Premier inn or Travelodge in London - where?

[dafsortulips]

I am planning a solo trip in May. Friday to Sunday so 2 nights. I am meeting some friends on the Saturday night for dinner and theatre. Beyond that I plan on shopping mixed with some tourist spots/walking.

Premier Inn and TL seem to be reasonable but I am not sure where to base myself. I’ll likely come in from Heathrow. Possibly by train though which would be Kings Cross but I am 90% sure I’ll fly. Where would you base yourself?

Also, just out of curiosity, why is air b and b cheap in London. I did have a look as DH said he might come down but he can’t get away from work so isn’t now. I did look at air b and b and it’s cheap.

Which you realise the majority of people do not have and cannot access right?

Oh deary ME

I’m from greater London and always tempted to stay at Premier Inn Tower Bridge. It’s near my favourite street in London: Bermondsey Street which is full of boutiques, restaurants and the Fashion and Textile museum.

Yes the only exception is going to Liberty and Carnaby st!

I second this. Slightly further from the tubes but fab location and usually slightly cheaper. Great breakfast and unlike TL I always feel safe

We stayed in the premier inn in Canning Town. Quite reasonable price wise. Right next to the tube and about 2 mins into central London.

Stayed at Premier Inn Hub Kings X. Was v nice. Breakfast £8 and a help yourself drinks tray when I checked in late Friday pm.

I stayed in the Travelodge in Covent Garden. It's so handy for getting around, and it's reasonably priced.

Definitely more than 2 mins into central London from there!

Premier Inn Hub at Covent Garden is great. It's actually just off Trafalgar Square. Normally quite cheap if you book in advance and I've alwayd felt very safe.
Obviously small rooms but nicely done with excellent soundproofing. Very central and you can walk to most places like Westminster Abbey, the Southbank, Covent Garden etc. Leicester Square and the Embankment tube are really close too.

If I had your budget I'd also look at the Clermont at Charring Cross (NOTthe Victoria branch) They have excellent service and the breakfast is really good.

Don’t go to the “Great Scott” TL at King’s Cross. It’s very noisy, especially the side that overlooks the train tracks, but the other side overlooks Euston Rd. it’s relatively cheap, but it’s loud!

Its worth checking out Club Quarters by Trafalgar Square as well as sometimes they come up cheaper than PI. The rooms are similar but the foyer/public areas are much nicer.

Hotel search engines really should have a filter so you don’t have to mix with we northerners shouldn’t they?

Brixton PI is often as low as £60/night and is right next to the tube - end of the Victoria line.

Z hotels are very good and very central. You may find the rooms a bit small but they’re not designed for spending time in.

i’m staying in one tonight and yes they do still do the free wine and cheese.

I just stayed at Travelodge Waterloo, it was very clean and comfy, cheap for London and so handy. It was also half the price when I booked it last minute than it had been a few days before.

We stayed there too last year & Ds has also stayed there. It’s usually one of the cheapest. Also stayed at Hangar Lane is very handy for the Central line.

i like St Pancras PI but not Euston. Stayed at Holborn the week after it opened but stayed again a few years later & it wasn’t as nice. Earls Court is a good location. Never managed to get a good price for Waterloo.

We have also stated at Southwark Travelodge & it’s ok.

I really like the Travel Lodge in Covent Garden. I find it so quiet (astonishing given it's on Drury Lane) and have the best night's sleeps there.

Ooops. Meant 20 obvs 😆😆

I like Travelodges. I stayed in the one in Southwark which was good but there is a trainline directly behind it.

I stayed in the Lewisham one last year when visiting Greenwich and will also be returning in the summer as we are visiting things in the East End. It's not far from the DLR station but with aching feet it can feel like it's miles away.

Another vote for Covent Garden.

We stayed at TL London central Tower Bridge. It was reasonably priced, ok breakfast and free luggage storage. It was really close to the tube and a few nice pubs.

I love CQ, also known as The Grand in trafalgar square so double check the prices. The one in Lincolns Inn is lovely and there's two in the city.

Premier inn St Pancras is nice, walking distance to Euston/Kings Cross/St Pancras and entrance is on a busy road so feels safe enough walking back there after dark

Had a bad experience with Air BnB in London, I wouldn’t use it again - hotel is definitely a better option.

Sorry to hear this! I stayed in that TL on Weds night (5th floor) and was amazed how quiet it was.

There's a nice PI in Southwark/London Bridge.

If you can get a good deal, the Millennium Hotel on Sloane St is nice, and pretty convenient for a lot of stuff.