Southampton Hotels

Putting on a show

In Southampton's city centre you'll find the Mayflower, the largest theatre in the south of England. Built in 1928, the theatre stages ballets, star-studded pantomimes and major musicals, and by staying in a cheap Southampton hotel room you can take in a West End show away from London's hustle and bustle.

Rock out

Southampton has a reputation for brilliant nights out, with a huge range of bars, pubs and clubs to choose from. In particular, the city's live music scene is thriving, with everything from world music to jazz to be found at venues like Talking Heads and the Brook. The Joiners has a history of hosting up and coming bands, and the city's Guildhall is frequently visited by big-name acts. With many hotels in Southampton being right in the heart of the city, partying the night away couldn't be simpler.

Sporting Southampton

As you'd expect of a place named "the fittest city in the UK", Southampton takes its sport very seriously. Southampton FC, locally known as the Saints, has been an institution for more than a century and regularly features in the Premier League. Hampshire Cricket Club is also based in the city, playing at the Norman Foster-designed Rose Bowl (and the stadium also occasionally hosts performances by musical superstars, including Elton John and Oasis).

Ships and sculptures

Southampton's sense of history is on proud display, with the country's longest stretch of medieval wall running through the city. More recently, the city has gained fame for its connection to the tragic Titanic, a tale which is explored at the SeaCity Museum. Southampton City Art Gallery is also well worth a visit, displaying a collection that spans eight centuries.

Shopping with style

With a stay in a Southampton hotel you can shop 'til you drop. Centring on the 12th century Bargate, Southampton's shopping precinct is home to two shopping centres, Marlands and West Quay, where you'll find top high street brands like Apple, H&M and John Lewis.

Party and nightlife in Southampton

If your idea of a night out is sipping on a cocktail al fresco with waterside views, check out the marina at Ocean Village – it has several venues including The Pitcher & Piano, which features a lovely terrace. The heart of Southampton’s nightlife is the area known as the Polygon, just north of the Cultural Quarter. Here you’ll find the laid-back vibes of The Social, the kitsch décor of the Orange Rooms, the ever-reliable Revolution, and Popworld if you fancy ending your night at the club. There’s also craft ale on tap at Overdraft and the interesting concept of Bring & Mix, where bartenders fashion cocktails out of spirits brought along by customers.

Best places to stay in Southampton

Ocean Village, located at Southampton’s southern tip, is a modern development that has sprung up in recent years around the bustling marina. Boasting waterside views and great amenities, it makes an ideal base for a stay. A short walk away is the city centre, the heart of the action, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs aplenty. The northern end of this area around Guildhall Square is known as the Cultural Quarter, home to live music venues, museums and galleries. The city centre is also handy for the railway station, which lies just west.

Where to stay to be near the popular attractions

Southampton city centre, which revolves around the main thoroughfares of High Street and Above Bar Street, is home to many of its biggest attractions. Here you’ll find Tudor House & Garden, a listed building and informative museum, as well as the hands-on fun of the SeaCity Museum, which teaches visitors about Southampton’s links with RMS Titanic. The area is also home to the striking medieval structures of Bargate and the town walls. Footie fans will appreciate the proximity to St Mary’s, home to Southampton’s Premier League football team, which is just a 20-minute walk from the centre.

Where to stay with your family in Southampton

Kids will love staying in Ocean Village, where they can marvel at the glamorous yachts in the marina. There are plenty of attractions here to keep them amused all day long, including InJoy, an activity centre with soft play, climbing and trampolining, and Solent Sky, a collection of 20 vintage aircraft that will leave little ones captivated. Alternatively, the city centre has tons to do for families, not least the Central Parks, a chain of green spaces covering 52 acres with a skate park, mini-golf and an epic play area. Moxy Southampton has family rooms (queen bed plus sofa bed) in a great location.

Where to find cheap hotels in Southampton

As well as being convenient for travel, the area around the train station is the perfect place to look for a budget hotel in Southampton. Ibis Southampton Centre has doubles from just £48 per night and offers an on-site bar, café and restaurant. Next door, Novotel Southampton is a bargain from £72/night given its amenities, which include a fully equipped gym, heated indoor pool and sauna. If stepping out of the door and straight onto the high street is what you’re after, Travelodge Southampton Central does just that from £74/night, with the old city walls practically within touching distance.

Where to stay as a solo traveller

Solo travellers in search of a Southampton hotel are sure to love the concept of room2 Southampton Hometel: the comfort and flexibility of home combined with the best aspects of a hotel. In addition to a comfy king-size bed, every room comes with a fully equipped kitchen so you can whip something up for yourself – and if that’s not your bag, you can always order a takeaway to the room. With stunning views of Queens Park and the harbour, perfectly poised between the city centre and Ocean Village, it’s a no-brainer if you’re visiting the city solo.

Hotels with rooftop bars in Southampton

Harbour Hotel Southampton is the city’s only 5-star hotel and boasts a superb waterside location by the marina. It’s also home to HarBAR on 6th, Southampton’s hottest rooftop venue. With both indoor and outdoor seating for rain or shine, it serves up delicious casual dining, exclusive cocktails, and live DJ sets every weekend.

Hotels with gourmet restaurants

If you want your hotel to have good food, why not stay above a restaurant? Ennios Boutique has 10 high-end rooms atop its lively and welcoming eatery, which offers authentic Italian cuisine and cracking wine. Seafood features heavily, and the specials include the catch of the day.

Spa hotels in Southampton

With a peaceful setting adjacent to the Rose Bowl cricket ground, Hilton Southampton is a great place to get away from it all – not least because of its eforea Spa. Guests can enjoy an extensive range of treatments including body scrubs, wraps, massages and facials, plus a steam room, sauna and ice fountain.

Luxury hotels

No.4 Carlton Hotel is all about modern luxury. The boutique hotel has stylishly designed rooms with gorgeous marble bathrooms, divinely comfortable beds and a selection of complimentary refreshments. Although there’s no restaurant, a fresh and appetising continental breakfast is delivered to the room at a time of your choosing.

Going shopping in Southampton

Southampton is a retail hub that attracts shoppers from all over Hampshire and beyond. It boasts two large shopping centres: The Marlands was the original and has 60 stores across 2 floors, while Westquay opened in 2000 and houses a whopping 130 high-street brands, plus a whole host of restaurants if retail therapy gives you an appetite. Old-school market vibes can be found at Bargate Market, held every Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with over 50 stalls selling fresh produce, confectionery, goods and gifts. Fans of quirky vintage will love Robin’s Nest Emporium, a treasure trove of antiques and upcycled pieces, and Beatnik Emporium, a vintage clothing retailer with garb dating from the 1940s to the 1990s.

The 5 must-sees of Southampton

• The town walls: Superbly preserved medieval walls, including the towering Bargate, once the main gateway to the city.

• SeaCity Museum: Interactive exhibitions telling the story of the Titanic and the impact of the disaster on the city.

• Solent Sky: A museum housing over 20 aircraft from the golden age of aviation, including the Supermarine Spitfire, produced in Southampton.

• Steamship Shieldhall: This beautifully preserved steamship is the UK’s largest working model and offers exciting excursions.

• Tudor House & Garden: A stunning building that recounts over 800 years of history with family-friendly activities and interactive technology.