For a small town in Cheshire, Chester certainly packs a lot in. I’ve been coming here since I was a child when Chester Zoo seemed like the most exciting place in the world and history lessons came to life in the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre. The walls once guarded by legionaries in the 1st century AD have been rebuilt, and provide an hour’s walk, as do the distinctive Rows (the medieval rows of shops with half-timbered, black-and-white galleries).
Then there’s the racecourse, which draws...Learn moreFor a small town in Cheshire, Chester certainly packs a lot in. I’ve been coming here since I was a child when Chester Zoo seemed like the most exciting place in the world and history lessons came to life in the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre. The walls once guarded by legionaries in the 1st century AD have been rebuilt, and provide an hour’s walk, as do the distinctive Rows (the medieval rows of shops with half-timbered, black-and-white galleries).
Then there’s the racecourse, which draws in people from around the country. It’s a great family destination, but also has a lively nightlife scene, with some great bars and restaurants. And there are hotels for every occasion, from intimate hideaways to full-blown grand hotels with Michelin-standard cuisine.
Plus, almost all of them are in the town centre, so the sights are a short walk away. Here’s my pick of the 10 best hotels in Chester.
I like the Indigo brand: they’re bright, colourful spaces with personality, and while part of a chain, they do...Learn more
I like the Indigo brand: they’re bright, colourful spaces with personality, and while part of a chain, they do ‘boutique hotel’ better than many independent outfits. Chester is no exception. With the river, Roman walls and Rows a short walk away, this is one of the best hotels in Chester for location. It also feels part of Chester.
Design references to the racecourse include stirrup door knockers, rosettes and equine fabrics and prints, along with nods to the medieval architecture and nearby zoo. Even the teacups are stylish.
It’s also got one of the best hotel restaurants in Chester, Forge, which fire-cooks dry-aged beef, beetroot, cod and scallops over oak and beech, and plates up inventive dishes such as ragu of wild muntjac. (The bar has a more informal menu, including crumpets with potted shrimp.) A lot of fun.
With its top-hatted doorman by the colonnaded entrance, the collection of artwork from Chatsworth House and the...Learn more
With its top-hatted doorman by the colonnaded entrance, the collection of artwork from Chatsworth House and the 28,000-piece chandelier (a hand-me-down from London’s Carlton Club) in the lobby, this is one of the best hotels in Chester for a special occasion. You can even arrange for the private chauffeur to take you on a tour around town.
Bedrooms are luxurious, with scalloped headboards (some suites have four-posters), botanic-print fabrics and photographs of lotus flowers. But the highlight for me is the main restaurant, Arkle. It no longer has a Michelin star but the five-course tasting menu is a real treat, showcasing local ingredients via inventive cooking (chalk-stream trout, Herdwick hogget, a lovely date and ale cake with milk ice cream). This is hands down Chester’s grandest hotel.
Charles Dickens stayed at this railway hotel when he paid Chester a visit in the 1860s, stepping off the steam train...Learn more
Charles Dickens stayed at this railway hotel when he paid Chester a visit in the 1860s, stepping off the steam train and walking straight across the road. It’s the best hotel in Chester for sheer proximity to the station, but it’s also the most historic, from the vintage luggage that forms the check-in desk to the original atrium and the rooms named after kings and queens.
The rooms have changed since Dickens’ stay and are quite contemporary, though some suites still have fireplaces and Victorian-style decor. There’s the Albert Lounge for afternoon tea and the Grill for familiar comfort food. Despite the Italianate stucco facade, statues and grand staircase, this is a very relaxed place and one of the best hotels in Chester for families, who can make good use of the extensive back garden.
Set right by the canal and in the shadow of the Shot Tower (though the entrance is via an unremarkable side street),...Learn more
Set right by the canal and in the shadow of the Shot Tower (though the entrance is via an unremarkable side street), the Moxy blurs the boundaries between a hotel, co-working hub and games room. It’s all deliberately informal, from the check-in at the bar to the welcome graffiti on your bathroom mirror. The lobby is a sprawling, open-plan space with guitars on the wall, table football upstairs and a large horse-racing mural.
I don’t think it’s the place to bring your grandparents, but this youthful approach is refreshing for Chester. Rooms are as neat and compact as a penknife, with no drawers or wardrobe but a cleverly designed storage area. There’s an all-day menu at the bar, and grab-and-go snacks, though this is more the place for an espresso Martini before a night out. One of the best hotels in Chester for twenty-something travellers.
This was a breath of fresh air when it opened back in 2008. Set in a Georgian townhouse, it took Alice in Wonderland...Learn more
This was a breath of fresh air when it opened back in 2008. Set in a Georgian townhouse, it took Alice in Wonderland as its inspiration and ran with it. There’s a Mad Hatters tea room, typewriters mounted on the walls, oversized botanic prints and a ‘secret garden’ with a potting-shed bar. Some of it needs a little freshening up, but it’s still a lot of fun – one of the best hotels in Chester for letting your hair down.
