The Best Hotels to Book in Leeds, UK

Looking for alternatives to standard Leeds hotels? The Bells offers eight ultra-luxe serviced apartments located between central Leeds and the River Aire. Each is uniquely decorated with a mix of bold contemporary art and antique touches like overstuffed leather chairs, and they’re entirely self-contained but fully serviced. Try the twin-bedroom Santa Maria, with a hot tub, chandeliers, Latin-American paintings throughout and an open-plan kitchen with top-of-the-range fittings. Or perhaps the NY loft-style Liberty, with its spacious, full-length balcony and mezzanine bedroom.

Centrally situated on the city’s old Granary Wharf, Doubletree is one of the slickest, most professional hotels in Leeds, as you expect from a Hilton. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow maximum natural light into all the rooms – from standard twins to luxe queen guest rooms with views of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. With a fitness centre and restaurant on-site, it’s ideal for any visitor, whether you’re coming to Leeds for business or pleasure. The Doubletree also earns extra marks for accessible lifts and other features catering to travellers with limited mobility.

Sleek, luxurious and up-to-the-minute decor and fittings mark the Dakota out as one of the most stylish hotels in Leeds. The charcoal, black and metallic palette used throughout combines perfectly with luxuries such as high thread-count cotton sheets, 48-inch digital TVs with Sky and Sky Sports, and drenching monsoon showers. The equally slick Dakota Bar and Grill is a destination in its own right – ideal for a quiet negroni or stellar dishes such as Yorkshire ox cheek with bone-marrow mash.

This Art Deco-style building is close to the impressive Leeds City Museum and is in a prime location for some of the most popular attractions in the city. Particularly good for sightseers, Queens has 16 flexible meeting rooms and a ballroom for up to 550 guests. There’s a variety of shops and restaurants to explore in the surrounding area, but for ease you can dine in at Grand Pacific, which serves up locally sourced and inspired dishes.

This luxury apart-hotel resides in the former Old Post Office building, a short walk from the Grand Theatre and most of the city’s best attractions. It’s also within walking distance of the First Direct Arena, where concerts with popular headliners and crowds of up to 14,000 people take place. One- and two-bedroom apartments are available for you to book, all with handcrafted furniture, boutique toiletries and full kitchens.

Quebecs is the only independent luxury hotel in the centre of Leeds. Its distinct terracotta facade makes it instantly recognisable and a key feature of the city’s architectural landscape. The gigantic wrought-iron gate at its entrance and the magnificent oak staircase in the interior make a lasting first impression. With only 44 rooms, the hotel has an intimate and welcoming vibe, and every room is uniquely decorated.

The Malmaison in the converted Leeds City Tramways Office puts modernity and comfort at the heart of its mission. With more than 100 stylish and fun rooms to choose from, it’s a short walk from Leeds railway station, so you don’t have far to go with your luggage. High-end shopping is available nearby at the Trinity Leeds leisure centre, which has a wealth of large and boutique outlets for quality spending. If you’re craving an evening of fine dining and quality tipples, first try the hotel’s Chez Mal Brasserie, and then Chez Malbar – the latter specialising in cocktails and champagne.

Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa is a modern take on a luxury spa, just 6km (4mi) away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The location is ideal for those looking for a quiet break, and with packages such as the Escape available, including a night in the hotel, full access to the spa, complimentary meals and a taster treatment, you’ll experience a tranquil retreat near the heart of Leeds. All guests receive access to the fitness centre, too. When you’re ready to return to real life, you’ll find yourself in close proximity to the best of the city’s nightlife, shopping and restaurants.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel is one of the oldest in Leeds, having been open to guests for more than 100 years. The quality of what you find inside, however, has not been dented by age. With 89 uniquely styled rooms to choose from, you’ll find everything you need including fluffy bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. Classic comfort food is served in the top-quality restaurant and bar, and beer lovers may wish to check out the North Brewing Co Tap Room down the street.

The Chambers Park Place is ideal if you’re looking for all the comforts of home while on holiday. These serviced apartments are available for short-term and long-term visits, and guests can pay nightly, weekly or monthly. The building itself is a restored, turn-of-the-century number and blends antiquated charm with modern touches to create a pleasant and warm interior. Besides having a fully equipped apartment to yourself, you get the additional perks of a hotel, including a 24-hour concierge, laundry and dry cleaning.