Last Updated on 6 September 2023 by Colette
This post features a hosted stay
Our hotel for the weekend was the Swansea Waterfront Premier Inn, whilst I’ve not stayed in a Premier Inn myself my sister is a regular with work and they are essentially a home from home for her these days! Situated on the marina close to a number of bars and just a 15 minute walk from Swansea city centre this hotel is ideally placed for a Swansea Bay adventure. We were also relieved to discover Tesco Metro close by for emergency Calpol purchases (What sort of Mummy takes away her teething child with no pain relief? Oh yes me!)
When we arrived at Swansea Waterfront there was a lay by outside big enough for three or four cars to unload but unfortunately it was full so we just made our way to the next door car park where there was plenty of space and cost a perfectly reasonable £5.50 for 24 hours. (Having paid up to £15 for 24 hours parking near hotels in the past this was a refreshing change).
We had lovely welcome at reception, the girl on the desk was friendly, helpful and efficient. She explained the “Good Night Guarantee“, confirmed our reservation for dinner that evening and mentioned the times for breakfast before giving us our room key and reminding us to ring reception if we needed anything at all.
Having never stayed in a hotel with the children before I was interested to see what our Family Room would be like. I must admit I wasn’t expecting much more than a standard double room with a couple of fold out beds at best or perhaps a bed settee to set up. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We opened the door to a really spacious room with very inviting double bed, two singles and a travel cot – and still plenty of space to move around (or in the case of Ben and Chloe stomp about like a herd of elephants, they had no concept of the fact there may have been people in the rooms underneath us!)
Ben and Chloe were really excited to discover that they had been left a welcome pack, a card addressed to “The Children in Room 208” and a teddy to look after for the weekend. I thought this was a really thoughtful touch (although Jack was a little too big to carry around with us on our adventures they enjoyed telling him what we’d been up to when they got home again of an evening).
We had a reservation for dinner in the Beefeater restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. Aside from being incredibly convenient it was also ideal for the children. They were immediately provided with colouring packs, helium balloons and their own menus. All the staff were really welcoming. Anyone who has eaten out with little ones knows how important all the is at making you feel at ease – particularly when you have a tired and shouty Amy to entertain!
The children’s menu offered up a range of main meals and then a choice of two side orders. The girls ordered Macaroni Cheese, garlic bread and peas. Ben chose a burger with sweetcorn and veg sticks (which I must admit surprised me!) We really liked the fact the menu was laid out with pictures to help the children make their own choices.
Dave was drawn straight to the Mixed Grill which came as no surprise! Â I was trying to make careful choices so chose a rare steak with peppercorn sauce and potatoes.
Safe to say we were left with five pretty clean plates and full tummies. The girls really enjoyed their pasta (and having tasted it myself I would say it was a pretty good Macaroni Cheese, nice and cheesy!) My steak was cooked exactly as I had asked and was rare and Dave’s Mixed Grill went down a treat after a full day of travelling!
Of course we all managed to find a little room for afters! I had a Rocky Road Sundae but soon regretted my choice when I tasted Dave’s immense Black Forest Gateau!
After dinner we made our way back up to our room ready for a bath and bed. All three children were really tired by this point as it was way past their normal bedtime but we wanted to give them a bath for the sake of routine. We were impressed by the water pressure, which I realise might seem an odd thing to say however it meant the bath filled up nice and quick! I’ve been in hotels in the past where the shower is no more than a dribble – certainly not the case in this Premier Inn!
We were really impressed (and relieved) with how quickly all three of them went to sleep and we were even more impressed when everyone slept through till around 7am! This pays testimony to the comfortable beds and the fabulous curtains – they even over lapped to avoid the light sneaking in. The hotel was lovely and quiet, there was no problem with noise despite the wide variety of guests (in fact I fear any noise may have actually come from Ben and Chloe running around!)
Once we were all dressed and ready we made our way down for breakfast. The kids eat free (two per paying adult) which meant our hotel breakfast for five cost less than £20 – and when you factor in that this is for as much food as you like you’re on to a winner aren’t you!
Dave and I both enjoyed a full cooked breakfast to set us up for the day, Dave also really enjoyed the Costa coffee claiming we needed one of those machines at home! Ben and Chloe were thrilled at the prospect of being able to choose whatever they wanted – Coco Pops?! Cake?! For breakfast?!
We really enjoyed our breakfast on both days – on the Sunday we were a little earlier so the hot buffet wasn’t yet open but this just meant our breakfast was cooked to order.
