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4.5
#1 of 14 hotels in Watford
Location
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Service
Value
A family-friendly Watford hotel with an all-day restaurant and a gymHoliday Inn® London - Watford Junction hotel is an easy two-minute walk from Watford Junction train station.Direct trains whisk you into London Euston in 20 minutes. We're a 10-minute drive from the M1, and Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Luton Airport (LTN) are both around 30 minutes by car. Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies with sets, props and costumes at Warner Bros. Studios, a short drive away. It's a relaxed walk to the fashion stores at intu Watford and interesting shows at Watford Palace Theatre. You're a short drive from the nature reserve at Cassiobury Park, and Watford FC home games at Vicarage Road stadium. If you're hosting an event, the fully equipped conference room seats up to 60 guests, and parking is available on site.At this hotel you can enjoy:- Free Wi-Fi- All Day Dining- A fitness centre- Kids stay and eat freeThe cheerful Open Lobby is a perfect spot to blend work and leisure.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
707 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG Hotel, garners appreciation for its modern ambience and tidy environment, with many guests enjoying the comfortable rooms and strategic location. While the hotel's amenities and attentive service are highlights for some travelers, others express dissatisfaction with the high parking fees and inconsistent Wi-Fi.
Opinions on the rooms are divided, as guests commend their comfort and style but point out issues with maintenance and cleanliness. As for value, reviews vary, with some guests questioning it due to high costs and service concerns.
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Mixed
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Overnight stay after playing watford Saturday at vicarage rd .excellent stay in every way would definitely recommend this hotel infection looking to use this hotel as a base for future southern games
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Great train links to other destinations
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Danielle Cottom, Owner at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 25 Jan 2024
Dear C4531ETchristineg Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience at Holiday Inn LONDON - WATFORD JUNCTION, and for your 5 out of 5 rating! Please know that your feedback is extremely valuable to us. We use feedback, such as yours, to continuously make changes to our brand to improve the guest experience. We hope that you will give us the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Again, thank you for choosing Holiday Inn, and if I can be of assistance to you, please contact me directly at 01923227274 or fdsuper@hiwatfordjunction.com. Kind Regards Danielle Cottom | Front Desk Manager
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We have just come back from a 5 day mini break using this hotel as our base to explore London. We are both disabled so booked a disabled room. More on that later. The hotel is modern, airy, pleasantly furnished, and the staff go above and beyond to see that everyone is comfortable and enjoying their stay. Breakfast is a delightful meal if you want the full English, or just a bowl of cereal and some toast; I tried both and thoroughly enjoyed both. Evening dinner is from what I would call a ‘businessman’s menu. Simple, plain, but very tasty and good value. In this recent spell of hot weather, dining on the terrace has been exquisite; if you don’t mind a bit of traffic passing, and the odd train blasting through Watford Junction station at 100mph. The station is just across the road. Sadly, the terrace is not really wheelchair accessible with large ridges or kerbs to negotiate to get there.
Now onto the disabled room. The room itself was again light and airy and adequately furnished. One big gripe is the kettle. It is situated not on a work surface, but in a cubbyhole in the desk. Not very easy to reach with those of limited mobility. The management might like to consider that a disabled person could easily scald themselves given the poor location of the kettle. In my opinion it needs moving more into the open but that’s for an electrician to do because it is hardwired in the cubbyhole. The shower is wheelchair accessible and has its own seat. Big plus for that. Sadly the biggest minus was where our room was situated in the hotel. We had room 429. The lift opens in front of, yes you guessed it, room 401! It’s a long way to hobble when you’re knees are shot and you walk bone-on-bone. I did take my scooter to the room to re-charge it each night, but felt it would be in the way if I took it down for breakfast each day, so suffered the hobble. Another gripe I’m afraid is the pattern on the carpets. You might ask, “What’s that got to do with anything?” When like I, you suffer MS and have no balance, that wavy tiger stripe carpets do nothing to help you walk in a straight line.
Now the final gripe, and probably the most important one. Now that you know I booked a disabled room because of my severely limited mobility, who’s wonderful idea was it to stick me on the 4th floor? Fires do happen in hotels, none are immune. How would I have gotten out in that instance?
