Stratford-upon-Avon is compact, and almost any central hotel puts you within a short walk of the Shakespeare sights, so the best choice depends on whether you want to be beside the theatres, in the quiet of the countryside or near the railway station. The seven hotels we recommend sit in five small areas, each with its own feel. Here is how to choose.
Waterside: opposite the theatres
The Arden Hotel stands directly across from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, about two minutes from the stage door and six from the Birthplace. It is the natural pick for a theatre break, with a brasserie, a bar, 24-hour room service and some of the best guest ratings in town. There is no lift and some rooms involve steps, so ask about access, and parking on site is available for a modest charge.
Chapel Street: the heart of the old town
Two hotels share this street, one minute from the Town Hall. Hotel Indigo is a boutique four-star hotel with a quiet garden, a restaurant and bar, and ratings among the highest in Stratford. It is about three minutes from the RSC, and limited parking is charged and cannot be reserved. The Mercure Shakespeare is the mid-range alternative, in a historic building with 78 rooms, a restaurant and a terrace. Rooms are compact and the facilities are dated, but the location earns its best reviews, and the walk to the theatres takes around four minutes.
Warwick Road: the country-house option
The Welcombe Hotel sits in landscaped grounds with a golf course, an indoor pool and a spa, about 1.7 miles from the theatres. It is the pick for couples, golfers and anyone who wants a quiet retreat, with free parking on site. The compromise is distance: most guests drive or take a taxi into town, and a late walk home after a performance is not practical, so plan a taxi on show nights.
Across the river and by the station
Two larger hotels sit on the edges of the old town. Macdonald Alveston Manor is a historic manor house just over Clopton Bridge, with gardens, a spa and an indoor pool, and the walk to the theatres takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes. The DoubleTree by Hilton is near the railway station, with a restaurant, bar, pool and gym, and the Birthplace is about ten minutes away on foot. Both suit visitors who value space and facilities over a Waterside address, and both usually have parking, so check the charge.
Birmingham Road: the value base
The Premier Inn Waterways is beside the canal basin, about six minutes from the Birthplace and eight from the railway station. It is the best budget choice, with family triple and quadruple rooms, canal-view rooms and accessible rooms. It suits train travellers and families, and parking is available for a daily charge.
Which one for which trip
For a theatre weekend, choose The Arden or Hotel Indigo and walk everywhere. For a quiet anniversary with a spa day, choose The Welcombe or Alveston Manor. For a train arrival with a pool, choose the DoubleTree. For a first visit on a budget, or a family arriving by train, choose the Premier Inn Waterways, and for a central mid-range stay with a historic feel, choose the Mercure.
Practical tips
Book early for summer weekends and for big productions at the RSC, when prices climb and rooms sell out. Check breakfast terms, because most of these hotels charge extra for it, and eating in town is often more fun. Ask about parking before you drive, since central spaces are limited. If your plans include Anne Hathaway's Cottage or Warwick Castle, any of these hotels works, because the trips are short by taxi, bus or train. For the quietest nights, ask for a room away from the street.
