Your stay — Premier Inn
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The Property — Premier Inn
Premier Inn Leicester City Centre is a reliable, no-nonsense base just off the ring road. The lobby is clean, bright and functional, with a self-check-in kiosk and a whiff of breakfast bacon from the adjoining Thyme restaurant. It suits budget-conscious travellers and business visitors who value a consistent bed and a central location over character. You get exactly what you pay for: soundproofed rooms, blackout curtains, and a five-minute walk to the Highcross shopping centre.
Chronicles of Leicester
Leicester began as a Roman settlement called Ratae Corieltauvorum, with its Jewry Wall still standing from that era. The medieval core grew around the cathedral and the Guildhall, but much of the city centre was rebuilt in the 1960s with concrete and car parks. In 2012, Richard III's skeleton was discovered under a council car park, sparking a tourism renaissance. Today, Leicester is a proud multicultural hub, famous for its Diwali celebrations, the thriving Belgrave Road curry houses, and the National Space Centre as a modern anchor.
Best Time to Visit
Full Leicester guide →Best months
May and June for warm, settled weather without July's peak crowds; September for mild days and the city's Riverside Festival.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month due to school holidays, the Leicester Caribbean Carnival (usually late July), and summer events at Abbey Park. Hotel prices at Premier Inn can rise 30–40% above off-peak rates. Book well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
March–April and October–November offer discounts of 15–25%, cooler but walkable weather, and quieter sights like the cathedral and King Richard III Visitor Centre.
Weather & packing
Leicester's climate is famously changeable; expect sun, cloud and a sharp shower all in one afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a vest or scarf for the evening chill, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Leicester
- Leicester's Bus Station on Haymarket is undergoing a phased refurbishment until late 2026; some services are temporarily relocated, so check your coach stop in advance.
- New pedestrian and cycling paths along the River Soar opened spring 2026, linking the city centre to Abbey Park and the National Space Centre.
- The Leicester Caribbean Carnival will run on 25 July 2026; roads around Victoria Park will close from midday, affecting taxi and bus routes into the city.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Premier Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from St Nicholas Circle, which is a main road. Even-numbered rooms on the car park side tend to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (above the reception/bar area) and any room ending in '01' or '02' near the lift lobby — you'll hear the lift mechanism and hallway noise.
Best views
Upper floors on the car park side offer a quieter outlook over rooftops, with a glimpse of the cathedral spire if you're at the far end.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are best; the hotel has five floors, and rooms on the middle floors minimise street noise and footfall above.
🔊 Noise notes
Leicester Premier Inn is on St Nicholas Circle, a dual carriageway. Early morning traffic starts around 6am, especially delivery lorries to the nearby shopping centre. The hotel's own car park entrance is off St Nicholas Place, so rooms at the rear on lower floors may hear cars arriving late.
Insider tips
1) Park in the NCP on St Margaret's Way instead of the hotel's own car park — it's cheaper and still only 5 minutes' walk. 2) Ask for a room on the 'quiet side' (facing the car park) when you check in; reception staff can note this and often oblige if available.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Premier Inn
Free Wi-Fi (up to 8 Mbps) for unlimited devices, no login constraints.
Lift serves all three floors of the hotel; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical newspapers provided.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 12:00 at no charge. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00 to 18:00 costs £10; after 18:00 costs full night's room rate.
Free luggage storage at reception before check-in and after check-out.
Step-free access via ramps at main entrance; lift to all floors; accessible rooms with widened doorways and grab rails available. No structural limitations reported.
No on-site hotel parking. Nearest public car park: NCP Leicester High Street, 0.2 miles, £12 for 24 hours (weekday) / £8 (weekend). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No deposit required for standard bookings; a £50 card hold for incidentals at check-in or a £50 cash deposit.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas & Saint Xenophon (457 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Shree Maisuria Samaj Hall (463 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Holy Trinity (476 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St Andrew (591 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Highcross — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Nelson Mandela Park — 156 m · ~2 min walk
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery — 665 m · ~8 min walk
De Montfort Hall — 938 m · ~12 min walk
Go Kids Go — 818 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 303 m · ~4 min walk
110 Walnut Street Pharmacy (in Surgery) — 534 m · ~7 min walk
Pathy Superstore — 348 m · ~4 min walk
Leicester — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Contactless card and mobile payments widely accepted; some small shops and market stalls may be cash-only.
