Southampton is where the Titanic set out from, and where the Mayflower first raised sail. And it’s still a huge port, home of several major cruise lines, and transport hub. It’s also a gateway to the New Forest, and the Isle of Wight. The Solent creates inviting sailing opportunities on one side of the city, there are salt marshes perfect for salmon fishing on another, and the welcoming green woods of the New Forest on another. So it’s a beautiful site, as well as an historically significant one. If you suspect there might be quite a bit of nautical decor at play in the best places to stay in Southampton, you’d be spot on. Our recommendations also all share a great reputation for food, whether they’re restaurants-with-rooms, or fancy hotels.

Southampton’s historic sites are another good reason to visit. It’s got the UK’s longest stretch of medieval walls; a very impressive Tudor-era house (now a museum to the period); a Medieval Merchant’s House Museum; God’s House Tower, an archaeological museum within the walls of the city; the SeaCity Museum, which has many of Southampton’s Titanic artefacts; and, of course, the Southampton Maritime Museum. Southampton’s city centre Cultural Quarter is also home to a number of galleries, theatres, and music venues. This is a city with everything! Our pick of the best places to stay in Southampton are all centrally located and ideal for any trip, be it for business or leisure.

The Best Places to Stay in Southampton

For Waterviews

• From the right angle, the Southampton Harbour Hotel looks like a super-yacht, or some kind of elegant cruise ship ‘parked’ in the marina. It is on land, though, with balconies and terraces, and windows, right beside the water. It’s quite big, with 85 rooms and suites, decorated in a contemporary, nautical style, with bright pops of coral and lemon. There's a fun bar, with its ocean views and sundowners vibe, and good restaurant, which offers a very seasonal menu.

Restaurants-with-Rooms

• The Pig In The Wall is the smallest Pig, but still more than lives up to the Pig chain’s reputation for stylishly cosy and unique decor, fantastic locally sourced food, and individually decorated rooms. Two of the rooms are downstairs, behind the deli bar and restaurant, and the other ten are upstairs, within the historic walls of Southampton.
• Ennios is an Italian restaurant-with-rooms right on the harbour, with ten individually decorated, and very chic, rooms and suites. If you like monochrome there’s something for you, and if you prefer bright colours, you’ll also find a room you like. The restaurant is the main event, authentically Italian, with a wine list to match.

City Centre

• The White Star Tavern is a smart, city-centre pub-with-rooms. There are 13 rooms, decorated in a palette of greys and greens, with sultry lighting, and contemporary details. And in the lively restaurant and bar you can order pub classics, a great selection of ales, and a good range of cocktails and spirits.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• You can get to Southampton by train from London in around an hour and a quarter — its rail station is on the South West Main Line, the Wessex Main Line, and the West Coastway Line, so it’s very well connected. Southampton has its own small airport, Southampton International Airport, which is just ten minutes from the centre of town by taxi, or train.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Being on the coast, Southampton is busiest during the warmer months, but it’s perennially popular with sailors and there’s always a reason to visit if you’re interested in anything maritime. As with any big and lively cities, Southampton has a calendar packed with fun events, including the Southampton International Boat Show in September, which is probably the busiest time of year for accommodation.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in Hampshire, the best places to stay in the New Forest or even the Isle of Wight
• Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for and consider Hampshire’s best pubs-with-rooms, country house hotels in Hampshire or the Hampshire's most romantic hotels
• Consider some of Southampton’s neighbours, for example Lymington, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst or Portsmouth
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.