Half a mile from Junction 5 of the M1 and one mile from Elstree & Borehamwood station, the 4‑star Village Hotel London Watford (often listed as Village Hotel Borehamwood) offers a full leisure club with indoor pool, sauna and gym. This guide draws on verified facts from official booking platforms and more than 1,500 guest reviews to give you a practical, evidence‑based look at what this modern Hertfordshire property really delivers.
Last checked: 2026-06-30
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Hotel Name: Village Hotel London Watford · Location: Elstree, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire · On-site Parking: Yes, free · Indoor Pool: Yes · Nearest Train Station: Elstree & Borehamwood (1 mile) · M1 Junction 5: Half a mile away
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-06-30.
Sources reviewed: official hotel information on Travelocity, Booking.com guest scores and reviews, Tripadvisor feedback, HotelsCombined summaries, KAYAK seasonal data, Expedia guest quotes.
No on‑site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of pricing beyond the listed rates.
Village Hotel London Watford at a glance
- 4‑star hotel built in 2008 (Travelocity)
- 7.7 out of 10 on Booking.com based on 1,500+ reviews (Booking.com)
- Indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness centre on site (Travelocity)
- On‑site parking available, approximate fee of GBP 5 per night (Travelocity)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hotel Name | Village Hotel London Watford |
| Location | Elstree, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire |
| On‑site Parking | Yes (fee applies – approx GBP 5/night) |
| Indoor Pool | Yes |
| Nearest Train Station | Elstree & Borehamwood (1 mile) |
| M1 Junction 5 | Half a mile away |
What is the Village Hotel London Watford?
Village Hotel London Watford is a modern 4‑star property located at Centennial Avenue, Centennial Park, Elstree/Borehamwood (Booking.com). It opened in 2008 and belongs to the Village Hotels chain, which operates properties across the UK. The hotel sits in a business park setting, roughly 1.7 miles from Borehamwood town centre (KAYAK).
Chain affiliation and brand overview
The Village Hotels brand is marketed as an upscale, eco‑certified collection of properties that combine accommodation with leisure club memberships and conference facilities. Reviews of other Village Hotels (Bristol, Reading, Wirral) suggest that while the brand standard includes modern decor and fitness clubs, guest experiences vary by location in room size and breakfast quality (Trustpilot).
Location in Elstree and Borehamwood
The hotel is in Centennial Park, a business park that also houses corporate offices. It is a six‑minute drive from Elstree Film Studios and three minutes from Aldenham Country Park (stats_line_plan). Most guests rely on a car or the nearby train station.
What amenities are at the Village Hotel Watford?
On‑site dining and restaurant
The hotel has two dining options: a full‑service restaurant and a sports bar. English breakfast is served weekdays 6:30–9:30 AM and weekends 7:30–10:30 AM, with guide prices of around GBP 17.50 for adults and GBP 7.50 for children (Travelocity). Breakfast quality receives mixed reviews – some guests praise the cooked breakfast, others find it poor value.
Parking facilities
Parking is available on site but is not free. Several listings report a self‑parking fee of approximately GBP 5 per night (Travelocity). This is a common point of dissatisfaction in guest feedback.
Fitness and pool details
The leisure club includes an indoor swimming pool, sauna and a gym. Use of these facilities may incur an additional fee of around GBP 5 per accommodation, per night (Travelocity). Business travellers value the on‑site gym, but repeated guest comments note that Wi‑Fi can be patchy, which affects remote work.
How far is Village Hotel Watford from airport?
The hotel is positioned off the M1 near Junction 5, making it accessible from several London airports. London Luton Airport (LTN) is roughly 20 minutes north along the M1. Heathrow is about 30–40 minutes via the M25 and M1. Stansted is a similar drive via the M11 and M25. No exact mileages are stated in official sources, but the M1 link is the key route. For Luton, a taxi or rental car is the most practical option; the train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras takes about 25 minutes, then you would need a connecting train to Elstree & Borehamwood.
What train station is near the Village Hotel Watford?
Elstree & Borehamwood station details
The nearest train station is Elstree & Borehamwood, approximately one mile (1.6 km) from the hotel (stats_line_plan). It is on the Thameslink line, with direct trains to London St Pancras International, Farringdon and City Thameslink. Typical journey time to central London is under one hour.
Train services to London
A one‑way fare to London starts from about GBP 13.40 (stats_line_plan). Trains run frequently throughout the day. For guests without a car, this is the primary connection to the city. The hotel is a 15–20 minute walk or a short taxi ride from the station.
