Apex Hotels Top Alternatives and Competitors in 2026
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By Mohamed Zaki · Researched and updated November 15, 2026 · Coupons Scout may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Looking for the Apex Hotels top alternatives and competitors? Apex Hotels is a strong choice for city stays with generous family perks, but Premier Inn, Travelodge and Malmaison each suit different trips. We compared all four on prices, family policies, cancellation rules and member offers, using the brands’ own pages checked in November 2026. Our Apex Hotels review covers the brand in more detail.
Quick Answer
Apex Hotels is our top pick for family city breaks: according to its website, children up to 17 stay free with an adult, kids aged 5 or under eat and drink free from the children’s menu, and flexible rates cancel free until 3pm the day before arrival. Choose Premier Inn for nationwide budget stays, Travelodge for low-cost advance rooms at £35 or less, and Malmaison for boutique weekends with a Sunday offer from £49.
Best for: Apex Hotels suits families and city-break travellers who want free child stays, dining perks and flexible cancellation.
Key Takeaways
- The top Apex Hotels alternatives in 2026 are Premier Inn, Travelodge and Malmaison.
- Apex Hotels says children up to 17 stay free in rooms with an accompanying adult, and kids aged 5 or under eat and drink free from the children’s menu with paying adults.
- As of November 2026, Premier Inn’s ZIP format lists small rooms from £25 a night, Travelodge lists Lowest Rate rooms at £35 or less, and Malmaison lists a Sunday offer from £49 with at least £50 spent on dining.
- Apex Hotels flexible rates cancel free up to 3pm the day before arrival, while Premier Inn Flex cancels up to 1pm and Travelodge Flexible Rate up to midday on arrival day.
- The company says its Stay More offer gives two nights free on a minimum of seven nights, and its Best Rate Guarantee offers a price match plus an extra 10% off.
Apex Hotels Top Alternatives and Competitors at a Glance
| Brand | Best for | Main products | Returns | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Hotels | City breaks with family dining perks | Hotel rooms, family rooms and suites | Free cancellation until 3pm day before arrival on flexible rates | 4.4/5 |
| Premier Inn | Affordable nationwide travel and family breaks | Standard and Premier Plus rooms | Full refund up to 1pm on arrival day on Flex rate | 4.5/5 |
| Travelodge | Low-cost advance bookings across the UK | Standard rooms and SuperRooms | Full refund up to midday on arrival day on Flexible Rate | 4.2/5 |
| Malmaison | Stylish boutique hotel breaks and dining getaways | Boutique hotel rooms and suites | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival on Best Flexible | 4.3/5 |
From the pricing page of each brand on November 15, 2026. Taxes and regional prices can change the total.
Winners by Category
- Best for family dining perks: Apex Hotels (kids aged 5 and under eat and drink free).
- Best for nationwide budget stays: Premier Inn (800+ hotels, ZIP rooms from £25 a night).
- Best for low-cost advance bookings: Travelodge (Lowest Rate at £35 or less).
- Best for boutique dining getaways: Malmaison (Sunday offer from £49 with £50 dining spend).
- Best for longer stays: Apex Hotels (two nights free on a minimum of seven nights).
Why Look for an Apex Hotels Alternative?
Do You Want a Hotel in Every Town?
Premier Inn lists more than 800 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Germany, which helps if your route covers many places. Apex Hotels focuses on city destinations such as Edinburgh, London and Pitlochry, so check that it has a property where you are heading.
Do You Want a Set Low Room Price?
Premier Inn’s ZIP format lists small rooms from £25 a night and Travelodge lists Lowest Rate rooms at £35 or less. Apex Hotels rates vary by package, so see the pricing page for your dates and compare.
Do You Prefer a Boutique Feel?
Malmaison offers individually styled rooms, brasseries and bars, plus a free Club Mal membership with up to 10% off selected rates and late checkout. It is worth a look for a stylish weekend.
How We Compared the Apex Hotels Alternatives
We read each company’s own pricing, feature, help and policy pages on November 15, 2026, and scored each tool on five points:
- Range: UK city hotels, room types and stay packages each brand lists.
- Booking: rate types, cancellation rules and member perks each brand describes, as the brand says.
- Value: listed prices, sales and bundle offers on each brand’s own UK pages.
- Policies: returns, warranty and guarantee terms on each brand’s policy pages.
- Booking terms: cancellation and payment rules each brand publishes.
Scores reflect this research, not a sponsorship, and no company reviewed this article. Where we earn a commission, it never changes the ranking.
How Much Do Apex Hotels and Its Alternatives Cost?
