The 7 Best Hotels in Southampton, UK

The Marriott group owns Meon Valley Hotel and Country Club, but it boasts a huge wooded estate and feels a world away from the usual chain-hotel experience. Go for a stroll and enjoy the clean, crisp air, or make use of the estate’s impressive golf course. There are spa and treatment rooms, and an indoor pool for those who prefer to be active. Rooms are simple, but spacious and comfortable enough for a pleasant weekend stay.

If you’re not immediately won over by the quirky cruise-ship design and port-side location of Southampton Harbour Hotel, the spa is likely to do the trick. The hotel’s nautical theme extends to beauty treatments, with a surprisingly good shell massage on offer. Rooms stick to the nautical theme, with blue walls, harbour views and the White Company toiletrie. As a plus, the hotel offers complimentary sherry and gin.

A proper thatched roof is a real treat nowadays, and this traditional pub has bucketloads of Tudor charm. Located on the edge of the New Forest, a 15-minute drive from the cruise terminals in Southampton, the Pilgrim Inn feels like your own cosy cottage tucked away from the world. Inside, you’ll find all the traditional features: wood beams, log fires and a proper bar. Rooms are in a separate building, and are modern with a boutique feel. The decor is trendy and understated, with simple antique furniture taking centre stage. Breakfast is a delicious buffet, or you can order classics such as eggs benedict or french toast.

Ennio’s Italian restaurant is renowned locally, and the 10 rooms in this boutique hotel are equally luxurious. The five-star offering was once a warehouse where wealthy Titanic passengers stored their luggage before setting sail. It has a firm focus on quality, with king-size beds, L’Occitane toiletries and sumptuous velvet throws. Located a short walk from the ferry terminals, it’s in a prime location for exploring the town – but on colder days you’ll want to tuck into a plate of pasta before you leave.

The White Star Tavern ticks all the boxes: stylish decor, a great location and a restaurant to rave about. Situated right on the pedestrianised Oxford Street in Southampton, there’s a great local vibe and plenty to do nearby. Inside the hotel, you’ll find trendy painted walls adorned with framed pictures, and rooms have their own desks and inclusive minibars. The restaurant is a favourite thanks to its delectable fare, local ales and extensive and creative cocktail list.

Grand by name, grand by nature – this iconic building on the waterfront stands out thanks to its eye-catching glass pyramid design. It was recently sold to a new owner and will be undergoing a makeover within the next few years, but the developers have promised to “retain its renowned ambience”. The hotel features a popular Marco Pierre White steakhouse, and the relaxing Serenity Spa.

Built into the Medieval city walls, the Pig instantly feels like somewhere special. It was originally Southampton’s first public house, but is now a 12-bedroom boutique offering favoured by stylish types. There’s a modern country feel about the place, and the pine furniture, roll-top baths and enthusiastic staff make guests feel well looked after. Be sure to book dinner at the Pig in Brockenhurst; you’ll be chauffeured there in the hotel’s own Land Rover. The next morning, enjoy the deli counter where you can pick exactly what you fancy for breakfast.