Best Hotel Leicester: Award Winners and Top Ratings

Leicester’s hotel scene is shaped by a mix of official recognition and consistent guest satisfaction. In the 2024 Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards, Novotel Leicester took the Large Hotel title, while Winstanley House won Small Hotel of the year. This article draws on verified award data and multi-platform guest ratings to present a fact-based overview of the city’s best-rated accommodation.

Last checked: 2026-09-17

Award-winning hotels in Leicester

The Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards, run by the regional tourism board, provide an official benchmark for hotel quality. In December 2024, Novotel Leicester was named the city’s leading large hotel, while Winstanley House took the small-hotel category (Visit Leicester). St Martins Lodge earned a Highly Commended recognition in the same small-hotel category.

Winner: Novotel Hotel Leicester

— Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards organisers, via Visit Leicester

Winner: Winstanley House

— Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards organisers

These awards cover properties across the wider county, but all three named hotels are located in Leicester city itself. The pattern: regional prize-winners are also properties that appear prominently on guest-review platforms.

Top-rated hotels on guest review platforms

Expedia’s 2026 travel guide highlights The Belmont Hotel and Novotel Leicester as “the best hotels in Leicester that travelers frequently recommend.” On Hotels.com, voco Leicester by IHG scores 9.0 out of 10 and Leicester Marriott Hotel scores 8.8. Skyscanner’s comparison page lists St Martins Lodge, The Belmont Hotel and voco Leicester as top picks for cleanliness, customer service and location.

Booking.com lists more than 200 hotels and accommodations in Leicester, indicating a competitive market where “best” status depends on traveller segment. Tripadvisor’s 2026 family-hotel ranking includes Novotel Leicester, The Belmont Hotel, Leicester Marriott, Premier Inn Leicester City Centre, and Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG. The bottom line: no single platform dominates – each uses its own methodology (Tripadvisor combines traveller ratings with booking popularity and price).

Independent hotels vs chain hotels: a comparison

Independent properties such as Winstanley House and The Belmont Hotel gain visibility through regional awards and editorial curation. Chains like Novotel Leicester, voco Leicester by IHG, and Leicester Marriott Hotel combine strong guest ratings with brand standards and loyalty programmes. Expedia’s editorial team explicitly groups both types together: “two of the best hotels in Leicester that travelers frequently recommend are The Belmont Hotel and the Novotel Leicester.”

Two of the best hotels in Leicester that travelers frequently recommend are The Belmont Hotel and the Novotel Leicester.

— Expedia Leicester hotel guide editors

The trade-off: independent hotels often offer more character and personal service, while chains provide predictable amenities and rewards. For business travellers, the Leicester Marriott and voco Leicester are located near major roads and business districts, whereas city-centre independents (St Martins Lodge, Belmont) appeal to leisure visitors.

Family-friendly and business stays in Leicester

Tripadvisor’s family-oriented ranking (2026) places Novotel Leicester, The Belmont Hotel, Leicester Marriott Hotel, Premier Inn Leicester City Centre, and Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG among the top options. The platform’s methodology favours properties with high traveller ratings and confirmed availability. For corporate stays, Leicester Marriott Hotel and voco Leicester by IHG offer conference facilities and consistent service standards.

Skyscanner explicitly scores hotels on cleanliness, customer service and location – factors that matter equally to families and business guests. Why this matters: the best fit depends on travel purpose. A family may prioritise a central location and breakfast included, while a business traveller may value a loyalty programme and on-site meeting rooms.

Key considerations for choosing your Leicester hotel

Leicester’s hotel stock includes over 200 properties on Booking.com (2025 data), from budget guesthouses to four-star chains. Location separates city-centre hotels like St Martins Lodge and The Belmont Hotel from outlying properties such as Leicester Marriott Hotel (near the M1) and voco Leicester by IHG (close to the business park). Award-winning hotels tend to maintain stable ratings year-on-year, but exact review counts and rating distributions are not always transparent across platforms.

What to watch: the Leicestershire Promotions awards cover the wider county, so a “Leicester” hotel search might include properties outside the city boundaries (e.g., Hinckley Island). Always confirm the exact postcode.