Sheffield Hotels

Best places to stay in Sheffield

The heart of Sheffield city centre is compact, so any hotel here will put you within easy reach of the main urban attractions. The area is undergoing significant regeneration but still has tons to offer, from enticing theatres and galleries to top-notch bars and restaurants. On the edge of the city centre is Castlegate, which is making a comeback with fresh ideas such as the UK’s longest “green street” corridor, a monthly flower market called Pollen, and a purpose-built skateboarding space.

Kelham Island, which lies on the River Don in Sheffield’s north, is packed with buildings that once housed the Steel City’s mighty factories but now boast ultra-cool indie shopping, microbreweries and galleries. So cool, in fact, that Kelham Island was voted one of the world's 51 coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out in 2022. A little further out, Hillsborough is becoming a go-to spot for independent businesses and is also home to the leafy, 49-acre Hillsborough Park and the iconic Sheffield Wednesday football stadium.

Where to stay to be near the popular attractions in Sheffield

If you’re a big snooker fan visiting for the World Championship, you’ll want to be right in the city centre, as this is where you’ll find the Crucible Theatre. Just steps away is the Millennium Gallery, opened in 2001, which houses a variety of craft & design exhibits, including fine examples of Sheffield’s famous metalwork. A stay in the centre will also put you close to the Moor Market, an indoor farmers’ market with over 90 independent traders. It’s convenient too, as the main train station is just a 10-minute walk from all these sights.

Where to stay with your family in Sheffield

Families visiting Sheffield will love the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria. This quiet hotel is set on its own grounds off a private drive but is still within striking distance of the city centre. This means easy access to popular attractions like the National Emergency Services Museum, an award-winning, family-friendly spot where kids can get hands-on with history, dress up, and climb aboard vehicles – a guaranteed winner. Not far away lies the Winter Garden, the largest urban glasshouse in Europe. It houses more than 2,500 plants from all around the world, making it the ultimate oasis in the heart of the city. What’s more, it’s totally free, so taking the whole family there won’t break the bank.

Where to stay as a solo traveller

If you’re a solo traveller visiting Sheffield, why not book into a small boutique hotel for that personal touch? The ultra-popular Three Cranes is nestled on Queen Street in the centre, and from there, the city’s your oyster. Book a group food tour of nearby Kelham Island’s artisan eateries, or if the great outdoors is more your thing, spend a few hours wandering around the Botanical Gardens off Ecclesall Road, which is also home to countless independent stores for window shopping or retail therapy – it’s all up to you.

Where to find cheap hotels in Sheffield

Sheffield is a great-value city for a break, and that extends to its accommodation, with plenty of budget hotels on offer. This means double rooms for under £40 a night, including at the well-reviewed Ibis Budget Sheffield Centre St Marys Gate. EasyHotel Sheffield is superbly located and has double rooms from £42 a night, with travellers able to opt for a windowless option to max out the savings. There’s also parking and free wifi. Nearby Best Western Plus The Quays (doubles from £71) is a good option if you want a few more amenities, as you can add on breakfast and access to the indoor pool and sauna for a fee. The Novotel Sheffield Centre is great value for a 4-star hotel, with prices as low as £63/night, and it’s perfect for snooker lovers with its location just a stone’s throw from the Crucible. It has an on-site restaurant, bar, and heated indoor pool as well.

Shopping

With one of the largest indoor shopping malls in Europe and a regenerated city centre, Sheffield offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Well-linked by the city's Supertram, Meadowhall is an indoor mall with many popular high street stores, such as River Island, H&M, and Top Man. There's also a Vue Cinema and restaurants, such as Frankie & Benny's and Nando's, for when you need to refuel.

Sheffield's city centre is laid-back and compact, making shopping a stress-free experience. All the big names are here, such as Primark and John Lewis, alongside more boutique stores, such as Bird's Yard and Sheffield Scene, perfect for unique souvenirs. The Moor Market is a great place to pick up a bargain and buy lots of delicious fresh food.

The Winter Garden

One of the jewels of Sheffield's city centre is the Winter Garden, the largest urban glasshouse in Europe. Close to a number of Sheffield hotels, it houses thousands of plants from around the world and is where locals and visitors alike go to relax, have a coffee, and catch up with friends.

Culture in Sheffield

Once famous for its factories and steel, leisure and culture are now two of Sheffield's main industries. The city has a fine collection of museums that promote the city's past as well as look ahead with new works.

Nestled away behind charming cobbled streets is the Kelham Island Museum, which celebrates Sheffield's industrial heritage with displays on the steel making process and antique machines, still in working order.

Theatre

Sheffield has excellent theatre facilities, offering a regular and varied schedule of events so that there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The Crucible Theatre is famous for holding the World Snooker Championship tournament each year, when the cheap hotels in Sheffield fill up quickly with spectators from around the world. It also hosts renowned plays, such as Shakespeare's The Tempest, starring Derek Jacobi.

The Lyceum Theatre is a beautiful Edwardian building with a lavish interior that features popular plays such as The Woman in Black and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Peak District

One of Sheffield's perks is that it has all the attractions of a big city and yet stunning countryside is just a short cycle or drive away. The Peak District is a nearby national park and a must-visit if you like walking and admiring beautiful, panoramic views across the green hills. The surrounding towns, such as Buxton and Bakewell, are ideal stopping-off points for tea and cake.

The Peak District website is full of interesting information if you would like more details for your trip.

Hotels with gourmet restaurants in Sheffield

If you’re looking for hotels in Sheffield with gourmet food on site, it’s time to head for the hills. Nestled in the rolling countryside north of the city centre, Whitley Hall is a luxury hotel in an ivy-clad country mansion. The hotel’s Restaurant 1584 is an atmospheric venue serving everything from bar snacks to Sunday lunch and a sumptuous à la carte menu. If you can’t decide, try the six-course tasting menu, finishing off with cheese and port – what else?

Spa hotels in Sheffield

The phrases “spa break” and “idyllic country house” are a match made in heaven, and nowhere more so than Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall. But don’t be fooled by the hotel’s 12 acres of lush parkland – you’re still just a mile away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Kenwood Spa offers a vast array of treatments, including body treatments, facials, nails, and waxing. To top it all off, there’s a relaxation room that will leave you totally blissed out. If you like the sound of all that but want to be right in the thick of the action, sister hotel Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s boasts a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and heated pool, all in a building that rubs shoulders with Sheffield Town Hall.

Exceptional hotels

History buffs will want to make a beeline for the Garrison Hotel, converted from a former military guardhouse and ammunition base. The grade II listed building with its distinctive castellated tower is the only surviving example of a walled barracks in the country. And if you’re a football fan too, you’re in luck – Hillsborough Stadium is within walking distance.