Help me choose! Premier Inn London

[Andabottleofrum]

I need help choosing between Premier inn Leicester Square or County Hall.

They are exactly the same price on our date.

We want to be very central because our trip is very short (24 hours). We‘re travelling with two DC (primary school age). We‘ll be meeting my PIL in Chinatown in the evening, and will have about two hours the morning after for a mooch around.

We used to live in London so not too interested in the tourist sights (Big Ben etc), but just want to get the city feeling again. We‘ve been away a long time.

County Hall

• not too far to walk to Chinatown
• its nice next to the river
• a bit less hectic? (better for the kids?)

Leicester Square

• less travel time to where we want to be
• right in the thick of it

I‘ve read plenty on here recommending County Hall, but hardly anything about Leicester Square. Has anyone stayed there? What’s it like?

All Premier Inns are pretty similar. Leicester Square is closer to Chinatown, though it could be noisy at weekends. Stay at County Hall for it to be a bit quieter!

I've never been in County Hall, so can't compare, but Leicester Square felt dim in Reception. The room was absolutely fine and premier inn standard. Noise from below was audible in a background hum way.

I've stayed in worse.

Leicester Square as you're shirt of time and it's nearer the sights your children will
Want to see, plus right by Chinatown.

As a Londoner who dislikes Leicester Square so much that I try to avoid even walking through it, it's very difficult for me to recommend staying in a hotel there. But as you're going to China Town anyway and it's only for one night, I suppose it's a sensible option.

The following morning will probably be too early for it to be heaving with tourists so will be less busy. And you'll be near Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road. A lot of new development has gone on around there, between Long Acre and St Giles, so that would be a good area to explore, in addition to the traditional bits of Covent Garden.

Thanks, I‘ve decided to go with Leicester Square. We‘ll be staying mid week so hopefully it won’t be too rowdy!

I‘d much rather be able to have a quick walk home after dinner. And the next morning we would also rather be in that area than Southbank (as nice as it is there). It’s such a flying visit that we want travel time at the bare minimum! If we had more time I think I would have chosen County Hall after reading so many positive comments on other threads.

I know you've already booked, but just to reassure you OP, I've stayed in the Leicester Square one several times on weeknights and it's always been quiet. Never had sleep disturbed.

That’s great to hear! Thanks