The Holiday Inn Salisbury - Stonehenge sits on Solstice Park, a business park near Amesbury, which puts it much closer to the stones than any hotel in the city. It is a modern four-star hotel with just over a hundred rooms, and its appeal is practical rather than historic: reliable beds, air conditioning, free wifi, a desk, a kettle and a shower in every room, along with premium rooms that have a king bed and a sofa bed for families of up to four, and accessible rooms on the ground and top floors. The Solstice Bar and Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a children's menu, and there is a coffee shop and a bar for a drink after a day on the plain. Parking is free and on site, which is a real advantage for visitors who are driving, and dogs are accepted in the hotel for a fee, so it suits pet owners too. A business centre, laundry services and a safe add convenience for longer stays. The setting is a business park rather than a pretty village, so do not expect a view, but you are minutes from the A303 and from the main sights of the area, and it is easy to get away early before the crowds.
Location and getting around
Stonehenge is about four miles away, a drive of around six minutes, and Woodhenge is closer still, so this is the best base for an early or late visit to the stones, including the Stone Circle Experience, which starts at the edges of the day. Old Sarum is a short drive south, and Salisbury itself, with its cathedral and museum, is a drive of some miles, so you will need a car or taxi for an evening in the city. There are few shops or restaurants within walking distance because of the business park setting, which means that most guests eat in the hotel or drive into Amesbury or Salisbury.
Rooms and facilities
Standard rooms have a double, twin or two single beds, while premium rooms offer a king bed and a sofa bed, which makes them practical for families. Rooms have satellite television, a shower and tea and coffee facilities, and the air conditioning is welcome in warm summers. The hotel does not market a pool or leisure club, so it is best chosen for convenience rather than for a spa stay; if relaxation is important, the Milford Hall Hotel and Spa in Salisbury is a better match.
Breakfast is a buffet and may carry a supplement depending on the rate, so compare room-only and breakfast-included prices. Check-in is in the afternoon and check-out is late morning.
Who it suits
Drivers, families, pet owners, and anyone whose main aim is to see Stonehenge and the surrounding monuments with an early start. It also suits business travellers visiting the park. If you want to walk out of your door to a medieval street, or to hear evensong, choose a base in Salisbury such as the White Hart or the Chapter House, and use a taxi or tour to reach the stones.
If your plan is to combine Stonehenge, Woodhenge and the landscape walks with a day at Avebury, the Holiday Inn gives you an easy start, and the free parking keeps the budget under control. Summer weekends can be busy, so book early and look for flexible rates.
Why stay here
- ✓Free on-site parking
- ✓Close to Stonehenge and Woodhenge
- ✓Solstice Bar and Grill
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Free wifi
- ✓Premium family rooms
- ✓Accessible rooms
- ✓Dogs accepted
Good questions
How far is the Holiday Inn from Stonehenge?+
About four miles, a drive of roughly six minutes. Woodhenge is even closer, and Old Sarum is a short drive south.
Is parking free?+
Yes, the hotel has free on-site parking, which is a major convenience for drivers visiting the stones.
Is it close to Salisbury city centre?+
No, it is on a business park a few miles from the city, so you will need a car or taxi to reach the cathedral and the old streets.
