Can anyone please help me direct two first-time London travellers get from their hotel, the Travel Inn at County Hall to Waterloo Station which I know is directly behind it,
but need to know if they need transport (although it's quite near) because of luggage.
They are due to catch the Eurostar to meet me in Paris.

I've never stayed at County Hall, but know the location and its proximity to Waterloo Station. If your suitcases have wheels and you can trail them behind you, then you have no problems. But wait till you get to the hotel and then check out where Waterloo Station actually is, and then you can decide if you would rather get a taxi or walk. Good luck and have fun!

County Hall, next to the London Eye Big Ferris Wheel, is a few blocks from Waterloo station - there are well-marked walways between the two - that said i remember having to go up and down stairs at some points - a very short walk but if very bulky luggage may be a struggle at points. But really is very close.

It's been a few years, but I was thinking it was about 10 minute walk. And I, too, remember climbing up or down stairs. Not to be flip, but they can more or less follow the Thames (so they shouldn't get too lost). If necessary, cabs can usually be found during daytime hours right next to the hotel (by the Eye). If they aren't lined up they will come and go as they drop off tourists at the Eye.

Thanks for the replies and help. I think the hotel may have to call a taxi even if the distance is only a 10min walk. What concerns me most is the entrance to Waterloo from the street if they have to leg it.
I mean will they have to walk around, down, wherever, to find the right entrance. I feel really dumb asking this question because I have been to Waterloo station many many times but only from the underground which escalates up onto the main platform.

Tod don't feel dumb. For info about the layout of the inside of the station, you may want to look online. If memory serves there is a site that has maps or layouts of the inside of London stations (maybe someone will give you the link).

We arrived on the Eurostar from Paris and walked with our luggage to the Travel Inn - no stairs required.

My memory's a little fuzzy on the exact route we took, since we were basically fumbling around - but exiting from the Travel Inn, turn towards your right and head towards the Starbucks on the corner. Heading to your left will lead you towards the route w/stairs.

Take a left at Starbucks and walk down that small street - which *should* lead to the main road. Once you cross it, there should be a small road coming from Waterloo station with a parking lot on the corner. This is the road we exited from the station.

The road from Waterloo had what appeared to be a taxi rank that is located right by the entrance to the station itself.

Sorry if my directions are unclear or a little in error - the walk was short and easy, but we just kind of found our way, rather than with concise directions.

from the front door of the Travel Innyou could almost throw a rock and hit Waterloo International. A bit of an exaggeration - but not much. Unless theya re dragging steamer trunks there is no need to take a cab. I know how I've walked it in the past from Jubilee Gardens which is just next door to the Travel Inn. There is a walkway that goes straight into the station w/o having to walk in York Road.

But there might be construction, etc. So just have them ask the folks at the front desk for directions of - they will give them the best shortcut.

You have all been an immense help and I can genuinely tell them to walk the short distance as they are both travelling light - My concern was they would need to know NOW what to expect as first timers.
I found my old ( an very tatty) EyeWitness book on London and don't see a walkway illustrated but it clearly shows York rounding the corner into Waterloo Road right alongside Waterloo station to which there must be an entrance.
Thank you all for the input.

Tod, Chepar's instructions are spot on - as you exit the Travel Inn head towards the Starbucks over on the right hand corner opposite. Turn left at Starbucks to the junction with York Road – there is a crossing immediately in front of you at this point – cross York Road here then turn left along York Road. Take the first turning on the right into Leake Street – the entrance to the Eurostar arrivals is then over on the left (with the car park infront) – if they enter here they can follow a ramp on the left hand side up into the Eurostar departures concourse. A 10 minute slow stroll at most. This is also the best route for them if they wish to use the tube during their stay in London – only they don’t need to go up the ramp into Eurostar Departures as there is an entrance to the tube from the arrivals concourse.

Yes, it's an easy walk. I once stayed at the Marriott County Hall (with only carryon luggage) and took a cab from Waterloo/Eurostar. I was embarrassed that the ride took about two minutes and cost so little. The cabby was very cheerful about it, so I paid him double the fare (overtipping, I know, but I thought it was worth it and anyway it was a business expense I got reimbursed). I walked back to Eurostar for the return with no problems.