Sometimes you’ll walk into your accommodation and know that the guys behind it have thought of you. By this I mean they’ve designed it with the customer in mind and not been limited by the restraints of the space. Everything has been created to make your stay the best it can be. And that is exactly what the guys behind Hub By Premier Inn have done.
Hub By Premier Inn Westminster
I was lucky enough to get to stay at their new Westminster branch, a few days before the official opening. Located just a few minutes from St James Park tube station or a 10 minute walk from Big Ben, this hotel is in a great location. Oh and it is very easy to find. The green hub logo alerted me to its whereabouts and then as I squared up with the doors I could see the welcoming signs. Unlike some hotels you enter to a small lobby area and then through the doors beyond that is the reception and Lounge area.
Check in, providing you made the booking yourself or have the reference number, can be done on the screens. The members of staff at reception will assist you with this process or help with any queries you might have. The new staff are all fully trained and eager to help their customers with a smile on their face.
The Room
The cleverness of the design is most obvious in the bedroom. The space is slightly small here, however, it has been used for maximum potential. There is under bed storage for luggage, a sideboard that also doubles up as a desk, an open wardrobe built into the layout and no space spared for the bathroom. This isn’t Yotel where you are basically showering over the toilet.
To make the room seem bigger they have maximised the lighting and mirrors meaning there has been no restriction to the size of the bed. There is an entertainment system that allows you to play music from your phone or watch the movies listed. On top of that all of the features of the room (lights, temperature etc.) are controlled by the panel next to the bed (or an app on your phone). They provide ample bedding for those chilly autumn evenings and the bed is rather comfy too.
Despite its slightly small size the room didn’t feel claustrophobic at all, I’ve been in bigger rooms which have. It was very quiet with little noise coming from the surrounding areas and when I woke up the next morning there wasn’t a ray of light being let in by the blind. Whether you were staying here for business or pleasure it is the perfect room.
The Lounge
The other main talking point of this hotel is the lounge. This is the communal area, bar area, snack area, breakfast area etc. it is basically where everything else happens.
By afternoon this is the perfect place to grab a complimentary cuppa, get comfy and crack on with some work. By night it turns into a thriving social area with a bar service. The friendly staff will be right there to take your drinks order or point you in the direction of the evening snacks they provide. If you want something more substantial they are happy for you to get a food delivery and eat it down here. Then by morning the lounge becomes the place to wake up with a coffee and breakfast. You can choose from various breads for toast, muffins, cereals, yoghurt and probably more things I’ve forgotten. My only quarrel would be they had nothing gluten and dairy free I could eat except an apple or banana.
And at all times of the day there is a TV, tablets, games, magazines and papers to keep you entertained throughout your stay.
Review
I throughly enjoyed my stay in this beautifully designed budget but chic hotel. It isn’t often you can get so much for your money in London but I really feel like these guys have nailed it. The rooms are designed to be useful within the space constraints without making you feel like you are staying in a prison cell. The communal areas here have a very social feel making it feel ever so slightly like a hostel but in a good way. The social spaces in hostels are the best and most important part. This is also useful for any solo travellers staying here as you don’t feel so lonely. Overall I would highly recommend this hotel, it is perfectly located next to the tube station for a weekend of exploring London.
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Have you stayed in Hub Hotel? What did you think?