It’s popular with locals and can be boisterous at the weekend, but the bedrooms (set in the original building and a modern addition, along with four self-contained apartments in a nearby building) are peaceful and elegant. My favourite is the one with the circular bed, although a close second is the one with twin rolltop baths. A real individual.
The best hotel in Chester if you want a grandstand view of the racecourse. Though it’s just as good for those who...Learn more
The best hotel in Chester if you want a grandstand view of the racecourse. Though it’s just as good for those who want to walk the city walls, while the Grosvenor Museum is also nearby. The Abode is a curvaceous building in glass and steel, wrapped around a central plaza. It also has four rooms designed for travellers with accessibility needs, making this not just a great hotel but an inclusive one too.
I like the sense of space and light here, with views over to the Welsh hills from the fifth-floor restaurant, which has decent options for vegetarians (pearl barley ragout, aubergine tagine) alongside the smoked ham hock and roast octopus. The bedrooms, meanwhile, have floor-to-ceiling windows with wide-angle views, tartan throws, and black-and-white prints of historic details around Chester. A great option for race days – and most other days too.
One for those who want a country retreat within easy reach of Chester. The hotel is surrounded by 1,000 acres of...Learn more
One for those who want a country retreat within easy reach of Chester. The hotel is surrounded by 1,000 acres of land and has room for a sculpture park and two golf courses along with all sorts of activities, from an aerial adventure course to falconry and, my favourite, air rifle shooting.
It’s certainly one of the best hotels in and around Chester for families, but also one of the finest for a pampering romantic break, thanks to the excellent spa (try the yoga-inspired facial), which has its own pool and garden.
Built in the 1990s, rooms are spacious – go for a courtyard suite – and there’s an ambitious restaurant (pigeon breast with salt-baked beetroot, tandoori roast monkfish) as well as a more relaxed bistro. My childhood favourite, Chester Zoo, isn’t far away.
Step outside and you can tell the time from the Eastgate Clock. This aparthotel places you right in the heart of...Learn more
Step outside and you can tell the time from the Eastgate Clock. This aparthotel places you right in the heart of historic Chester, with the Roman amphitheatre just around the corner and all the best bars and restaurants within walking distance. There are 16 apartments, all individually designed to suit different types of guests – the ones named Treehouse and Secret Garden are best for families. Others have kitchenettes, while Flamingo has a distinctive black-and-copper bath tub and Safari has a bubbling hot tub.
But while it’s an aparthotel, it doesn’t scrimp on service (a nice touch is that fresh milk is provided in the little fridges without asking), with a friendly local team in reception who can point you in the right direction for bars and restaurants. One of the best hotels in Chester for those who don’t need all the facilities of a traditional hotel.
Located up a little flight of steps in the heart of the old town, this Georgian townhouse is one of the best hotels...Learn more
Located up a little flight of steps in the heart of the old town, this Georgian townhouse is one of the best hotels in Chester for location, if not accessibility. The Chester Rows and Roman ruins are a minute away, as is one of my favourite museums in town, Sick to Death – a sort of Horrible Histories take on medicine.
The hotel has been recently refurbished for 2024, with smart bedrooms in contemporary greys and taupes (there are family options and triples, to suit every sort of group), and views of the medieval street outside from the lounge.
The afternoon teas are popular, with vegan and gluten-free options, and the friendly staff are happy to share their local know-how. A very reasonably priced city-centre option for a short stay.
Something of a closely guarded secret for regulars who want to keep it to themselves, this 10-bedroom hotel is...Learn more
Something of a closely guarded secret for regulars who want to keep it to themselves, this 10-bedroom hotel is located just outside the centre of town, a few minutes’ walk from the station.
Though it might not be the best hotel in Chester for those wanting to be right on top of the historic sights, it does provide a warm, personable stay in a characterful 1850s townhouse – and nothing’s ever very far to walk to here.
You can learn about the area over breakfast, which is taken in a room decorated with black-and-white photographs of the region. This is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Chester for a quiet stay away from the town centre.
Useful Info
KAYAK’s insights for hotels in Chester
Discover seasonal trends, ideal booking windows, and other data-driven tips to plan your stay in Chester with confidence.
How much does a hotel cost in Chester?
The average price of a double room in Chester is £102 per night. In the last 3 days, KAYAK found great deals as cheap as £96 per night. Expect to pay around £112/night for a 4-star hotel in Chester and £222/night for a 5-star, with prices varying by date.
Which month has the cheapest hotel rates in Chester?
Hotels are cheapest in Chester in January, with average rates of £54. In comparison, May is the most expensive month, with prices at £90.
What is the cheapest day of the week to book a hotel in Chester?
Sunday offers the lowest rates in Chester, with an average nightly price of £58. The highest prices are found on Saturday, with average rates at £113.
How much is a hotel in Chester for tonight?
The best deal for a 3-star hotel room in Chester found by KAYAK users in the last 3 days was £49, while a 4-star hotel the lowest price was £60. The cheapest room found overall was for £35.
How much is a hotel in Chester for this weekend?
