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The Premier Inn chain based in the United Kingdom is a winner of FTF's Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award.

Booking budget hotels for the Grand Tour of Europe can be a daunting task.  Granted, while en route (and not being too picky), a family can easily find a tiny, not-so-nice room at a local B&B for under Euros 50 a night.  But, without a trusted brand name to back the quality, mom and dad may not realize what they have gotten themselves into. When were those towels last capable of drying anyone? Why is the WC lock broken and the toilet paper so rough?  Where is the flat screen TV or the phone or the soap?

Attention Family Travelers: Economy-savvy travel doesn’t have to mean meager accommodations, lackluster amenities and below-standard services.  Families just need to find a hotel chain that offers quality without breaking the bank, and for those making a family pilgrimage across the pond, we have a winning recommendation that makes for a truly cheap family vacation.

Premier Inn

Finding a budget-friendly hotel chain in Europe just a decade or so ago was not a priority.  Back then, Europe was considered a bargain for American travelers.  When visiting London on a summer break from college, it was like one big 50% off sale and choosing a hotel was seldom a worry. Now that the tables have turned, families are looking for the best overall value with both quality and price tag in mind.

But fear not!  Premier Inn, Europe’s largest hotel chain with properties located throughout the United Kingdom (and in Ireland, Dubai and soon, India), offers rates for a family of four starting at £50 (about $75).  Two children ages 15 and under stay free per paying adult, and pullout sofas and cribs (or cots as they say in the UK) are available free of charge for kids, toddlers, and infants.

While breakfast isn’t free at Premier, we took a look at what the hotels do offer in terms of value. Breakfast runs approximately £2.95 for a coffee and croissant, up to £7.50 for an all- you-can-eat buffet.  Up to two children 15-years-old and under can eat free per paying adult.  Additionally, Premier offers discount packages and tickets to over 800 UK attractions with two-for-one deals for families.

Because it’s difficult to gauge the individual quality and amenities at 500 different Premier Hotels, we also considered their guarantee policy. Their “Good Night Guarantee” offers a full refund to guests who didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We know from experience that European hotels can be charming, but old, and the walls thin enough to hear your neighbors. Thus, consider any money-back guarantee a valuable incentive.

Location and convenience were also a factor in choosing Premier as the best European budget-minded chain. If a family is traveling all the way to the United Kingdom, we think they should have the financial freedom to explore several cities.  Premier’s numerous locations entice families looking to travel from Cork to Edinburgh to London and anywhere in between, by rail or by air.

As an addendum to Premier as a Top 10 pick, budget-conscious families should note the UK is home to several low-cost airline carriers including Ryan Air, BMI Baby, and Easy Jet, all of which fly into Premier Hotel destinations.  Each airline frequently boasts £2 flights, no tax flights, and even free flights where customers pay only the tax. Can't ask for better value than that.