Leicester hotels

This is one of the best hotels in Leicester for history buffs. Located next door to the King Richard III Visitor Centre and across the street from Leicester Cathedral, where Richard’s tomb lies, St Martins Lodge is a good choice if you’re looking to voyage back to 15th-century England. Inside this hotel’s handsome Georgian walls, you’ll find 28 plush rooms complete with high ceilings, winding mahogany staircases and beds fit for a king.

Plus, its Grade II-listed status only adds to the sense of history. One curious thing to note for first-time visitors – when checking in, you’ll need to cross the street to St Martins House Conference Centre to pick up your room key. When I stayed here it was a tad confusing, but it only takes a couple of minutes and the helpful staff are excellent.

Leicester’s historic allure continues at the Belmont Hotel, a 19th-century townhouse that was once a bed and breakfast in the 1930s but has since been transformed into a refined boutique stay. Grand stone columns flank the entrance, while a Union Jack flag hangs from whitewashed walls.

But inside, things get a little jazzier. The bedroom’s pillows, sofas and curtains are splashed with bright pops of orange and purple (look out for the quirky Richard III pillows in the family rooms too).

The Belmont is located on the mile-long New Walk, an unusual example of a Georgian pedestrian promenade, making the short walk into the city centre a car-free pleasure. It’s also conveniently close to Leicester train station and the superb Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. Jamie’s Bar and Restaurant, the onsite restaurant, serves food all day, though I recommend heading here between 2pm-5pm for their generously stacked afternoon tea.

This is a city that loves its sport and the Leicester Tigers rugby team is a local – and very successful – institution. So, unsurprisingly, their popularity packs the city’s pubs and hotels, as does nearby football team Leicester City FC.

With its location next door to the Welford Road rugby stadium and a short stroll to City’s King Power Stadium, voco Leicester is easily one of the best hotels in Leicester for sports fans. All smart brick and glass from the outside, voco’s 191 bedrooms mean plenty of room options on matchdays, while downstairs the aptly-named Lair restaurant serves up top-notch burgers (don’t miss their Luxe Burger) and quality craft beers.

When it comes to my favourite part of this hotel, that would have to be the rooftop terrace suites, which come complete with bubbling hot tubs. There’s no better spot to celebrate a win.

With its glassy frame soaring high above the busy Vaughan Way Road, the Novotel is one of the best hotels in Leicester for business travellers – but it’s an equally great option if you’re here for leisure.

Located across the street from the Showcase Cinema’s space-age architecture, the Novotel’s spacious rooms – all cool grey tones centred by cosy double beds – are ideal for a weekend break. And with their breezy Nine B Restaurant and Bar sourcing artisan produce from local farms (including indulgent handmade pies), it’s also one of the top-rated hotels in Leicester for foodies.

I love sitting at the airy bar here with a glass of wine. Inspired by a Roman mosaic excavated from an ancient villa found underground, the curved counter area is all cream tiles and columns, topped by exposed ventilation ducts snaking around above (as a reminder of which century we’re actually in).

If you’re looking for easy access to Leicester’s countryside but still want to be near the city, the Marriott Hotel on Leicester’s outskirts could be an ideal option. But while this is ostensibly a business hotel, it's also one of the best hotels in Leicester for visiting the region’s premier historic site, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.

By beating the city’s sometimes gridlocked traffic, you’ll arrive much earlier to the rolling mist-shrouded fields where King Richard III met his maker and a mysterious legend was born. Back at the Marriott, I like that it goes all out for relaxation, with a swimming pool, sauna and steam room available. So, whether you’re a history buff or here to seal deals, the Marriott is a top choice.

Flanked by Castle Gardens’ shaded paths and the ancient Jewry Wall and Roman baths, the Holiday Inn is set in one of Leicester’s most charming corners. With the scene topped off by the flowing River Soar, it’s a nice spot to wander, especially in the balmy summer months.

The Holiday Inn is polished and clean inside, with some bold flourishes, including turquoise-splashed sofas and bright silhouetted art of local icons. This is one of the best hotels in Leicester for families, as not only are the rooms spacious, kids eat for free at the downstairs lobby restaurant.

For me, the location is king here (pun very much intended). With the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Cathedral less than a five-minute walk away, this is one of the best hotels in Leicester for exploring the city’s vast historic appeal.

Few hotels in Leicester mix style and heritage quite like The Gresham. Rising up on the corner of Market Street and Belvoir Street, the Gresham’s elegant stone design dates back to the 19th century, while inside the mix of exposed brick and leafy plants brings a fresh, modern look.

121 studios and apartments fit into this former department store in Leicester’s commercial heart, but while shopping is a temptation, the city’s walkability means all of its other attractions are within a few minutes stroll. £17 million was spent on refurbishments in 2021 and, for me, it’s the shimmering bar area that impresses the most.

From its cool marble counters to the green palms and potted plants bringing an almost Mediterranean vibe, cocktails at the Gresham’s bar are a cracking way to start any evening.

Graceful Winstanley House looks like a film set for a period drama set in idyllic countryside, but it’s actually located in the western suburbs of Leicester (albeit within 160 acres of parkland). So, unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of heritage here. Originally known as Braunstone Hall, it was built in 1775 by Clement Winstanley, whose family occupied the hall over the next 150 years.

Following its sale after World War I, the house took on many guises, but these days it's a spectacular wedding venue that’s also one of the best hotels in Leicester. From the sparkling chandeliers hanging from high ceilings to the sizzling steaks cooked at the magnificent Black Iron Restaurant, there’s an element of grandeur about every corner of this place.

It’s a good two miles from the city centre, but if I wanted to impress, Winstanley House is where I’d book.

Set within four acres of bucolic landscaped gardens, College Court is a campus-style hotel designed in the 1960s modernist aesthetic. With clean lines and natural light pouring in through high windows, it looks nothing like any other hotel in Leicester. While it may be predominantly a business hotel, it’s also one of the best hotels in Leicester for catching a game of summertime cricket – specifically, watching the successful Leicestershire Foxes play an exciting T20 match.

Just a five-minute drive from College Court, night games at their stadium are a unique way to spend a balmy July or August evening. As is often the case with 1960s architecture, the rooms are exceedingly spacious, and special mention must go to the executive rooms, which come with balconies. I’ll admit these are on the pricier side, but the chance to unwind outside is a rare pleasure in British city hotels.

The unambiguously-named Castle Hotel by Chef & Brewer Collection is a great option if you want to feel as though you’re travelling back in time.

Set inside an elegant 17th-century pub and restaurant, this is a cosy spot with exposed-brick walls and wooden beams. 21 charming en-suite bedrooms are spread out upstairs but you’ll want to get outdoors and explore this pretty village.

Nearby you’ll find the the ruins of Kirkby Muxloe Castle. One of the most picturesque nearby attractions – especially on a sunny day.