Premier Inn London Blackfriars

This hotel stands out for its unbeatable central location, offering direct access to Blackfriars station and the River Thames, making it an ideal base for exploring London. Guests consistently highlight the friendly and helpful staff, the hotel's overall cleanliness, and the comfortable beds that ensure a restful night's sleep. The spacious rooms are also a recurring positive, providing ample space even for families. This makes the hotel particularly well-suited for sightseers and families due to its proximity to major attractions and transport links, while business travelers appreciate the quiet environment despite its central position. Couples can also enjoy a convenient and comfortable stay with easy access to dining and entertainment. To enhance your visit, guests recommend utilizing the complimentary luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures, and for a potentially quieter experience, consider requesting a room on a higher floor.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the convenience of the self-serve check-in kiosks, which often facilitate a quick and smooth arrival process, though some report occasional delays. The hotel offers secure luggage storage, a highly valued service for guests arriving early or departing late, allowing them to explore the city unburdened. While free Wi-Fi is available, many guests found it to be slow and unreliable, prompting some to opt for the paid premium Wi-Fi for better connectivity. The lifts are frequently mentioned, with some guests noting they can be slow or occasionally out of service, leading to minor inconveniences. The comfortable lounge area and bar provide pleasant spaces for relaxation, with the bar offering a good selection of drinks. In-room amenities include a kettle with tea and coffee supplies, though some Premier Plus rooms also feature a mini-fridge for added convenience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Rooms are consistently described as spotlessly clean and well-maintained, contributing significantly to a pleasant stay. Guests frequently praise the comfortable beds, ensuring a restful night's sleep. While many found the rooms to be spacious, some noted that certain Premier Plus rooms felt surprisingly small or cramped, especially for longer stays. The well-maintained bathrooms typically feature a good-sized shower, and some rooms also include a bath. Feedback on noise levels is mixed; most guests found the hotel to be remarkably quiet for its central location due to good insulation, though a few reported occasional street noise or sounds from a nearby train line. Some guests mentioned that windows do not open, and while air conditioning is present, its effectiveness in temperature control received varied comments. The pillows garnered mixed reviews, with some finding them too firm or flat. Minor issues like a small wardrobe or recurring key card issues were occasionally noted.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's extensive breakfast buffet receives widespread acclaim, consistently described as hot and fresh with a wide variety of options, including both continental options and a full cooked breakfast. Guests appreciate the regular replenishment of food, ensuring a satisfying start to the day, though some noted that queues can form during peak times. Feedback on the dinner menu in the hotel restaurant is more varied; most guests found the bar food to be good and sufficient for an evening meal, while others described the dinner as basic or reported issues such as burnt food or limited choices due to "supply issues." Some guests also commented that the dining area itself appeared tired and could benefit from a refresh. Despite some mixed reviews for dinner, the breakfast is a definite highlight, offering excellent value and quality.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a prime central location, consistently highlighted as one of its strongest assets. It is exceptionally close to Blackfriars Tube station and Blackfriars train station, providing immediate access to public transport, including direct links to Gatwick Airport. Guests find it incredibly convenient for exploring London, with many major attractions within easy walking distance, such as St Paul's Cathedral, the London Tower, and a pleasant stroll across the River Thames to Borough Market. The West End and theatre district are also readily accessible by foot or a short tube ride. Despite its central position, the hotel is tucked away in a surprisingly quiet area, offering a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. Numerous local pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's are just steps away. While parking is available nearby, guests noted it can be quite expensive.

Staff & Service
The hotel's friendly and helpful staff consistently receive overwhelming praise, with guests frequently commending their attentive service and willingness to go above and beyond. The quick check-in process, often facilitated by self-check-in kiosks, is appreciated, and staff are generally accommodating with early check-in requests, even if not guaranteed. The seamless luggage storage service is another highlight, managed efficiently by the team. Housekeeping is noted for its thoroughness and special touches, such as anniversary decorations, though some guests prefer daily cleaning which is available upon request. The bar staff are also frequently mentioned for their pleasant and efficient service. While most interactions are highly positive, a few guests reported isolated instances of slow service or minor misunderstandings, but overall, the staff's dedication to issue resolution and ensuring a comfortable stay is a recurring theme.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that room cleaning is on request, a policy that some appreciate for privacy and environmental reasons, while others accustomed to daily service may need to adjust. The hotel offers convenient luggage storage and flexible early check-in and late check-out options for a nominal fee, which are highly valued. For those considering an upgrade, Premier Plus rooms offer additional amenities like a mini-fridge and supposedly enhanced ultimate Wi-Fi, though some guests found the Wi-Fi performance inconsistent and the room size surprisingly compact compared to standard rooms. A recurring minor issue noted by several guests is the functionality of the lifts, which can be slow or occasionally out of service. Furthermore, some guests experienced frequent key card issues, requiring multiple replacements. It is also worth noting that standard in-room amenities may be limited, with some guests advising to bring their own shampoo and conditioner, and slippers are not provided.