Britain’s only island city heaves with maritime sights, from the Mary Rose and HMS Victory to Southsea Castle, the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Emirates Spinnaker Tower. Of course there’s also the simple seaside pleasure of sitting on Southsea beach with a plate of fish and chips. It’s handy therefore, besides its city break allure, that many of its most appealing accommodation options are on the seafront – or even, in fact, in the sea. Here's our selection of the best hotels in Portsmouth.
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If its vistas you’re after, try this impressive-looking 1861 hotel on Clarence Parade, which has views out over the park and the sea. Seventy rooms come with free wi-fi and tea- and coffee-making facilities, and some with four-poster beds and balconies. Dukes bar downstairs is perfect for taking in views of the sea over afternoon tea. The location is great if you’re here for the beach or Clarence Pier: both are under a ten-minute walk away.
This converted Edwardian house makes a stylish, convenient base if you’re here for the beach at Southsea, which is just a few minutes walk away. Rooms vary from small doubles with shower rooms to a superior wedding suite with a double bathtub – ideal if you’re celebrating. Likewise, in-room spa treatments can be booked in advance, and the hotel’s gastropub, The Florence Arms, is just opposite, serving everything from burgers to scallops and sea bream.
There’s plenty to recommend the family-run Seacrest hotel, from the sea views to the superlative breakfasts to the fact that, if arranged in advance, you can bring your pets. The 28 en suite rooms come with TVs, free wi-fi and a bountiful breakfast which includes everything from bacon and eggs to waffles and a selection of cheeses. A small bar and lounge, complete with big leather armchairs to sink into, round up the offerings.
Number Four is another Southsea favourite from the same stable as Florence House, and like its sibling, it’s heavy on the boutique style – think statement wallpaper and accent walls. There are a variety of bright, creatively designed rooms of different sizes, all en suite and all with wi-fi and the option of free parking. There’s also a bar with an extensive wine list, as well as a lounge which serves a breakfast cooked fresh to order every morning.
The Adults-only boutique Clarence hotel is ideal if you’re looking for a kid-free break within spitting distance of the beach. An à la carte breakfast comes as standard, as does free wi-fi and free parking, but best of all is the location: on a quiet road, a couple of minutes walk from the beach and a five-minute cab ride to HMS Victory and the Mary Rose at Portsmouth Dockyard.
If you really want to push the boat out – literally and figuratively – book one of the nine rooms at this 18th-century naval defence base turned five-star private island hotel. As well as three bars and a games room, there’s a fire pit, rooftop hot tub and sauna, but really the star of the show is the location: in the middle of the Solent. A water taxi ferries guests to and from Portsmouth Harbour, so if you get seasick, you might want consider its nearby sister property, No Man’s Fort, which is bigger – and has a heliport.
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