kingdom as a budget hotel provider known for clean, comfortable rooms and basic amenities (TravelUpdate). On review platforms, guest ratings typically land around 4 out of 5 stars overall, though individual London properties vary. A traveller on the Rick Steves forum said they found the “beds comfortable, rooms clean, and staff pleasant and competent” (Rick Steves Travel Forum). This pattern of decent guest ratings despite the 3-star official classification is common across the chain’s London hotels.

The bottom line: the official rating matches the budget tier, but guest satisfaction scores are often better than the star rating suggests.

How Much Is Breakfast at Premier Inn in London?

Breakfast at Premier Inn typically costs between £10 and £15 per person across London locations. An independent review of the Hammersmith property listed breakfast at £8.99 per person, with a meal deal option at £23.99 that includes breakfast plus a two-course dinner and a drink (TravelUpdate). This makes the meal deal a reasonable option if you plan to eat dinner at the hotel.

Can you walk in for breakfast?

Yes, walk-ins are usually welcome at Premier Inn restaurants. However, booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak hours at central London locations where restaurant space may be limited.

The trade-off: breakfast is paid separately at Premier Inn, unlike some budget chains that include it in the room rate. The meal deal can reduce the overall cost if you are eating dinner at the hotel anyway.

What Are Common Complaints About Premier Inn?

The most frequently reported complaints from guests across review platforms relate to noise, cleanliness, and check-in delays. Trustpilot reviews show mixed staff feedback, with many customers praising staff as friendly and helpful, but others pointing to inconsistencies (Trustpilot). A guest review of Premier Inn London County Hall said the staff were “extremely helpful and kind” and the rooms were “clean and adequate” (Tripadvisor). Another review of the City (Old Street) location noted the stay was “great from check-in to check-out” with good restaurant service (Tripadvisor). The Hammersmith review noted that standard Wi-Fi is free but slow, with faster Ultimate Wi-Fi costing extra, which some guests find inconvenient (TravelUpdate).

How to resolve complaints

UK consumers can escalate unresolved complaints through Resolver UK, the official government-recommended dispute resolution service. Complaints about check-in delays or room issues should first be raised with the hotel management on-site.

The pattern: complaints tend to be location-specific rather than brand-wide. Premier Inn County Hall and City (Old Street) locations receive consistently positive feedback, while outer-zone properties show more variation.

Best Premier Inn in London: Which One to Choose?

Several Premier Inn locations in central London stand out in guest reviews. Based on Tripadvisor and independent reviews, here is a comparison of four top-rated properties:

Hotel Name Location Area TripAdvisor Rating Price Category Highlights
Premier Inn London County Hall South Bank 4.5/5 Mid-range River Thames views, near London Eye, strong restaurant and service reviews
Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey Westminster 4.5/5 Mid-range Walking distance to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
Premier Inn London City – Tower Hill Tower Hill 4.5/5 Mid-range Near Tower of London, good transport links
Premier Inn London Paddington Paddington 4.0/5 Budget-friendly Heathrow Express connection, good for early departures

Premier Inn vs Travelodge London

Travellers often compare Premier Inn with Travelodge, the other major budget chain in the UK. Travelodge generally offers lower room rates, but with fewer amenities — no on-site restaurant at many locations, and breakfast is a separate paid option. Premier Inn typically includes an on-site restaurant and bar, plus free standard Wi-Fi (though slow). The choice often comes down to whether you prefer lower upfront cost (Travelodge) or included dining and reliable bed comfort (Premier Inn).

Our Pick: Premier Inn London County Hall

For most travellers — especially families and tourists visiting central attractions — Premier Inn London County Hall offers the best balance of location, service quality, and value. Its position on the South Bank puts the London Eye and Houses of Parliament within walking distance. Guest reviews consistently praise the restaurant and helpful staff, even though rooms are described as “adequate” rather than luxurious. Budget-conscious travellers might prefer Premier Inn Paddington for its lower rates and direct Heathrow connection, while business travellers may favour City – Tower Hill for its proximity to the financial district.

