So I am staying at my first PI next month.
I am of the impression that it is a 3 star, decent, but no frills hotel.
But let us say I have a simple question such as "where can I pick up the HoHo Bus" or "what direction do I walk to get to St James Park", can you ask anyone at the desk?
Also is there any visitor information available against a wall? I am talking pamphlets.
They don't have a concierge or someone at a desk that stands there all the time, like a lot of hotels. However, you can usually find someone walking around, or possibly go in the breakfast room/restaurant to find someone and ask them. I wouldn't rely on being able to do so, though. And depending on the time of day, they might be very busy and won't have time to help you.
Keep in mind that there are apps on your phone that you can use, like Google Maps and Citymapper. And if that doesn't work, I would just ask someone on the street. Most Londoners are friendly, and if you find someone that doesn't look like they're in a hurry, they'd be more than happy to direct you.
But really, it wouldn't hurt to research stuff like this ahead of time. For example, if you know you're going to use the HoHo Bus and you know you're staying at a certain hotel, find out where the HoHo Bus stops near your hotel before your go. That way, you'll have that information ahead of time. Obviously, there are some things that you will be doing at that time, but a lot of information can be found well ahead of time.
That's why I spend so much time researching my trips, so I don't have to wait until the last minute to ask someone where something is. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it just makes your stay a whole lot easier, and you can get to where you're going quicker if you don't have to stop and look for someone to help you.
I don't think they have pamphlets at PIs although they may have them, and I just don't remember. If they did, they would be marketing brochures for tours and sightseeing places. If you want pamphlets about London in general, you'd be better off going to one of the tourist information centers. They have a ton of information and dedicated staffers who can answer your questions. I know there's one in Victoria, which I think is where you're staying, right? https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/place/470021-victoria-visitor-centre
What you are taking about is a concierge service which they don’t have.
Staff are available in the hotel and there would be no problem asking them this type of question. Whether they will be able to give you an answer to your specific question is another matter, but in general people will try to be helpful.
I wouldn’t rely on there being pamphlets available as so much stuff has gone on line. If there are pamphlets I doubt there will be many and they are likely to be pretty random in nature.
Websites such as TimeOut and the Londonist will provide much more up to date information.
Get the CityMapper app, and avoid the HoHo buses.
Btw it’s Premier Inn.
From what I experienced, they are young, entry level and inexperienced. Some may try to be helpful, but I wouldn't count on them knowing much.
Premier Inn runs on the absolute minimum staffing possible. The staff are generally very good but their role is to check in guests and deal with basic queries. They’re also usually very busy. For example, if you need an extra towel be prepared to wait in a queue at the desk to be able to ask for one. It’s a budget hotel and it acts like a budget hotel.
Hi Bostonphil, how exciting you're getting ready for your next overseas trip! I would absolutely take the HopOnHopOff bus to get oriented in London, especially as I recall you walk with a cane & might have a problem negotiating lots of stairs / subway steps? I enjoyed the bus, only issue is time of day and not getting caught in bad traffic. But then you can get off, and just get back on whenever you like. And agreed, the more planning you do ahead of time, the better off you will be. Have a think about how you're getting from I seem to recall it's a port after your cruise from Iceland to England? And agreed CityMapper helps if you're off line, don't recall on your Paris trip if you bought a data plan. You're going to have a wonderful time!
I’m staying at a Premier Inn in London at the moment, and the staff are lovely and friendly when you can see them. But there’s not always someone on the front desk. There’s self service check-in for those that are happy to use it so there may be just one person on reception desk dealing with everything else.
The staff tend to be young, from outside the UK, and I wouldn’t expect them to be able to give tips on the local area. There is so much information available online that these kind of concierge services aren’t expected or needed at a basic hotel chain.
(It’s Premier Inn not Premium Inn, btw).
I appreciate all the answers
Mardee, i do a lot of research and have been doing research. I use my computer and google maps when home.
Have some apps downloaded on my phone and iPad including TFL and Google Maps and the Apple Maps and London Visitor Information I even have CityMapper downloaded.
I have researched the HoHo bus but I was using it as an example, just in case.
I like confirming. Even though I might feel I know where to get the HoHo bus, I like asking someone "Is this correct?" or when walking in what I believe is the right direction, I might confirm with a doorman, "Am I walking in the correct direction to such and such place?"
Emma
I get The Londonist on computer. Offers so much
I think that I get one every day and I think that i heard about it from you.
will have to download it to iPhone or iPad before I go.
Hi Sandancisco
I am going to London next month for a full week, no cruise. Only land just like I did Paris in May.
So I am asking about a London trip that will take place in about 5 weeks.
My cruise is next September: Reykjavik to Southhampton and my plans are to be picked up at the cruise port and be taken to the airport. I am going to be tired after my cruise and wanting to get home.
Golden Girl
Thank you for the information.
Is self check in simple enough? I have printed out my reservation.
Is self check in simple enough? I have printed out my reservation.
Phil, you don’t have to do self check-in. There will be someone on the desk (and if not you can press a buzzer to call them) and I suggest that you get them to check you in. They’ll be quite happy to do that.
I mention it so you understand that there will not be multiple reception staff around at the check-in desk.
Golden Girl, thank you
I am going to London next month for a full week, no cruise. Only land
just like I did Paris in May. So I am asking about a London trip that
will take place in about 5 weeks.
What fun! It does sound like you're pretty well prepared, I hope you have an amazing trip! There was quite a long review of a London Premier Inn, I wondered if you saw it? https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/premier-inn-london-county-hall-review
bostonphil7,
I see that your city, Austin, is on Citymapper.
Why don't you do some trial journeys with the app since you're familiar with places in Austin. Without ever stepping on a bus or metro, you'll get a better idea of how the app works. Tap on the suggested routes and you'll find which bus, how to get to the bus stop, how long it should take and more.
If you have an opportunity to actual take a bus in Austin before your London trip. Use the Citymapper app and you'll see how it functions in real life. For example, it will give you an alert that your stop is coming up. That will be helpful in London.
When in London, it will even tell you the best entrance and exit to use at the tube station so you don't get mixed up.
Give it a try at home. You'll be surprised how easy it can be.
Sandancisco
I read the PI review of PI County Hall by Ordinary Rebecca. Nothing ordinary about the review. It was very detailed and very good.
I will be reviewing PI Victoria as a newbie who has read a lot about PI's.
And I do not write as well as Ordinary Rebecca .....
Hi jeanm
I have downloaded City Mapper to both my iPhone and my iPad. I have it on London and still am trying to understand it.
But for now, I am so limited on time.
I am leaving for London a month from tomorrow
I had one cataract out last week and am scheduled to have the next one out next week. I am getting ready to go to my doctor's for my post op.
I have an appt for my knee injection and I have an appt for Flu / Covid.
I have to clean and pack.
There is so little time to explore City Mapper but I may try on the bus or while waiting in my doctor's office.
However I am good with google maps and TFL. They are also downloaded on my mobiles.
I have an appt for my knee injection and I have an appt for Flu / Covid.
Hopefully you are getting the flu and COVID vaccine at least a week or more before you leave, as it takes a while for the vaccine benefits to really kick in. It will also give you some time just in case there are any side effects from the vaccine. I didn't have any, but my arm was very sore and, in fact, still is about 5 days later.
We have stayed in Premier Inns in the UK. They are like a Holiday Inn Express. Still, their rates are always a savings.
Sometimes the desk clerk is not available, but we found the HoHo options on the internet.
