Hotels in Warwickshire

Where to base yourself

BritStays lists 299 hotels across Warwickshire. They are spread unevenly, and that affects how easy it is to find somewhere. Birmingham has the most by far with 89. Another 62 are listed simply as Warwickshire, and many of these sit in quieter, more rural spots. Stratford-upon-Avon has 44, Solihull 23 and Coventry 21. Smaller clusters appear in Tamworth (8), Warwick (7) and Leamington Spa (7).

This is an inland selection, so you are choosing between city and countryside rather than coast. If you want plenty of choice and easy connections, Birmingham is the obvious start. If you would rather wake up somewhere slower-paced, look at the rural Warwickshire listings or at Stratford-upon-Avon. In Warwick and Leamington Spa the choice is small, so keep an eye on availability if you have your heart set on one of them.

Matching the hotel to your trip

Couples and short breaks. Country-house hotels make a good base for a weekend away. Billesley Manor Hotel is in Stratford-upon-Avon. The White Swan Hotel, also in Stratford-upon-Avon, lists a bar and restaurant, so you need not go far for dinner. Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club in Meriden adds a spa, which is unusual here: only 12 of the 299 hotels list one. Ardencote Manor Hotel in Claverdon and Radcliffe House are also worth a look if you prefer a countryside setting.

Families. Practical chain hotels often suit families on a budget or a busy itinerary. Premier Inn Birmingham South (Hall Green) lists WiFi and is near a train station. Travelodge Birmingham Central lists a restaurant, disabled access and pet-friendly rooms. Ibis Coventry South is another straightforward option.

Dog owners. Only 40 hotels list themselves as pet friendly, roughly one in eight, so filter for this early. Marston Farm lists pet-friendly rooms, WiFi and parking, which makes arriving by car with a dog much simpler. In the city, Travelodge Birmingham Central also lists pets.

What the facility data tells you

The listed facilities show what is easy to find and what you may need to hunt for:

• Near a train station: 186 hotels, close to two-thirds. Travelling without a car is very achievable. Comfort Inn, Sutton House Hotel and Chapel House Hotel all list this.
• WiFi: 98 hotels list it. Many more probably offer it, but check if you need to work.
• Disabled access: 72 hotels, about a quarter. Always ask about the specific room as well as the building.
• Restaurant (67) and bar (57): useful if you would rather not head out every evening.
• Parking: only 52 list it. If you are driving, confirm this before you book.

A facility missing from a listing does not always mean it is absent. It may just not have been recorded. If something matters to you, ask the hotel directly.

What to do once you're there

History lovers have plenty of choice. There are stately homes such as Aston Hall, Berkswell Hall, Moxhull Hall and Stratford House. For castles, there is Tamworth Castle and Astley Castle. National Trust members can add Upton House and the Fleece Inn to their list. Families with children who need to burn off energy can head to The Wave, a water park in Warwickshire.

If you have a car and a spare day, several museums lie beyond the county:

• The Canal Museum (Northamptonshire)
• Foxton Inclined Plane Trust Museum (Leicestershire)
• Stourbridge Glass Museum and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection (Worcestershire)
• Museum of Cannock Chase (Staffordshire)
• John Moore Countryside Museum and the Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre (Cheltenham)

When to book

Plenty of hotels doesn't always mean plenty of the right room. If you need a facility that few hotels list, such as a spa, pet-friendly rooms or parking, book as early as you can. You are competing for a small share of rooms. The same applies to the smaller centres like Warwick and Leamington Spa, where seven listings can fill quickly.

School holidays and weekends are usually the busiest times. Families should plan ahead for those dates, and couples with flexible dates may find a midweek stay easier to secure. Before paying, check three things in writing: the cancellation terms, whether parking is included or charged separately, and, if you are travelling with a dog, any limits on size, number or where pets may go in the hotel.