Visitors to Chester will find it hard to believe that this historic residential town was once the most important port in the northwest. Today Chester’s main attraction is its ancient history that is etched into the very fabric of the city. It boasts one of the best-preserved Roman walls and a 1000-year-old Cathedral. Not surprisingly, most hotels in Chester City Centre reflect its glorious past. Some have been standing since the 12th century, making them the oldest hotels in Chester, England. Quite a few hotels in Chester Hoole Road are also housed in 18th-century townhouses and mansions.
Chester is one of England’s more popular destinations for a short break. It may not be as popular on attractions as York or Bath but it pulls in a sizeable number of visitors. With its delectable mix of history, culture, and shopping, there’s something for everyone. Families with children can enjoy a visit to Chester Zoo, one of the most visited attractions outside London, and also one of the largest zoos in the world. Alternatively, shopaholics can enjoy a stroll through the iconic Rows, a 700-year-old shopping arcade.
Where to Stay in Chester
Hotels in Chester, England, range from luxurious five-star hotels to cozy B&Bs and modest family-run establishments. There’s something to suit all kinds of travelers.
If you’re looking to be close to the main attractions, your best bet would be to stay at one of the many hotels in Chester City Centre. Here you’ll find several historic hotels that trace their roots way back to the eighteenth century and beyond. The cobbled city center is undoubtedly one of the prettiest in Britain with its black and white timber-framed houses and red-sandstone buildings surrounded by Roman-era walls. It’s not just history that makes this area famous. You’ll also find quite a few restaurants and pubs, and some pulsating nightlife here.
Although you’ll find plenty of hotels in Chester City Centre, you could also choose to stay a little further away on Hoole Road. It’s a nice quiet area with old Victorian houses. In fact, some of the hotels in Chester Hoole Road are refurbished mansions and homes.
ABode Chester
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Within Chester’s renowned city walls you’ll find the rather modern ABode Chester. Unlike most hotels in Chester City Centre, this hotel has a gleaming modern look. It occupies a part of a modern glass building with a blend of classic and retro decor. Since it’s located at the heart of the city, getting to the main attractions is a cakewalk.
You’ll find decently sized rooms that range from the ‘Comfortable’ standard to Fabulous open-plan suites. Rooms come with a host of amenities to enhance your comfort. Some suites feature their own private balconies that offer glorious views of the racecourse, the Piazza, and the castle.
The fifth-floor Brasserie Abode offers relaxed, sophisticated dining with panoramic views over the Chester Racecourse and Welsh hills. You can feast on daily specials of classics or all-day brasserie food. A breakfast buffet included in the rate is a good spread of fruits, cheeses, meats, and pastries plus a choice of cooked dishes. For the health-conscious, there’s a small fitness room with Technogym equipment.
Grosvenor Place Guest House
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Affordable hotels in Chester, England right in the middle of the historic city, don’t get better than this one. The Grosvenor Place Guest House prides itself on being one of only two guest houses within the famous Roman walls of Chester. Housed in a beautifully restored ‘Neo-Georgian’ style townhouse, the hotel combines its traditional heritage with modern charm.
Cozy, ensuite rooms come complete with a shower, comfy mattresses, a widescreen TV, and a well-stocked tea and coffee tray. There’s also a small fridge where you can chill your bottles. Despite the hotel being in the city center, the double or triple glazed windows keep the noise out. Guests can choose to include breakfast in the booking or order breakfast.
It’s literally a hop out onto the City Centre from the hotel. Attractions such as the racecourse, the renowned Rows, and the river are a short walk away. Guests driving to the guest house can check out the free parking facility available from 3 pm each afternoon at a park nearby.
The Pied Bull Hotel
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Many hotels in Chester City Centre such as the Pied Bull Hotel have been around for centuries, blending in with the historic charm of the city. Situated within the walls of the historic Roman city, the hotel and pub go all the way back to the 12th century. In fact, The Pied Bull holds the distinction of being the oldest Coaching Inn in Chester. Remnants of its past are visible in the original handmade staircase dating from 1533.
Rooms at the hotel range from expansive Four Poster Suites to standard double and twin rooms. Each individually decorated room is packed with modern comforts for a memorable stay. Guests can also choose to stay in the Brewers Cottage Rooms just behind the main building.
Dining is at the award-winning CAMRA pub. Traditional British fayre and freshly prepared specialty dishes entice regulars to the pub. You can enjoy a light bite or a three-course meal paired with award-winning ales straight from the microbrewery. There’s even a children’s menu for families with children. Another popular staple at the pub is the traditional roast for which booking in advance is recommended.
