Best Western Salisbury Red Lion Hotel

The Red Lion is one of Salisbury's oldest and best-known inns, and the Best Western listing describes it as a historic coaching inn with a galleried courtyard, panelled lounges and period-style bedrooms with modern comforts. It sits on Milford Street, a short walk from the market square and the cathedral, and has sixty guest rooms, which range from standard singles to doubles. The hotel has free wifi throughout, no swimming pool or fitness centre, and a lounge, the Victoria Lounge, that serves brunch, lunch and afternoon tea daily. The Vine Restaurant is used for private functions rather than regular dinners, so plan to eat out in the city in the evening, where the choice is wide. Breakfast is offered at a modest extra charge, and on-site parking is available for a fee per night, which is useful in a city where parking is hard to find. Check-in is mid-afternoon and check-out is at eleven. Pets are not accepted, so take that into account if you are travelling with a dog.

Location and getting around: the Red Lion is in the old heart of Salisbury, so the Poultry Cross, the market square, the shops and the restaurants are on the doorstep, and the cathedral is about a ten-minute walk by the pedestrian streets. The railway station is a short taxi ride away. For Stonehenge and Old Sarum you will want a taxi, the Stonehenge tour bus or a day tour, which can be booked from the centre, and the parking at the hotel suits guests who arrive by car.

The rooms and atmosphere: the building's age shows in the best way, in the beams, panelling and galleried courtyard, and in the less welcome way that rooms vary in size and quiet, so request a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper. The bedrooms are comfortable, and the Victoria Lounge is a pleasant place for afternoon tea. There is no pool or gym, so this is a hotel for sightseers rather than for resort-style relaxation. The price is generally lower than the White Hart, which makes it a good compromise between character and cost.

Who it suits: history lovers, couples on a short break, solo travellers who like a central address and those who want an atmospheric historic building without paying the top rate. If you need an evening meal on site, choose another hotel, and if you want a quiet riverside stay choose the Rose and Crown. Book directly or compare flexible rates, and ask about breakfast and parking when you book, since both are charged separately at this property.