South Bank / Westminster Bridge

Premier Inn London County Hall

★★★★★

Premier Inn London County Hall offers one of the most remarkable locations of any budget hotel in the world. It occupies part of County Hall, the grand Edwardian-baroque building on the South Bank that was once the headquarters of London's government, right beside the London Eye and looking across the Thames to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The building also houses the Sea Life London aquarium and other family attractions, so the hotel sits in the middle of the city's busiest family sightseeing zone. Rooms are classic Premier Inn: simple, clean and consistent, with the chain's well-regarded comfortable beds, blackout curtains, a desk and an en-suite bathroom. Family rooms, which typically fit two adults and two young children with sofa beds, are the main reason families book. Breakfast is served in the in-house Thyme Bar and Grill, and the chain's offer that lets up to two children eat breakfast free when an adult orders a Premier Inn breakfast saves families real money. The bar and grill also serves dinner. It is a large hotel with many rooms, and the interior is functional rather than characterful, since the historic architecture is mostly on the outside. Many rooms face internal courtyards rather than the river. There is no on-site parking, though public car parks are nearby. Waterloo station is about eight minutes' walk, and Westminster station is just over the bridge, putting the Jubilee, District and Circle lines within easy reach. For families on a budget who want to walk to the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the South Bank, it is the obvious choice.

Why it works for families: you can walk out of the front door and be at the London Eye in a minute, the aquarium is in the same building, the Southbank Centre's riverside path with its street performers and summer fountains runs alongside, and Westminster Bridge leads straight to Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey and, a little further, St James's Park and Buckingham Palace. Children can see Big Ben lit up on the way back from dinner. Value comes from the predictable Premier Inn formula: good beds, family rooms at a fixed price, and breakfast deals.

Things to know: rooms do not have river views as standard, and recent reviewers have mentioned that air conditioning and noise can vary between rooms, so request a quiet room if that matters. Prices rise sharply in peak periods and school holidays, so booking early and choosing the chain's flexible or saver rates helps. Breakfast is not always included in the room price, so check your booking. The hotel's size means check-in can be busy at peak times.

Getting around: Waterloo is one of London's main transport hubs, with the Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines and trains to the south-west, and Westminster station is across the bridge. Riverboats run from the London Eye pier to the Tower and Greenwich. For a family looking for a dependable, well-located, budget-friendly base for a first trip to London, it is hard to beat.