Property specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Star rating | 4‑star (HotelsCombined) |
| Year built | 2008 |
| Address | Centennial Avenue, Centennial Park, Elstree/Borehamwood, WD6 3SB |
| Check‑in / Check‑out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Indoor pool | Yes (public hours, fee may apply) |
| On‑site parking | Yes, approx GBP 5/night |
| Nearest train station | Elstree & Borehamwood (1 mile) |
| M1 access | Junction 5, half a mile |
| Dining options | Restaurant + sports bar |
| Breakfast cost (English) | Approx GBP 17.50 adult, GBP 7.50 child |
| Leisure club fee | Approx GBP 5 per night |
| Meeting space | Over 3,400 sq ft (Travelocity) |
Pros & Cons
What guests often praise
- Friendly, efficient staff (consistent across Expedia, Booking.com, Tripadvisor)
- Comfortable beds with walk‑in showers
- Modern leisure club with clean pool and sauna
- Good transport links – M1 and rail to central London
- On‑site parking (though paid)
- Spacious rooms (many reviews)
Repeated criticisms
- Patchy or unreliable Wi‑Fi, especially problematic for business travellers
- Breakfast quality and value rated mixed to poor by some guests
- Additional costs: parking fee (~GBP 5) and leisure club fee (~GBP 5) per night
- Some rooms described as basic or showing minor maintenance issues
- Inconsistency in room size and maintenance – a pattern across Village Hotels chain
Best for…
- Families: The indoor pool and nearby Aldenham Country Park (3‑min drive) offer leisure options, and rooms with walk‑in showers suit all ages. Be aware of the extra per‑night fees.
- Business travellers: Proximity to Centennial Park offices, Elstree Film Studios, and on‑site meeting space are pluses. However, patchy Wi‑Fi is a drawback for remote work.
- Tour groups / leisure travellers: Easy M1 access and train links to London make it a practical base for sightseeing, especially for the London‑marathon type of trip described in reviews.
- Couples: Comfortable beds and leisure club facilities are frequently mentioned by couples seeking a relaxing stay.
Location and getting there
The hotel is at Centennial Avenue in Elstree, half a mile from M1 Junction 5 and one mile from Elstree & Borehamwood train station. Typical train fare to central London is from GBP 13.40 one‑way, with a journey time under one hour (stats_line_plan). The hotel is a 3‑minute drive from Aldenham Country Park and 6 minutes from Elstree Film Studios. For Luton Airport, follow the M1 north for about 20 minutes. Three on‑site parking spaces are available but charged at approximately GBP 5 per night.
Our recommendation
Village Hotel London Watford is a solid choice if you need quick M1 and rail access to central London, want on‑site leisure facilities, and are comfortable paying small extra fees for parking and the gym. It works best for business travellers whose meetings are in the local business parks, and for leisure travellers who prioritise comfort and convenience over budget. Families will appreciate the pool and nearby park, but check the total cost with fees before booking.
Not ideal for: travellers who depend on strong, free Wi‑Fi for work, or those seeking a no‑frills budget stay without extra charges.
““Everything about our stay was perfect. The room was very clean, bed extremely comfortable. What stood out most was the efficiency and friendliness of the staff.””
– Anonymous Expedia reviewer, hotel guest
““Very comfortable bed. Spacious room and bathroom. Friendly staff on check‑in and check‑out. Wifi was patchy. I was trying to work in the evening and it kept dropping.””
– Anonymous Booking.com guest, business traveller
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free at Village Hotel London Watford?
No. Parking is available on site but several listings report a self‑parking fee of approximately GBP 5 per night (Travelocity).
What dining options are available onsite?
Two: a restaurant and a sports bar. English breakfast is served daily, with prices around GBP 17.50 for adults and GBP 7.50 for children (Travelocity).
How far is the hotel from Elstree Film Studios?
About a 6‑minute drive (stats_line_plan).
Is the hotel close to the M1 motorway?
Yes, it is half a mile from Junction 5 of the M1 (stats_line_plan).
What is the nearest train station and how far is it?
Elstree & Borehamwood station is 1 mile (1.6 km) away. Trains to London start from about GBP 13.40 one‑way and take under an hour (stats_line_plan).
What are the check‑in/check‑out times?
Check‑in is at 3:00 PM, check‑out at 11:00 AM (HotelsCombined).
Sources
- Booking.com – Village Hotel London Watford reviews
- Travelocity – Hotel information & fees
- HotelsCombined – Star rating, check‑in/out
- KAYAK – Seasonal pricing & distance data
- Expedia – Guest quotes & reviews
- Tripadvisor – Hotel reviews & summary
- Trustpilot – Village Hotels brand reviews
- Trip.com – Guest quote