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We needed to move from another hotel who could not provide me with the accessible room I requested (and needed). Danielle reserved me a Blue Badge parking space and checked us into our room, with what is probably, the best bathroom I have ever seen. The bedroom & bathroom, with roll in shower, was large and spacious and everything we needed was available. The bar area was spacious and comfortable with plenty of different types of seating and the service was brilliant. All the staff we came into contact with were helpful, friendly and professional. Breakfast was delicious with lots of choices. Next time I visit Watford I will definitely stay at the very convenient Holiday Inn, Watford.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from CristinaButa, Front Office Manager at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 13 Feb 2020
Dear Jill F, Thank you for taking the time to offer us your feedback and thank you for the 5 stars review. We are pleased to hear that our colleague, Danielle, was able to accommodate all your needs and that everything was up to your expectations. I will make sure your positive comments will get to her. We look forward for the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Thank you for choosing Holiday Inn London Watford Junction. Kind regards, Cristina Buta | Assistant Reception Manager
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Overbooked the room type that I booked so downgraded. Not a good start! Yes, they compensated by giving breakfast, parking and some discount off food but as it was a business stay it didn't benefit me, the one who was inconvenienced. That said, the following morning, they gave me some loyalty points....not many but I suppose it made them feel better. In general I don't feel the hotel is doing enough to protect guests from Covid. Yes, there a some hand sanitizer dispensers dotted about and, yes, the staff are wearing masks but not once did anyone challenge the guests that did not wear a mask in the communal areas - and there were plenty of them. Social distancing wasn't enforced either. It was, at times uncomfortable. The room was clean but not any different to any other day. I'm unlikely to return until I can be convinced that they have made significant changes to protect their guests.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 3 Oct 2020
Hello Phill T, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with our hotel. First of all, I appreciate you for being one of our guests. I am sorry to hear that your stay did not go as planned, from being assigned a room that did not meet your preferences and to issues with the not so strict implementation of wearing masks to guests. The circumstances you have mentioned are not what I want you to experience with our property. Our hotel is committed to providing our guests with the highest quality facilities. Sorry that we fell below your expectations this time. Your feedback is very important, and I will share the details with the hotel staff so we can make necessary changes to improve our facility. Your feedback will help us towards bettering our services, and we hope to host you again soon. Best, Ronald R. Case Manager IHGService
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Stayed here for 2 nights in the last week of July to visit the Making of Harry Potter Tour close by. I would have to rate the stay as far as the hotel is concerned as only ‘Average’. It has many positives but equally has its fair share of faults. The huge advantage for us was that it really is central and not just for visiting Harry Potter. Close to transport links, shops, bars, restaurants etc really is a bonus. The room was a decent size, clean and fully serviced with Tea/Coffee, towels, spare pillows, iron/ironing board etc, The usual Holiday Inn amenities are available on request, eg razor, toothbrush etc, always a nice touch if the need arises. The hotel could possibly do with a bit of refreshing, especially the carpeting on the stairs and corridors. It is a bit ‘garish’ in colour and design but that aside it is also starting to come away from the stairs and looks frayed. Just one of those things that can make a place look like it’s aesthetically in bad condition. There is a small gym (can only describe as ‘small’) but equipment was in good working order and there are fresh towels, water and cleaning materials. The confusing issue I had here was due to social distancing you need to book a time slot, which is fair enough, understandable and a good idea. However, I was advised it was fully booked all week at 8am, so I booked for 9am. But when I headed there 08:45 on the first morning it was empty, not complaining, but I did wonder why I was told it was fully booked until 9am. So, bearing this in mind the following morning I hedged my bets and went at 08:15, empty again and no-one came in the whole time I was there – 90 minutes? If I’m missing the obvious here, then fair enough, but I just feel confused by the system, especially as I was advised I would be contacted if there were and cancellations!! On the website (as at Tuesday 27 Jul 8pm) it shows a menu for this hotel and timings stating ordering closes at 21:30 with a selected few item available 24hrs. So, at 21:00 we requested the 24hour soup, cheese and biscuits selection (not 24hrs) and Chocolate brownie cake. We were told the cheese and biscuits was no longer available, too late for soup but could get the cake. However when the cake was brought out the ice cream was melted, the reason being they were going to heat up soup but by then we had made an alternative arrangements since we were told it was too late (and we hadn’t ordered it as we were told we couldn’t). Staff need to be au-fait with running’s of the kitchen and what is on or off the menu at what time of the day as this let down our plans given we made the effort to get back half hour before service finishing time. That’s pretty much it. Would I stay again? Well, if price was good, maybe when restrictions are reduced enabling timings to be a bit more flexible, I would go again as its not a bad hotel, it just requires some fine tuning.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 23 Aug 2021
Hi Elaine66UK, Thank you for your visit to Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction. Our hotel offers our guests an environment of simplicity and luxury that makes your stay unforgettable. I reviewed your remarks, and I am sorry for the inconvenience with the gym, room service, and food offers, among other things. I understand your disappointment with the previously described. I sent your review to our managers. They will review everything that has happened and take the proper steps to prevent these issues from happening again. We invite you to visit us in your future stay. We will provide you with the quality service that you expect from us. Our best regards, Oscar C. Case Manager IHG Service
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Location good for Harry Potter studios. Room like an oven, aircon is as effective as someone blowing on you and fan in room squeaks. Bed is on an angle so blood rushed to head when lying down, had to sleep at food of bed. Breakfast should be included in price £9.50 for eggs and beans is not acceptable. Neither is 40 quid for room service when you have to collect it yourself and its only pizza and a sandwich, I can get a flight to Italy for 40 quid. Car park spaces are narrow and short, I wouldn't be surprised cars are hit on a daily basis and you pay £6 for the privilege, again parking should be free if staying in hotel. Sofabed was as bad as the double, child kept falling through the gaps. We stayed in an executive room, not sure what was executive about it but the standard rooms must be dire! If I had to give advice it would be to stay somewhere else.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 5 Sept 2020
Hello gippa26, Thank you for taking time to share your experience with us. I am sorry to hear that the food choices, the AC unit and the room condition. We take comments such as these seriously and would like to follow up with you. I have sent you a private message in an effort to obtain more information. I look forward to hearing back from you very soon. Best Regards, John O Case Manager IHGService
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We walked to this hotel (2 mins) from Watford Junction train station.