Crowne Plaza Chester
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Bang in the city center, within a stone’s throw from Chester Cathedral, you’ll find the Crowne Plaza Chester, a renowned name among hotels in Chester, England. The hotel’s prime location puts you within easy reach of everything. Whether it’s the train station, shopping, or Chester’s attractions, you’ll have easy access to them from the hotel.
Many guests are drawn here by the hotel’s facilities. A modern gym, indoor heated pool, and hot tub are part of the Club Motivation health and fitness facility. Guests can also enjoy luxury bespoke spa treatments at the onsite spa. In addition to this, there’s also the Stables Bar & Grill Restaurant where you can indulge your taste buds.
The comfortable rooms are geared towards travelers on the move, with bedside USB chargers and pop-up socket stacks. All rooms are well equipped with amenities such as laptop safes, minibars, and toiletries. If you’re looking for a bit of quiet, the level four rooms offer just that. They are part of the Quiet Zone an area that becomes noise-free after 9 pm.
The Chester Court Hotel
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When it comes to affordable hotels in Chester, England, The Chester Court Hotel stands out. This B&B offers everything you can expect from a larger hotel, but with the charm and warmth of personal space. It’s one of the more popular hotels in Chester, Hoole Road. You’ll find a good variety of boutique shops, bars, and award-winning restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel. The hotel is also within walking distance of the city center. So if you are looking out for affordable hotels in Chester City Center, this one is not too far away.
The main house was originally built in 1880 and retains its original Victorian character. Comfortable ensuite rooms are well furnished, offering good value for money. Rooms range from single rooms to triple rooms, each with a TV, complimentary toiletries, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some of the guest rooms are housed in the outer courtyard, giving guests the convenience of driving up to the front door. A full English breakfast is also included in the room rate.
Oddfellows Chester
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Idiosyncratic, whimsical, and charming are some of the interesting descriptions the Oddfellows Chester attributes to itself. For someone looking for hotels in Chester City Centre with a difference, this is an excellent option. Sandwiched between Chester’s shopping district and the River Dee, you’re in close proximity to most of the city’s attractions. Food, drink, and fun is all within walking distance.
However, if you choose to dine in, the hotel has a fabulous cocktail bar, an intimate restaurant, and a secret walled garden. You can also enjoy light bites and afternoon tea served until 5 pm. While the hotel does not have a fitness room or spa, you can enjoy these facilities just down the road.
The 18 rooms are spaced out between the original building and the extension. Predictably the rooms in the original building, an 18th-century Georgian townhouse, have a more traditional feel. Soft beds, deep roll-top baths, powerful showers, and Nespresso machines are just some of the amenities you can look forward to in the rooms. The hotel also has serviced apartments for families looking for a longer stay. With all its amenities, the hotel definitely stands out as one of the best hotels in Chester, England.
The Bull & Stirrup Hotel Wetherspoon
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You’re quite spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels in Chester, England. However, not many hotels can boast of a shiny new interior like The Bull & Stirrup Hotel. Part of the JD Wetherspoon group, this hotel sits just outside the Roman city walls, a five-minute walk from Chester Cathedral.
Each of the 11 ensuite rooms features a Freeview television, unlimited Wifi, and digital temperature control. They’re elegant and traditionally furnished. Although everything at the hotel is fairly new, the four-story red brick hotel was built in 1889 on the site of the Bull and Stirrup Inn.
The hotel also has a warm and inviting pub where you can enjoy a variety of food and drink. In warmer weather guests can take in the view from the outdoor terrace.
The Coach House Inn
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Dating back to 1840, the Coach House Inn has always enjoyed a prime spot on Chester’s guesthouse scene. Not surprising, given its prime location in the heart of the city. Boutique hotels in Chester City Centre don’t come better located than this one! The hotel looks out onto the famous own Hall Square and Chester Cathedral, putting you within easy reach of attractions and eating places.
The hotel boasts an award-winning gastro-pub and is known to locals for its excellent food and drink. You can enjoy British favorites all day from 12 noon onwards. From Burger Mondays to Steak Thursdays guests can also enjoy some of the restaurant’s favorite offers. Guests staying in the rooms above the pub can enjoy a first-class complimentary breakfast.
Since this is a boutique hotel, don’t expect big amenities that you would find at a chain hotel. That being said, the eight luxurious rooms have a charm of their own. Each individually designed room includes a fridge, ensuite shower or bath, free unlimited tea and coffee, and free Wifi access. The Premium Rooms boast large windows with unrivaled views of the Town Square and Cathedral.
