Southampton~ Hotels

[_kerry_]

Hi

I did a search of southampton hotels but they are very old threads. Can anyone recommend a hotel in southampton. We would like to go down the day before we disembark. Also, any recommendations on getting from London to Southampton. There seems to be many different trains that would work.

 

Thanks again :)

[Classiccruiser777]

We have happily stayed at Jurys Inn a few times. Not far from the docks, quiet, clean and reasonable rates.

 

From London we have taken a bus from Heathrow (National Express) as well as a train from Victoria Station. Both were fine but the bus was cheaper. Both the bus and train stations are a short cab ride from the docks.

[safarigal]

We have stayed at the Novotel a couple of times. It's nothing special, but we think it's fine for one night. You can walk to the shopping mall near by, and also to the Southampton Maritime Museum. We have used Smiths for Airports to get us from London to Southampton. Bus and train would be much cheaper, but we always have so much stuff it just works out easier! Enjoy your trip!:)

[Oahucruiser]

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn a couple of times. Very central and convenient to the docks, definitely not a 5 star palace but OK for a night or two. The rooms on one side look out to the morning arrival of the Cunard ships. Have also stayed at the Novotel and that is about the same quality and convenience. I recall the included buffet breakfast at the Novotel being very varied and tasty. Hope they still have that.

[WinnieB]

We stayed at the De Vere before our QM2 crossing which was fine. Only a few minutes taxi ride to the port and our room had a great view of the docks from where we watched another ship depart.

 

I was just about to recommend a visit to the Maritime Museum however the article via this link states that it is closed as the contents are being relocated. http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-leisure/artsheritage/museums-galleries/maritimemuseum.aspx

[Cruachan]

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn a couple of times. Very central and convenient to the docks, definitely not a 5 star palace but OK for a night or two. The rooms on one side look out to the morning arrival of the Cunard ships. Have also stayed at the Novotel and that is about the same quality and convenience. I recall the included buffet breakfast at the Novotel being very varied and tasty. Hope they still have that.

 

We've used the Holiday Inn too and I agree with the above assessment. Nothing fantastic but perfectly adequate for a pre-voyage overnight stay. Nice view over Southampton Water too and a short walk from the Town Quay if you feel like getting down there early to watch your ship arriving.

 

:D

 

J

[sotong]

There is also a new Premier Inn opposite City Dock and near West Quay Shopping Centre. This is where the Holiday Inn, De Vere and the Novotel are too. Bus Station also in this area with railway station just a bit further away. Lots of restaurants in this area too.

Premier Inn probably good and agree Novotel both basic concentrating on quiet rooms and good beds, rather than frills like gym, bar etc. Holiday Inn has more facilities but is an old hotel and not sure time has treated it that well! De Vere is very popular with cruisers but is in next category up in cost, although was recently down graded from 5* and De Vere have put it up for sale.

Jurys Inn is a bit further away but still in town. Avoid the Hilton which is a long way out of town.

There was a lot of info on this on the UK boards.

Gillian.

[Cruachan]

...Avoid the Hilton which is a long way out of town...

 

Gillian.

 

And, for the same reason, if you don't have your own transport and you want to be relatively central, I would avoid one that is recommended by Cunard - The MacDonald, Botley Park. We've used it twice and we love it, but it's even further out of town than the Hilton.

 

J

[soobs]

We stayed in the Premier Inn - very nice, clean food okay not the best but could easily have gone out into town from where we were and would do so if we went again. Not far in a taxi from the station about £7.00 and about £10.00 to the port, it took a while to get to the port mailnly due to traffic volumes.

[sotong]

Re the Premier Inn was this the new one by Ikea / West Quay if so you can see the port form here so surprised by the high taxi fare. The Premier Inn City Centre is a bit further and round the one way system which will involve traffic.

Note the Premier Inn website shows the city centre as nearer Southampton! but the West Quay on is nearer the ports, train and bus stations.

West Quay walkable from train, bus and some of the ports, but will depend on how much luggage and in true British fashion the weather!

Gillian.

[Mr&MrsHendricks]

Also, any recommendations on getting from London to Southampton. There seems to be many different trains that would work.

 

Thanks again :)

 

Depends which part of London you're staying in.

 

Direct frequent trains run to Southampton from Waterloo. We tend to break our journey and stop overnight in Paddington, so depart from Paddington and change at Reading. Both take 90 mins max, and single is about £35

 

There is also a direct train from Victoria at 0932hrs, which booked in advance can cost as little as £5. But it takes 2 1/2 hrs.

 

Have a look on here. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

Mr H.

[Lolasmum]

We always use the De Vere Grand harbour, where we book a "cruise package" which inclues lunch on arrival(or on embarkation day if you like to embark late) a glass of champagne pre-dinner, three course dinner with a bottle of wine between 2& taxi transfers to and from the ship. The rooms are not wonderful, but perfectly acceptable; book a room with a harbour view and watch the arival of "your" ship in the morning.

[melindaleighton]

There is a newly renovated hotel... The dolphin on the high street. Very historical, near the docks, shops, restaurants....used to be an old coaching inn. A few doors down from the red lion where Henry IV held treason court before going to Agincourt to fight the French .....I would recommend the national express bus or logon to southern railway site you can get some real deals

[KenC]

If you want something in 'old' Southampton with a bit of character try The White Star Inn - great 5 star Inn with a magnificent restaurant and pub on the ground floor. Located in Oxford Street which has some very nice restaurants and bars, it is closer to the Eastern Docks than it is to West Quay and the big shopping centres.

 

Link ~ http://www.whitestartavern.co.uk/

 

 

Ken

[pnhmrk]

We always use the De Vere Grand harbour

 

We've used the DGH the last twice we've gone down. The hotel is OK (only OK) but their restaurant has had some major problems :( (Very cold the first time and rotten (literally) food the second :eek: )

 

This time we've gone to the Premier Inn and got a rate of less than half what the DGH was charging.

[Lake Barcroft Sailor]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn before the Maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth and, while adequate, it was less than perfect. The last time around, we stayed at the Dolphin, which is rather nice, although, being an old restored hotel, the lifts do not always work that well and do not always directly land you on your floor--you have to use steps to reach it sometimes. It is very centrally located and we would probably stay there again. It has a very nice restaurant and is within easy walking distance of several nice restaurants on Oxford Street--we'd recommend the Oxford, the Oxford Brasserie, and the Olive Tree. There is also a nice Italian restaurant with good pizza, whose name escapes me at the moment.

 

As for transport, we have done the bus, the train, and have used Smiths for airports, with the latter being our preferred choice, with the train following. We are not likely to do the bus again.

[KaththeTaff]

There is a newly renovated hotel... The dolphin on the high street. Very historical, near the docks, shops, restaurants....used to be an old coaching inn. A few doors down from the red lion where Henry IV held treason court before going to Agincourt to fight the French .....I would recommend the national express bus or logon to southern railway site you can get some real deals

 

I heartily endorse the recommendation of the Dolphin. It was Mercure when we stayed there, we had a courtyard room so DH could step outside and have a smoke. The staff could not have been more helpful.

[melindaleighton]

There are two Italian restaurants that I would recommend . La Lupa on high street, though on Friday nights it is a favorite for hen parties. The marguerita overlooks the marina and is at the end of the road (high street) that the dolphin hotel is on. I am from Southampton living in Vancouver BC (you wouldn't have guessed :)).

we will be on the QM2 on August 21st back to NYC. Does anyone know which is the best way to get from the port to Penn station as we will be going to Boston after we arrive?

Thanks

Melinda