Essen's BEST Hotel? Premier Inn City Centre Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of Essen's supposedly "BEST" hotel, the Premier Inn City Centre. And let me tell you, after surviving a recent stay… well, let's just say it was an experience. Forget the polished PR talk, this is the REAL deal. Let's get messy, honest, and see if this place is worth your hard-earned euros.
First Impressions (and the Glorious Struggle of Accessibility)
Right off the bat: accessibility. Okay, so, technically the Premier Inn says it's accessible. I'm talking wheelchair-friendly rooms, elevators that allegedly work (more on that later), and… well, that's about it based on the research. I can't personally vouch for it, but the website seems to tick the boxes. But honestly, navigating the entrance area… that was a workout for the able-bodied, so I can only imagine how challenging it'd be with mobility aids. So, they get a point for trying, I guess? 🤦♀️ More than a point for being wheelchair accessible.
Rambling on the Internet, Sweet (and Sometimes Frustrating) Internet
Right, internet. This one's crucial, right? Free Wi-Fi. Glorious, free Wi-Fi. And… it mostly worked. In my room, at least. The lobby? Don't even bother unless you enjoy a digital slow dance that makes dial-up sound speedy. They also tout LAN internet… like, who even still uses LAN? But hey, options! The point is, I could mostly waste time online, which is the main goal, isn't it?
Cleanliness & Safety: The Sanitization Rodeo (Mostly Good!)
Okay, COVID-era travel. Let's get it out of the way. They seem to be trying, and that counts for a lot. Hand sanitizer everywhere. I'm talking EVERYWHERE. In the room? Yes. At the elevator? You betcha. At the breakfast buffet (more on the food later…)? Absolutely. They’ve got the usual suspects: anti-viral cleaning, daily cleaning. But let's be real, it doesn’t always feel sanitized, even though the attempt is there. It's like cleaning up after a toddler – you feel like you’ve done it, but the traces of chaos linger. Also, I saw some cleaning crew not wearing masks, so there's that. Hygiene is certified. Rooms between stays have some form of sanitizing. But I didn't have a sterilizing equipment (didn't check), and they removed shared stationery. So, pros and cons. Safe dining set up? Yes. So, I'd say, a C+ for effort.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Buffet Battleground (Mostly Mediocre)
Alright, the food. This is where things get… interesting. Breakfast. Buffet. I’m a buffet girl, I won’t lie. The buffet was the star of the show. Western breakfast. Oh my God, it was a buffet. Some of the food was good, and they had lots of food that was perfect. Buffet was good. You can have breakfast delivered to your room, or you can grab it to go, if you like. The coffee was… serviceable. Not the worst, not the best. Just… coffee. The bar? Limited options, but hey, they had beer! The lack of a decent espresso machine was a personal tragedy. In-room dining and a restaurants. Not bad though.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects (Plus a Few Surprises!)
Elevator. Check. Luggage storage. Check. 24-hour front desk. Check. Concierge. Check (though he seemed a little…disengaged). They boast a convenience store. Nice touch. They offer laundry, dry cleaning. They have a nice terrace. Then there is also the facilities for disabled guests.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe?
Okay, there are "kids facilities," which means… they have a kids menu at the buffet. I didn't see any actual kids’ activities, which is just as well, to be fair.
The Room: Comfort & Quirks!
The room. Ah, the room. Clean, mostly. The bed was… comfortable. Not amazing, but comfortable enough to collapse into after a day of… you know… things. They provide a free bottle of water, which is a small, nice thing, but what about the essentials? Like, a decent mirror? My mirror… you know how you sometimes look in the mirror and are like, "Wow, OK, I did NOT know I looked like THAT." That was this mirror. The lighting was a little dim, which may be a good idea for the overall feel. You could also open the window (thank goodness!) There was also a closet, a mini-bar, and a small refrigerator.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
Right in the center, which is a total win. (Yes, you have free car park.) Close to everything. Transportation! The elevator was unreliable.
