Location is everything. People say that so often it has basically become a cliché in the travel world, but when you are staring at a map of Zone 1 trying to figure out where to drop your bags, it suddenly feels very real. You want to be near the British Museum. You want to be able to walk to Covent Garden without your feet screaming. But you also don't want to pay five-star prices for a room you’re barely going to see. That brings us to Premier Inn London Red Lion Street. It’s tucked away. Honestly, if you weren't looking for it, you might walk right past the entrance on this narrow Holborn side street.
It’s an interesting spot. Unlike the massive, sprawling hotels near Euston or Kings Cross, this one feels a bit more integrated into the actual fabric of London life. You've got lawyers from the nearby Inns of Court grabbing coffee next door and students from LSE rushing past. It doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. It feels like a shortcut to living like a local, even if you’re only there for forty-eight hours.
The Reality of Staying at Premier Inn London Red Lion Street
Let's talk about the building itself. It is a "Hub" hotel. For the uninitiated, that means the rooms are smaller than a standard Premier Inn. Think "compact." Or "cozy." Or "I hope you really like the person you're traveling with." Everything is controlled via a touch panel by the bed—the lights, the temperature, even the "do not disturb" sign. It is remarkably efficient.
You get a Hypnos bed. That’s the brand they use across the board, and honestly, they are some of the most consistent mattresses in the industry. It doesn't matter if you're in a flagship in Leicester Square or a roadside stop in Slough; the sleep quality is usually the same. At Premier Inn London Red Lion Street, the soundproofing is surprisingly solid. Red Lion Street isn't exactly a motorway, but London is never truly silent. Somehow, once that heavy door clicks shut, the hum of the city just... evaporates.
The bathrooms are sleek. Rainfall showers. No bathtubs here—remember, it’s about maximizing space. You’ve got storage under the bed because there isn't a massive wardrobe taking up floor space. It’s a design choice that works if you’re a light packer. If you’re arriving with three oversized suitcases, you might struggle to find a place to put your feet.
Why Holborn Beats the West End Every Single Time
Most people think they want to stay in Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. They are wrong. Those areas are loud, expensive, and frankly, a bit exhausting. Holborn is the "Goldilocks" zone. From Premier Inn London Red Lion Street, you are a ten-minute walk from the British Museum. You can walk to the West End theatres in fifteen minutes. But when you come back at night, the streets are quiet.
There’s a specific energy to this neighborhood. It’s the legal heart of London. Walk a few blocks and you’re at Lincoln's Inn Fields, the largest public square in town. It’s surrounded by old buildings that look like they belong in a Dickens novel because, well, many of them were. If you want a pint with history, the Princess Louise is just around the corner on High Holborn. It’s a Grade II listed Victorian pub with etched glass partitions that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back to 1872.
Then there’s the food. Because this isn't a primary tourist hub, the restaurants have to actually be good to survive the local office crowd. You’ve got My Old Dutch for massive pancakes and Noble Rot for some of the best wine and "frills-free" high-end cooking in the city. Staying at Premier Inn London Red Lion Street puts you right in the middle of these spots without the "tourist tax" added to your room rate.
The Small Details That Actually Matter
Check-in is mostly automated. There are kiosks. You scan your thing, the machine spits out a key, and you’re off. There are staff members standing around to help, and they’re usually pretty quick if the machine decides to be difficult.
Connectivity is a big deal here. The Wi-Fi is free, but they have an "Ultimate" tier if you’re trying to stream 4K video or do a heavy Zoom call. Most people won't need it. The basic speed handles Google Maps and emails just fine. Also, the deli + bar in the lobby is decent. It’s not a Michelin-starred experience, but for a quick breakfast or a coffee before hitting the tube, it’s reliable.
One thing people often overlook about the Premier Inn London Red Lion Street location is the proximity to the Central Line. Holborn station is your gateway. You can get to East London (Shoreditch, Bethnal Green) or West London (Notting Hill, Shepherd's Bush) in no time. If you prefer the bus, the 98 or the 8 will take you straight through the heart of the city.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Perfect Spa at St Tropez: What Most People Get Wrong
What to Watch Out For
- Room Size: As mentioned, these are "Hub" rooms. They are significantly smaller than a standard hotel room. If you are claustrophobic, look elsewhere.
- Windowless Rooms: Some rooms don't have windows. They are usually cheaper. For some, it’s a dealbreaker. For others who just want a dark, quiet cave to sleep in after a long flight, it’s a blessing.
- The Area at Night: Holborn is very safe, but it gets quiet on weekends. Since it's a business district, some of the local sandwich shops and cafes might close early on Saturdays and Sundays.
Navigating the Logistics
Getting to Premier Inn London Red Lion Street from Heathrow is straightforward. You take the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road and then it's a short walk or one stop on the Central Line. Or just take the Piccadilly Line straight to Holborn. From Gatwick, it’s the Thameslink to Farringdon and a quick bus or taxi.
The hotel doesn't have its own parking. This is central London; bringing a car is generally a mistake anyway. There are public car parks nearby, like the one on Bloomsbury Square, but they will likely cost more per day than your actual hotel room. Stick to the Tube.
Maximizing Your Stay in Holborn
If you find yourself staying at Premier Inn London Red Lion Street, don't just head straight for the big landmarks. Take a morning to walk through Gray's Inn Gardens. Visit Sir John Soane’s Museum—it’s free, it’s weird, and it’s one of the best "hidden" gems in the city. It’s an architect’s house frozen in time, packed with antiquities and paintings.
📖 Related: Why Your State Map of the United States Is Probably Lying to You
For coffee, skip the chains. Go to Prufrock Coffee on Leather Lane. It’s legendary in the London coffee scene. If you happen to be there on a weekday, Leather Lane Market is great for street food. You can get everything from falafel to hog roasts for under ten pounds.
The beauty of the Premier Inn London Red Lion Street is that it doesn't try to be something it’s not. It’s a high-tech, clean, functional basecamp. It’s for the traveler who spends their day exploring and just wants a guaranteed good shower and a comfortable bed at the end of it. It’s efficient. It’s smart. And in a city as expensive as London, finding a spot that offers this level of quality in this specific location is a genuine win.
Actionable Strategy for Your Visit
- Book the "Flex" Rate: London plans change. For a few extra pounds, the ability to cancel up to 1 pm on the day of arrival is worth the peace of mind.
- Request a High Floor: If you’re worried about street noise—though it’s minimal—being higher up always helps.
- Download the App: You can check in on your phone and sometimes even bypass the kiosks entirely.
- Explore Lamb’s Conduit Street: It’s a short walk away and has some of the best independent boutiques and men's tailoring in London. It feels like a village in the middle of the metropolis.
- Check the "Window" Status: When booking, double-check if your room is "Standard" or "No Window." The price difference is usually small, but the impact on your morning mood might be big.
By choosing Premier Inn London Red Lion Street, you are essentially trading square footage for location and price. It’s a trade-off that makes a lot of sense for the modern urban explorer who values their budget as much as their proximity to a decent flat white and a Tube station. Use the money you save on the room to buy a better dinner or a theatre ticket. That is how you actually "do" London correctly.