9 Best Hotels in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England, England

Bedrooms are spacious and discreet with splashes of green, violet, and dark crimson in this redbrick boutique hotel across the road from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Choose a room at the front for a view of the river and theater. The beds are all king-size, and marble bathrooms have huge mirrors and walk-in showers. Guests can take advantage of the Champagne bar during theater intermissions, take afternoon tea in the Lounge, or pop into the stylish Club Bar for something a little stronger.

This spick-and-span, good-value hotel’s selling points are its excellent location near the center of the historic district and views across the river. Run by IHG, it also has plenty of modern amenities. Rooms are large and full of light, but the bathrooms are a bit of a squeeze. Staff are friendly, and children are welcomed enthusiastically. Ask for rooms away from the elevators, as they can be a bit noisy. It’s often full of businesspeople and conferences but there are some nice touches, such as the Terrace Bar, where you can enjoy drinks or dinner, and the bright Riverside Restaurant.

This Victorian Gothic mansion, featuring arched windows and romantic turrets, is approached along a private avenue and is a soothing retreat for theatergoers who want to escape Stratford’s crowds. If you like four-poster beds and antiques, book a room in the main house, while the modern wing is perfect for those who prefer more contemporary elegance. The oak-paneled restaurant offers great modern British cuisine, or you can take afternoon tea in the beautiful Great Drawing Room. There's also a spa with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and spa pool. In summer, borrow a picnic blanket and take your tea outside to the 40-acre grounds, which contain the ruins of a 12th-century church. The hotel is six miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon.

This hotel in a black-and-white timber-frame building in the center of town has a great location just opposite Shakespeare’s New Place and a gorgeous, stripped-back feel that works well within the confines of a historic building. Each of the rooms comes with Hypnos beds dressed in Egyptian cotton, beautiful tiled en suite bathrooms, and charming splashes of color. Opt for one of the rooms in the 16th-century part of the building for a truly memorable stay and make sure you have dinner in the lovely Woodsman pub downstairs at least one night, where local deer, wild boar, and lamb are cooked in front of diners on a wood-fired oven and charcoal grill (chefs adhere to a nose-to-tail style of cooking).

Traditional English prints and furnishings as well as some simple modern pieces fill the small but cheerful rooms here. The helpful proprietors take pride in the hearty breakfast, and they always have options for vegetarians. The B&B is an easy walk from the city center, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, and the rail station. There's free parking and three of the rooms are accessible.

Just a few miles south of Stratford, this pub with rooms oozes imagination and individuality. Rooms remain true to the 18th-century building’s heritage, while retaining some of the quirky contemporary style for which the pub is known. Foodies beat a regular path to the door of the pub, where the chef is mindful of the seasons and locality—expect to see the likes of seasonal vegetables or Warwickshire lamb on the menu.

Although this modern hotel may lack the period charm of older hotels, its up-to-date facilities, spacious rooms, and ample grounds make it a good option if Tudor beamed ceilings aren't a must. Rooms, all with well-designed furniture and tasteful color schemes, come in several shapes; some even have four-poster beds. There is also a mini-gym on-site, and you can use the indoor pool at the sister hotel, the Stratford Manor, three miles away.

Now part of the Best Western Premier Collection, this hotel in an 1886 neo-Jacobean-style building evokes the luxury of bygone days with its mullioned bay windows, gables, and tall chimneys. Relax on the Italianate terrace overlooking the 157 acres of landscaped grounds or take afternoon tea, which is available every day. The hotel boasts its own 18-hole golf course as well as a leisure club and spa. Public rooms such as the Great Hall, with wood paneling and a marble fireplace, complement the main house guest rooms, which have faux-antique furnishings. For the best views, ask for a room overlooking the gardens. The fancy Trevelyan Restaurant relies on a French foundation to present British cuisine. The hotel is about a five-minute drive from Stratford.

None of the character of this black-and-white timbered hotel, in one of Stratford’s most historic buildings, has been lost in its swanky but sympathetic update. Low beams, wood paneling, and winding corridors are partnered with the best of contemporary design, original art work, and striking swan motifs. Public rooms feel ancient yet cozy; bedrooms come individually designed, many with freestanding or copper baths and a choice of pillows. If you want the most history, ask for a room in the oldest part of the hotel. Don't miss the stunning 16th-century wall painting in the restaurant.