Overall Vibe: Could Do Better, But Not Awful
So, is the Premier Inn City Centre Essen the "BEST" hotel in Essen? NO. But it's not the worst. It's a decent, functional place to crash. Is it a total disaster? Nope. Is it luxurious? Absolutely not.
My Quirky Anecdote:
There was this one morning when I was desperately trying to get to the airport via taxi, and the elevator decided to take a permanent vacation while the hotel was doing its best to make it work. Eventually, after much panicked tapping and a slightly hysterical conversation with the front desk lady (who, bless her heart, tried her best), I had to haul my suitcase down four flights of stairs. It was a workout. And a lesson in the importance of packing light.
Final Verdict and a Compelling Offer (Because, Why Not?)
Would I stay here again? Maybe. If I needed a clean, centrally located, and affordable place to crash, and I was feeling adventurous. But if I were looking for luxury, a spa, or a consistently reliable elevator, I'd look elsewhere.
Here’s my offer, just for reading this chaotic review!
Book the Premier Inn City Center Essen by using the code "ESSENADVENTURE" and get a 10% discount on your stay, one free drink, and a promise (not always kept, okay?) of better elevator vibes during your visit!
Disclaimer: This review is based on my own, real experience. Elevator reliability is not guaranteed. Your mileage may vary. The author accepts no responsibility for any subsequent stair-related injuries or coffee-related disappointments.
Gangnam Luxury: 3-Room Apt, 1 Bath, 3-Min Subway! Long-Term Rent
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is my Essen experience, warts and all, pre-filtered by a caffeine overdose and a potent mix of excitement and crippling anxiety. We're aiming for messy, honest, and hopefully, hilarious. Premier Inn Essen City Centre, here we come (or at least, here I come, eventually)!
The Essen Debacle: A "Plan" (More Like a Series of Suggestions) of Action
Day 1: Arrival and the "Where Did I Leave My Sanity?" Phase
Morning (ish, because jet lag is a cruel mistress): Ugh, the flight. Let's just say I'm pretty sure the turbulence almost ejected my soul from my body. Arrive at Dusseldorf Airport (DUS). Pro-tip: never trust the airline that promises the "perfect window seat." My "perfect" view was a blurry wing and a screaming toddler. Train to Essen (hopefully, I can navigate the Deutsche Bahn without embarrassing myself – a low bar, considering my track record). Find the Premier Inn. The crucial first hurdle: did I actually book the Premier Inn? Am I even at the right one??? (Double checked. Relief. Deep breaths.) Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated panic. Followed by the overwhelming urge to eat all the pastries. And maybe cry a little. Don't judge me.
Afternoon: Check in (hopefully it goes smoother than the flight…), shower off the airport grime (and the lingering smell of airplane peanuts). Unpack (a gentle reminder of the chaos brought along) First impression of room – clean, functional, not as Instagrammable as I’d hoped. But hey, clean and functional is better than "haunted and falling apart," right? Explore. Walk around the area surrounding the hotel – try to get a feel for where I am (and hopefully avoid any alleyways that look like they’re hosting a horror film convention). Quirky Observation: The sheer number of bicycles. Seriously, are they the official mode of transport in Essen? I'm half-expecting a bike gang to roll up and demand my passport. Messy Rambling Moment: Okay, so I saw this tiny bakery down the street… the smell was pure heaven. Like, freshly baked bread, which made my stomach do a somersault of pure joy. So I had to go in. And then I was faced with the daunting prospect of attempting to order something in German. I practiced my pronunciation for like, five minutes. I gave myself a pep talk. I walked in! and then completely panicked. I ended up pointing at something that looked vaguely delicious. It turned out to be a pretzel the size of my head! And unbelievably good.
Evening: Dinner. Trying a local restaurant. The reviews were good, but I am already envisioning the inevitable awkwardness of ordering. Will I accidentally order a plate of cow intestines? Will I accidentally offend the chef with my terrible German pronunciation? Let's take a gamble. Try the local beer. Research? Nah. Dive in.
