London: Premier Inns?

[calypso*a*go-go]

I have found an excellent fare in late March from the US to LHR, with a return from CDG so we would like to have a combined trip with 4 days London, 4 days Paris, and 2 days DLP.

I had someone recommend the Premier Inn chain -- have any of you stayed with them, were you satisfied with the accomodations? I realize they are very basic, but that's really all we need. Our party consists of 2 adults/2 teenagers. We would prefer a family-type room if possible.

The two locations we are considering are County Hall and Kings Cross. It appears County Hall is more central for famous landmarks, but Kings Cross would be more convenient for an early morning departure to Paris via Eurostar.

We won't have a car so close proximity to transportation and dining options is very important.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide! :)

[A Small World]

Ive not stayed in either of those Premier Inns so cant comment on them but I stayed in a Novotel close to Kings Cross last yr when I went to a work conference in London and it was very convenient. It was almost opposite the Premier Inn and was very handy for both KC and Euston tube stations making it very easy to get anywhere in the City.
By staying here it will only be a few mins walk to St Pancras in the morning to catch the Eurostar rather then fighting with luggage on the tube during the early morning rush hour

[mainst-usa27]

I've stayed in both Travelinn and Travelodge hotels in London and they are both good chains. They are a bit on the expensive side for what they are, but if you have a look at the Travelodge website, you should be able to get a good deal. It's costing me £30 for next Sunday night with Travelodge at Ashford before I go to DLRP. I only booked a week ago as well, and the rates are normally better the earlier you book.

Hope this helps :thumbsup2

[calypso*a*go-go]

Thank you...that's exactly what I was thinking. We each only have one small suitcase (the kind you can wear as a backpack), but I am really concerned about making it onboard the train on time. We are not early risers anyway and coupling that with a huge case of jet-lag could be dangerous for us! :)

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hope this helps :thumbsup2

Yes it does -- thank you! I'll check out their website.

[Mum to Belle]

We stayed at the Kings Cross Premier Inn before and after our last trip by Eurostar to DLP. (There may be some info in my trip reports...)

We could not fault the service while we were there at all. The restaurant was a bonus and we pre-orderd the meal deal for convenience as we were travelling with a 2yr old!

The breakfast was incredibly good value for London, and anywhere else for that matter. Plenty of hot food as well as the usual cereals, pastries, toast, muffins, fruit etc.

You are very close to the train station and if your cases have wheels it is no effort at all. The station entrance is just down the end of the road and round the corner. I seem to remember you have a bit of a walk from there to the Eurostar departures but you can get a trolley once you are inside the station! :thumbsup2

[gemmybear83]

I have stayed at the Premier Inn Kings Cross, I could not fault it for the price, the rooms are nice and we had excellent customer service. Its just a couple of mins walk to the Eurostar.

We have also stayed at the travelodge at Kings Cross and would not recommend it, it was very noisy due to being basically on top of the tube lines! The rooms were also very basic - but Travelodge do have some excellent deals - some rooms for £9 if that was the case I would stay there again!:thumbsup2

[marcy-h]

I've stayed at the Premier Inn Kings Cross on two separate occasions, once before catching the eurostar and once on the way back. It's an excellent hotel and good value for London. Customer service could not be faulted, checking in was quick and the breakfast buffet was very good.

It is so convenient for St Pancras too, just a five or ten minute walk. This would be my hotel of choice everytime.

[Johnny_boy]

Just a quick note - if you have an ipod touch/iphone, PDA or smartphone, have a look at this link, it's free route planning on all worldwide metro and underground systems.

http://metro.nanika.net/

I think it's a great wee program and have used it im London and Paris. It runs offline so no data charges. Just make sure you download the maps at home!

[calypso*a*go-go]

Thanks everyone! You've been very helpful. Just looked at the Premier website and have hit a snag with the family room -- my daughter will be 17, and it looks like only 15 and younger are considered "children". Here in the US, usually any child under 18 is allowed. What's funny is my son (15) is the one they would question because he's so much taller than my daughter. If we have to book two rooms, we might find a better value elsewhere. :(

[mainst-usa27]

Thanks everyone! You've been very helpful. Just looked at the Premier website and have hit a snag with the family room -- my daughter will be 17, and it looks like only 15 and younger are considered "children". Here in the US, usually any child under 18 is allowed. What's funny is my son (15) is the one they would question because he's so much taller than my daughter. If we have to book two rooms, we might find a better value elsewhere. :(

If there is only the three of you travelling, then I wouldn't worry about it. They dont check ID of everyone in the room and if you can get away with telling them that your daughter is 15, then I would!

[calypso*a*go-go]

If there is only the three of you travelling, then I wouldn't worry about it. They dont check ID of everyone in the room and if you can get away with telling them that your daughter is 15, then I would!

There will be four of us: 2 adults & 2 children 17, 15. I'm tempted to book the family room, but I'm one of those people that never has luck trying to pull a fast one! LOL

I'd be in trouble if they did check ID and there weren't any rooms available to split us up into two.

I also found a pretty good rate at the Marriott Marble Arch for $230 (US)/nt. with two double beds. Does anyone have experience with this property?

[A Small World]

Travel Lodge are quite happy for more then 2 'adults' to be in the room as we have often stayed with our son. I remember we were going to have the same problem last summer at Premier Inn Ashford before going through the tunnel

[Mum to Belle]

TBH I'm not sure you'd want two teenagers in your family room at Premier Inn, it would be pretty crowded - especially if your son is tall, he'd probably want his own bed!! I think they are ok for younger children though. Not sure if that helps with your decision?! :goodvibes

[Kittina]

I have stayed with 4 adults in a family room both at Premier inn and Travelodge before - they only check one persons ID and they are very unlikely to care ! With friends we've often had lots of people in the room to crash after a night out and no-one takes any notice... They only tend to take notice of these things in the more expensive/more star hotels. I've noticed chain hotels like these don't even ask when you+whoever else you are with walk past reception after checking in.

[calypso*a*go-go]

I have stayed with 4 adults in a family room both at Premier inn and Travelodge before - they only check one persons ID and they are very unlikely to care ! With friends we've often had lots of people in the room to crash after a night out and no-one takes any notice... They only tend to take notice of these things in the more expensive/more star hotels. I've noticed chain hotels like these don't even ask when you+whoever else you are with walk past reception after checking in.

Maybe we'll give it a try then...with "Plan B" ready, just in case!