For travelers wishing to stay outside London in charming suburbs here’s my report on two Premiere Inn accommodations.
Please note I’ve been traveling to London since the 70’s so had no need to be close to THE “sites.” Chiswick and Richmond are not in Travel Zones 1 & 2 so if first time visitors I suggest you stay closer to the city center.
Recently returned from another London Christmas excursion and chose to stay in two London suburbs instead of the City Center.
I chose the Chiswick and Richmond neighborhoods. Both were great for my travel. Very pleased with my accommodations.
The Chiswick one is large and an easy 15-20 minute stroll from the Turnham Green Station. The hotel is located across the road from the Fuller Brewery. You walk into a well lit tunnel to get to the Premiere Inn. I believe it had to be an office building at one point. My room was on the first level. It was quiet and comfortable. I did not pay extra for meals but due to an incident of getting stuck in the elevator for 30 minutes upon my arrival I was given meal vouchers for my entire stay. Food was very good.
For pub lovers the George and Devonshire pub
( part of the Brewery ) is across the road. You walk in the same well lit underground tunnel to get it.
Chiswick High Street had restaurants, cafes and shops. I liked Chief Coffee which is down a short alley near the Turnham Green Station. To get into London proper I chose to tube 3 stops to Ealing Broadway and take the 7 minute GW train into Paddington. From there you can easily walk to Italian Gardens in Hyde Park. I enjoy coffee there. BTW the Lido cafe next the Serpentine is closed and under renovation. Otherwise take the tube ( District Line) from Turnham Green to Westminster. 20 minutes.
I had theatre tickets to Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall. Tubed to Westminster, walked across the bridge and went into County Hall. Easy peasy!
Totally surprised to see how many folks were riding the tube back to Turnham Green at 10:30pm. Nice ride and the stroll back to the hotel was well lit.
Safety never an issue.
For me the ability to walk along the nearby Chiswick Mall adjacent to the Thames was a reason for booking this Premiere Inn. A pleasant sojourn along the Mall. Discovering the Mari Delicatessen the highlight. Charming spot, lovely owners, tasty pastries and excellent coffee. Also mudlarked when the tide was low. Bliss. Lastly it’s a long Walk but had a fabulous cream tea at the Orange Pekoe Tea Room in Barnes. As I said walking along the Thames path was a primary reason for booking in Chiswick.
The Richmond Premiere Inn is an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Richmond Station. Ignore the Costa and Starbucks coffee shops and instead go to the Butter Beans coffee shop is next to the station. Good coffee and atmosphere. Again if a pub lover the venerable The George is 100 yards from the Richmond Premiere Inn.
I attended Christmas Eve mass at St John the Divine which was 10 minutes from the hotel.
You can easily walk from the hotel to the Lions Gate at Kew Gardens in 10 minutes. It’s a longer but pleasant stroll to Richmond Park as well. I enjoyed visiting both. Richmond Park is huge. Loved walking about it. Used the tube from Richmond to Sloane Square on a Tuesday to meet a friend for lunch at Comptoir Libanais at Duke of York Square.
My 2nd floor room faced the street but you hear nothing due to the double panned glass. In all honesty late at night I enjoyed the ability to open the window to let some cool air in.
Rooms at both hotels were a good size, quiet and comfortable. Thought both a good price and would stay at them again.