premier hotel northampton

Choosing between Premier Inn and Travelodge in Northampton comes down to location and what you prioritise for your stay. This review compares the Premier Inn Northampton Town Centre — on Swan Street, 0.2 miles from the centre and next to the Royal and Derngate Theatre (KAYAK) — against the main Travelodge properties in the area, using official listings, aggregate guest reviews, and current price data to help you decide.

Last checked: 2026-07-23

Hotel name: Premier Inn Northampton Town Centre · Address: Northampton town centre next to Royal and Derngate Theatre · Star rating: 3 stars · Starting price: £86 per night · Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 12:00

Which is nicer, Travelodge or Premier Inn?

The short answer depends on whether you prioritise room quality or absolute lowest price. Across the UK, Premier Inn is widely seen as the slightly more up-market choice. One independent reviewer summarised: “Premier Inn standard room is definitely better than a Travelodge standard room, but they are going to be about £10 a night more expensive” (YouTube hotel comparison).

In Northampton specifically, the comparison is nuanced by location. The Premier Inn Town Centre offers walkable access to shops, theatres, and restaurants — something no Travelodge in Northampton currently matches, since the Travelodge properties are positioned at Wootton (2.6 miles out) and at the M1 junction. For a visitor who wants to step out of the hotel and be in the middle of the city, the Premier Inn Town Centre is the only option among the two chains.

On room quality, multiple UK-wide reviews note that Premier Inn standard rooms generally outperform Travelodge standard rooms in bed comfort, soundproofing, and overall finish. Travelodge’s “SuperRoom” upgrades narrow this gap, but those upgrades often bring the price closer to Premier Inn’s standard rate (YouTube upgrade comparison).

How far is Premier Inn Northampton from the city center?

The Premier Inn Northampton Town Centre is approximately 0.2 miles from the heart of Northampton, placing it within a 4–5 minute walk of the Market Square, the Grosvenor Centre shopping area, and the Royal and Derngate Theatre (KAYAK). This makes it the most centrally located budget-chain hotel in the city.

By comparison, the Premier Inn Northampton Bedford Rd/A428 sits about 2.8 miles east of the town centre (in The Lakes area, NN4 7YD) and requires a bus or car journey to reach central amenities. The Travelodge Northampton Wootton is about 2.6 miles from the centre on London Road, while the Travelodge Northampton M1 is located directly at the motorway junction (15 Loake Close, NN4 5EZ) and is primarily aimed at drivers rather than visitors wanting pedestrian access to the city (Tripadvisor).

Getting there by train and car

Northampton railway station is roughly 0.6 miles from the Premier Inn Town Centre — about a 12-minute walk or a short taxi ride. For drivers, the hotel does not offer on-site parking; the nearest public car parks include the Grosvenor Centre multi-storey and the St John’s car park, both a few minutes’ walk away.

What are common complaints about Premier Inn?

Nationwide, the most frequent guest complaints about Premier Inn properties relate to three areas: cleanliness inconsistencies, noise levels, and variable staff service. Across multiple review platforms, guests report that cleanliness can vary significantly between properties and even between rooms in the same hotel.

Noise is another recurring theme — particularly at properties near main roads or with thin internal walls. For the Northampton Town Centre location, its central position on Swan Street means some street noise is possible, especially on weekend evenings when the nearby theatre and restaurants are busy.

One common thread across UK Premier Inn reviews is that breakfast, while generally rated higher than Travelodge’s offering, is an additional cost and can feel overpriced for what it includes. This is a recurring point in comparison videos and text reviews alike (YouTube comparison).

Is Northamptonshire a nice area?

Northamptonshire is a largely rural county in the East Midlands with a mix of market towns, historic villages, and green spaces. The county town of Northampton itself offers a pedestrianised shopping centre, the Royal and Derngate Theatre, and several parks including Abington Park and Becket’s Park. Nearby villages such as Fotheringhay, Brixworth, and Cottesbrooke are frequently cited among the prettiest in the county, with thatched cottages and historic churches.

The area has good transport links — the M1 motorway runs through the county, and Northampton railway station provides direct trains to London Euston (around 60 minutes) and Birmingham New Street. For visitors considering a stay in the region, the choice of hotel often depends on whether the trip is centred on the town itself or on exploring the wider county.

One source notes that the nicest parts of Northampton for visitors include the Cultural Quarter around the Royal and Derngate, the historic Market Square, and the Abington district with its park and museum (Progressive Lets area guide). The Premier Inn Town Centre sits right at the edge of the Cultural Quarter, making it well-positioned for exploring these areas on foot.