Hotels with Breakfast near Waterloo Station
A morning meal sorted before you leave the hotel makes a big difference in a city where you spend the day walking between sights. Around Waterloo Station, the rail and Underground hub on the South Bank, this page lists central London hotels whose listings mention breakfast: Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo, The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, Holiday Inn Express London - Southwark, The Walrus Bar & Hostel, LSE Bankside House and The Z Hotel Trafalgar. Some include breakfast in the room rate, others serve a buffet. Confirm what applies to your booking, since conditions differ.
Waterloo sits on the South Bank of the Thames, close to the river path, theaters, galleries and the London Eye area, and the station is one of the busiest in Britain. The streets nearby mix offices, hotels and cultural venues, with the river within a short walk. Neighborhoods further along the bank, such as Southwark and Bankside, add markets, the Tate Modern and the Globe. Many visitors begin the day here with a long walk, which makes a proper breakfast worth having.
Where to stay
A good start before a day of sightseeing
Why breakfast matters on a London city break
The easiest case is a hotel where breakfast is simply included. Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo lists a complimentary hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi, plus a restaurant, a simple bar and a fitness room, in a modern three-star building near the station. LSE Bankside House, a simple, budget-friendly hotel near Tate Modern, lists free breakfast along with a bar and a seasonal restaurant. The Walrus Bar & Hostel, a lively hostel above a bar, also lists free breakfast, with dorm beds and a private room. All three lower the daily cost of food.
If you prefer a buffet in a more formal setting, a few hotels in the selection serve one. Holiday Inn Express London - Southwark is a relaxed three-star hotel with a breakfast buffet, a contemporary bar and a restaurant, along with parking, a business center and full-service laundry. The Z Hotel Trafalgar is a four-star hotel with unfussy rooms and a breakfast buffet, a bar and a restaurant, and it is described as smoke-free and accessible. Both let you eat in the building and be out the door quickly, which helps on a tight sightseeing schedule.
At the top end, The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place is a five-star hotel in a Victorian building that once housed the Secret Service. Its listing mentions modern rooms, some with river views, a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center and business facilities, and breakfast included. It is also pet-friendly. This is the choice for a traveler who wants a grand setting and a proper breakfast before heading out. As with any luxury hotel, check what breakfast covers and whether it is served in the restaurant or in the room.
Because the hotels are spread across central London, think about the walk or the ride from breakfast to your first stop. Waterloo Station is a major interchange, but several of these hotels are in Southwark, near the river or in the West End, so check each address before you book. Ask about breakfast hours, particularly if you have an early train, and about dietary options. If breakfast is not included at your chosen hotel, the district has plenty of cafes, but a hotel that includes it keeps the morning simpler.
A traveler's perspectiveFor a London break where I plan to walk all day, I would choose a hotel that includes breakfast, then check the distance to the places I want to see. I recommend Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo for a simple, practical base with a hot breakfast, and The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place when I want a grander stay. Our advice is to confirm what the rate includes before you book, especially at the hotels that list a buffet.
4.5Guest scoreBreakfast includedThe Z Hotel Trafalgar
Unfussy rooms with free Wi-Fi, a bar, and breakfast near Trafalgar Square
View hotel →Why guests love itThe Z Hotel Trafalgar is a down-to-earth hotel near Trafalgar Square, across the river from Waterloo. Rooms are unfussy, with flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and a breakfast buffet, bar and restaurant are on site. It is smoke-free and accessible. Rooms are compact, so it suits couples or a parent with one child more than a large family. Rated 9/10 by over 1,200 guests, it is a smart central choice.
4.4Guest scoreBreakfast includedThe Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London
Victorian luxury with river views, a fitness center, and pet-friendly amenities
View hotel →Why guests love itThe Royal Horseguards occupies a Victorian building on Whitehall that once housed the Secret Service, a short walk from Trafalgar Square and across the river from Waterloo. Some rooms have river views, breakfast is included, and there is a restaurant, a bar and a fitness centre. Pets are welcome. Rated 8.8 by more than 3,200 guests, I would choose it for a special family trip or a couple's weekend with history on the doorstep.
4.3Guest scoreBreakfast includedHoliday Inn Express London - Southwark by IHG
Relaxed Southwark hotel with free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a contemporary bar
View hotel →Why guests love itHoliday Inn Express London Southwark is a relaxed hotel with a breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi included. A contemporary bar and a restaurant sit on site, and parking is available, which is useful for families arriving by car. It is accessible, smoke-free and listed as family-friendly, with full-service laundry for longer trips. With an 8.6 score from more than 2,300 reviews, I would choose it for an easy family base in Southwark.
4.3Guest scoreBreakfast includedHampton by Hilton London Waterloo
Modern comfort with free breakfast near Waterloo Station
View hotel →Why guests love itHampton by Hilton London Waterloo includes a hot breakfast in every stay, which makes mornings easy before heading out from Waterloo. The rooms are modern, the hotel is listed as family-friendly and accessible, and there is a restaurant, a simple bar and a fitness room on site. With an 8.6 score from over 3,400 reviews, it is a reliable base I would pick for a family city break or a short work trip south of the river.
4.1Guest scoreBreakfast includedThe Walrus Bar & Hostel
Hostel above a hip bar with free breakfast and Wi-Fi
View hotel →Why guests love itThe Walrus is a lively hostel above a popular bar near Waterloo, with dormitory beds and a private room. Breakfast, Wi-Fi and towels are included, and major sights and transport links are a short walk away. The bar downstairs sets the tone, so I would not choose it for young children, but it is a fun, affordable base for friends travelling together. Guests rate it 8.2 from almost 1,400 reviews.
4.0Guest scoreBreakfast includedLSE Bankside House
Budget-friendly stay with free breakfast near Tate Modern
View hotel →Why guests love itLSE Bankside House offers simple, budget accommodation a short walk from Tate Modern. Breakfast is included, rooms have air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and there is a bar, a seasonal restaurant and a TV lounge. It is kid-friendly and accessible, and parking is available for a fee. Rated 8 by more than 1,200 guests, I would choose it for a family on a budget who want the South Bank museums within easy reach.
Local tips
- 1Check whether breakfast is included in your rate or sold separately, since listings describe it as free at some hotels and as a buffet at others.
- 2Ask about breakfast hours if you have an early train from Waterloo, as some hotels start serving later than others.
- 3Mention dietary needs when you book, because options for vegetarian, vegan or allergy-friendly breakfasts vary by hotel.
- 4Look at the hotel's distance from Waterloo and from the sights you want to visit, since the selection spans several districts.
- 5If you travel on a budget, a hotel with free breakfast such as Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo can reduce daily food costs.
- 6Book early for peak periods, because well-located hotels near the South Bank fill quickly in London's busy seasons.