Hotel Indigo
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You’ll find plenty of hotels in Chester, England to suit your taste and budget, but if you’re specifically looking for hotels in Chester City Centre, Hotel Indigo is a good option. Located in the heart of the city, the contemporary boutique hotel has a lot to offer. It’s just a short walk to the famous Rows and the award-winning Storyhouse Theater from here.
When it comes to comfort, the 75 guest rooms do take it up quite a notch. Contemporary bedrooms have a traditional twist to them with inspiration for the decor drawn from the historic neighborhood. Luxury Hypnos beds, spa-inspired bathrooms with premium toiletries, high-speed WiFi, and flat-screen TVs are part of every room. Guests can also choose to enjoy a wide range of offers by the hotel.
Dining in is a treat at The Forge, the hotel’s in-house restaurant. You can look forward to feasting on wild, sustainable British ingredients cooked over fire and charcoal. Breakfast includes a buffet with the complete Continental experience and classic a-la-carte options. Guests can also enjoy a private dining experience at The Den.
The Hotel Chester
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Just 600m from Chester Racecourse and within easy walking distance from many of the city’s attractions such as Guildhall and Grosvenor Museum, you’ll find The Hotel Chester. Those interested in staying at five-star hotels in Chester City Centre will do well to check out this pet-friendly, stylish hotel.
You can choose to stay in tastefully furnished apartments where attention to detail stands out. From mini apartment doors for your little ones to spacious bathtubs, Molton Brown toiletries, and fully equipped kitchenettes, the apartments are quite a treat. Guests can also avail themselves of the special packages on offer at the hotel.
Though the hotel does not have an in-house restaurant, a complimentary breakfast is provided each morning. Breakfast includes a selection of fresh fruit, cereal, croissants, and fresh milk. However, if you’d prefer a freshly prepared hot breakfast there are plenty of restaurants and bistros around the corner.
The Chester Grosvenor
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Oozing old-world charm, the 19th-century hotel, The Chester Grosvenor sits bang in the heart of Chester. It overlooks the famous Eastgate Clock, the second most photographed clock in England after Big Ben. A five-minute walk will take you to the cathedral, Roman amphitheater, and Rows. If you’re looking to explore further, it’s less than a kilometer from here to the train station.
Grand columns and a black and white timbered façade greet you at the entrance to one of the more famous hotels in Chester City Centre. Although the hotel has a traditional style it does not feel dated but has a luxurious ambiance. Original paintings adorn the walls, while a 28,000 piece chandelier hangs from the central stairwell. The rooms are also well equipped with Bose music systems and other facilities that you would look forward to in a five-star hotel.
When it comes to eating in, you’re quite spoiled with three restaurants to choose from. Simon Radley, the sophisticated Michelin star restaurant is undoubtedly the hotel’s jewel. However, the elegant, Arkle Bar and Lounge, and newly refurbished La Brasserie also offer delectable choices. Other services that you can look forward to are Elemis treatments at the in-house spa and a sauna and fitness room.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Chester:
- Simon Radley – The award-winning Michelin star restaurant at The Chester Grosvenor has been delighting patrons for years. Treat your tastebuds to Simon’s delectable treats paired with wines from around the world.
- The Pied Bull – If you enjoy handcrafted beer, head to the oldest Coaching House in Chester that boasts the only micro-brewery with the city walls. You can also enjoy a freshly prepared meal here.
- Opera Grill – This 400 seater restaurant is housed in a grand Grade II listed building. It serves up some of the best grills in town from the theatre charcoal grill and wood-burning ovens. That’s not all you can enjoy here. Head to the first floor Music Gallery to enjoy live acts every Friday and soulful classics on Sunday.
Recommended Activities in Chester:
- Fascinating Walking Tours of Roman Chester – Take a step back in time on this interesting walking tour that takes you through Chester’s Roman Heritage. With a Roman soldier as your guide, experience Chester’s interesting Roman past.
- Full-Day Guided North Wales Sightseeing Tour – If you’re in Chester for more than a day why not explore north Wales too. Travel to Wales from Chester on a 90-minute, engaging journey to discover all that this side of England has to offer.
- Chester Zoo – If you’re traveling with kids, a trip to Chester Zoo should definitely be on the cards. With 128 acres of zoological gardens and over 20,000 animals, you can be sure the kids will have a blast.
