Nottingham isn't the prettiest of English cities, but it's always danced to the beat of its own drum. Its history — including the legend of Robin Hood — is a thrilling ride, and there are numerous Hood relics, both real and imagined, to discover in Nottingham, and the surrounding forests of Nottinghamshire. Today’s Nottingham is a lively town, thanks in part to its large student population, and all the familiar hotel brands can be found here. But if you're looking for something a bit more unique, our Gurus tend to think the best places to stay in Nottingham are to be found either in its historic heart (some even boast parking), or else the green hills surrounding the city.

Nottingham’s castle is one of its highlights. These days it’s more of a grand manor house, built atop a warren of tunnels nobles needed to escape the revolting peasants. It has been converted to an art gallery and museum, and the tunnels now lead to one of the pubs claiming to be England's oldest: Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, off Maid Marian Way in Brewhouse Yard — it’s definitely 800+ years old!

Just outside Nottingham is the region's most famous spot: Sherwood Forest. This lush, green expanse is home to Major Oak — which according to local folklore is where Robin Hood hid-out — and surrounds the pretty village of Edwinstowe. Whether you're a fan of Robin Hood or not, the oak is an incredible sight — it's between 800 and a thousand years old with a vast network of branches, some of which are now held up by scaffolding.

Due to its popularity both with business and leisure visitors, the best places to stay in Nottingham can get very busy. So do your homework and book ahead to avoid disappointment.

The Best Places to Stay in Nottingham

For a City Break

• Hart's Hotel is just outside of the centre of Nottingham, in the quieter Parks area, close to the castle and the university, but you’re just a short walk from the busier part of town. There are 32 rooms, all smartly decorated in a rather masculine style, with great prints on the walls; our favourites have private terraces. The hotel has a leafy garden and courtyard for all to use too. The restaurant serves a daily changing menu to a strong local following.
• The Lace Market Hotel is a sophisticated, romantic choice, with a range of 42 rooms and suites, all uniquely decorated and designed, and offering colour and space. The hotel restaurant is an award winner, but there’s also a more relaxed pub, and a chic cocktail bar.

For Fun

• Centrally located, the Mercure Nottingham is a boutique-style hotel with a friendly, eclectic atmosphere, and a good range of rooms and suites, 76 in all. Expect statement wallpaper and furniture, and a retro-style that includes banker’s lamps and metal boxes. There’s a hip bar, and two restaurants, and you’re close to many more.

For Families

• Heritage Mews is another stylishly comfortable self-catering option, this one a collection of 12 studios and one bedroom apartments in the Lace Market district. Even the smallest studios have their own kitchenettes, and luxurious touches, and some of the one bedroom apartments would work for families. Some apartments even have outdoor space.

Best Restaurants-with-Rooms

• The Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms is a two Michelin-starred restaurant, with just seven, rather moodily decorated rooms and suites. The restaurant serves a seven, or ten course menu, with a focus on organic, local produce, some produced as locally as the hotel garden. The decor riffs on local stone and natural materials.

For Great Value

• The Mour Hotel is a sleek, city-style option in the Sherwood Business Park, which is in Newstead Village, between Nottingham and Mansfield. This looks and feels very ‘business hotel’, but in the best possible sense of that phrase, with chic, but simple detail, interesting contemporary art and fantastic facilities.

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

• The closest airport to Nottingham is East Midlands Airport, which is only about 20 minutes away by car or taxi, or 45 minutes by public transport. The closest major international airport to Nottingham is Birmingham Airport, about an hour away by car or taxi, or an hour and 45 minutes by bus. Manchester Airport is around an hour and a half from Nottingham by car or taxi, or around three hours by train and London Luton Airport is an hour and 45 minutes by car or taxi, or two and a half hours away by train. If you’re travelling from London, or there abouts, you’re two and a half hours away by car or taxi, or and hour and 45 minutes by train from St. Pancras Station.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you’re trying to plan your visit to Nottingham to correspond with nice weather, the best time to visit will be between April and August, when you’re likely to get the most sunshine and the warmest days. There are also some great summer festivals held in Nottinghamshire, the headliners being those in Sherwood Forest. As with most of the UK, Nottingham can turn rainy at a moment's notice, so pack your waterproofs whenever you’re planning to visit.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Nottinghamshire
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for: the best Pubs with Rooms in the Midlands for example
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.