Leicester hotels

This is one of the best hotels in Leicester for history buffs. Located next door to the King Richard III Visitor Centre and across the street from Leicester Cathedral, where Richard’s tomb lies, St Martins Lodge is a good choice if you’re looking to voyage back to 15th-century England. Inside this hotel’s handsome Georgian walls, you’ll find 28 plush rooms complete with high ceilings, winding mahogany staircases and beds fit for a king. Plus, its Grade II-listed status only adds to the sense of history. One curious thing to note for first-time visitors – when checking in, you’ll need to cross the street to St Martins House Conference Centre to pick up your room key. When I stayed here it was a tad confusing, but it only takes a couple of minutes and the helpful staff are excellent.

Leicester’s historic allure continues at the Belmont Hotel, a 19th-century townhouse that was once a bed and breakfast in the 1930s but has since been transformed into a refined boutique stay. Grand stone columns flank the entrance, while a Union Jack flag hangs from whitewashed walls. But inside, things get a little jazzier. The bedroom’s pillows, sofas and curtains are splashed with bright pops of orange and purple (look out for the quirky Richard III pillows in the family rooms too). The Belmont is located on the mile-long New Walk, an unusual example of a Georgian pedestrian promenade, making the short walk into the city centre a car-free pleasure. It’s also conveniently close to Leicester train station and the superb Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. Jamie’s Bar and Restaurant, the onsite restaurant, serves food all day, though I recommend heading here between 2pm-5pm for their generously stacked afternoon tea.

This is a city that loves its sport and the Leicester Tigers rugby team is a local – and very successful – institution. So, unsurprisingly, their popularity packs the city’s pubs and hotels, as does nearby football team Leicester City FC. With its location next door to the Welford Road rugby stadium and a short stroll to City’s King Power Stadium, voco Leicester is easily one of the best hotels in Leicester for sports fans. All smart brick and glass from the outside, voco’s 191 bedrooms mean plenty of room options on matchdays, while downstairs the aptly-named Lair restaurant serves up top-notch burgers (don’t miss their Luxe Burger) and quality craft beers. When it comes to my favourite part of this hotel, that would have to be the rooftop terrace suites, which come complete with bubbling hot tubs. There’s no better spot to celebrate a win.

With its glassy frame soaring high above the busy Vaughan Way Road, the Novotel is one of the best hotels in Leicester for business travellers – but it’s an equally great option if you’re here for leisure. Located across the street from the Showcase Cinema’s space-age architecture, the Novotel’s spacious rooms – all cool grey tones centred by cosy double beds – are ideal for a weekend break. And with their breezy Nine B Restaurant and Bar sourcing artisan produce from local farms (including indulgent handmade pies), it’s also one of the top-rated hotels in Leicester for foodies. I love sitting at the airy bar here with a glass of wine. Inspired by a Roman mosaic excavated from an ancient villa found underground, the curved counter area is all cream tiles and columns, topped by exposed ventilation ducts snaking around above (as a reminder of which century we’re actually in).

If you’re looking for easy access to Leicester’s countryside but still want to be near the city, the Marriott Hotel on Leicester’s outskirts could be an ideal option. But while this is ostensibly a business hotel, it's also one of the best hotels in Leicester for visiting the region’s premier historic site, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. By beating the city’s sometimes gridlocked traffic, you’ll arrive much earlier to the rolling mist-shrouded fields where King Richard III met his maker and a mysterious legend was born. Back at the Marriott, I like that it goes all out for relaxation, with a swimming pool, sauna and steam room available. So, whether you’re a history buff or here to seal deals, the Marriott is a top choice.