🇬🇧 Margate, United Kingdom
Premier Inn
📍 Station Approach, Margate, CT9 5AD
Your stay — Premier Inn
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Margate.
The Property — Premier Inn
This Premier Inn on the seafront is exactly what it says on the tin: clean, predictable, and efficient. The lobby’s bright and practical, with a check-in desk that’s seen a thousand families grabbing keys before heading to the beach. It’s for travellers who want a solid night’s sleep in a standard room, within staggering distance of the arcades and the Turner Contemporary. No frills, no surprises — and that’s the point.
Chronicles of Margate
Margate grew from a medieval fishing harbour into a full-blown seaside resort in the 19th century, when railways brought day-trippers from London. Its elegant Georgian and Victorian terraces still line the cliffs, alongside the 1920s Dreamland amusement park, recently restored. By the late 20th century, cheap foreign flights had hollowed out the town, leaving it a bit tatty. The turnaround came with the opening of the Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011, which sparked a slow revival in art, cafés and vintage shops. Today it’s a curious mix: faded grandeur, genuine working-class grit, and a new wave of creative transplants.
Best Time to Visit
Full Margate guide →Best months
June to September offer the warmest sea temperatures and reliable sunshine for beach days with the Margate Main Sands less packed than August.
Peak / festival surge
August is the absolute peak, driven by school summer holidays and the Margate Pride festival (usually early August). Hotel prices at Premier Inn can double from the winter rate, and book out weeks ahead. Dreamland and the beach are rammed.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and mid-September are the sweet spots: temperatures are still 16-20°C, crowds thin, and room rates drop 30-40%. You might even get a quieter seafront.
Weather & packing
Margate’s microclimate is sunnier and drier than much of Kent — but the strong easterly wind off the North Sea can turn a warm day cold in minutes. Pack a windproof jacket, even in June. Sunscreen and a light scarf are non-negotiable.
Live City Briefing — Margate
- The Margate railway station is undergoing a platform extension until late 2026, causing occasional delays on the high-speed service from London St Pancras; check Southern Railway for live updates.
- The annual Margate Soul Festival is scheduled for 4-6 July 2026, so expect more live music in the old town and busier pubs than usual during your stay.
- A new permanent food market, Margate Market Hall, opened in spring 2026 on the High Street, offering local seafood and craft beer until late evening.
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 the rear (away from Station Approach). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and passers-by on the pavement, and the rear aspect looks over the low-rise housing towards the sea – though not a full sea view, it’s quieter than the front.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the main entrance or lift lobby) as they pick up footfall, luggage trolleys, and late-arrival chatter. Also avoid rooms directly above the car park entrance at the front: early departures and engine noise from 6am.
Best views
Rooms on the 4th floor with a rear aspect (ask for 'back of house, high floor'). You’ll see the rooftops of Margate Old Town and a sliver of sea beyond the harbour – not a classic sea view but better than the car park and train station vista from the front.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4. The lift serves all floors, so there’s no stair-climb issue, and these upper floors sit above the street-level hubbub from Station Approach and the train station opposite.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits right opposite Margate train station (Station Approach), so expect train announcements and diesel engine idling until 11pm and again from 5am. The carpark to the side also generates early morning noise. Front-facing rooms on lower floors are loudest.
Insider tips
1. Book a parking space at check-in if you drive – the 40-space lot fills by 7pm on summer weekends. If full, Arlington House Car Park is a 6-minute walk and cheaper than the hotel’s £8 per night. 2. Check-in is automated kiosk from 2pm – skip the queue by using the mobile check-in link in your booking email.
- 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 unlimited Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15-20 Mbps. No login constraints – just accept terms on the portal.
Lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby has a TV displaying news.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 12:00. Late check-out (until 14:00) costs £10 if available. Standard check-out by 12:00.
Free of charge at reception during your stay.
Step-free access via ramp to main entrance. Two accessible rooms with wider doors and grab rails. Lift to all floors. No hearing loop or braille menus.
On-site parking: £8 per night (first-come, first-served, 40 spaces). Nearest public car park is Arlington House Car Park (0.3 miles, £12 for 24h). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment taken at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require card details for security but no upfront deposit. At check-in a £50 incidental hold is placed on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: All Saints Church (617 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (724 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Margate Baptist Church (840 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Al-Birr Community Centre and Mosque (924 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hartsdown Park — 540 m · ~7 min walk
Crab Museum — 974 m · ~12 min walk
Theatre Royal — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Hartsdown Park Play Area — 394 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 515 m · ~6 min walk
Boots — 726 m · ~9 min walk
Premier Convenience Store — 407 m · ~5 min walk
Margate — 166 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for better rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports or tourist spots as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile payments accepted widely, but keep cash for small shops, market stalls, and some cafes.
Optional: round up at restaurants (10% for good service), taxi drivers (round up to nearest pound), and tip hotel staff a few pounds for help with bags or room service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a takeaway van or cafe costs around £2.50–£3.