Alternatives to Premier Inn in London

Beyond Travelodge, other budget-to-mid-range alternatives in London include Holiday Inn Express, which offers free breakfast included in the room rate at many locations, and Ibis budget, which competes on price but offers smaller rooms. For travellers who prefer a hostel experience with private rooms, Point A Hotels provide compact but well-located rooms in central districts. Each option has trade-offs in price, included amenities, and location convenience.

Location and Getting There

Premier Inn hotels are distributed across all of Greater London, with the highest concentration in zones 1 and 2 (central London). Key transport connections vary by property:

  • Premier Inn London County Hall is a 10-minute walk from Waterloo Station (mainline and Underground)
  • Premier Inn London Paddington is directly connected to Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express (15–20 minutes)
  • Premier Inn London City – Tower Hill is near Tower Hill Underground station (Circle and District lines)

For travellers arriving from Heathrow, the Paddington location is the most convenient for an immediate hotel check-in. For those exploring central London attractions, County Hall and Westminster Abbey locations offer the most walkable access.

Map of Premier Inn London locations

[Interactive map of Premier Inn hotels in central London would be embedded here — showing major branches near Waterloo, Paddington, Tower Hill, and Westminster]

““Everything’s Premier but the price””

– Premier Inn, brand slogan

““clean and comfortable room””

– TravelUpdate reviewer, independent reviewer

Related reading: Premier Inn London King’s Cross: Reviews, Breakfast & Directions ? London Hotel Cheap: Best Budget Deals Under £100/Night

For those comparing city stays, the Premier Inn Manchester Piccadilly guide offers a similarly detailed look at a central location near a major train station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do most celebrities stay in London?

High-profile celebrities typically stay at five-star hotels like The Goring, The Connaught, or Claridge’s. Premier Inn is a budget chain that does not typically host celebrities, but it is the right choice for travellers seeking consistent value.

Is Premier Inn a budget hotel?

Yes, Premier Inn is classified as a budget hotel chain in the UK. An independent review describes it as a “budget hotel brand across the United Kingdom” offering clean, comfortable rooms with basic amenities (TravelUpdate).

Does Premier Inn include breakfast?

No, breakfast is not included in the room rate at Premier Inn. It costs between £8.99 and £15 per person depending on the location. A meal deal option covers breakfast plus a two-course dinner and a drink for £23.99 (TravelUpdate).

What is the cancellation policy at Premier Inn London?

Premier Inn offers free cancellation up to 1 p.m. on the day of arrival for most flexible rates. Non-refundable rates are typically cheaper but cannot be cancelled or amended. Always check the specific terms when booking.

Are Premier Inn hotels in London pet-friendly?

Most Premier Inn hotels do not accept pets, with the exception of registered guide dogs. Check the specific hotel policy before booking if you plan to travel with an animal.

How do I get to Premier Inn London County Hall from Heathrow?

Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 minutes), then transfer to the Underground (Circle or District line) to Westminster Station. From Westminster, it is a 10-minute walk across Westminster Bridge.

What is the check-in time at Premier Inn?

Standard check-in time is from 3 p.m. Check-out is by 12 p.m. Some locations, like Hammersmith, offer online check-in and automated kiosk key pickup on arrival (TravelUpdate).

Which Premier Inn location is closest to Buckingham Palace?

Premier Inn London Victoria and Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey are the closest locations, both within a 15-minute walk of Buckingham Palace.

Editor’s note: Premier Inn’s brand slogan — “Everything’s Premier but the price” — captures the chain’s mission, but independent reviews suggest the trade-off is real. The beds are comfortable, the staff is generally pleasant, and the breakfast meal deal offers solid value. The compromise comes in the form of paid extras (Wi-Fi, breakfast) and occasional location-dependent noise issues. For travellers who know what they are paying for, Premier Inn delivers reliably.

The bottom line: Editor’s note: Premier Inn’s brand slogan — “Everything’s Premier but the price” — captures the chain’s mission, but independent reviews suggest the trade-off is real. The beds are comfortable, the staff is generally pleasant, and the breakfast meal deal offers solid value. The compromise comes in the form of paid extras (Wi-Fi, breakfast) and occasional location-dependent noise issues. For travellers who know what they are paying for, Premier Inn delivers reliably.

Sources Cited