Background
Whitbread launched its Hub by Premier Inn brand in 2013, with the first hotel opening in Covent Garden in 2014 (for our review from early 2015 click here).
I also reviewed the Hub by Premier Inn London City Bank in 2019:
At the launch of the brand Whitbread promised customers “the most high-tech and space-efficient rooms currently available in the UK”, with compact rooms up to 30 per cent cheaper than a comparable Premier Inn property in central London.
There are currently 14 Hub by Premier Inn properties in London and Edinburgh, with further hotels under development in locations including Marylebone, the Strand and Farringdon Road.
This West Brompton property opened in January 2020, just weeks before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Where is it?
On the corner of Lille Road and Seagrave Road, a couple of minutes’ walk from West Brompton Underground, Overground and rail station, and around half a mile from Earl’s Court station with direct links to Heathrow.
The hotel is also opposite a small parade of shops, including The Hoarder Coffee, and The Prince pub – the signage for which describes the venue as “One street, three restaurants, three bars and a covered woodland garden”.
What's it like?
The new-build hotel is one of the smallest in the Hub by Premier Inn portfolio at 89 rooms (only the Bank property is smaller at just 61 rooms), and is also described as the first Hub by Premier Inn in a London ‘urban village’ location.
On entering guests arrive at a self-service check-in area with two kiosks. I started to use this, but before I had a chance to input my details a member of staff approached me and asked if I would like to check in at the reception desk. I thought this was a nice touch – in these times of contactless payments and online bookings it is quite easy to go most of the day without speaking to anyone.
The ground floor of the building is open plan, and serves as reception, self-service check-in, bar and restaurant – it has a bright smart feel to it, with wooden flooring and large windows looking out onto the street.
One of the advertised benefits of the Hub brand is unlimited free tea and coffee from a machine on the ground floor – unfortunately the coffee machine was out of order when I arrived, but tea was still available.
Guest key cards are required to use the lift, to enter their floor, and also to enter the building late at night.
Rooms
Hub by Premier Inn rooms are split across Standard and Bigger categories, the only real difference being the size – with the Standard rooms the bed is set lengthways against the wall with the bathroom next to it, while Bigger rooms (the ones I have seen at least) have space to walk around the bed on either side, and a static desk rather than one that slides out (see my review of the Bank property above).
At the West Brompton property the split across the two categories is 58 Standard rooms and 21 Bigger rooms, as well as a ten Accessible rooms.
My Bigger room was on the fifth floor on the corner of the property, with two thin floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking The Prince pub.
Facilities in the main bedroom area included a king-size bed with storage underneath, a 40-inch TV, several plug / USB sockets, a desk with a hybrid lounge / desk chair, an open cupboard with hanging space, a hair dryer attached to the wall next to a full length mirror, two hooks by the door for hanging coats, and a beer bottle opener (again attached to the wall).
Duvets are wrapped up in a tie when you arrive, both giving confidence that they are fresh, and also highlighting via a tag that the duvet is woolen, the pillows are “deep-sided” for superior neck support, and the mattress is by Hypnos.
There are no tea and coffee facilities in the room, but as mentioned these can be obtained from the ground floor, and guests in all rooms get a complimentary bottle of water.
An iron and ironing board is available on request – I had to ask twice for one to be brought up to my room, but it did arrive and the steam iron was of good quality.
Technology is highlighted as key at Hub by Premier Inn properties, and it works well. The wifi was free and fast, and on the headboard of the bed there is a technology hub from which guests can control the lighting, air conditioning and Do Not Disturb options.
Bathrooms are compact but clean and modern, with a powerful walk-in shower with choice of rain or normal shower heads, and a large bottle of shower gel attached to the wall.
Food and drink
Breakfast is served in the main ground floor lounge area from 0700 and costs £7 per person. The self-service buffet consists of hot items including sausages (a vegan sausage is also available following its launch last year), scrambled eggs, baked beans and bacon, as well as pastries and muffins, toast, porridge and fruit juice.
My only grumble is that I would have liked a cappuccino to go with it, but the machine was still not working that morning.
Guests can choose from seating at dining tables, or communal tables seating up to six people.
A daytime lounge menu is also offered once the breakfast service has finished, and pizzas can be ordered 24 hours a day. More details can be found here.
Meetings
None.
Leisure
None.
Verdict
As with the Bank property, the Hub concept is well thought out and delivered, with technology that works and a good shower. The location of the West Brompton hotel will appeal to those looking to visit the Earl’s Court / Kensington area of the city, and is accessible from Heathrow via the Piccadilly Line.
FACT BOX
- Best for The friendly, welcoming staff and well-thought out rooms
- Don’t miss The in-room technology hub and great shower
- Price Internet rates started at £92 per night for a fully flexible midweek stay in a Standard room in mid-January. I was also quoted £100 for a Bigger room on the same evening
- Contact 11-15 Lillie Road, Fulham, London SW6 1TX; +44 208 092 8838; premierinn.com