Hotel prices change with date, location and demand, so the table shows each brand’s entry price as listed on its own pages. For Apex Hotels, see the pricing page for rates on your dates.
| Brand | Example item | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Hotels | Stay Longer, Save & Experience More (7+ nights) | see pricing page |
| Premier Inn | Standard Room (Cardiff) | ZIP by Premier Inn rooms from £25 a night |
| Travelodge | Lowest Rate Room | Lowest Rate at £35 or less |
| Malmaison | Sunday Kind of Love Standard Room | Sunday offer from £49 |
Calculated from the prices shown on the brand pages on November 15, 2026. Taxes and regional prices can change the total.
1. Apex Hotels: Best for Family Dining Perks
Best for: travellers seeking boutique city stays with generous family dining perks · Example price: see pricing page · Our score: 4.4/5
Apex Hotels operates contemporary city properties in popular UK destinations, including Pitlochry, Edinburgh, and London. The hotel group features wheelchair-accessible venues, family rooms, and on-site dining such as The Lampery. According to its website, children up to age 17 stay for free in rooms with an accompanying adult, and kids aged 5 or under eat and drink for free from the dedicated children’s menu when dining with paying adults.
Room rates vary across flexible and promotional packages. Its Stay More offer gives two nights free when you book a minimum of seven nights, and direct bookers can access a Best Rate Guarantee offering a price match plus an additional 10% off. Flexible bookings allow free cancellation up to 3pm the day prior to arrival, while non-refundable rates do not permit refunds or transfers. See Apex Hotels coupons.
✅ What We Like
- Kids aged 5 and under eat and drink free
- Children up to 17 stay free with an adult
- Free cancellation until 3pm day before arrival on flexible rates
- Best Rate Guarantee matches lower prices plus 10% off
- Two nights free when you book a minimum of seven nights (Stay More offer)
💡 Things to Consider
- Non-refundable rates do not permit refunds or transfers
- Price match guarantee may be denied for rate differences under £5
- Room upgrade perks are subject to arrival availability
2. Premier Inn: Best for Nationwide Budget Travel
Best for: budget-conscious travellers and families wanting dependable UK-wide lodging · Example price: ZIP by Premier Inn rooms from £25 a night · Our score: 4.5/5
Premier Inn provides budget hotel accommodations across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, featuring super-comfy beds, touchscreen room controls, free Wi-Fi, and Freeview TVs. Upgraded Premier Plus rooms provide extra comfort and connectivity. Under its family policies, up to two kids stay for free and eat breakfast at no charge when an accompanying adult purchases a full Premier Inn Breakfast.
Its ZIP by Premier Inn format lists small rooms from £25 a night. According to the brand’s pages, the Flex rate allows fee-free cancellation or amends up to 1pm on arrival day, while Non-Flex rates do not allow amendments or refunds. Guests dissatisfied with their sleep can claim a refund on the affected night under the Good Night Guarantee within seven days of checkout.
✅ What We Like
- ZIP by Premier Inn small rooms from £25 a night
- Up to two children stay and eat breakfast free
- Over 800 hotels across the UK, Ireland, and Germany
- Good Night Guarantee offers refunds for poor sleep
- Flex rates allow cancellation up to 1pm on arrival day
💡 Things to Consider
- Non-Flex bookings do not allow amends or refunds
- Room prices rise dynamically with hotel demand
- Good Night Guarantee claims must be made within seven days
3. Travelodge: Best for Low-Cost Advance Bookings
Best for: value-focused guests looking for low-cost room rates across the UK · Example price: Lowest Rate at £35 or less · Our score: 4.2/5
Travelodge provides essential budget hotel lodging across UK towns and cities, featuring standard accommodations alongside upgraded SuperRooms with premium Wi-Fi and Samsung 4K LED TVs. According to its website, hotels with an on-site Bar Cafe serve an Unlimited Breakfast. Standard Wi-Fi is free for 30 minutes every 24 hours.
Rates follow dynamic demand-based pricing, with advance Lowest Rate rooms priced at £35 or less. The company states that Flexible Rate bookings allow fee-free date changes or full refunds when cancelled before midday on the arrival date, whereas Lowest Rate reservations are non-refundable.
✅ What We Like
- Lowest Rate rooms at £35 or less
- Flexible Rate allows full cancellation up to midday on arrival day
- Not confirmed on the pages we read
- Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes every 24 hours
- Semi-Flex rate permits moving stay dates for a small fee
💡 Things to Consider
- Lowest Rate rooms are non-refundable and non-transferable
- Full Wi-Fi access requires a paid pass after 30 minutes
- Central Reservations phone bookings carry a £2.50 admin fee
4. Malmaison: Best for Boutique Dining Getaways
Best for: weekend getaways and stylish boutique city breaks with dining perks · Example price: Sunday offer from £49 · Our score: 4.3/5
Malmaison operates boutique hotels across prime UK city locations, offering individually styled rooms, celebrated brasseries, bars, and event spaces. The brand provides accessible rooms as well as optional extra beds and complimentary cots for travelling families. According to its website, the Sunday Kind of Love package allows guests to book a standard room from £49 when spending at least £50 on dining at Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar.
