Photo: londondrum.comUseful things to know before your stay
Star rating: ★★★ Address: Premier Inn London Leicester Square, 1 Leicester Place, Leicester Square WC2H 7BP. Telephone: 0333 321 9254. Website: premierinn.com
Is the hotel a good base for sightseeing?
The Premier Inn has one of the best locations of any hotel I’ve ever stayed at, just ten steps from Leicester Square. Attractions within a 15 minute walk include Leicester Square, Chinatown, National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, Benjamin Franklin House, Covent Garden, Transport Museum, Carnaby Street, Royal Academy of Arts, Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards and Burlington Arcade. (Although I should say that this is in the heart of the West End, so it’s not exactly quiet at night!)
How much does it cost to stay at the hotel?
Prices can change from day to day depending on availability, but a rough guide for both single and double rooms is £145 to £255 per night.
How many rooms does it have?
Premier Inn Leicester Square has 83 rooms.
What facilities does the hotel have?
The hotel just has a restaurant and luggage storage, but that’s about it.
What facilities are in the rooms?
A standard room has a TV, telephone, desk and wi-fi, with tea & coffee making facilities and an ensuite bathroom.
What time is check-in, and check-out?
Check-in is from 3 PM and check-out is by 12 noon.
Which buses go to Premier Inn Leicester Square?
Bus routes 8, 26, 35, 42, 47, 48, 78, 135, 149, 205, 242, 344 and 388 all stop close by.
Which is the closest train station?
The nearest station is Leicester Square, which connects with the Northern and Piccadilly lines. It only takes two minutes to walk to Premier Inn Leicester Square.
Does the hotel have its own car park?
No. (You can’t even drive in the streets around Leicester Square.) But here are some car parks nearby.
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Email My review of Premier Inn Leicester Square
There’s no way that Lenny Henry stays at the Premier Inn. He’s been on the telly advertising it but come on… who do they think they are kidding? He’s a TV star so he stays at The Ritz or The Dorchester or The Savoy – not in a pokey little 3-star with two tea bags and a soap pump on the wall.
There are loads of Premier Inns in London but I plumped for the most central one in Leicester Square (it’s right behind the cinemas – you couldn’t get any more central if you tried). And you’ve got Chinatown round the corner all decked out in decorations, with red lanterns strung across the street, so if you want somewhere cheap and cheerful in the middle of the West End then the Premier Inn is a pretty good deal.
I’m too old to be staying in 3-stars though. My days of having a shower in something smaller than a wardrobe are long gone – I need a bath for my knees. But they haven’t got a bath because the rooms are too small. But at least they’ve got a teapot. You also get a TV and a Gideon’s Bible, but that’s about it. There’s not a lot of room left to squeeze in anything else. Even the ceiling is a lot lower than usual, so I hope you’re not claustrophobic.
Photo: londondrum.comThe hotel is a bit like Fort Knox inside and when you enter the front door there’s nothing there – literally. There’s no reception desk, no rooms, no people to meet you – nothing. All they’ve got is a sign that says make your way to the second floor. That’s where you’ll find the restaurant and the receptionist, who will issue you with a swipe card to access everywhere else. It’s a bit like having a military pass into the restricted areas. If you want to go down the hall then you have to open the fire doors with your swipe card. If you want to use the lift… swipe card. Turn the lights on in your room? Swipe card. Watch the telly? Swipe card. Enter the hotel after 10 o’clock? Swipe card. Want to blow your nose? Swipe card.
Photo: londondrum.comI couldn’t get the darn thing to work the first couple of times I tried it and had to wipe it on my sleeve to bring it to life. I’m sure a lot of people must get stuck behind the doors with no way to escape because their card won’t work. They stand there trapped between a glass door and an unresponsive lift, pounding on the buttons to no effect. Help me! Help me someone! My card doesn’t work! What they should do is issue everyone with Lenny Henry’s home phone number so he can come and rescue us.
Photo: londondrum.comBut it’s okay. I’m not complaining. I actually quite like this hotel and I’d happily stay here for a few days. I think it’s a bit cheeky of them charging extra for Wi-Fi though. Even McDonald’s offer free Wi-Fi. I wonder if Lenny Henry has to pay for his Wi-Fi? I’ve just noticed that my room has a big advert of Lenny curled up in bed, grinning at me.
“A great night’s sleep guaranteed,” it says. In the small print it says: “No questions, no quibbles… We’re so confident that you’ll have a great night’s sleep that if, for any reason, you don’t, we’ll give you your money back”. So the first thing I’m going to do tomorrow morning is march downstairs and test that out. “No questions, it says here,” I will say, jabbing my fingers at the small print. I want my money back and I’m not answering any questions! I am exercising my right to silence – as per the terms on your Lenny Henry manifesto. If they refuse to pay up then I will demand they get Lenny Henry on the phone to sort it out.
I’m in the restaurant now, which is quite dim and dark and cosy. No sign of Lenny Henry anywhere. The breakfast is just your usual help-yourself fry-up with baked beans, bacon and eggs, cereals and crusty rolls. I don’t usually eat breakfast at home but I can’t help myself in a hotel. When someone has gone to all that trouble of cooking it, the least you can do is eat it.
Leicester Square appears in my one-day London itineraries with timings and how to spend a week in London itinerary
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What do you think? (3)
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chris We had a nice stay and we had a great holiday, great location, friendly staff, cheap compared with other hotels nearby. Perfect! (reply)
Vicky Thank you for this great and funny write up. I will be staying here soon. I would rather stay at the nearby W but I couldnt pass up this price since I will only really be using the room to sleep, lol. Cheers and thanks again. (reply)
Craig Thanks Vicky. I definitely recommend the hotel for the price so you should like it. It’s in the perfect spot. (reply)
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