A hotel that once opened as Jurys Inn Watford in 2009 now operates as the Leonardo Hotel London Watford, a 4-star property on Clarendon Road with 216 rooms and a reputation among guests hovering around 8.6–8.7 out of 10 on major booking platforms (Booking.com). This review draws on the official hotel website, guest feedback from Tripadvisor and Booking.com, and local press coverage to give you a grounded sense of what this hotel delivers — from its proximity to Watford Junction station to the reality of its Bar and Grill restaurant and discounted parking arrangement.
Last checked: 2026-08-31
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Hotel name: Leonardo Hotel London Watford · Location: Clarendon Road, Watford, near Watford Junction station · Star rating: 4 stars · Key amenities: Bar, restaurant, 24-hour reception, Dream beds, gym (reported in related searches)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-31.
Sources reviewed: Official hotel website, Booking.com listing, Tripadvisor reviews, Trivago profile, Expedia listing, Watford Observer local press, Priceline listing, Trip.com listing.
No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interview was carried out, and no independent price verification beyond publicly available data was performed.
Leonardo Hotel London Watford at a glance
- 31–35 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JA, in the town centre (Leonardo Hotels)
- 4-star hotel with 216 contemporary rooms featuring DREAM beds, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi (Trivago; Leonardo Hotels)
- Approximately 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor; 8.6–8.7 out of 10 on Booking.com (Tripadvisor; Booking.com)
- Bar and Grill restaurant, 24-hour reception, business centre, illy coffee, free in-room Wi-Fi (Expedia)
Leonardo Hotel London Watford facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Hotel name | Leonardo Hotel London Watford |
| Location | Clarendon Road, Watford, near Watford Junction station |
| Star rating | 4 stars |
| Number of rooms | 216 |
| Key amenities | Bar and Grill restaurant, 24-hour reception, DREAM beds, gym (reported in related searches), free Wi-Fi, business centre |
| Distance to Watford Junction | 2-minute walk (official site) |
| Train time to central London | 20 minutes to London Euston (official site) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 15:00 / 11:00 |
| Breakfast hours (weekdays) | 06:30–10:00 |
| Breakfast hours (weekends) | 07:00–11:00 |
What amenities does Leonardo Hotel Watford offer?
The Leonardo Hotel London Watford pitches itself as a full-service stay with a Bar and Grill restaurant serving modern European cuisine, an on-site illy coffee offering, and dedicated business centre facilities (Expedia). The 216 guest rooms come equipped with what the operator calls DREAM beds, large flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi — a combination that appears consistently across the hotel’s official communications.
Rooms and bedding
Each room features a DREAM bed, a branded mattress system that the chain uses across its UK portfolio. Guest reviews on Tripadvisor frequently describe the beds as comfortable, with cleanliness sub-scores around 9.0–9.1 out of 10 on Booking.com. Free Wi-Fi and a workspace desk are standard, though specific room categories (standard, executive, family) are not itemised on the official site.
On-site dining
The Bar and Grill serves all-day dining with a cooked-to-order and buffet breakfast service. Breakfast operates from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and 07:00 to 11:00 on weekends and public holidays. Guest breakfast scores on Booking.com hover around 8.0–8.2 out of 10. The evening menu focuses on grill-style dishes, though specific menu items are not confirmed in the research sources.
Fitness and leisure
A gym is suggested by related search data, but the official site does not prominently feature it. The hotel does not have a pool or spa facilities — a point that matters for leisure travellers expecting resort-style amenities.
Business services
A business centre is available on-site, and the 24-hour reception supports late check-ins. The hotel’s proximity to Watford Junction (20 minutes to London Euston) makes it a practical choice for commuters.
Does Leonardo Hotel Watford include breakfast?
Breakfast is available but not automatically included in standard rates. The buffet offers both continental items and hot options (full English-style).
On the official site, breakfast hours are stated clearly: 06:30–10:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00–11:00 on weekends and public holidays. Booking.com reviewers gave breakfast an average of 8.0–8.2 out of 10, suggesting it competes well with other mid-range chain breakfasts.
Breakfast cost
No specific price for breakfast appears in the research inputs. Travellers should assume a per-person charge unless the booking rate explicitly includes it. Some OTAs (Booking.com, Expedia) offer rate plans with breakfast added; checking the inclusions before booking is advisable.
How far is Leonardo Hotel Watford from the station?
The hotel sits 2 minutes’ walk from Watford Junction railway station along Clarendon Road, according to the hotel’s FAQ page (Leonardo Hotels FAQ). This is confirmed by multiple booking platforms, which describe the hotel as about 300 metres (1,000 feet) from Watford town centre (Booking.com).
Travel times from Watford Junction:
- London Euston: ~20 minutes
- Wembley Stadium: ~12 minutes
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (Leavesden): ~10 minutes by taxi
The station provides direct services to central London via the West Coast Main Line, making the hotel a realistic option for commuters or event-goers attending Wembley matches who want to stay outside the M25 hotel price bubble.
