The 10 best Hotels in Durham for 2025

The top 5 hotels in Durham

Explore Durham's captivating castle and romantic river with a Voyage Privé hotel. Find the perfect stay with these top five recommendations.

Our best hotels in Durham

1.

Radisson Blu Durham 4*

With a premier location overlooking the River Wear, this hotel affords excellent views of the city. The hotel is brimming with luxury features, including an indulgent spa and riverside lounge. Rooms are also spacious, bright and airy, with loving touches of bold red.
2.

Redworth Hall Hotel 4*

This centuries-old country manor hotel is among Durham’s most romantic getaways. Located just outside the city in 150 acres of picturesque woodland, the 17th-century hotel also offers gorgeous period furnishings. Unwind in the hotel's relaxing spa and enjoy a decadent dinner in the great hall.
3.

Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County 4*

This riverside hotel is wonderfully set just moments from Durham’s captivating castle. The hotel itself is loaded with country-style furnishings and features an excellent spa, as well as swimming and dining facilities. Rooms are refreshing and modern with cosy interiors and excellent city views.
4.

Best Western Whitworth Hall 3*

Escape to the country with this historic and listed hotel. Located in a tranquil 73-acre deer park, you can stroll the elegant gardens before settling into the hotel's delectable dining quarters. The hotel offers excellent links to Durham’s centre, with plenty of rural walks to enjoy as well.
5.

Rockliffe Hall 5*

This opulent 18th-century hotel is one of the North East’s hidden gems. Located in the quiet County Durham countryside, you can enjoy privileged walks among moors, streams and waterfalls. The hotel itself is among the most luxurious on this list, with palatial bedrooms and sophisticated lounge and bar areas.

Services will you find in our hotels in Durham

• Free Wi-Fi
• Open gardens
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Luxury toiletries
• Room service
• Flatscreen TVs
• Rainfall showers
• On-site bar

Going on holiday in Durham

Durham is a wonderful year-round destination with plenty of attractions and activities. Summers are among the most popular times to visit as the weather is at its warmest and tourists can kayak or row on the river. July and August also tend to be the busiest times to visit. If you'd like to explore this ancient city without the crowds, you can visit in spring or late summer. Autumn is also a beautiful time to visit with the changing leaves in forest trails - just be prepared for wet weather. Winter is among the city's highlights, with crisp and cold weather but warming pubs and festive fairs leading up to Christmas. You can expect bustling Christmas markets, pantomime performances and special events in the cathedral and castle.

Hotel offers at Durham convenient for all kind of travel

Durham caters to all types of travellers. Durham is among the UK’s most romantic city breaks. With excellent local cuisine and a romantic castle backdrop, it’s the perfect escape for couples. Families will also find much to love in the city, from the captivating historical attractions to fun outdoor pursuits like Adventure Valley and the living museum of Beamish. As for groups of friends, Durham has a vibrant and unmissable nightlife scene with plentiful shopping activities too.

The range of hotels we offer at Durham

• Historic hotels
• Country house hotels
• City hotels
• Boutique hotels

Durham: What should we bring for a hotel stay?

• Good walking shoes
• An umbrella
• Waterproof jacket
• Knitwear
• Evening wear
• Charging cables

Your best hotel at Durham: how to get there and make your booking

How to get to Durham

Durham is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Newcastle International Airport and 40 minutes from Teesside International Airport. For travel within the UK, Durham is on the East Coast Main Line with direct connections to London, Leeds and Edinburgh, among other local stops. It’s also located off the A1(M) for convenient access by road. Once you’ve arrived in the city, the old town can be easily traversed by foot or cycle, but be prepared for uphill sections. The rest of the city is well connected by public transport and there are plenty of taxi companies to pick from, as well as ride-hail apps.

How to book your hotel in Durham

Choose from a range of exclusive limited-time offers with Voyage Privé. By signing up for free, you’ll gain access to members-only offers and prices on luxury stays in Durham and across the world. You can stay updated by e-mail or simply type in your travel dates and desired location for a round-up of the best deals.

The opinion of the Voyage Privé travel expert on Durham

Home to one of the UK's most beautiful cathedrals, a Hogwarts-like castle and a historic university, Durham oozes old-school charm. Although the two premier attractions are often visited in a single day, it pays to take your time and explore Durham’s nooks and crannies. Here, you’ll find captivating gems like Crook Hall, a 13th-century house with plush gardens. And then there’s the food; Durham is surprisingly worldly with Vietnamese and Korean street food flavours among more local haute cuisine restaurants.

Durham – a city surrounded by nature trails

Durham is perfectly placed between coast, hills and forests. You can easily escape into the beguiling beauty of the Durham heritage coast or explore one of England’s wildest national parks, the North Pennines. You'll find everything from stunning hills and waterfalls like High Force to softly rolling English valleys in nearby Weardale. Whatever you choose to do, you’re never far from glorious country walks and activities in Durham.