Premier Inn

Prime London Location with Friendly Staff

Ah, the Premier Inn London County Hall—it strives valiantly to blend convenience with a touch of mediocrity, pulling off the illusion of being more grandiose than it perhaps deserves. Perched enviably close to the slumbering steel eye that watches the city—the London Eye—and merely a stone's throw from other postcard-worthy attractions, this establishment tickles the fancy of both a budget-conscious traveler and lovers of a solid geographic advantage. Its rooms are clean, if somewhat sterile, inviting one to embrace minimalist charm with an expected warmth—albeit a warmth not consistently fetched from the fussy air conditioning system.

The staff, largely Paddington Bear friendly, adds a generous dollop of goodwill to counteract the occasional unfortunate mishaps with key cards or WiFi hurdles masquerading as your daily cardio challenge. Breakfast here adheres to a ritual of sameness that could be serenely comforting—or tediously monotonous to a palate used to more adventurous fare. However, for its reasonable rates paired with its surreal proximity to Westminster gleaming under the sun while you sip your medium-roast hotel coffee, this inn remains a contender on any traveler’s checklist, assuming the traveler’s expectations stride the thin line between pragmatism and indulgence. — Penelope Savory