You’re standing in the middle of St Martin’s Lane. To your left, the neon of Leicester Square is humming; to your right, the posh boutiques of Covent Garden are just waking up. If you look at the price of a standard hotel room around here, your eyes might water. Seriously. It’s expensive. But tucked away on St Martin’s Lane is hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden, and honestly, it’s kinda the best-kept secret for people who actually want to spend their money on dinner and theatre tickets instead of a mini-fridge they'll never touch.
It's compact.
That’s the first thing everyone says. If you’re expecting a sprawling suite with a mahogany desk and room for a yoga retreat, you’re in the wrong place. This hotel is built on the philosophy of "everything you need, nothing you don't." It’s basically a high-tech cabin for the modern traveler.
The actual reality of "Hub" living
Most people get it wrong when they think "budget hotel." They think beige carpets and the smell of stale breakfast tea. This isn't that. When you walk into the hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden, the vibe is immediately different. It feels like a tech startup's headquarters. You’ve got kiosks for checking in, which is great because nobody actually wants to talk to a human after a six-hour train ride or a red-eye flight.
The rooms are small. Let's be real about that. If you’re claustrophobic, you might want to take a breath before you enter. But the cleverness of the design is what saves it. The bed—which is a Hypnos mattress, by the way, so you're getting a decent night's sleep—is tucked against the wall. There’s storage under the bed because there’s no wardrobe. Why do hotels still have massive wardrobes? No one uses them. You’re there for two nights; you’re living out of your suitcase or hanging three shirts on the wall hooks provided.
What’s wild is the tech integration. You can literally control the room temperature and the lighting from an app on your phone. Or from a panel by the bed. Want the lights "chill" while you watch TV? One tap. Want it ice-cold while you sleep? Easy. It’s this level of granular control that makes a 12-square-meter room feel like a cockpit rather than a closet.
Why the location is basically cheating
If you’ve ever stayed in a "London" hotel that turns out to be a 40-minute Tube ride from anything interesting, you know the pain. hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden is practically on top of the Leicester Square Underground station. You are 300 meters from the National Portrait Gallery. You're five minutes from the Royal Opera House.
Think about the math.
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A cab back to a cheaper hotel in Zone 3 at midnight after a show will cost you £40. Minimum. Maybe more if there’s a surge. By staying here, you eliminate the "last train" anxiety. You just walk. You’re in the heart of the West End. You can stumble out of a late-night cocktail bar like The Alchemist or Be At One and be in your bed within six minutes. That’s the real luxury. Not a gold-plated faucet, but the luxury of time and location.
What about the noise?
This is a valid concern. Covent Garden never really sleeps. Between the street performers, the tourists, and the delivery trucks at 5:00 AM, it's loud. However, the soundproofing at this hub location is surprisingly robust. They used secondary glazing and heavy-duty seals. You’ll still hear the occasional muffled rumble of the Northern Line—because, well, it’s London—but the street noise is mostly erased.
Dealing with the "no window" situation
Here is the kicker: some of the rooms don't have windows.
Specifically, the "Standard" rooms are often internal. The "Bigger" rooms usually have a window, but even then, it might face a narrow alley or another wall. If you’re the kind of person who needs to see the sunrise to feel human, you need to book the "Bigger" room and check the description carefully.
However, there’s a weirdly cozy benefit to the windowless rooms. It’s total darkness. In a city like London, where light pollution is everywhere, having a room that is basically a sensory deprivation tank is amazing for jet lag. You lose track of time. It’s just you, a high-quality bed, and a 40-inch Smart TV.
The Deli and the morning scramble
Don't expect a massive "all-you-can-eat" buffet with lukewarm baked beans. The Deli at hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden is more of a coffee-shop vibe. You can grab a flat white and a pastry. They do some hot food—smashed avocado on toast, bacon rolls—but it’s designed for the person who is about to head out to a meeting or a day of sightseeing.
Pro tip: skip the hotel breakfast once or twice. You’re in Covent Garden. Walk two blocks to Dishoom for a bacon naan roll or hit up Monmouth Coffee. You have some of the best food in the world on your doorstep. It seems a bit silly to eat a pre-packaged muffin in a basement when you could be eating at a world-class bakery around the corner.
