Premier Inn Leicester Fosse Park Hotel Leicester

Right, so picture this. You’ve been driving for hours, your back is achey, and all you want is a decent bed and a hot cup of tea. That’s exactly when the Premier Inn Leicester Fosse Park Hotel appears like a mirage. But it’s real, I promise. And it’s surprisingly great.

Location, Location… and a Retail Park

First things first: this hotel is plonked right next to the Fosse Park shopping centre. That’s less a hotel and more a holiday camp for shopaholics. You can literally walk to Next, M&S, and a massive Sainsbury’s in under five minutes. Dangerous, right? I bought a new toaster I definitely didn’t need.

But the real win is the motorway access. You’re seconds from the M1 and M69. It’s basically a pitstop for your road trip. You can stop, sleep, and be back on the road before the kids even finish arguing about the snacks.

Parking is free and plentiful. Which, let’s be honest, is a small miracle in 2024. You won’t need a second mortgage just to leave your car overnight. Thank you, Premier Inn.

The Room: A Throne for Your Tired Self

Let’s talk about the bed. It’s a Hypnos bed. That’s fancy talk for “you will fall asleep instantly.” I’m not exaggerating. I plonked down on it and woke up eight hours later, convinced I’d been drugged. The pillows are that perfect mix of fluffy and firm—like sleeping on a cloud that also supports your neck.

The room itself is clean and quiet. No weird stains on the carpet. No mysterious buzzing noises from the wall. It’s all beige and grey, sure, but in a calming, spa-like way. Or maybe it’s just so boring your brain switches off. Works for me.

You get a big TV, a kettle with real tea bags (Twining’s, people, not own-brand dust), and a bathroom with a power shower. That shower is a weapon. It nearly blasted the travel grime right off my skin. I felt reborn.

The Restaurant: The Thyme Experience

Downstairs, you’ve got the Thyme restaurant and bar. Look, it’s not a Michelin-starred joint. It’s a Premier Inn. But it’s solid. The breakfast buffet is the real star. Unlimited sausages, bacon, hash browns, and a machine that makes pancakes while you watch. Unlimited. I ate enough to fuel a small army.

Dinner is decent pub grub. Burgers, fish and chips, a cheeky pasta. It’s comforting. And the staff are lovely. One waitress called me “love” and topped up my tea without asking. That’s the kind of hospitality we need more of.

Pro tip: order the sticky toffee pudding. It arrives warm, with a little jug of custard. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you forget you’re in a retail park off a motorway. Pure chaos in the best way.

Who Stays Here? Everyone.

You’ll see families with kids hopped up on sugar from the shops. You’ll see business people in grey suits tapping on laptops. And you’ll see couples who just want a quiet night away. It’s a melting pot of exhausted humans. And you’re all in it together.

The hotel is also pet-friendly, which means you might spot a sausage dog in reception. I saw a golden retriever snoozing in the lobby. It was the highlight of my trip. No contest.

One odd thing: the corridors are very, very long. Like a labyrinth from a Greek myth. But you’ll find your room eventually. Or you’ll just knock on a random door and say “Is this the party?” (Don’t do that. Please.)

The Cheap-as-Chips Verdict

Look, if you want a boutique hotel with Egyptian cotton sheets and a rooftop bar, this isn’t it. But if you want a clean, comfy, easy night’s sleep for a reasonable price? This is your spot. It’s the sensible friend you go to for good advice, not a wild night out.

I paid about £45 for my room. For that price, I got a great bed, a power shower, and unlimited breakfast sausages. Where else can you get that? Nowhere, that’s where.

So next time you’re hurtling down the M1 or doing a massive shopping haul at Fosse Park, just book it. You’ll thank me when you’re horizontal on that Hypnos bed, mindlessly watching BBC One, with a cup of Twining’s tea in your hand. You earned it.

Seriously, go. Your back will send you a thank-you card. And bring an empty bag for the shopping you’ll definitely buy next door. You’ve been warned. Happy staying!