I stayed in an award-winning hotel in London for only £42 a night, which is less than my daily commute.

Who needs all the fancy furniture like a desk, double bed, bedside cabinets, and a sofa? Apparently, a stay at an award-winning London hotel is cozier, more convenient, and cheaper than my daily commute. I was intrigued by the hype surrounding Hub by Premier Inn, a lesser-known branch of the renowned hotel brand. To my surprise, this hotel chain was recently named the best in the UK, with rooms starting at just £42 per night in the capital city.

With the unbeatable combination of a short commute and an incredibly low price tag, I couldn't resist checking into the West Brompton branch, which is only 12 minutes away from my office at High Street Kensington. It's a no-brainer, especially when my usual commute from Buckinghamshire takes an hour and 35 minutes and costs me £43 per day, or £46 if I opt for a travelcard for external meetings. This place already had a lot going for it before I even stepped through the door.

When I finally arrived after a long day, I was pleasantly surprised by the spotlessly clean and inviting room. It wasn't as basic as I had expected. The clever layout made sure that all the essentials were present. Instead of a bulky wardrobe, there was hanging space hidden behind a slim, full-length mirror. The bed had storage space for my suitcase underneath, and a hairdryer was neatly tucked behind the bathroom door. I was also impressed by the sleek touchscreen panel on the headboard, which controlled the lights and heating.

But the most surprising part was the bed itself. It was a comfortable double bed with a sumptuously soft, warm duvet, crisp white bedding, and fluffy white towels. I couldn't resist snuggling into it after a long day. And to my delight, there was even shower gel and shampoo provided in the bathroom, along with plenty of hot water. I started to question if I had really checked into the budget version of this hotel chain at all.

Although the interiors were inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, my "hub" for the evening was definitely a room, not a pod, and it didn't feel cramped at all. In fact, it was about half the size of a standard Premier Inn room, but I always thought those were unnecessarily large anyway. Who needs all that furniture when you're just stopping by a motorway services on the way home from a wedding?

There were no tea and coffee making facilities in the room, but I was pleasantly surprised to find complimentary hot drinks available in the reception and bar area downstairs. And let's be honest, a brew from a coffee machine is definitely an upgrade from the usual Nescafe sachets and long-life milk.

I wish I could tell you that I took advantage of my evening in the city with some chic and cosmopolitan activities, like a spontaneous dinner with friends or last-minute tickets to an off West End show. But the truth is, I'm pregnant, tired, rundown, and in desperate need of rest. So Deliveroo from Wagamamas and a marathon of Selling Sunset was my perfect evening. By 10pm, I was fast asleep, and I woke up the next day feeling a little more human, if not completely refreshed. The fact that I was only two stops away from my office on the District line definitely helped.

I decided to skip the breakfast buffet and enjoy every last second of my lie-in by grabbing a croissant on the go. It's a small luxury that I couldn't resist, knowing that I was only a short commute away from work. And for just £42 per night, it's a steal. But beware, finding a room at this price might be a challenge, as most of them are booked until Christmas. However, if you play around with the dates, you might just find a bargain for midweek stays in January and beyond.

I couldn't believe that a night of luxury cost less than my train fare. Of course, I still had to buy two single tickets for the day before and after, which cost me £19.10 each. But overall, these budget rooms are a game-changer for hybrid workers like me, who want the convenience of the city during the week but an escape to the countryside on the weekends.

Honestly, I wish I could find a fault to mention, just so Premier Inn doesn't raise their prices. The convenience and comfort of the hub hotels by Premier Inn are unbeatable. So if you're thinking of trying it out, make sure you plan ahead and book in advance. You won't regret it.

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