What parking options are available at Leonardo Hotel Watford?
The hotel does not have its own on-site car park. Instead, guests can access a discounted rate at Sutton Car Park, approximately 1–2 minutes’ walk from the property, by registering their vehicle at reception. The hotel’s FAQ states the discounted rate is roughly £4 per 24 hours (Leonardo Hotels FAQ).
Guest reviews on Priceline and other OTAs note that this arrangement is widely regarded as good value for a central Watford location (Priceline). Standard public parking rates in Watford town centre would typically exceed this amount.
Independent confirmation of the £4 rate beyond the hotel’s own FAQ is limited. Rates may fluctuate over time, and availability is not guaranteed — guests should confirm at check-in.
Is Leonardo Hotel Watford a good hotel?
Based on aggregated guest scores, the answer leans positive. Tripadvisor shows approximately 4.5 out of 5, with cleanliness, rooms, and service consistently scoring above 4 out of 5. Booking.com reports an overall figure of 8.6–8.7 out of 10, with sub-scores of roughly 9.0–9.1 for staff, cleanliness, comfort, and location.
What guests praise
Recurring themes in positive reviews include clean, modern rooms, comfortable DREAM beds, helpful staff, and a location that serves both Watford Junction and the Harry Potter Studio Tour well. Tripadvisor editorial summaries note that guests “often commend the friendly and accommodating staff” (Tripadvisor).
What guests criticise
Noise from surrounding streets or other rooms surfaces occasionally, as do mentions of slow buffet replenishment during busy breakfast periods and lapses in room servicing on some stays. These points appear in a minority of reviews, not as dominant patterns.
Alternatives to Leonardo Hotel London Watford
If the Leonardo doesn’t fit your needs, three other hotels in the same price and star bracket operate in Watford and the immediate area:
| Hotel | Star rating | Distance to station | Breakfast included | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Hotel London Watford | 4 | 2-minute walk | Not standard | Bar and Grill, gym, business centre |
| Holiday Inn Express Watford | 3.5 | ~5-minute walk | Included in most rates | Express bar, free breakfast buffet |
| Premier Inn Watford | 3 | ~8-minute walk | Not included | On-site restaurant, family rooms |
| Best Western Plus Grim’s Dyke Hotel | 4 | ~15-minute drive | Varies by rate | Country house setting, gardens, restaurant |
The Holiday Inn Express offers a lower star rating and standardised rooms but includes breakfast in most rates, which may appeal to budget-conscious travellers who prefer a fixed cost. Premier Inn Watford is a reliable budget option with a restaurant but sits slightly further from the station. Best Western Plus Grim’s Dyke Hotel trades station proximity for a countryside setting — better for a leisure stay but less convenient for train commuters.
Our pick recommendation
For whom this hotel works best:
- Train travellers: The 2-minute walk to Watford Junction and 20-minute ride to London Euston make this the best Watford hotel for rail-focused trips.
- Budget-conscious tourists: Competitive pricing for a 4-star with the option of discounted parking and free Wi-Fi.
- Short-stay visitors: For a 1–2 night stay, the room quality and location work well.
- Harry Potter Studio visitors: A 10-minute drive to Leavesden, combined with the rail connection back to London.
If on-site parking or a spa are deal-breakers, look elsewhere. If clean rooms, a solid breakfast, and being steps from the station define your ideal stay, the Leonardo delivers.
“Leonardo Hotel London Watford offers the perfect blend of convenience and comfort for both business and leisure travellers.”
– Leonardo Hotels marketing copy, Hotel operator
“The Jurys Inn, on the corner of the ring road and Clarendon Road, will change its name to Leonardo Hotel.”
– Watford Observer report, Local newspaper
Related reading: Village Hotel Cheadle Review: Pool, Gym & Airport Access ? Apex Hotels 2025: Guide to the UK 4-Star Chain
tripadvisor.com
Frequently asked questions about Leonardo Hotel Watford
What is the address of Leonardo Hotel Watford?
31–35 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JA, United Kingdom.
Is there a restaurant at Leonardo Hotel Watford?
Yes, the Bar and Grill restaurant serves all-day dining and a breakfast buffet with both continental and hot options.
How do I get to Harry Potter Studios from the hotel?
The hotel is about a 10-minute drive to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London in Leavesden. Taxi or ride-share is the most practical option.
What is the check-in time at Leonardo Hotel Watford?
Check-in starts from 15:00 and check-out is until 11:00.
What are the breakfast hours at Leonardo Hotel Watford?
Breakfast operates from 06:30–10:00 on weekdays and 07:00–11:00 on weekends and public holidays.
Sources cited
- Leonardo Hotels — official site
- Leonardo Hotels FAQ — parking and station distance
- Booking.com — guest reviews
- Tripadvisor — ratings and reviews
- Expedia — amenity details
- Trivago — star rating and overview
- Watford Observer — rebrand history
- Priceline — parking summary
- Trip.com — international platform review data