The Emirates stadium is home to arguably one of the biggest clubs in English and European, football. Over 60,000 fans travel to the Highbury & Islington area on match days to watch their beloved Arsenal play the iconic ‘Total Football’ approach synonymous with the Gunners. As a team with truly global reach, every year, thousands of fans who take the trip from around the globe need quality accommodation, whether at a hotel, homestay, or an apartment.
In this list, I will provide some recommendations that cover different categories. These include budget-friendly and mid-tier hotels, premium and luxurious stays, hotels perfect for Arsenal fans, and locations based nearer to the City, and we’ll even look at the price ranges of short-term rental apps such as Airbnb.
Are There Cheap Hotels Near to the Emirates?
In recent years, traveling to watch Premier League football has begun to cause a greater dent in the wallet, from travel costs to booking accommodations, let alone some of the highest ticket prices in Europe. Gone are the days when tickets were cheap and it was accessible to absolutely anyone and everyone. So, it is a breath of fresh air when hotels offer relative value while giving fans a comfortable hub to go back to after the match.
Travelodge London Central Kings Cross
When it comes to a budget-friendly list, Travelodge tends to make an appearance. The hotel chain is notorious within the UK for its affordable status. Their Kings Cross installment is a great short-term stop-off for Arsenal fans visiting the stadium, as they provide clean and comfortable rooms with breakfast buffet options to fuel yourself before setting off to the match. At only £50 to £100 per night, this is a very attractive proposition indeed.
Heading to the match is also a smooth ride with a simple 15-20 minute journey from Kings Cross St. Pancras to Arsenal station via the Piccadilly line.
Location: 356-364 Grays Inn Road, Willings House, London WC1X 8BH
hub by Premier Inn London King’s Cross Hotel
Premier Inn’s line of ‘hub’ hotels is popping up throughout London, offering customers affordable prices alongside comfort and functionality. The economical King’s Cross location poses only a 20-minute train journey to the Emirates via the Piccadilly line.
From staying there for a night last year, I can see how the ‘hub’ line can initially strike you as compact, but the designers have managed to build the rooms in a way that utilises space efficiently. Excellent storage options, charging ports, and other functional extras are placed intelligently throughout the room, providing the fundamentals needed for a trip to watch the Gunners.
At £50 to £100 for a night near the stadium, the value for traveling football fans is undeniable.
Location: 50 Wharfdale Road Kings Cross, London, N1 9FA
Mid-Tier Hotels for a Trip to the Emirates
These next ‘mid-tier’ options are suited to fans who would like a more luxurious stay when visiting Arsena match at the Emirates but aren’t prepared to break the bank for a long weekend stay.
Holiday Inn London – Camden Lock, an IHG Hotel
Fans traveling to watch Arsenal play can experience the spectacle that is the Camden Lock area of North London. Celebrated for its cultural significance, vibrant atmosphere, and plenty of entertainment to be had after a game, for £150 for a night, it could be a no-brainer for many.
Besides the excellent location, the spacious layout and comfortable rooms make the Holiday Inn very suitable for a short 1-2 night stay. It can also act as a relaxing and enjoyable place to eat, drink, and hang out before and after the match. After a quick drink, there’s only a 30-minute overground train journey from Camden Road to Highbury & Islington.
Location: 30 Jamestown Road, Camden Town, London, NW1 7BY
DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross
The DoubleTree is another offering by Hilton in the North London area that represents a great option for Arsenal fans. ‘Quirky’ is a word that might suffice when describing the hotel, with a floral aesthetic running through the interior, and some of the rooms even include their own gym and fitness equipment.
As with any Hilton franchise, there is a reputation for premium rooms and high-level service. However, their acceptable price per night makes staying here largely accessible for many fans, starting at the £150 mark.
Like other options in King’s Cross, quick transport links to the Emirates are on offer, with a 30-minute underground train ride from Kings Cross St. Pancras to either Holloway Road or Arsenal stations via the Piccadilly line.
Location: 60 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LA
Premium Hotels for Arsenal Fans
Now we get onto the premium hotels in the area that command a far higher price but with extra amenities, generally better quality rooms, and are situated in high-end parts of North London.
The Standard, London
The Standard is far from average, as the name may suggest, with experimental interior design and artistic flair at the core. I have placed this hotel firmly in the premium range as prices begin at around £300 per night, which may be too wallet-heavy for many fans traveling to watch Arsenal, with football match tickets already commanding a high fee.
