The Best Hotels in Durham

Durham is a compact, walkable city with a world-class cathedral and castle at its heart, which makes it a lovely place for a weekend away, a graduation stay or a spa break. Its hotels cover the full range, from a grand country resort on the edge of town to boutique rooms in the historic centre and reliable budget beds by the river. Here are the best hotels in and around Durham.

Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

Ramside Hall at Carrville, on the eastern edge of the city, is the county's flagship resort hotel, combining a large four-star hotel with two golf courses and an award-winning spa. It is the obvious choice for a pampering break or a special celebration, with several restaurants on site, extensive grounds and a big events and wedding operation.

A short drive from the centre, it trades city-centre convenience for space, leisure facilities and a country-house feel. It is popular for weddings and spa days, so book well ahead for weekends.

Best for: Best for a spa, golf or celebration break with room to breathe.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County

The Durham Royal County, run as a Delta Hotel by Marriott, is one of the city's best-known hotels, occupying a handsome row of Georgian townhouses on Old Elvet beside the river. It pairs period character with full four-star facilities, including a restaurant, bars, a leisure club with a pool, and function rooms long favoured for weddings.

Its riverside setting is a couple of minutes from the Market Place, cathedral and castle, putting the whole old city within an easy walk. It books up around graduation and peak weekends, so reserve early.

Best for: Best for a full-service stay in a historic riverside setting.

Hotel Indigo Durham

Hotel Indigo is a boutique four-star hotel on Old Elvet, set in a characterful converted building a short walk from the Market Place and cathedral. The Indigo brand leans into local storytelling, so the individually styled rooms and the on-site restaurant draw on Durham's mining, university and cathedral heritage for their design.

It offers a more design-led, individual feel than the larger chain hotels, with the whole peninsula within a few minutes' walk. As a smaller property in a prime spot, rooms can be limited at peak times.

Best for: Best for a design-led boutique stay in the historic centre.

Radisson Blu Hotel Durham

The Radisson Blu is a modern four-star hotel on the riverside at Framwellgate Waterside, within easy walking distance of the railway station and the centre across the Wear. It offers contemporary rooms, a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool and extensive meeting space, with many rooms looking over the river towards the historic city.

Its position bridges the convenience of the station side with a short stroll into the heart of Durham, so it suits both leisure and business stays. Rates rise around graduation and busy weekends.

Best for: Best for a modern, full-service base near the station.

Premier Inn Durham City Centre

For a reliable, good-value stay, the Premier Inn Durham City Centre sits at Walkergate, part of the riverside leisure and dining quarter right in the middle of the city. It offers the chain's familiar comfortable rooms at budget-friendly rates, with a restaurant on site and plenty of bars and eateries on the doorstep.

The central location lets you leave the car and explore the compact old city on foot. As a popular, well-priced central hotel, it fills up fast around graduation and peak weekends.

Best for: Best for a dependable, central stay on a budget.

Choosing where to stay

Durham's hotels suit different trips: Ramside Hall for a spa or golf break, the Royal County and Hotel Indigo for character in the historic centre, the Radisson Blu for a modern base near the station, and the Premier Inn for good value in the thick of it. The city gets very busy around university graduation and major cathedral events, so whichever you choose, book well ahead.

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