Premier Inns near Harry Potter World. When we decided to visit Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden we knew that we would want to stay the night before. This is because we had booked the first Harry Potter Studio Tour session of the day at 9 am hoping we would be able to see it at its quietest. I did not want to run the risk of being late or turning up stressed because something has gone wrong so hotel accommodation was a must. We quite often stay in a chain hotel and set about looking for a Premier Inn near Warner Bros Studio. Not only are they great value but we haven’t stayed in a bad one yet. With this in mind, we booked Premier Inn St Albans. Turns out it is the best Premier Inn near Harry Potter Studios, London if you want to make a weekend of your visit. I’ve written a Premier Inn Review in case you are also thinking of visiting.
Review Premier Inn Hotels near Harry Potter World
Having decided on a premier inn and also wanting to make the most of our weekend. I set about looking for options. And settled on St Albans as it was only a fifteen-minute drive from the city centre to Harry Potter World. But it also meant we could spend the day before our visit in the city exploring. It is not the closest Premier Inn near Harry Potter World (see below) but it is definitely the one if you want to turn your visit into a memorable family weekend away.
Being centrally located it is only a short walk from the main attractions in the city, including the Cathedral, park and Verluiam museum. Making it an ideal base to explore and also giving us the ability to walk out for dinner in the evenings. Although staying the two nights did add extra cost to our break it was really worth it.
Review Premier Inn St Alban’s arrival & parking
We arrived later than intended. The M25 on a Friday night is always a challenge so I was pleased to see that Premier Inn St Albans was easy to find. The postcode for Premier Inn St Albans is AL3 5EB. And it actually takes to the property which is visible from the road. Backing onto the high street it is in a central location with an NCP carpark almost opposite it. We were a little dubious about how much it would cost to park. But actually, we need not have worried. Arriving Friday evening around 6 pm and leaving Sunday morning around 8 pm it cost £11.20. The address for the car park is – AL3 5BH.
Unsurprisingly this particular Premier Inn is very popular for people visiting Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. And was fully booked on the weekend that we stayed mainly with Harry Potter stays and hotel guests. Judging by the number of children we saw that were dressed up as their favourite character. We mentioned at checking in we were here for Harry Potter and they gave both the boys a Harry Potter pen which I thought was a nice touch. Since it was an official Harry Potter one with multiple colours and a sorting hat top.
Review Premier Inn St Albans our family room
Although there is no free parking on site, there are lifts with rooms spread over four floors. The family room we stayed in is exactly the same as many other Premier Inn family rooms. With a large comfortable double Hypnos bed and then two singles. One of the single beds is formed from a sofa bed and the other is a pull-out bed from under the double. Albeit raised so that we are all on one level. Although there is not usually much space between the beds it suits us at the moment as the kids are still quite young. There are always plenty of pillows and towels. The en suite bathroom is a good size with a combined bath and shower. Each room also has a flat-screen TV.
Despite being in a central location we found the rooms to be quiet, with no street noise. I would not hesitate to stay in this particular premier inn again.
Review Premier Inn St Albans facilities
Downstairs it has an onsite restaurant – The Thyme Restaurant which we did not eat in on this visit. But the menus are pretty standard, you can find an example here. Because it is a popular hotel you will need to book a table in advance. I would call to do this despite receiving an email directly from the hotel telling us to respond with times. So we tried to book breakfast via email. And they had not received the email when we checked in. As it was so busy I think we were lucky to get the time we wanted.
Breakfast was good with the self-service laid out in a room adjacent to the restaurant. Offering both cooked breakfasts and continental breakfasts. A cooked breakfast costs £9.50 for all you can eat and the children eat free with accompanying adults. If you opt for a continental breakfast only then the price is £7.50.
One of the things I like about Premier Inn is that offers free wifi, sometimes it can be a bit hit and miss. Here we did not struggle to surf the internet although if you are looking to stream you will want to pay for their ultimate wifi. Which gives you a faster connection with more capacity.
The 10 closest Premier Inn Hotels to Harry Potter World Leavesden
St Albans all sold out? There are several other Premier Inns in the hotel chain which are close by to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London. I have listed 10 Premier Inns near Harry Potter Studios below in order of their distance. All offer standard rooms, double, twin, single and family unless otherwise specified. The distances have been taken from google maps, rather than the Premier Inn website. As I found these to be inaccurate.
Premier Inn Watford North Hotel
There is free parking and a restaurant called the kitchen which needs to be booked in advance. The rooms do not have air conditioning. It is the closest premier inn to Harry Potter World being only 2.6 miles away. It is also close to the historical site of St Albans. So you could stay here and still see the Roman ruins.
Kings Langley
With free parking and breakfast only, there is not a restaurant at this Premier Inn. No air conditioning and no lift. But some new rooms this Premier Inn near Harry Potter Studios is only 3.8 miles away
Watford Central
This is the closest hotel to Watford Junction Station which has direct links to London and Potters Bar. There is parking but it is chargeable on site at £5 per 24 hours. There is no air conditioning but they do have a Thyme Restaurant serving lunch and dinner as well as breakfast. This Premier Inn near Warner Bros Studio is 4.1 miles away.
Watford (Croxley Green) Hotel
Convenient for central London and Wembley Stadium, there is a Brewers Fayre and free parking on site. Some new rooms are 4.8 miles away.
Hemel Hempstead Central
This hotel is also close to the snow centre and is built into a shopping centre. Although parking is close by it is not run by Premier Inn and is chargeable at £4 per 24 hours but needs to be validated by the hotel. There is a Thyme restaurant on site and the rooms have air conditioning. The hotel is 7.4 miles away.
Rickmansworth Hotel
This is a new Premier Inn hotel, close to the Aquadrome. Parking is available at £3.50 or 24 hours and is on a first come first served basis. The rooms do not have air conditioning there is a Thyme Restaurant. This Premier Inn near Warner Bros Studio is 7.7 miles away
Hemel Hempstead West
There are new rooms at this hotel, free parking, there is no air conditioning in the hotel rooms and a Thyme Restaurant. This Premier Inn near Harry Potter Studios is 8.2 miles away.
Premier Inn St Albans
The next closest to Harry Potter World is Premier Inn St Albans which is 8.5 miles away.
London Edgeware
With a tube station close by it is easy to reach the capital and Wembley Stadium is also close by. There is parking but it is allocated on a first come first served basis and paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. Over 8 hours is £12. The rooms have air conditioning and there is a Thyme Restaurant on site. The hotel is 12.8 miles away.
London Elstree / Borehamwood Hotel
Close to Luton airport, car parking is chargeable at £5 per 24 hours, the rooms are air conditioned and there is a Thyme Restaurant. The hotel is 15.9 miles away using the M25.
We had such a great time visiting Warner Bros. Studios. Walking through the great hall, marvelling at privet drive, shopping in Diagon Alley and the gift shop! It was made all the better without our overnight stay before. That meant we arrived fresh and ready for all the walking. Have you been to the Making of Harry Potter?
Related blog posts
If you have enjoyed this post then these may also be of interest
The Ultimate Guide to visiting Harry Potter World
What does the Harry Potter Tour Include
Things to do in St Albans with families
Verulamium Museum & Roman Theatre
If you’ve liked this post please follow me on my social media channels:
Mudpie Fridays: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | LinkedIn
PIN for later – Premier Inn near Harry Potter Studios/Premier Inn near Warner Bros Studio
One Response
My brother has recently moved to St Albans, I didn’t realise there were so many things to do like Cathedral, park and Verluiam museum. I could take the children and stay at his new house and explore for the day, im sure he wouldn’t mind haha