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Space-saving hacks for your stay
- Slide the suitcase: The bed is raised. Use that space. If you leave your bag on the floor, you will trip over it every time you go to the bathroom.
- The Desk: There’s a pull-out desk. It’s tiny. Fine for a laptop, but don't expect to spread out documents and a second monitor.
- The App: Download the "hub by Premier Inn" app before you arrive. It makes the check-in and room control way smoother.
- Bathroom: The shower is actually great. Good pressure. It’s a wet-room style, so just be aware that things get steamy fast.
The competitive landscape
How does it stack up against others? If you look at Z Hotels—which is the main competitor in this "compact luxury" space—they are very similar. Z Hotels often feel a bit more "boutique," while Hub feels a bit more "techy." The Hub rooms usually have a bit more floor space than the smallest Z rooms, which can feel like sleeping in a shoebox.
Then there’s the standard Premier Inn. There is a "regular" Premier Inn in Leicester Square nearby. It’s more expensive. It has bigger rooms. It has a full restaurant. If you’re traveling with kids, go there. Hub is NOT for kids. There’s barely enough room for two adults to stand up at the same time; adding a toddler into that mix is a recipe for a meltdown.
Is it actually a "Business" hotel?
Technically, yes. You see a lot of people in suits or creative-types with MacBooks in the lobby. The Wi-Fi is fast. It’s free. It’s reliable. For a business traveler who just needs a place to crash between meetings at Somerset House or the various HQs in Soho, it’s perfect. It’s efficient. You aren't paying for a gym you won't use or a concierge who just Googles things for you.
But it’s also becoming a massive hit with the "theatre-break" crowd. People who used to stay in Zone 4 and commute in are realizing that for an extra £20, they can stay at hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden and save two hours of travel time.
The fine print you should know
The price fluctuates wildly. This is dynamic pricing at its most aggressive. If there’s a major event at the O2 or it’s a Saturday night in December, the price will spike. But if you book three months out for a Tuesday in February, you can find rates that are genuinely shocking for Central London.
Also, the "Bigger" rooms are worth the upgrade if you’re staying more than two nights. The extra square footage isn't much, but it gives you enough room to move around without doing a synchronized dance with your partner.
Actionable insights for your booking
If you’re ready to book, don't just hit "confirm" on the first thing you see. Check the Premier Inn website directly. Often, they have "saver" rates that aren't on the big booking engines.
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Verify your room type. If a window is a dealbreaker, you must ensure you haven't booked a "Standard" internal room.
Plan your luggage. This is not the place for three oversized hard-shell suitcases. One carry-on and a backpack per person is the "sweet spot" for keeping the room habitable.
Lastly, use the digital check-in. The kiosks are located right as you walk in. It takes about 45 seconds, and you get your key card immediately. No queuing, no fuss.
The hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden represents a shift in how we think about city travel. We’re moving away from the "hotel as a destination" and toward the "hotel as a utility." It’s a high-quality, clean, safe, and incredibly well-located utility. If you spend more than eight hours a day in your hotel room while visiting London, you’re doing London wrong anyway. Use this place as your basecamp, get your sleep, and spend your time—and your saved cash—out in the city.
Check the current rates for your dates as soon as possible, because the "Saver" rooms at this specific location are usually the first to go in the entire London network. You'll want to lock that in early to get the best value out of the West End.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Event Calendar: Before booking, see if there's a major West End opening or a festival in Covent Garden, as this will triple the foot traffic around the hotel entrance.
- Download the App: Get the "hub" app now to see if you can snag a "Member Only" rate, which occasionally shaves another 5-10% off the price.
- Map Your Route: Look at the walking path from Leicester Square station (Exit 1) to the hotel. It’s a very short walk, but the crowds can make it feel longer if you’re hauling bags.
- Audit Your Suitcase: If you can't fit it under a standard bed, it's too big for a Hub room. Pack light or be prepared to feel cramped.