Hotels in Portsmouth

Best places to stay in Portsmouth

The UK’s only island city, Portsmouth, is steeped in history and heritage, it’s the birthplace of Charles Dickens and has been home to personalities like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling during their lifetimes. A lively waterfront, magnificent museums and galleries, live music venues, rich literary heritage, nightlife and unique festivals all come together to create an unforgettable experience when you visit the city of Portsmouth.

Southsea

At the southern end of Portsmouth, the Southsea neighbourhood is home to the historic Southsea Castle, and the Blue Reef Aquarium. Southsea features several Victorian buildings, beachfront accommodation, independent shops, and plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Within a 7-minute walk from the Southsea Castle and D-Day Museum, you have The Clarence Hotel which offers beautiful boutique accommodation with stylish, individually-decorated rooms. A 5-minute walk from the entertainment area on South Parade Pier, you can enjoy the upscale property of Seacrest Hotel on South Parade Road. You also have the seafront property of Ocean Hotel, which is just a 2-minute walk from the Canoe Lake, South Parade Pier, and Southsea Beach. For luxurious, boutique accommodation, look at the award-winning Number Four hotel which offers quirky, colourful rooms, and is close to the Cumberland House Natural History Museum on Eastern Parade.

Old Portsmouth

The Portsmouth Cathedral is the most dominant feature in the centre of Old Portsmouth, and this neighbourhood is home to several historic Portsmouth buildings, including the Square Tower and Round Tower. Stay at the charming, family-run accommodation of Fortitude Cottage B&B located on Broad Street, with easy access to all the popular attractions in Old Portsmouth. A 7-minute walk from Clarence Pier, you have the simple, airy rooms of The Pier hotel set in a Georgian townhouse on Bellevue Terrace. Or choose the modern rooms in the waterfront property of Premier Inn Southsea hotel located a minute away from Clarence Pier. For a more luxurious stay, opt for the Queen’s Hotel, set in a stately Edwardian building on Clarence Parade.

Gunwharf Quays

Gunwharf is a hip and vibrant neighbourhood, home to the Portsmouth Harbour and the Spinnaker Tower, as well as high-street retail outlets and scores of restaurants, cafés, and bars. Enjoy stunning sea views and beautiful architectural details of the luxurious Solent Forts No Man’s Fort hotel on Gunwharf Road. Just across the street from the Gunwharf Terminal ferry port and Portsmouth Harbour train station, you can stay at Keppel’s Head Hotel, a historic property built in 1977. Or a 3-minute walk from the HMS Warrior, you also have The Ship Leopard Boutique Hotel, a Georgian-style harbour front hotel on The Hard.

Cheap hotels in Portsmouth

You can choose from a wide range of budget accommodation in Portsmouth. In the heart of the city centre, you have the Premier Inn Portsmouth City Centre hotel offering simple rooms. It is located a minute away from Portsmouth & Southsea train station. In Old Portsmouth, you can stay at The Duke of Buckingham, a low-key pub offering basic rooms, a short walk from the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Closer to the ferry terminal on Kingston Crescent, you have Travelodge Portsmouth hotel which offers casual rooms with modern amenities at budget prices. You can also find several other budget accommodation options at the nearby town of Gosport, which is just a 5-minute ferry ride from Portsmouth.

Whether you’re looking for a cultural break filled with museums, art galleries and theatre, or a relaxed seaside getaway with leisurely strolls on the beach, or even a historical quest of Portsmouth, this vibrant city has something for everyone. There is so much to see and do that a single weekend may not be enough, if you’re visiting for the first time. Try and put some of these items at the top of your Portsmouth itinerary.

• Visit the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays, the city’s most striking landmarks, almost 557 feet tall, offering spectacular views from the top. Try the ‘Sky Walk’ or enjoy a coffee at the café.
• Walk through the tunnel of a giant tropical reef tank and an otter holt at the Blue Reef Aquarium which boasts of over 40 different exhibits appealing to all ages.
• Go on the Nelson Trail, a short stroll through the streets of Old Portsmouth, which the famed Admiral had taken to reach the Southsea beach before leaving England for the last time.
• See Lord Nelson’s famous flagship HMS Victory at the Portsmouth Historic Dock, the oldest dry dock in the UK. The dock is also home to Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose. Also visit the boat-shaped Mary Rose Museum which gives you uninterrupted views of the preserved timbers of her massive hull.
• Enjoy an interactive tour of the HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum located in the neighbouring Gosport town.
• Admire the ornate structures of St. Thomas’ cathedral in Old Portsmouth and the Cathedral Church of St. John the evangelist in the city centre. Also visit St Mary’s Church, set in a fine Victorian building that is home to the most impressive Walker organ in the country.
• Walk through the stylishly decorated erstwhile house of Charles Dickens: 393 Old Commercial Road.
• Learn about the assault mounted on Allied D-Day forces in 1944, and Portsmouth’s role in that operation, at the D-Day Museum.
• Take a look back in time when you explore the 16th-century Southsea Castle, also called Chaderton Castle, South Castle, and Portsea Castle.
• Wander around the cobbled streets of The Point or ‘Spice Island’ in Old Portsmouth, where terraces of salty sea-dog pubs offer amazing views of the ferries and naval ships.
• Spend a day on the Southsea Beach, sunbathing, sailing, or indulging in water sports activities.
• Take a leisurely stroll around the Clarence Pier that features a permanent funfair, and enjoy a drink at one of the bars on South Parade Pier.
• Enjoy a drink and some fish and chips at The Still & West pub which offers delicious British fare, a cosy ambience, and excellent harbour views.
• Spend an afternoon at the AbarBistro in Old Portsmouth as you sample the local ales, and soak up some local culture amid fisher folk who often gather there after landing their day’s catch.
• Browse through scores of glitzy high-street shops, and enjoy a relaxed meal or drinks at the Gunwharf Quays Premium Retail Outlet.

How long do people stay in Portsmouth?

The average length of stay in Portsmouth is 1 night.

How much does a hotel cost in Portsmouth?

On average, rooms will be priced around £137 per night when booking a hotel in Portsmouth; however the price you pay for your room will vary significantly depending on seasonality, location and facilities.

When is the best time to book a hotel in Portsmouth?

Hotels in Portsmouth are usually cheapest during the month of July. You can expect a price decrease of around £46% during this period.

Which day is cheapest to stay in Portsmouth?

At the moment the cheapest day to stay in a hotel in Portsmouth is Monday, with Sunday being the most expensive.

How much does a hostel in Portsmouth cost?

Per person, per night, a hostel in Portsmouth (or a sub 2-star rated hotel) is priced at £56, on average. This price is £81 cheaper than your average Portsmouth hotel.