Portsmouth is a great maritime city, and home of the Royal Navy, with an incredible collection of historic ships and museums, in a really beautiful Hampshire spot close to the New Forest, and overlooking The Solent to The Isle of Wight. If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Portsmouth because you’re catching a ferry on from here to the Channel Islands, France or Spain, then we recommend you book for more than one night, because it would be a shame to miss the city's highlights.
The majority of our hotel recommendations in Portsmouth are close to the water or the historic old dockyards, but we’ve also listed a fort-turned-luxury-hotel on the edge of the harbour as it enters the sea — it’s basically a man-made island. But all of our recommendations, including the fort, make great bases for visiting the old dockyards, where you can see Nelson’s HMS Victory, and the carefully preserved wreck of the Mary Rose, which was Henry VIII’s flagship. The dockyards are also rich with other museum ships, and maritime museums (there’s even a museum submarine). And it’s close to Gunwharf Quays, which is a stylish retail outlet centre, with a fantastic lookout called Spinnaker Tower, which, at 170meters high, offers great views all the way out to the Isle of Wight, and a decent afternoon tea.
If you want to see more warships take a harbour tour of some kind and you can get out amongst contemporary navy vessels. And if you want to explore the city’s un-naval history start off with its famous sons, Charles Dickens and Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Along the seafront is Southsea Common, a park right up against the water, which has its own castle ruins, again with spectacular sea views. Look inland and you’ll see the spires of Portsmouth’s two cathedrals, and if you look along the shoreline you’ll see two piers.
Don't forget that it's busy here year round. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Portsmouth, book well ahead to avoid disappointment.
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Portsmouth (Portsmouth)
A stylish boutique hotel well positioned near Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard. Individually styled rooms feature simple modern furniture, contemporary art, and bright pops of colour. Outdoors is a seasonal restaurant complete with a wood-fired oven. A conveniently placed & well-priced city crashpad.
Portsmouth
A chic little boutique offering spacious rooms in picturesque Southsea. The design mixes traditional style with a fresh contemporary feel. Expect thoughtful luxury touches such as L'Occitaine products. The opposite pub, The Florence Arms, is owned by the hotel and provides hearty British meals.
Portsmouth
A sleek modern hotel located in the heart of Portsmouth. Stylish rooms vary in size but all have Amazon Echo Dots to order room service, smartphones, and wet rooms with Espa toiletries. There's a buzzy restaurant, an enormous indoor pool, and hip places to work. A trendy city pad.
Portsmouth
An elegant hotel offering an intimate stay in Portsmouth's historic district. Individually styled rooms highlight the Edwardian property's original features, yet the design is modern with soft hues and unfussy decor. A pub on the same road is owned by the hotel and has excellent British fare.
Portsmouth
An atmospheric small boutique set in the historic part of Portsmouth. Individually styled rooms perfectly mix traditional styles with contemporary patterns and fabrics. The best rooms have large sunken bathtubs (perfect for two). Downstairs there is a pub-style bar - ideal for a romantic city break.
Portsmouth
A historic townhouse jam-packed with character and brimming with tales of its past. Each of the rooms are individually styled with heavy antiques, original features, artworks, and statement wallpaper. The best have in-room freestanding baths. A grown-up stay that offers a real sense of place.