The free Wi-Fi was much appreciated as it allowed me to get some work done on my laptop while the children were sleeping – the set up was a little confusing initially as the card in the room suggested we only got 30 minutes free but then the website said it was free throughout our stay – on the first night I was really conscious of logging off after 30 minutes for fear of being charged but realised the next day that I needn’t have bothered! Either way – free Wi-Fi in hotels is good and I’ve never understood how they have the nerve to charge for it so nice one Premier Inn!
Overall we were really happy with our stay at the Premier Inn, Swansea Waterfront and will definitely be looking to book a Premier Inn next time we need a hotel stay for the whole family!
That hotel sounds fantastic – the room is huge and the breakfast is incredible value! x
We love the Premier Inn as they are so geared up for families and accommodating! One year they gave the boys Easter eggs! Love the card and teddy left for the children!
Looks like a fab time was had by all. Love that they include the kids in the welcome pack #triedtested
Premier Inn's are so child friendly aren't they! I always book breakfast when staying as think they are fantastic value, esp as you can eat as much as you like. It really sets you up for your day x
Great review, looks like the children had a brilliant time x
Hotel looks great. We are big fans of Premier Inns. Love the teddy touch!
I'm sure any kid would love that welcome pack too and looks like the whole family enjoyed the stay and that's definitely what's important right? 🙂
I have never stayed at a premier inn, or any hotel in the UK for that matter! It looks really nice and comfortable and I think I would be happy to stay there with my children x
looks fab, and that food! I've stayed in a some really grotty Travelodges so will be giving Premier Inns a shot next time, thanks for sharing #triedtested
We LOVE Premier Inn, we've stayed in quite a few, they are such great value. Lovley photos! This one looks fab! #TriedTested
My parents always rave about premier inns and now I see why! Even the building looks pretty haha, and the food looked gorgeous. Definitely makes me consider staying at one when we travel a bit more xx
Wow this looks great, we have stayed at a couple of premier inns and they are always great =)
That food looks amazing.
That sounds brilliant, so good that they catered for every member of the family 🙂
We've just booked to stay in a Premier Inn down south when we go to see friends in May-I hope we have as good a stay as you guys have.
I really love Premier Inns, we always stay in them whenever we go away. This one looks lovely, not been to Swansea before. How amazing is that dessert????
#TriedTested
Great review – I haven't stayed in a Premier Inn for ages, but looks like some great options when you're with kids.
We often choose the Premier Inn when we are going away – they are very good value and child friendly.
#Tried/Tested
Looks like a great break and the food looks family friendly too
Looks like you had a great time. Premier Inns are always a good bet I think.
Sounds perfect for a family, I'm always curious to see how rooms are set up for three children (if we ever were brave enough to go away!) and it looks so much more spacious than I would expect. I'd definitely look at them for us #triedtested
I stayed at a Premier Inn in January with my husband. It was really spacious and comfy, and we had a great night's sleep. But that might have been because we weren't with the kids. haha
Oh I love Premier Inn. Perfect for families and lovely clean rooms. They do some super saving rates too. x
Man, that mixed grill looks good! I'm starving now. Pleased you had a good time 🙂
That is a huge room, it seems family rooms have improved since I've stayed in them.
We often visit Swansea and have always stayed at the Premier inn on the Enterprise Park – this would be lovely as much nearer to town x
I love Premier Inn and if we are heading off for a weekend its always my first choice. We always get a lovely big room and the service is always great.
Oh I love that the kids were so well catered for! A hotel with a bath is just what you need and I love the idea of the teddy to look after too. So cute!x
We often stay at Premier Inn's when we go away with the kids. I think they are always clean and offer great value for money – especially the breakfast!
Premier Inn are our favourite famiy hotels, we've never had a bad stay! This one sounds like the children were really well catered for too.
We've stayed in Premier Inns a few times and think it's super for families – we also have three. The only problem is they love jumping across the beds, but you can't blame the hotel for that!
We have stayed in a few premier inn up and down the country and never been disappointed x
So nice to stay in a hotel, I've not stayed in a Premier Inn for about 8 years! I agree about wifi, there's no excuse nowadays, although I do always look for free parking too.
I love Premier Inns, they have always been really spacious and comfortable when we have stayed, and a great family option. The food looks amaizng too!
I have to say we stay at premier inn quite frequently and we do love it! .. the rooms are bigger than other companies family rooms .. or have been on to the ones we have stayed in
How lovely … seems you had a lot of fun! Your pictures make me hungry. Good to know about the parking and good family size room. Love the welcome pack for your children too; helpful for engaging children in the adventure ahead.