This East Midland university city is home to a heritage steam railway, parks, art galleries, museums, a zoo and a space centre. But it’s perhaps most famous for having uncovered the remains of King Richard III which were found buried underneath a car park at Greyfriar’s (they’re not there anymore, but the King Richard III Visitor Centre in the centre has the full lowdown on it). It’s a great place to be for music, theatre and sport, with many visitors taking an overnight trip following a music event or fixture. Whether your stay is short or long, these are the hotels we recommend.
Hotel Brooklyn
An exciting new arrival to the city, this is the second Brooklyn Hotel to be launched and follows on from the success seen at its sister hotel in Manchester. £22 million has gone into its making, with 191 suites and bedrooms having opened their doors for the first time on US Independence Day 2022. The property has a retro New York theme and is found close to the Tigers’ Welford Road stadium (the restaurant, The Lair, is a reference to this). City landmarks (both Leicester and the Big Apple) are depicted in artworks and the hallway carpets feature a pattern based on the New York Subway network.
Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate
A grand and sprawling mansion building surrounded by sweeping grounds greets guests arriving to stay here. The interiors are in keeping with a gentrified English country estate; heavy silk drapes with pelmets, antique furniture and original period features. Stay in a stateroom once occupied by lords and ladies, four-poster suites designed by British icons including Mulberry and Wedgewood, or a three-bedroom detached cottage. The estate also boasts an impressive spa set across two buildings, a sophisticated lounge with oil paintings and an open fire, a two AA Rosette-awarded restaurant and a formal drawing-room with lavish floral displays and regal furnishings.
