Why we’re telling you

where to go

Let’s share some local knowledge. We’ve spent years of our working lives trying out restaurants, bars, shops, theatres and all the other good venues in Nottingham. It’s been hell. Here’s a pick of the places we like, including those that accept the Heath Reid card, plus others we just thought you should know about.

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If you’ve got a favourite place you’d like to share then we’d love to hear from you.

Best places to stay in the Nottingham region

Express by Holiday Inn / Chapel Bar

Our only complaint is the name. Express by Holiday Inn occupies the best part of the glassy building (with coloured bits) in the expensively refurbished Chapel Bar area. You’ve got Fat Cat, Sinatras and all the other new cafes and bars right there, so it’s lively. But you’ll sleep fine, thanks to quadruple glazing and very comfortable beds. Phone 0115 941 9931.

HR card welcome at Express by Holiday Inn

Hambleton Hall / Rutland Water

Hambleton Hall is the beautiful old house on the peninsular at Rutland Water. This is old fashioned hunting country and Hambleton makes an art of cooking game. Hambleton is one of the best country house hotels in the UK. It’s the older country cousin of Hart’s in Nottingham, with a first rate standard of service to match. Tim Hart takes a big personal interest in the food at Hambleton. And he keeps a sensational cellar. Phone 01572 756 991

Hart’s Hotel / Standard Hill

High up on The Ropewalk, looking across to the Castle, with bright morning sun and a fresh breeze from the west – it’s a perfect spot and it’s right next to the city centre. Harts is the city sister of Hambledon Hall, with standards to match. It’s a surprising place: cool, elegant and contemporary, but very friendly too. Park Bar is a serene place to pass the time, and then there’s Hart’s restaurant. It’s a haven you wont want to leave, so if you’re visiting Nottingham this may well be all you get to see. Phone 0115 9110666.

HR card welcome at Harts restaurant and Park Bar

Stapleford Park / Leicestershire

Recognised as one of the world’s finest country house hotels. Individually themed and created rooms, endless rolling countryside in all directions, every facility imaginable (including 18 hole golf course) and a surprisingly relaxed and homely ‘muddy boots’ atmosphere. 45 minutes from Nottingham. Phone 01572 787522.
HR card welcome at Stapleford Park

The Lace Market Hotel / High Pavement

Location location location. The Lace Market Hotel is next to beautiful St. Mary’s Church on the smartest part of High Pavement, (recently voted Britian’s best street in a national poll) and just round the corner from cool Broadway and crazy Hockley. The international hotel guide Conde Nast Johansens declares this to be the the UK's Most Excellent City Hotel 2007. The Georgian building is beautifully appointed as a high-end boutique hotel, including the Merchants restaurant and Saint Bar. Expect to meet famous people pretending to want privacy. Phone 0115 8523232.

HR card welcome at Merchants & Saint Bar

The Peacock Inn / Redmile

Old country inns… stagecoaches and highwaymen … Smollet and Fielding. Complete the fantasy with a journey to the eighteenth century Peacock out in the Vale of Belvoir. If you’re thirsty, there’s a bar serving draughts of fine ale. If you’re hungry, you can sup from the a la carte restaurant or the bar menu. And if the travelling has left you weary (it’s at least half an hour’s drive from Nottingham) then you can pass the night in one of the ten rooms and resume your journey on the morrow. Phone 01949 842 554.

The Queen's Head / Belton

Escape to the picturesque village of Belton, less than half an hour from Nottingham city centre. The historic inn has been beautifully refitted to create light open spaces, where country air mingles with the sweet smell of wood smoke and wonderful cooking. Each time we’ve visited the food has been sublime, with no trick missed in any aspect of the service. Phone 01530 222359.
HR card welcome at The Queen’s Head

The Red House / Nether Broughton

20 minutes south of the city in Nether Broughton you'll find the country cousin of Nottingham's Bluu Bar, offering an unusual rustic strain of Bluu Bar chic. City loft dwellers unused to the sticks will be reassured by friendly service and great food, a pleasant courtyard and eight individually appointed rooms. Phone 01664 822429.
HR card welcome at The Red House

Waltons Hotel / Derby Road

Well- placed for the city centre but without the city centre feel. Overlooking the top of Derby Road at Canning Circus, it was originally built as a nineteenth century hunting lodge. While the only hunting now is for parking spaces, the ambience remains, with some lovely old period features. There are 17 rooms (including residents’ parking), a seasonal restaurant menu and a bar that’s as popular with locals as guests. Phone 0115 9475215.