Whether you’re passing through on your way to a cruise from Southampton, visiting London for a short break, or simply need somewhere reliable to stay before catching a mainline train, finding the right hotels near Waterloo station can make a real difference to your trip. London Waterloo is one of the busiest railway stations in Europe, and the surrounding area offers a surprisingly wide range of accommodation — from budget-friendly chains to seriously impressive riverside luxury.
This guide covers the best hotels near Waterloo station London has to offer across a range of budgets, so whether you’re looking for a bargain or a splurge, you’ll find something here.
Why stay near Waterloo Station?
London Waterloo is an excellent base for a stay in the capital, particularly if you’re travelling to or from the south of England, particularly if you’re embarking on a cruise from Southampton or Portsmouth. Waterloo is served by South Western Railway, which runs direct mainline services to Southampton Central, making it a natural overnight stopover before or after a sailing.
For getting around London itself, Waterloo is extremely well connected. The station sits on the London Underground network, with the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines all passing through, giving you fast, direct access to much of central London, including the West End, the City, and major tourist attractions like the South Bank, the London Eye, the Tate Modern and Borough Market, all within walking distance.
That said, it’s worth being aware of one important limitation: there are no direct public transport options from Waterloo to either Heathrow or Gatwick airports. A journey to Heathrow requires a change (typically via the Piccadilly line or Elizabeth line from another hub), and reaching Gatwick similarly involves at least one interchange. If airport transfers are a priority, factor this into your planning.
The 9 best hotels near Waterloo Station London
1. London Marriott Hotel County Hall
If budget is no object, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall is one of the most spectacular hotels in the entire city, never mind just the Waterloo area. Housed in the magnificent former home of the Greater London Council – the grand County Hall building right on the Thames – the hotel benefits from some of the finest waterfront views in London. Think floor-to-ceiling windows looking directly across the river to the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster. It doesn’t get much more iconic than that.
Rooms are elegant and spacious, and the hotel comes with all the amenities you’d expect at this level: a pool, a spa, and multiple dining options. Marriott Bonvoy members will earn points on their stay and may be able to redeem rewards here, though the hotel sits at the premium end of the Bonvoy portfolio.
At this price point, it’s not an everyday stay, but for a special occasion or a treat before a cruise, it’s hard to beat.
💰 Price guide: From ~£350–£600+ per night
❓ Best for: Marriott loyalists, special occasions
📍 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
2. Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
The Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge is another impressive choice with real wow factor. A sleek, modern tower hotel sitting right on the South Bank, it offers stunning river views from many of its rooms – some of the best you’ll find at the four-star level. The hotel is large, professionally run and comes with everything the Park Plaza brand is known for: smart, contemporary design, well-appointed rooms, good dining options and a reliable standard of service.
It’s on the expensive side for a four-star, but the location and views justify the premium. A good step down from the Marriott in price without feeling like much of a compromise.
💰 Price guide: From ~£180–£350 per night
❓ Best for: Couples, Park Plaza fans
📍 200 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7UT
3. Park Plaza County Hall London
Sharing the same prestigious County Hall address as the Marriott next door, the Park Plaza County Hall London is a slightly more accessible option than its neighbours, while still delivering a solid four-star experience. A handful of rooms offer partial river views, though the majority don’t – this is less of a “rooms with a view” hotel than either the Marriott or the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza.
What it does offer, however, is a slightly shorter walk to Waterloo Station compared to some of the riverside options, smart and comfortable rooms, and all the benefits of staying within the iconic County Hall complex. A solid, reliable choice at a fair price point for central London.
💰 Price guide: From ~£150–£280 per night
❓ Best for: Families, business travellers
📍 1 Addington Street, London SE1 7RY
4. NOX Waterloo
If you want something a little different, NOX Waterloo is an understated, quietly luxurious hotel sitting just steps from the station. The “studio” format means rooms are larger than your average hotel room and come with a sitting area, making NOX a particularly attractive choice for longer stays or for travellers who appreciate a bit more space and independence.
Despite being almost literally on the doorstep of Waterloo Station, NOX doesn’t shout about itself – it’s a calm, well-designed and comfortable option that punches well above its price point. A genuinely pleasant hidden gem in the area.
💰 Price guide: From ~£120–£220 per night
❓ Best for: Longer stays, travellers needing more space
5. The Wellington Hotel
The Wellington Hotel holds a special place in the Waterloo hotel landscape. It is, quite simply, the closest hotel to Waterloo Station of any on this list – an almost absurdly convenient location if you have an early train or a late arrival. Long-time Londoners may remember it as a rather rough-and-ready establishment that that has often been used as a filming location. Thankfully, the hotel has undergone a significant and tasteful renovation in recent years and is now a genuinely decent place to stay.
One caveat worth mentioning: a train line runs directly alongside parts of the hotel, which means some rooms can be noisier than others. It’s worth requesting a quieter room when booking if this is a concern. That aside, for the location and the price, the Wellington offers excellent value.