Some benefits and quirks of The Standard include a relaxing rooftop bar and lounge with a view across London, the ‘Decimo’ restaurant inspired by Spanish and Latin cuisine, a sound studio for podcasters, and a library lounge for those wanting to dive into some literature.
Combined with a trip to the Emirates, The Standard is perfect for fans who want a long weekend pursuing their interests. From the hotel, it is only a 15-20 minute ride to Arsenal from Kings Cross St. Pancras via the Piccadilly line.
Location: 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG
Great Northern Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
The Great Northern Hotel is quite the sight to behold and one of the most unique buildings in London. Built from within King’s Cross station itself, the potential for transport links can’t get any better. But that isn’t why this place commands a premium to stay there (from £300 per night).
The real reason lies in the 5-star luxurious and uniquely decorated rooms, the highly regarded RAILS Restaurant & Little Bar, and the rooftop GNH Bar, which provides a scenic view across London. This option is suited to fans who are seeking a special experience and want to treat themselves to a long weekend of lavishness while incorporating a trip to the Emirates into the itinerary.
Location: Pancras Road King’s Cross, London, N1C 4TB
Central London Hotels With Easy Access to Arsenal
The North-London location of the Emirates gives it the advantage of having great transport links to Central London, where a whole host of restaurants, bars, and must-see sights near Emirates stadium are located. Here are some hotel options for fans who want straightforward access to the stadium while settling into the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Lost Property, St Paul’s London
The Hilton-run Lost Property boutique hotel sits in the shadow of the iconic St.Paul’s Cathedral, bringing you within reaching distance of the River Thames, the City of London financial district, The Tower of London, The Royal Courts, the quirky Covent Garden area, and much more.
From around £200 per night, there are not too many better options for fans who want to embed themselves in the culture of London while being within walking distance of St. Paul’s station, which makes the Central Line accessible. From there, a 20-30 minute train ride to Arsenal station via Holborn is possible.
Location: 3-5 Ludgate Hill, St Paul’s, London, EC4M 7AA
Middle Eight Hotel – Covent Garden
The Middle Eight Hotel is a reasonable option for football fans who want to locate themselves near the centre of London but remain sat on the northern side of the River Thames. The famous Covent Garden area offers some of the best food, shopping, fashion, and art in London. Situated around the corner from Holborn station, it only takes 15 minutes to get to Holloway Road via the Piccadilly line.
From a ‘Cosy Pad’ to the ‘Executive Style’ suite, there are several premium rooms available, with prices starting at around £250, depending on the availability and dates selected. Amenities include a well-run restaurant, cocktail bar, and a classy ‘Balcony Bar & Lounge’, which represents a relaxed and sophisticated pre-game drinking spot.
Location: 66 Great Queen St, London, WC2B 5BX
Are Airbnb Options Viable?
Airbnb can be a great choice for fans looking to rent a whole place to themselves for a long weekend watching the football. There is a sense of flexibility that comes from simply opening the app, finding somewhere that suits you, and with a click of a few buttons, you have some excellent quality accommodation.
Due to the marketplace-like nature of homestay apps such as Airbnb, we can only provide the range of prices you can expect from renting either a room or a whole apartment in Highbury, Islington, Camden, and surrounding areas.
Entire home or apartment: £150 per night to £600 per night
Room in a house share: £100 per night to £400 per night
Hotels Best Suited to Arsenal Fans
Unlike other clubs, such as Chelsea, that have club-run hotels close to the stadium, Arsenal doesn’t offer accommodation for fans directly. With this in mind, the hotels that will be best suited for Arsenal fans are likely those that are closest to the stadium.
Here is a quick rundown of the hotels listed that are ranked in order of their distance to the Emirates:
- DoubleTree by Hilton (1.8 miles)
- hub by Premier Inn (1.9 miles)
- Travelodge Kings Cross (2.0 miles)
- Great Northern Hotel (2.1 miles)
- The Standard (2.2 miles)
- Holiday Inn – Camden Lock (2.3 miles)
- Lost Property (3.2 miles)
- Middle Eight Hotel (3.2 miles)
Have a Great Stay Near the Emirates
Traveling to see any Premier League team play can involve endless planning, particularly in the case of accommodation, endless possibilities. Luckily, in top European cities, such as London, transport links are accessible and quick, making many hotels attractive for short to medium stays. I hope this guide can supplement your decision-making and ultimately help make your trip to the Emirates as enjoyable as it can be.