Room rates fluctuate based on dates and locations, with advance packages like The Early Bird operating as non-refundable and non-cancellable. The brand notes that direct Best Flexible reservations can be amended or cancelled without charge before 3pm up to 24 hours prior to scheduled arrival. Signing up for the free Club Mal programme provides up to 10% off selected rates and late checkout.
✅ What We Like
- Sunday room rates from £49 with £50 dining spend
- Free Club Mal membership offers up to 10% off room rates
- Complimentary late checkout until 12pm for Club Mal members
- 10% discount on food and drinks for members
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival on Best Flexible
💡 Things to Consider
- Early Bird packages are non-cancellable and non-refundable
- Sunday £49 rate requires an additional £50 minimum dining spend
- On-site parking is limited and varies by location
How to Choose Between Apex Hotels and Its Alternatives
Are You Travelling With Children?
Apex Hotels says children up to 17 stay free with an adult and kids aged 5 or under eat and drink free. Premier Inn lets up to two kids stay and eat breakfast free with a full breakfast purchase, and Travelodge lists breakfast for £1 for up to two children under 15 per paying adult.
How Flexible Do You Need to Be?
Apex Hotels flexible rates cancel free until 3pm the day before arrival. Premier Inn Flex and Travelodge Flexible Rate allow changes up to 1pm and midday on arrival day, and Malmaison Best Flexible cancels before 3pm up to 24 hours ahead. Non-refundable rates at Apex Hotels, Premier Inn and Travelodge do not allow refunds, so choose a flexible rate if plans may change.
Do You Book Longer Stays or Join Member Schemes?
Apex Hotels says its Stay More offer gives two nights free on a minimum of seven nights, and lists a members discount of up to 20% for those who sign up. Malmaison Club Mal offers up to 10% off rooms. Compare which scheme fits how often you travel.
Can You Save With a Coupon?
Yes. Check our Apex Hotels coupon page for current codes and offers, and click Get Code so the discount is applied.
Final Thoughts
For families and city-break travellers, Apex Hotels is the best fit on this list, with free stays for children up to 17, free dining for kids aged 5 and under, and free cancellation on flexible rates until 3pm the day before arrival. If you want the widest UK network, try Premier Inn; for low-cost advance rooms, Travelodge; and for a boutique weekend, Malmaison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Apex Hotels alternatives?
The top Apex Hotels alternatives in 2026 are Premier Inn (nationwide budget stays, with ZIP rooms from £25 a night), Travelodge (Lowest Rate rooms at £35 or less) and Malmaison (boutique stays with a Sunday offer from £49).
Do children stay free at Apex Hotels?
According to its website, Apex Hotels lets children up to age 17 stay free in rooms with an accompanying adult, and kids aged 5 or under eat and drink free from the children’s menu when dining with paying adults.
Which hotel has the lowest starting price?
As of November 2026, Premier Inn’s ZIP format lists small rooms from £25 a night, Travelodge lists Lowest Rate rooms at £35 or less, and Malmaison lists a Sunday offer from £49. Apex Hotels rates vary, so see the pricing page for your dates.
Can you cancel an Apex Hotels booking for free?
Yes, on flexible rates. Apex Hotels allows free cancellation up to 3pm the day before arrival, while non-refundable rates do not permit refunds or transfers.
Does Apex Hotels have a best rate guarantee?
Yes. The company says direct bookers can get a price match plus an additional 10% off, though a match may be denied for rate differences under £5.
Are there Apex Hotels promo codes?
Yes. Our Apex Hotels coupon page lists current promo codes and offers. Click Get Code on the page so the discount is applied at checkout.
About the author: Mohamed Zaki, Founder & Chief MarTech Strategist, Coupons Scout. Mohamed Zaki is the founder of Coupons Scout and leads how the team finds deals and researches the software behind them. He focuses on marketing technology, automation tools and ways to pay less for them.
Editorial note: this article is based on research of brand product pages, help centers and policies, last checked November 15, 2026. Scores are our editorial opinion. Coupons Scout may earn a commission from some links, which never changes our rankings.
Sources
Brand pages we used for this article, checked November 15, 2026. Prices and plans can change, so confirm on the brand’s own website before you buy.
- Apex Hotels: homepage
- Apex Hotels: Terms
- Apex Hotels: Apex hotels on track with ambitious growth plans in uk
- Apex Hotels: Help faqs
- Premier Inn: Home
- Premier Inn: Good night guarantee
- Premier Inn: Booking terms and conditions
- Travelodge: homepage
- Travelodge: Amazing value prices
- Travelodge: Booking terms conditions
- Malmaison: homepage
- Malmaison: Booking terms and conditions
- Malmaison: App terms and conditions
- Malmaison: Sunday kind of love
- Travelodge: Frequently asked questions
- Apex Hotels: Stay longer save experience more
