Top 10 Best Hotels in Cheltenham

Staying in a Regency Spa Town

Cheltenham has been in the hospitality business for well over two centuries. The discovery of mineral springs in the eighteenth century transformed a modest market town into one of England's most fashionable spa destinations, and the elegant terraces, crescents and squares built to accommodate visitors still define the town today. That heritage has left Cheltenham with a hotel stock of unusual character, much of it occupying the same Regency buildings that first welcomed spa visitors.

Modern demand comes from several directions. The racing festival generates the most intense accommodation pressure of any event in the region. The literature, jazz, science and music festivals each fill the town. Business travel is driven by the technology, cyber security and professional services sectors. And leisure visitors use Cheltenham as a comfortable, well-serviced base for exploring the Cotswolds.

Ten Notable Hotels in and Around Cheltenham

1. The Queens Hotel

Occupying a commanding position at the head of the Promenade, this grand Regency hotel is one of Cheltenham's most recognisable buildings. Its scale, classical façade and central location make it a landmark as much as an hotel, and the setting overlooking Imperial Gardens is difficult to better.

2. No. 131 The Promenade

A boutique townhouse hotel that helped redefine Cheltenham's hospitality scene, combining Georgian architecture with contemporary interiors, a strong restaurant and bar offer, and a distinctly social atmosphere. It attracts a mix of visitors and locals, which gives it real energy.

3. No. 38 The Park

Located near Pittville Park, this smaller townhouse hotel offers an intimate, residential feel with individually designed rooms and a quieter setting. It suits guests who want character and calm rather than a bustling town centre location.

4. The Greenway Hotel and Spa

Set in a country house just outside the town at Shurdington, the Greenway combines period accommodation with a spa, extensive gardens and a well-regarded restaurant. For visitors prioritising relaxation and countryside views while retaining easy access to Cheltenham, it is a strong choice.

5. Ellenborough Park

A country house hotel near Cheltenham Racecourse at the foot of Cleeve Hill, Ellenborough Park offers substantial grounds, spa facilities and a notable dining reputation. Its proximity to the racecourse makes it particularly sought after during the festival.

6. Cotswold Grange Hotel

An independent hotel in a Cotswold stone building close to Pittville, offering good-value accommodation with parking, which is a meaningful advantage in a town where parking is genuinely constrained. Independent hotels of this type often deliver noticeably more personal service than chain equivalents.

7. Hotel du Vin Cheltenham

Part of a group known for combining characterful buildings with a bistro-led dining concept and a serious wine programme. The formula works well in Cheltenham, where the building stock supports exactly this style of conversion.

8. Premier Inn and Travelodge Cheltenham

Budget chain hotels provide consistent, predictable accommodation at accessible prices, with central and edge-of-town locations. For business travellers on tight budgets, families and anyone prioritising cost and reliability over character, these remain sensible options.

9. Hotel Nikko-Style and Contemporary Town Centre Hotels

Newer developments in the town centre have added modern rooms with contemporary design, air conditioning and reliable connectivity. Modern build quality delivers better soundproofing and climate control than most period conversions, which matters more than guests anticipate.

10. Boutique Guesthouses and Bed and Breakfasts

Cheltenham supports a strong independent guesthouse sector, particularly in the Montpellier, Lansdown and Pittville areas. Typically occupying Regency and Victorian houses, these offer personal service, excellent breakfasts and rates well below full hotel pricing.

Choosing the Right Location

The Promenade and town centre put you within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the main festival venues, which is the right choice for a short visit focused on the town itself. Montpellier offers the most attractive streets and the best concentration of independent bars and restaurants, with a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

Pittville and Lansdown are quieter residential districts within a fifteen-minute walk of the centre, generally offering better value and easier parking. Countryside locations towards Shurdington, Southam and Cleeve Hill suit visitors with a car who prioritise space, views and spa facilities over walkability.

Proximity to the racecourse matters enormously during the festival and very little at other times, as the site is a short journey from the centre by road or on the light railway.

Timing and Pricing

Cheltenham's accommodation market is among the most seasonally volatile in England. Rates during the March racing festival can multiply several times over, with minimum stay requirements and non-refundable terms standard. Booking a year ahead is genuinely normal for this period.

The literature festival in October, the jazz festival in spring, the science and music festivals and the Christmas period all create secondary peaks. Between these, particularly in January, February and late November, the town offers excellent value with full amenity.

For festival visits, consider staying in Gloucester, Tewkesbury or a Cotswold village and travelling in. The saving can be substantial, and the journey is short.

What to Check Before Booking

Parking is the most common practical problem. Many central hotels in period buildings have limited or no parking, and the surrounding streets operate residents' permit schemes. Confirm arrangements explicitly and establish the cost, as central car parking charges over several days add up.

Ask about room location within period buildings. Converted townhouses vary enormously room to room, with attic rooms often small and front rooms subject to street noise. Requesting a quiet room at the rear is worthwhile, as is checking whether a lift exists if stairs are a concern.

Verify what is included. Breakfast, parking, spa access and Wi-Fi may be charged separately, and a lower headline rate can prove more expensive once these are added.

Final Thoughts

Cheltenham offers hotel accommodation of genuine quality across every price point, much of it in buildings that are part of the town's attraction in their own right. Book far ahead for festival periods, consider a slightly peripheral location for better value and parking, and choose a period townhouse hotel if you want a stay that feels distinctly of this place rather than anywhere else.