(A room was not ready when we arrived at 2 and why do hotels the world over always tell your rooms not ready when you haven't a clue what room your getting!)
Notwithstanding that we were given a room with two single beds how long we would have to wait for our (booked) double is no doubt another story.
Apart from that minor hick-up everything else went to plan.
The room and bathroom were both clean and tidy but behind the Premier Plus rooms offered by Premier Inn.: power showers, coffee maker and a fridge, wake up and catch up the hotel trade.
We don't dine in hotels as most are over priced so we go out and eat local - great experience.
There is little point in passing comment on sleeping as you either have a good nights sleep or you don't can't blame the hotel.
The Holiday Inn is 'track-side to Watford train station so while noisy during the day and early evening its quiet during the night: well we thought so.
The breakfast was very good (included in the hotel booking price) but the orange juice was so weak somebody must have only showed the orange juice to the water: awful.
The hotel is next door to the train station and a steady 10 min walk into Watford which has of course all the shops and restaurants visitors need.
A good hotel in a good location and a good staff what more does any one want.
Bon journey
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Date of stay: June 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For one or two night business trips I always find the Holiday Inn Express hotels to be ideal for my needs. You know in advance what you will get - a clean and functional room and bathroom, a basic but decent breakfast and good value for money. The HI Express at Watford Junction is only a couple of minutes away from the Railway Station on foot and is ideally located if you need or want to jump a train or underground into London City Centre. The staff here were friendly and accommodating. Worth booking in advance as recently I have tried to book here at the last minute (as it is so convenient) but it was sold out.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here as we were visiting nearby Harry Potter Studios and booked based on previous reviews and reasonably priced rooms. We arrived at Watford Junction train station after a 2 hour direct train from Liverpool Lime Street. The hotel was right across the road, about a 3 minute walk. The staff were very welcoming, helpful and friendly throughout our stay. Rooms very clean and comfortable with complimentary toiletries. Lovely open lobby and seating area next to the hotel restaurant. We ate in the hotel one evening and the food was lovely and well priced for a 4* hotel. We booked breakfast, which was great. Fantastic choice of food and drinks each morning. You can jump the train into London within 20 minutes from Watford Junction and the Harry Potter shuttle bus runs from outside the station for £3 each return. There was a nice decking area at the front of the hotel where you can sit and relax with a drink after a long day sightseeing. A great stay! Would highly recommend!
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Was so pleased with this hotel. I booked it to be near the Harry Potter studios in watford junction and it couldn’t have been more perfect in terms of location - and then also was impressed with so many other things. It’s literally a 3 min walk to the train station, the room was big and the bed comfortable, and the food at the restaurant was top notch. I expected “okay” food for a hotel, but it was good quality and well prepared and I actually quite enjoyed it! Beautiful outside spaces for sitting out with dinner or a drink too.
So many little things that worked so well also - like the shower controls are at the side, not at the back, of the shower, so you don’t have to contort yourself under freezing then boiling water while you adjust the temps to suit. And a light for the bathroom which is dimmed so if you get up in the middle of the night or early in morning you’re not nearly blinded.
The people were super helpful, actually listened to what you say, and they serve Starbucks coffee downstairs too. I previously stayed at the premier inn in this area but for the slight extra cost to stay here (plus the free wifi and excellent food) it was 100% worth it.
Will definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Danielle Cottom, Owner at Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction, an IHG hotel
Responded 14 Jul 2023
Dear karenlreyburn Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience at Holiday Inn LONDON - WATFORD JUNCTION. Please know that your feedback is extremely valuable to us. We use feedback, such as yours, to continuously make changes to our brand to improve the guest experience. We hope that you will give us the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Kind Regards Danielle Cottom | Front Desk Manager
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We used the Harry Potter bus from Watford Junction - free on production of ticket confrimation. Its minutes from Hotel and goes right into Harry Potter car park. Id fully recommend. Didnt go to London so cant help with that but I believe is it very easy!
There are more places to choose from in the Watford area.
PRICE RANGE
S$145 - S$215 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandHertfordshireWatford
NUMBER OF ROOMS
93
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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