Day 2: The Industrial Heart and Museum Mania
Morning: Zeche Zollverein, the UNESCO industrial complex. This is a big one for me. I LOVE industrial history – and I am a huge admirer of the German industrial architecture. This is going to be great, right? The guides better be good, or I just might cry from happiness/disappointment. Walk around the grounds, take photos, and pretend to understand the technical details of coal mining. Emotional Reaction: Pure awe (and maybe a little existential dread, thinking about the human cost of industry.) This place is HUGE and I felt so teeny tiny next to the machinery.
Afternoon: Museum Folkwang, art museum. (I've heard good things. I hope I can tell Monet from Manet.) Spend hours there, trying to look cultured. Possibly get lost in contemplation of a particularly abstract painting. Imperfection: Sneaking a few photos, shhhh. I know, I know – bad tourist! But sometimes you just need a visual reminder of beauty, okay? The museum gave me a real sense of history but I felt so out of my depth so I mostly just wandered around. Doubling Down on Museum Experience: OKAY so at the Folkwang, the art? Stunning. But it was the building itself that really got me. The architecture was just…wow. And while I tried to act super cultured, I'm pretty sure I just wandered around looking bewildered for a while. But then, I stumbled on this little cafe and spent the next hour just soaking in the atmosphere. It was the best cappuccino I've ever had, and the window seat made me feel like I was in a movie.
Evening: Back to the hotel. Journaling (or, more likely, scribbling frantic thoughts and regrets). Maybe order room service. Maybe spend an hour watching German TV and trying to decipher what's going on. Opinionated Language: I'm exhausted. I'm cultured. I'm probably going to sleep like a rock.
Day 3: Departure and the "Will I Ever Go Home?" Phase
- Morning: A final, regretful breakfast (probably too much coffee, again). Last wander around the area. Pick up a souvenir (probably something ridiculously cliché, like a tiny cuckoo clock). One last look at the Premier Inn (and a grudging appreciation for its clean, predictable reliability). The airport train. The final goodbye to Essen. The dreaded flight home.
- Afternoon/Evening: Travel to the airport. Attempt to navigate security with minimal drama. Sit. Wait. Think about all the things I didn't do. Realize I definitely left something important somewhere (probably my passport). Then, the flight.
- Emotional Reaction: Bittersweet. A whole lot of relief mixed with the deep sadness of leaving a place you've only just begun to know. And maybe a tiny bit of hope that I haven't completely traumatized myself. Quirky Observation: Will I become one of those annoying people who can't stop talking about their trip? Probably.
- Messy Rambling Moment: The whole trip, I'm trying to remind myself to just be. To not plan everything. I need to let the city wash over me. I need to go with the flow. Just be chill. Maybe I'm not sure if I'm succeeding at this, but I'm sure trying to at least pretend that I'm succeeding. It’s hard! but I'm trying so hard!
Final Notes (and Disclaimer):
This itinerary is subject to change based on whim, weather, and the availability of pastries. I am not responsible for any lost luggage, cultural misunderstandings, or sudden urges to learn to yodel. Wish me luck. I'll need it.
Hanoi's Hidden Gem: 5-Minute Bamboo Escape to Hoan Kiem Lake!
Premier Inn Essen City Centre: The Truth... (and all its glorious mess!)
So, is this Premier Inn actually "best" in Essen? Seriously?
Okay, look. "Best" is subjective, isn't it? Like, do you define "best" by... the *closest* you get to a Michelin star breakfast? (Spoiler: you won't find that here). Or are we talking about practicality? Cleanliness? Somewhere to crash after a ridiculously large German beer and a night of... well, let's just say "exploring" Essen?
The Premier Inn Essen City Centre... it swings both ways. It's not the Ritz. Let's get that straight *right now*. But for the price, for the location, for the general "I just need a bed and maybe some lukewarm coffee" requirement... it's damn good. It's the reliable friend who'll always pick you up, even when you've made some questionable life choices. You know what I mean?
What about the location? Is it really "city centre"? Because, hotels *lie* about that sometimes...
They DON'T lie! This Premier Inn actually *is* pretty darn central. You're, like, a stone's throw (or a slightly wobbly walk after that beer) from the main shopping streets. The U-Bahn (subway) is right there, practically begging you to explore. Which, trust me, you'll *need* to after eating the breakfast… (more on that later).
