Anyone who’s tried to find a decent hotel room in Ireland at a fair price already knows the struggle, but Premier Inn has been quietly expanding across the country, giving travelers more options than ever before. From Dublin city centre to Cork, this guide cuts through the noise to help you compare prices, understand booking tricks, and decide whether Premier Inn actually beats the competition for your next trip.

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Premier Inn hotels in UK and Ireland: 800+ ·
Total rooms: 75,000+ ·
Typical room rate range: £50–£100 per night ·
Parent company: Whitbread PLC

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Premier Inn will expand to more Irish cities beyond Dublin and Cork
  • Exact price difference between day-of and advance booking
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • More Irish openings possible, but no firm expansion plan announced
  • Travelodge still operates in Ireland but has a smaller footprint

Here’s how the two chains compare on key features.

Category Premier Inn Travelodge
Hotels in Ireland 6 (Cork, multiple Dublin properties, Dublin Airport) (Premier Inn (Ireland directory)) Smaller presence, exact count not publicly listed (Travelodge (location page))
Typical room rate £50–£100/night £35–£80/night
Free Wi-Fi Yes, included Yes, free in all rooms
On-site restaurant Yes, with breakfast deals Limited, often no restaurant
Kids stay free Up to 2 kids with paying adult (Premier Inn (family offers)) Varies by location
Direct booking discount Lowest rates only on premierinn.com or app (Premier Inn (rate policy)) Best rates via official site

Six hotels across Ireland, one pattern: Premier Inn is betting on consistency and a full-service experience, while Travelodge competes on price with fewer extras.

Is it cheaper to book a Premier Inn on the day?

Should you book last minute?

Booking on the day can sometimes yield lower rates if rooms are unsold, but Premier Inn’s pricing structure and the contract don’t guarantee this. According to Premier Inn (official offers page), lowest rates are typically for Friday and Sunday nights — not necessarily last-minute bookings. In practice, availability for same-day deals is limited, especially in popular city-centre locations.

We guarantee the best available rate when you book direct.

Premier Inn official website

Bottom line: Premier Inn doesn’t run a same-day discount model. Travelers who want the lowest price should book ahead, not wait until the last minute. Business travelers: use the corporate booking tool for 5–15% off Flex rates. Leisure travelers: book early for Saver rates.

What are the benefits of advance booking?

Booking in advance gives you access to the cheapest Saver rates, which are non-refundable and paid upfront. The Flex rate allows free cancellation and is more expensive. Premier Inn (booking policy) states that its lowest rates are not available on comparison sites — you must book directly on premierinn.com or via the app to get them.

  • Saver rate: cheapest, non-refundable, pay in full at booking
  • Flex rate: more expensive, cancellable up to 1 PM on arrival day
  • Direct booking: guarantees lowest price, no third-party markup

Are there any discounts for early booking?

Premier Inn occasionally runs early-booking deals, such as its “19 deals” where rooms are offered at £19 or €19 for specific dates. Joining the free Me+ rewards programme gives members access to exclusive offers and a daily treat on check-in. Signing up for newsletters is a practical way to catch flash sales before they sell out.

The implication: booking early is the single most reliable way to get a low rate at Premier Inn, especially for weekend stays.

The upshot

Leisure travelers who book 14 days ahead often see Saver rates 30–40% lower than Flex. Business travelers, meanwhile, are better off with Flex because plans change — but they should use the corporate booking tool to claw back some of that difference.

Are there any Premier Inns in Ireland?

Premier Inn in Dublin

Yes, Premier Inn has a strong presence in Dublin City Centre. According to Premier Inn (Republic of Ireland hotel directory), there are four Premier Inn hotels in Dublin’s city centre: The Liberties, Gloucester Street South, North Docklands, and Temple Bar. Each is within walking distance of major attractions, and the chain’s typical 3:00 PM check-in time applies at all of them. For a detailed guide on one of these properties, see Premier Inn Titanic Quarter: Parking, Reviews & Directions.

Premier Inn in other Irish cities

Outside Dublin, Premier Inn operates a Cork City Centre hotel at 14 Morrison’s Quay, which opened in early 2024. Whitbread PLC (company press release) confirmed the opening brought the total to six hotels and more than 1,000 bedrooms across Ireland. Standard rates from Cork started at 53 euros with Flex from 66 euros.

Planned expansions

Whitbread has not publicly announced further Irish locations beyond those six. The directory page was last updated in July 2026, suggesting the current list is the most recent. Travelers outside Dublin and Cork currently have no Premier Inn options — they would need to look at local alternatives.

The pattern: Premier Inn’s Irish footprint is still modest compared to its UK network of 800+ hotels, but the Cork opening signals intent to grow.

Which is better, Premier Inn or Travelodge?

Price comparison

Travelodge typically markets lower baseline room rates, with many UK locations starting below £40 per night. Premier Inn’s standard rates usually start around £50–£60 per night. However, the gap narrows when you factor in Premier Inn’s included amenities: on-site restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and family perks. Travelodge’s free Wi-Fi is standard, but its food options are limited or nonexistent at many properties.

Room quality and amenities

Premier Inn is known for consistent room standards, including its “Good Night Guarantee” — if you’re not satisfied, they refund your stay. Premier Inn (service promise) also offers free breakfast for kids. Travelodge rooms are generally smaller and more basic, with fewer on-site facilities. In Ireland, Premier Inn’s full-service restaurants are a clear advantage for families and business travelers.