Tipping not mandatory; rounding up the bill or leaving 10% for good service in restaurants is appreciated; taxi drivers often round up to the nearest pound; hotel staff not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee at a café or chain coffee shop costs around £2.50-£3.00.
A sandwich or meal deal from a supermarket or bakery for £3-£5.
A main course at a pub or casual curry house for £8-£12.
Leicester Market has stalls with affordable snacks and baked goods; Belgrave Road offers budget Indian street food.
Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, and Asda are common budget supermarkets.
The Haymarket Shopping Centre and Leicester Market have affordable clothing; charity shops on Belgrave Road offer cheap second-hand items.
A day bus pass within Leicester costs around £4.50; walking is free and very feasible as the city centre is compact.
Buy groceries from Aldi or Lidl; use meal deals at supermarkets for lunch; take advantage of free museums and Leicester's parks.
Good to know — Leicester
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
LeicesterIn the UK, dial 999 for all emergency services (Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue). For non-emergency situations in Leicester, contact the non-emergency number 101. Leicester is in the East Midlands region served by Leicestershire Police.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Leicester, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Premier Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 303 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · 110 Walnut Street Pharmacy (in Surgery) — 534 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Leicester City Centre (Multiple Routes) → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
💡 Routes 1, 3, 8 serve the hotel area; day ticket (£4.50) ideal for multiple journeys around Leicester
East Midlands Airport → Leicester City Centre
💡 Most budget-friendly option; walk 5 mins to hotel from city centre drop-off point
Leicester Train Station → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG (City Centre)
💡 Hotel is walking distance (15 mins) from station; Stagecoach local buses also available from station forecourt
East Midlands Airport → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
💡 Book in advance for better rates; journey time varies with traffic on M1 motorway
About Leicester
Wikipedia ↗
Leicester ( LES-tər) is a city, unitary authority area, and the county town of Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest city in the East Midlands, with a population of 388,348 in 2024. The greater Leicester urban area had a population of 559,017 in 2021, making it the 11th...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Premier Inn?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from St Nicholas Circle, which is a main road. Even-numbered rooms on the car park side tend to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Premier Inn?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (above the reception/bar area) and any room ending in '01' or '02' near the lift lobby — you'll hear the lift mechanism and hallway noise.
Is Premier Inn noisy?
Leicester Premier Inn is on St Nicholas Circle, a dual carriageway. Early morning traffic starts around 6am, especially delivery lorries to the nearby shopping centre. The hotel's own car park entrance is off St Nicholas Place, so rooms at the rear on lower floors may hear cars arriving late.
Which rooms have the best views at Premier Inn?
Upper floors on the car park side offer a quieter outlook over rooftops, with a glimpse of the cathedral spire if you're at the far end.
What are insider tips for staying at Premier Inn?
1) Park in the NCP on St Margaret's Way instead of the hotel's own car park — it's cheaper and still only 5 minutes' walk. 2) Ask for a room on the 'quiet side' (facing the car park) when you check in; reception staff can note this and often oblige if available.
What time is check-in at Premier Inn?
Check-in at Premier Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Premier Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi (up to 8 Mbps) for unlimited devices, no login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Premier Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Premier Inn?
A sandwich or meal deal from a supermarket or bakery for £3-£5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Premier Inn?
A day bus pass within Leicester costs around £4.50; walking is free and very feasible as the city centre is compact.
When is the best time to visit Leicester?
May and June for warm, settled weather without July's peak crowds; September for mild days and the city's Riverside Festival.
Top Attractions in Leicester
💡 For cheap eats, try the Indian street food stalls—samosas and chaat from £2. The covered market hall has better prices than the outdoor stalls for fruit and veg.
💡 Visit on weekdays before noon to avoid coach parties. The Richard III tomb is near the altar; the small exhibition in the transept is free.
💡 The Picasso display is on the first floor in a quiet corner—few people know it's here. Ask at the desk for the free family trail maps.
💡 The abbey ruins are at the north end—bring binoculars to see the carvings on the gatehouse. The café by the lake does cheap tea and cake.
💡 Free entry for Leicester residents with proof of address. Otherwise, the cheapest tickets are online at £8.50 adult—skip the queue.