The cheapest hotel room in Chester for the upcoming weekend found on KAYAK in the last 3 days was for £84 per night. For the same dates, 3-star hotel rooms have been found for as low as £84 per night and 4-star hotel rooms from £92 per night.
How early should you book a hotel in Chester?
Book at least 50 days before your stay begins to get the best price for your Chester hotel.
Cheapest month to stay with an average 35% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 11% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.
KAYAK's top tips for finding Chester hotel deals
If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Manchester, you should consider visiting during the low season. You'll find cheaper hotels in Manchester in January and April.
Hotel room prices vary depending on many factors but you’ll most likely find the best hotel deals in Manchester if you stay on a Sunday. The opposite is true for, Saturday, which is usually the most expensive day.
The cheapest 3-star hotel room in Manchester found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was £61, while the most expensive was £157.
How long should you stay? KAYAK users usually book their hotel in Manchester for 1 day.
Hotels in Chester’s historic city centre offer a plethora of sightseeing opportunities. One of the best-located is Grosvenor Place Guest House, which is less than a 5-minute walk from attractions like Chester Castle, Chester Racecourse and the Grosvenor Museum.
Romantic hotels in Chester for couples include the quirky Oddfellows on Lower Bridge Street in the city centre. This design-led boutique hotel has a funky moss-clad restaurant and a secret walled garden serving afternoon tea.
Fancy staying in a luxury boutique hotel by the river? Perched on top of Chester’s famous city walls, Edgar House, just off Duke Street, overlooks the River Dee and is for adults only. Near the racecourse, the abode’s strikingly modern design and riverside location makes it popular with both business and leisure travelers.
Cheap hotels in Chester can be found close to the city’s main train station, north east of the centre. These include The Ormonde, a delightful Tudor-style building with simple rooms and a fascinating past as a former railway drinking tavern.
Travelers looking for luxury B&B accommodation in Chester will feel right at home in the suburbs just outside of the city centre. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac in Hoole, Stone Villa Guest House is a relaxed B&B which offers a traditional breakfast and complimentary perks on checking-in (such as a slice of cake and a glass of sherry in your room). Another option is Mitchells of Chester, just over a mile from the city centre and south of the River Dee in Hough Green, this is an elegant Victorian guest house with pretty gardens and friendly service.
Save money on Chester hotels and stay on the outskirts of the city and use the comprehensive transport system to travel into the centre. For instance, you could stay at Brook Mollington Banastre Hotel and Spa, which is a well-priced hotel that’s about a 20min bus journey from the centre of Chester on the 1A Blacon Pointer bus.
If you want to visit Chester to attend Devafest, then you should be aware that hotels are likely to be more expensive at this time of year. You should book a hotel as far in advance as possible and also look for accommodation near Chester Lakes, such as Holiday Inn Chester – South.
If you have a disability, or mobility issues, then you should look for hotels that offer disabled access. For instance, Abode Chester is accessible for people with disabilities and also has a lift so you can get to various floors. In addition, it’s close to the city centre, so you can travel to the popular attractions with ease.
For those that are travelling to Chester on business, you should look to stay at a hotel that is close by to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL). One hotel which is only a 25min car journey from the terminal building, but also only about a 10min drive to the centre of Chester, is Oakwood Farm Mews.
FAQs when booking a hotel in Chester
Which hotels are near Chester North train station?
Hotels near Chester North (Bache) train station are found in quiet suburbs like Newton and Hoole. These include the Premier Inn Chester Central North, which is just a 3-minute walk from the train station. A similar distance away is the family-run Brookside Hotel, which sits on the outskirts of the city centre and offers a friendly, traditional service.
Are there hotels in Chester with free parking?
One hotel with free parking is the Chester Court Hotel on Hoole Road, an attractive Tudor-style property with easy transport links in the city centre. Free parking is also available at the nearby Ba Ba Guest House, a relaxed Georgian property with good-sized family rooms.
Are there hotels in Chester with spa facilities?
The spa at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester city centre, opposite the iconic Eastgate and Eastgate Clock, is notable not only for its relaxing and beautifying treatments but also for its thermal suite with a herb sauna, salt grotto and crystal steam room. Northeast of the city centre in the suburb of Hoole Village, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel has excellent spa facilities including a hydrotherapy room, mud room and Turkish baths.
Can I take my pet with me to Chester hotels?
If you want to take your pet with your to Chester hotels then you’re in luck, as some of the hotels allow you to bring them along. For instance, the Commercial Bar and Hotel is one such accommodation that allows you to bring your furry friend for an additional charge, proving you request it beforehand.
Are there hotels in Chester where I can cook for myself?
Save money on your Chester hotels by looking for accommodation that offers self-catering facilities. For example, the Hotel Chester offers kitchen facilities including a stove top and kettle. It’s also only around a 3min walk to the closest food shop, so you can easily stock up on food.
After you launch a hotel search on KAYAK, you can refine your research by neighbourhood, which allows you to pick the central Chester districts. You can also do a search using the city map to choose a specific location, like Chester city centre
How can I find hotels near me?
Take a look at our extensive hotel map to find the best hotels near you.
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