Location and accessibility

Both chains compete in city centres and near airports, but Premier Inn’s Dublin portfolio (four city-centre properties plus the airport) gives it more coverage. Travelodge Ireland has a less clear footprint; its LinkedIn profile lists a headquarters in Santry, Dublin 9, but its hotel count is not as well documented (LinkedIn (Travelodge Ireland profile)).

Customer service reputation

TripAdvisor averages put Premier Inn around 4.0/5 stars across its properties — solid for the price range. Travelodge often scores slightly lower, near 3.5–3.8/5, with common complaints about noise and dated furnishings. Premier Inn’s on-site restaurants consistently earn positive mentions from reviewers.

Great location, quiet but well within walking distance of the centre.

TripAdvisor user review

Bottom line: The trade-off: Travelodge saves you £10–£20 per night but you give up restaurant access and larger rooms. Premier Inn charges more but bundles features that matter to families and business travelers in Ireland.

Upsides

  • Premier Inn: On-site restaurants, free Wi-Fi, family perks, Good Night Guarantee
  • Travelodge: Lower baseline rates, free Wi-Fi

Downsides

  • Premier Inn: Higher rates, limited Irish locations
  • Travelodge: Limited food options, smaller rooms, lower ratings

Can I take food back to my room at Premier Inn?

Takeaway policy

Yes, Premier Inn allows you to take food back to your room. According to Premier Inn (guest policy), guests can request takeaway containers from the on-site restaurant for leftovers. You can also bring outside food into the hotel without issue, though the on-site restaurant is available for full meals.

Food options at Premier Inn

Most Premier Inn hotels have an on-site restaurant and bar, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is a notable feature: an adult can order the Premier Inn Breakfast from around £10.99, and up to two kids eat breakfast free with a paying adult. The meal includes hot items, cereals, pastries, and unlimited tea and coffee.

Restaurant and bar hours

Restaurant hours vary by location, but typically breakfast runs from 6:30–10:00 AM on weekdays and 7:00–10:30 AM on weekends. Evening meals are served until around 9:30–10:00 PM. The bar is usually open until late. Group bookings (eight or more) should call the hotel directly to arrange dining times.

Why this matters: Being able to bring food to your room gives flexibility, especially for families or business travelers who want to eat on their own schedule.

How to get cheaper rooms at Premier Inn?

  1. Book in advance
  2. Use discount codes
  3. Join Premier Inn’s loyalty scheme
  4. Look for seasonal deals

Book in advance

Advance booking is the most straightforward route to lower prices. Saver rates, which are non-refundable but significantly cheaper, are released on a rolling basis. Premier Inn (rate guarantee) explicitly states that third-party websites cannot offer lower rates than the official site. Booking direct also ensures you get the best available rate without hidden fees.

Use discount codes

Premier Inn occasionally releases promotional codes, often through email newsletters or partner websites. Codes can knock 20–30% off standard rates, but terms vary: some apply only to Saver rates, others to Flex. Checking deal aggregators before booking is a smart habit.

Join Premier Inn’s loyalty scheme

The Me+ reward scheme is free to join. Members earn points on stays that convert into money off future bookings. The programme also offers a “daily treat” at check-in — a small item like a drink or snack. For frequent travelers, the 5–15% corporate discount makes the programme more valuable for business use. For more about the brand’s reputation, see Premier Inn Rest Easy: Reviews, Complaints & Legal Case.

Look for seasonal deals

Premier Inn runs seasonal promotions, such as “19 deals” (rooms from £19/€19) or discounted breakfast packages. These deals are usually time-limited and require direct booking. Following Premier Inn on social media or subscribing to its newsletter helps you catch them when they drop.

The implication: the cheapest Premier Inn room is always the one you book directly, in advance, with a code or deal applied. No last-minute magic, no third-party shortcut.

The trade-off

Irish travelers who book Saver rates save money but lose flexibility. If your plans change, you lose the full cost of the booking. Flex rates cost more but let you cancel up to 1 PM on arrival day — worth it for anyone booking a business trip or a weekend with uncertain weather.

Additional sources

premierinn.com, en.wikipedia.org, irelandpoint.org, moneysavingexpert.com

For a detailed breakdown of costs and tips in the capital, check out this Dublin Premier Inn guide for 2025.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Premier Inn have free Wi-Fi?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas at Premier Inn hotels. The connection is fast enough for streaming and video calls, though speeds can vary by location and during peak hours.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is typically from 3:00 PM. Check-out is by 12:00 PM noon. Some hotels offer early check-in or late check-out for an additional fee, but availability is not guaranteed and must be arranged directly with the hotel.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, but only if you booked a Flex rate. Flex rate bookings can be cancelled or amended online until 1:00 PM on the day of arrival. Saver rate bookings are non-refundable and non-changeable, so you lose the full cost if plans change. Premier Inn (cancellation policy) does not permit refunds on Saver rates under any circumstances.

Do Premier Inn hotels have parking?

Most Premier Inn hotels offer on-site parking, but availability and charges vary by location. In Dublin City Centre, several hotels offer discounted parking through Q-Park using the code IEHOTPOI10 (Premier Inn (Dublin The Liberties booking page)). Cork City Centre also has nearby parking options.

Is breakfast included in the room rate?

Breakfast is not automatically included. You can add it at booking or at check-in. Standard breakfast starts from £10.99 per adult. Kids (up to two per paying adult) eat breakfast free. The Premier Inn Breakfast includes hot items, cereals, pastries, and unlimited hot drinks.

Are Premier Inn hotels pet-friendly?

No, Premier Inn does not accept pets in guest rooms, with the exception of registered assistance dogs. Service animals are allowed, but you should contact the hotel in advance to confirm specific arrangements. Travelers with pets should look for pet-friendly alternatives.