💰 Price guide: From ~£90–£160 per night
❓ Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who want character
📍 81-83 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UD
6. Ruby Lucy Hotel London by IHG
The Ruby Lucy Hotel is one of the trendier hotels near Waterloo station – a stylish, design-forward hotel within a short walk of the station that suits travellers who want somewhere with a bit of personality rather than a cookie-cutter chain experience. Rooms are well-designed and contemporary, and the hotel has a cool, social atmosphere.
As part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, IHG One Rewards members can earn points on stays here and benefit from member rates, making it a no-brainer choice if you collect IHG points. Even for non-members, it’s a strong option at this price point.
💰 Price guide: From ~£110–£200 per night
❓ Best for: IHG members, trendy travellers
📍 100 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London SE1 7AB
7. Travelodge London Central Waterloo
For those looking at cheap hotels near Waterloo station London, the Travelodge London Waterloo is one of the most affordable options within a reasonable walking distance of the station. Travelodge hotels don’t tend to win any design awards, and this one is no different – but they’re consistent, clean, and reliable, and in central London, reliability at this price point is genuinely valuable.
Rooms are simple and functional. Don’t expect luxury extras, but do expect a decent night’s sleep at a fair price. Booking in advance, particularly midweek, can yield some very attractive rates.
💰 Price guide: From ~£60–£110 per night
❓ Best for: Budget travellers, solo travellers
📍 195-203 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UX
8. Premier Inn London Waterloo – York Road
`Top tip: Check out our Premier Inn Discount Code 2026 guide to learn how to save up to 15% off every booking – and not just in Waterloo, but anywhere in Europe.
The Premier Inn London Waterloo (York Road) is arguably the best overall value hotels near Waterloo Station for most travellers. Premier Inn is the UK’s most popular hotel chain for good reason – it consistently delivers comfortable, clean, well-run accommodation at prices that significantly undercut the competition. This particular property is just steps from Waterloo Station, putting it in a genuinely unbeatable position for convenience.
If you’ve stayed at a Premier Inn before, say, the Premier Inn West Quay in Southampton before a cruise, you’ll know exactly what to expect: a good bed, a clean room, a friendly welcome and a hearty breakfast available downstairs. No surprises, no disappointments. For the majority of travellers, this is the sweet spot between cost and quality, and is our top recommendation for those on a sensible budget.
💰 Price guide: From ~£70–£130 per night
❓ Best for: Families, value seekers, anyone wanting reliable quality
📍 85 York Road, London SE1 7NJ
9. Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo
Just one block down Waterloo Road, the Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo is another solid, reliable mid-range option. The Hampton by Hilton brand sits in the dependable middle ground of the Hilton portfolio – smarter and more polished than a budget chain, but without the premium price tag of the flagship Hilton properties. Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, and the hotel is professionally run.
Hilton Honors members will benefit from earning points here, making it a natural choice if you’re a Hilton loyalist. For everyone else, it’s a safe, comfortable option at a fair price within easy reach of the station.
💰 Price guide: From ~£100–£180 per night
❓ Best for: Hilton Honors members, mid-budget travellers
📍 157 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8XA
FAQs
It depends on your budget. For luxury, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall is exceptional, with iconic Thames views. For best overall value, the Premier Inn London Waterloo on York Road is hard to beat – comfortable, reliable and reasonably priced for central London.
The Travelodge London Waterloo and Premier Inn London Waterloo (York Road) are consistently the most affordable options. Both are within easy walking distance of the station and offer reliable, no-frills accommodation. The Wellington Hotel is also a budget-friendly option with a bit more character.
Very close. The London Eye and the South Bank are a short walk away. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are just across Westminster Bridge. The Tate Modern and Borough Market are around 15–20 minutes on foot. Central London’s West End is easily reached via the Underground.
Not directly. Both airports require a multi-leg journey from Waterloo. For Heathrow, the most straightforward route is to take the Underground to a station on the Piccadilly line or to Paddington for the Elizabeth line. For Gatwick, you’ll need to travel to either Victoria or London Bridge for the Gatwick Express or Thameslink services respectively.
Yes, it’s one of the best options in London for this purpose. South Western Railway runs direct mainline trains from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, typically in around 80 minutes. Staying near Waterloo the night before your departure means minimal stress and a straightforward journey to the port.
Yes. The area around Waterloo Station is a busy, well-policed, central London neighbourhood. The South Bank directly north of the station is one of London’s most popular tourist areas. As with anywhere in a major city, standard common-sense precautions apply, but there is no reason for concern about staying in the area.
Yes. The London Marriott Hotel County Hall is part of the Marriott Bonvoy programme. The Park Plaza hotels participate in the radisson rewards scheme. The Ruby Lucy is an IHG One Rewards property. The Hampton by Hilton participates in Hilton Honors. Premier Inn has its own Premier Inn Business Account scheme, though it is not part of a major loyalty network.
Prices quoted are approximate ranges based on typical rates at time of writing and will vary depending on season, availability and advance booking. Always check current rates on the hotel’s own website or a booking platform before making your reservation.
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