Southampton hotels

As its name suggests, the city’s only 5-star hotel sits right on the harbour – from the right angle, the Harbour Hotel looks a little like a luxury ship about to set sail.

My favourite views are from HarBar on the 6th floor, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant. Relax on the terrace overlooking the Solent with a cocktail using local Mermaid gin and some wood-fired pizza. Having your own binoculars in your room comes a close second. The guestrooms feature splashes of orange, complimentary gin in a decanter, king-size beds and rainhead showers.

As an added bonus, there’s the award-winning restaurant, The Jetty, known for its seafood, as well as the spa, with several pools and Elemis treatments.

The sister hotel to the original Pig hotel in the nearby New Forest, The Pig in the Wall has the same trademark shabby chic style and a unique location, tucked away in the city’s medieval walls.

One of the best boutique hotels in Southampton, its 12 individually styled rooms make the most of their historic quirks – Snug Rooms are up in the eaves with exposed timber beams, while Spacious Rooms have carved wooden posts on the beds, stone fireplaces and – my own favourite touch – rolltop baths on medieval-style tiles.

The laid-back atmosphere continues over dinner, with deli-style dishes to eat around rustic wooden tables or on low sofas by the cosy log burner. Ingredients are sourced from their sister site – expect creative salads, sausage rolls and pies, though there are vegetarian options at breakfast too.

It’s not often you see rooms above an Italian restaurant among the best hotels in Southampton, but Ennios is a cut above your average pizzeria. Set on the harbour, close to the cruise ship terminals and ferry port, the 10 guestrooms have mod cons like flatscreen TVs and Egyptian cotton linen, but are all decorated differently.

The romantic canopy bed in the Executive Superior Double room is the standout, although I’ve got a soft spot for the elephant print cushions in the Deluxe Double, as well as the luxurious L’Occitane toiletries in the bathrooms.

One of the best hotels in Southampton for foodies, breakfast might be traditional English but lunch and dinner are mouth-wateringly Italian, with a great wine list to accompany classic pasta dishes, meat, fish and the indulgently delicious house special dessert, Ennio’s tiramisu.

This award-winning hotel and pub is where many passengers and crew stayed the night before boarding the Titanic. The tavern is named after the ill-fated ship’s owners, the White Star Shipping Line.

Today, the 13 rooms have a full-on nautical theme, decorated in plums, greens and greys, which takes me back to the golden age of cruising. The Comfy Cabin rooms have king-size beds, monsoon showers or roll-top baths, and squashy pillows, while even the smaller Cosy Cabins have luxurious bedlinens, flatscreen TVs and monsoon showers.

Its central location makes this one of the best hotels in Southampton for exploring, set within walking distance from the historic heart of the city as well as the harbour and cruise port. Plus, there’s a good selection of pub classics and plant-based dishes when you need to refuel.

The moment you step through the elegant white columns of No.4 Carlton, you get a sense of why this understatedly luxurious building is one of the best hotels in Southampton. With nine guestrooms and suites to choose from, I always think it combines the best of traditional style with contemporary flair.

Wingback chairs come in a glimmering silver-grey fabric, the curving staircase in the hall is offset with striking sea-blue paint and bird-print wallpaper, and the eye-catching lighting is a world away from a classic chandelier.

The same goes for the rooms: choose between Art Deco-style pink and black, blue with splashes of gold, and more earthy neutral tones offset by quirky decorative touches. All have king-size beds, rainfall showers and coffee machines, plus a fridge stocked with complimentary drinks. Continental breakfast is included, and the hotel is only a short walk from the SeaCity Museum.

Billing itself as a ‘hometel’, Room2 Southampton is one of the best hotels in Southampton if you like your own space – think king-size beds, kitchens and living rooms to relax in.

Decorated in shades of bluey-grey, peach and deep orange, the velvety fabric on the sofas sets it well above the average room, especially combined with 49-inch TVs, digital radios, superfast Wi-Fi, memory foam mattresses on the beds, and snacks in the kitchen.

The cheery patterned tiles in the bathroom always make me smile, while the loft rooms are perfect for families. The colourful Living Room is part lounge area, part bar, with live music from local artists on Fridays and kitchen essentials in the pantry. There’s even a gym, a laundry and electric scooters outside to hire, along with 2 EV charging parking spaces.

From the first ‘Ahoy’ you spot as you walk into Southampton’s Moxy Hotel, you know your stay is going to be fun. Stylish and playful are the watchwords of this small hotel, and you’re never in any doubt of this in the common spaces.

From the life preserver propped up by the bar to fluorescent flamingos, dramatic yellow walls and eye-catching black and white print cushions, guitars to borrow and games to play, this is one of the best hotels in Southampton if you’re looking for a cool and quirky getaway.

Rooms are more minimalist, with white linen and deep brown and black seats, peg walls to hang up your belongings, plush pillows on the platform beds, and MUK toiletries in the bathroom. One of my favourite bonuses is that the hotel is pet-friendly.

This 38-room hotel was once two Victorian Houses, transformed into a hotel around 60 years ago by a former cruise liner steward. Look out for the artwork in the lounge for a few links to his past occupation.

The decor is traditional with original fireplaces in the superior rooms, jewel-toned walls and fabrics, and Tiffany lighting. The rooms are decorated individually, so whether it’s pale blue, powder pink or flower prints that gets your vote, there’s something to suit.

Breakfast is just as temptingly old-school, with more unusual additions like smoked haddock and poached egg, while I love the fact there’s free parking for residents, as well as discounts on cruise parking. This is also one of the best hotels in Southampton if you’re on a budget.

With its thatched roof and wood-beamed ceiling, The Pilgrim Inn could be the blueprint for a historic English country pub. A fantastic base to explore Hampshire from, it’s a 15-minute drive to both the New Forest and Southampton city centre. Or for a more unusual alternative, it’s also less than 10 minutes from the Hythe ferry, a 15-minute boat ride across the Solent to Southampton.

With the 14 rooms in a separate historic thatched building from the pub, you’ve got the best of both worlds – food and drink on the doorstep, but peace and quiet to sleep in some unexpectedly chic boutique rooms.

I don’t think you can beat the Indulgence Double with its four-poster bed, robes in the bathroom, striking feather-print wallpaper and coffee machine – although the deep blues and reds of the rooms make them all feel pretty indulgent.

The Hilton is part of The Utilita Bowl Cricket Stadium, home to Hampshire County Cricket Club, with its restaurant Beefy’s inspired by cricketer Ian Botham, a golf course on-site and a sports bar.

You’re still only a 20-minute drive from Southampton itself, if you’re combining a cricket match with some sightseeing or a cruise, plus there’s a spa offering treatments and a series of thermal rooms if you’re not a sports fan.

The ultimate rooms for cricket lovers are those with pitch views and a balcony – you can sit on your private veranda to watch the action, and sizes range from a twin room to a suite. Otherwise, they’re as you’d expect from a Hilton; minimalist decor but all the amenities including a 42-inch TV and walk-in shower.