A sandwich or hot filled roll from a bakery or sandwich bar for £4–£6.
Fish and chips or a pub main like bangers and mash for £10–£14.
Margate seafront has occasional food stalls and the Old Town market area offers cheap eats like pasties or crepes.
Tesco, Asda, and Aldi are common budget supermarkets in the CT9 area.
Charity shops on Northdown Road and some high-street chains like Primark offer affordable clothing.
A day bus ticket costs around £4.50 and covers local buses; from an airport, take a coach or National Rail service for the best value.
Walk or cycle around Margate as most attractions are close; eat at pubs or cafés rather than seafront restaurants; visit free attractions like the beach or Turner Contemporary gallery.
Good to know — Margate
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
MargateFor non-urgent police matters, call 101. In a medical emergency, dial 999. The nearest major hospital with an A&E is Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate (CTV5 3BW). For coastguard or sea rescue, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Margate, 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 — 515 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 726 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →London Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW) → Westbrook Lodge Guest House, Margate
💡 Book a pre-paid transfer like Addison Lee or local Margate Cars (01843 226600) — cheaper than black cabs and no surge pricing. If arriving at Gatwick, add 30 mins via M25 traffic.
London Victoria Coach Station → Margate – Marine Terrace (CT9 2AA), 0.6 miles from Westbrook Lodge
💡 Cheapest option at £12 if booked in advance on National Express website. Coaches have free WiFi and plug sockets. Arrive at Margate stop, then walk 12 mins east along the seafront to Westbrook Lodge. Avoid Friday evening departures — they fill up fast.
Margate Station / town centre → Westbrook Lodge Guest House (stop: Westbrook Avenue, route 8 or 8X)
💡 Use the Stagecoach app to buy a day rider pass (£4) — good for all Thanet buses. Get off at Westbrook Avenue stop, then it's a 2-min walk to the guest house. Buses run less often after 7pm, so grab a taxi if late.
London St Pancras International → Margate Station (0.8 miles from Westbrook Lodge)
💡 Book advance tickets 2 weeks ahead on Trainline or Southeastern for best prices. The high-speed 'Javelin' train (class 395) saves you 30 mins vs slow trains. From Margate station, it's a 15-min walk or £5 taxi to the guest house.
About Margate
Wikipedia ↗
Dreamland Margate is an amusement park and entertainment centre based on a traditional English seaside funfair located in Margate, Kent, England. The site of the park was first used for amusement rides in 1880, although the Dreamland name was not used until 1920 when the park's Grade II* listed (par...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Premier Inn?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear (away from Station Approach). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and passers-by on the pavement, and the rear aspect looks over the low-rise housing towards the sea – though not a full sea view, it’s quieter than the front.
Which rooms should I avoid at Premier Inn?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the main entrance or lift lobby) as they pick up footfall, luggage trolleys, and late-arrival chatter. Also avoid rooms directly above the car park entrance at the front: early departures and engine noise from 6am.
Is Premier Inn noisy?
The hotel sits right opposite Margate train station (Station Approach), so expect train announcements and diesel engine idling until 11pm and again from 5am. The carpark to the side also generates early morning noise. Front-facing rooms on lower floors are loudest.
Which rooms have the best views at Premier Inn?
Rooms on the 4th floor with a rear aspect (ask for 'back of house, high floor'). You’ll see the rooftops of Margate Old Town and a sliver of sea beyond the harbour – not a classic sea view but better than the car park and train station vista from the front.
What are insider tips for staying at Premier Inn?
1. Book a parking space at check-in if you drive – the 40-space lot fills by 7pm on summer weekends. If full, Arlington House Car Park is a 6-minute walk and cheaper than the hotel’s £8 per night. 2. Check-in is automated kiosk from 2pm – skip the queue by using the mobile check-in link in your booking email.
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 unlimited Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15-20 Mbps. No login constraints – just accept terms on the portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Premier Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Premier Inn?
A sandwich or hot filled roll from a bakery or sandwich bar for £4–£6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Premier Inn?
A day bus ticket costs around £4.50 and covers local buses; from an airport, take a coach or National Rail service for the best value.
When is the best time to visit Margate?
June to September offer the warmest sea temperatures and reliable sunshine for beach days with the Margate Main Sands less packed than August.
Top Attractions in Margate
💡 Arrive early on summer weekends to bag a spot near the harbour arm, which catches the last of the sun and is less crowded.
💡 Don’t miss the tiny alley called Market Place—there’s a brilliant second-hand bookshop at the far end, and the seafood stall under the arches does the best cockles.
💡 Check the website before visiting—during major exhibition changeovers the main gallery can be closed for a week or two. The ground floor shop and cafe stay open though.
💡 Go on a weekday or outside school holidays to avoid crowds and get cheaper ride wristbands. Free entry means you can just walk in for a coffee or to use the loos.
💡 Buy tickets online in summer to skip the queue. It's small—allow 20–30 minutes maximum. Combine with a walk through the nearby Dane Park.