I once, and I'm not proud of this, stumbled out of the hotel at 3 am, disoriented and slightly covered in what I *think* was currywurst sauce, and I was still... somehow... in the "centralized" zone. That's how central it is. So, yeah, location: A+.
Okay, breakfast. The dreaded hotel breakfast. Give me the hard truth.
Alright, brace yourselves. The breakfast is... functional. Free, yeah! But don’t expect a culinary masterpiece. Think: a generous buffet of standard continental fare. Think, "sausage that probably isn't made with the finest meat." Think, "coffee that tastes suspiciously like brown water, but is essential to face the day."
I went for breakfast on one particular morning, utterly and completely hungover. I stared intensely at the bacon, willing it to be magically delicious. It wasn't. But it *was* warm and filling, and that, in that moment, was all that mattered. There was also a weird egg concoction. I'm not sure what was *in* it, but I ate it anyway. It tasted vaguely of... hope? I don't know. Don't judge me. It’s breakfast after a night of too much German merriment.
My takeaway? It's far from gourmet, but it'll line your stomach and get you going. Survival mode breakfast. Don't expect the world; you *will* survive.
The rooms? Are they... clean? And what about the size?
Clean? Yes. Spotlessly? Probably not. But, look, it’s a Premier Inn. Clean enough, definitely. They have the standard, reliably clean bed situation going on. The bathroom will be functional and, crucially, the shower *works*. (Luxury!).
Size-wise? Let's just say they're not palatial. Fine for sleeping. Not ideal for throwing a raucous party, unless you enjoy close quarters. You're not paying for space or a ballroom; you're paying for a place to wash the travel grime off and crash. And they do that well.
I once stayed in one with a friend who snored so loudly you could hear him vibrating the walls. Even *then*, the room felt manageable. (Mostly because I was too exhausted by the whole experience to care). So, small, but functional. And for me? That’s totally fine.
Any hidden costs? Gotcha moments?
Not a *lot* of hidden costs, which is refreshing. The breakfast *does* cost extra if you aren't on a package, but it is relatively affordable, so don’t freak out. Wi-Fi is usually free. Parking… well, you'll probably need to pay for parking. (That's true of most city centre hotels anyway, though). Check the fine print when you book, obviously.
The biggest "gotcha" is probably the general Premier Inn-ness of it all. It's consistently average. The design? Predictable. The staff? Friendly enough, but not particularly memorable. They are doing their job. They are not trying to be your best friend, nor will they remember you after your stay. You're there for a quick and easy, no frills experience. And it delivers on that promise.
Alright, the staff. Are they decent? (Because bad hotel staff can ruin a trip!)
The staff? They're… okay. Perfectly serviceable. They're not going to shower you with attention or send a complimentary bottle of champagne to your room (because why would they?), but they’re polite, efficient, and they speak English. (Usually).
There was one time I almost lost my passport. (Don't judge; I'm a mess). I frantically explained the situation to the person on reception, who, bless her heart, managed to stay incredibly calm and helpful, even though I was visibly starting to hyperventilate. She spent ages helping me look, called various places, and was just... *nice*. So, yeah, they can be pretty good when they need to be. And, honestly, that’s all you can ask for, right? The staff will treat you right. Do they stand out? Not particularly. Are they competent and helpful? Absolutely.
Would you stay there again? Be completely honest.
Yep. Absolutely, yes. If I’m in Essen and I need a clean, convenient, affordable place to crash, I'd go back. It's not glamorous, it's not a spa retreat, and it's certainly not a place you'll write love poems about. But it *works*. It's a dependable, reliable friend in a city you're probably *going* to explore and enjoy. And that's a valuable commodity, especially when you’re slightly hungover and just want something familiar and simple.
Look, if you're expecting luxury, then you’re in the wrong place. But if you want a solid, no-nonsense hotel that gets the job done, the Premier Inn Essen City Centre is a great choice. Just don't expect too much from the breakfast. And pack your own snacks.
