2009 Southampton boat show hotels

[Peter]

May be a bit early, but looking to go this years Southampton boat show. As never been there before, any recommendations for hotels in the area, preferably in walking distance or public transport. Or outside the local area to drive in if parking is OK at the show. Looking to book early before the rooms all go.

Peter

 

[StugeronSteve]

There is a hotel "on site" (Holiday Inn?) and a more up market establishment, which was the DeVere Grand Harbour (and might well still be), across the road. All of the City Centre hotels are within walking distance really.

 

[Twister_Ken]

If you prefer to get away from it all (Southampton by night!), the show is about a 10 minute walk from the Railway Station, so you could stay somewhere nearby that's on that line. New Forest, Winchester, etc.

 

[Tranona]

Parking is very good in West Quay - £7 a day. As others say all city centre hotels walking distance, but if your preference is for country style you are spoilt for choice within 30 mins drive north or west.

 

[jhr]

Another alternative might be to stay in Hythe (there is the Fountain Court, though I have no idea what it's like) and get the Ferry from Hythe to Town Pier, just next to SIBS.

Winchester, obviously, is your best bet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. There's the Royal Hotel, the Wessex, and the Hotel du Vin, amongst others. If you really want to push the boat out, there is Lainston House at Sparsholt, a couple of miles out of Town. There's also the Wykeham Arms, which is really a pub - albeit a posh one - with a few rooms. It's tucked away in a side street near the College and the Cathedral. Even if you're staying there, you'll need to book a table in advance for dinner (the food is excellent).

No personal connection with any of the above.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Or if you simply want a clean bed and shower etc try one of the Premier Lodge Hotels and eat out at a place of your choosing. I think they accept bookings 6 months in advance and can be done on the web and cancelled at any time up to a few hours before arrival. Done it for years better than wasting money in larger chain hotels that offer little if anything else, however I dont know your tastes or depth of your pockets. Several places to park at reasonable cost try the ones run by charities near the ferry terminal.

 

[Spyro]

I went 2008 and because I managed to get £5 return flights from Prestwick to Bournmouth I spent the first night in the Ramada Encore in Bournmouth and travelled to Southampton by train next day The train station was a 10 min walk from the hotel and the journey took about 40 mins then a free bus to the show. I would recommend the hotel and Bournmouth is a much nicer place than Southampton.

 

[office_sailor]

As others have said, any of the city centre hotels should be fine. I wouldn't bet on finding any parking in the city if you're travelling in daily, as a brand new Ikea opens next to the boatshow site in two weeks!

 

[Tranona]

IKEA has its own parking. There is normally plenty of space in the various West Quay shoppers car parks, except perhaps on a Saturday. Good parking is one of the few redeeming faetures of developments in that area!