Demand for staycations may still be going strong, but the price of accommodation can really sting when planning a UK trip. But fear not, as a budget hotel chain has just been named as the best in the UK – and you may not have even heard of it. The consumer experts at Which? analyzed cleanliness, comfortable beds, and value for money to create the rankings and a winner has been crowned.
It turns out, the top spot was taken by Premier Inn Hub – with a 77% customer satisfaction rating. These Hub hotels differ from typical Premier Inn rooms due to their slightly smaller and more modern offering. Each standard space includes a touchscreen control panel to change the lighting and temperature, a pull-out desk, a 40-inch smart TV, high-powered monsoon shower, a double bed and hidden storage – and there are bigger room options available as well. But it’s clear the compact size hasn’t put customers off. In fact, they’re pretty impressed by the affordable price tag, too – with rooms starting from £42 per night.
Not to mention the fact Premier Inn Hub hotels can be found in central locations in London and Edinburgh, so guests won’t need to travel far either. Speaking about the findings, Which? said: ‘The UK’s largest hotel chain has landed one of the top spots in our past 10 surveys. This year it was pipped to the post by its spin-off brand, Hub, which you’ll only find in London and Edinburgh. ‘Its spotless rooms are small – some don’t even have windows – but they’re in great locations, right in the city centre. ‘And they squeeze in everything you get in an ordinary Premier Inn, except a kettle.’
When our very own Lifestyle Editor Rachel Moss visited the West Brompton location to see if it lived up to the hype, she agreed. She said the room – which worked out cheaper than her daily commute – was ‘clean, inviting, and honestly not as basic as expected,’ adding: ‘I’m starting to question whether I’ve really checked into the budget version of the franchise at all.’
Although you’ll have to look around to find quieter dates to get the £42 per night price (busier periods are around the £100 a night mark for a room) and breakfast costs an additional £7, Rachel concluded: ‘These small but mighty budget rooms are a game-changer for hybrid workers who want the convenience of the city in the week but an escape to the countryside at the weekend.’
