Canterbury is a beautiful cathedral city with over 800 years of tourist privileges in the United Kingdom. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with landmarks from ancient Roman times to famous cathedrals and architecture.
But it is not just the tourist sites and monuments that are remarkable. The accommodations in the city boast of luxurious and refined surroundings with only the best service. This article covers some of the very best that should be top of the list if you are visiting Canterbury.
Best Hotels in Canterbury
1. Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
2. Falstaff Hotel
3. ABode Canterbury
4. House of Agnes
5. The Pig Hotel
5 Best Hotels in Canterbury
1. Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Getting accommodations in Canterbury does not get better than the Canterbury Lodge. The Hotel is located in the same grounds as the legendary Canterbury Cathedral, a certified UNESCO World Heritage site. Some rooms even have windows looking out directly towards the Cathedral itself and the quiet, manicured gardens.
The rooms at the Cathedral Lodge are modern, comfortable, and beautifully designed. Guests also have the opportunity to access the Cathedral throughout their stay freely. A complimentary and considerate touch that lets you take your time exploring the Cathedral’s history and atmosphere without the usual crowds.
You also don’t have to worry about looking for the nearest restaurant for breakfast during your stay. The Lodge serves a full Kentish breakfast in their Refectory Restaurant each morning. The restaurant also has a beautiful outdoor terrace where you can eat when the weather cooperates. You do have to get your evening meals in town as they are not served on-site. But the Cathedral is just a short walk from Canterbury’s many pubs and restaurants.
The Lodge also has a large auditorium that can be used for conferences, business meetings, and, of course, weddings. Just imagine getting married with the Cathedral as the backdrop. How ethereal would it be?
The only downside to staying at the Lodge is that parking is limited and should be booked in advance. But the opportunity to have such close access to the cathedral precinct more than makes up for it.
Location: Cathedral, The Precinct, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
Price Range: £105 – £180
2. Falstaff Hotel
The Falstaff Hotel is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Canterbury. The little hotel has been in existence since 1403, although administration has changed hands over the years. Falstaff, located a few ways from Westgate Towers, has a long history in Canterbury. A fact that is very evident throughout the hotel, in the rooms, furniture, exposed beams, and even the slight curve of the ceilings.
The rooms at Falstaff are cosy, and many feature some of the original architectural details from decades past. The colors, paintings, decorations, and bespoke fabrics (each room different from the next) give the rooms real depth. The beds are usually layered with multiple pillows and the softest of quilts that make for an easy, restful stay.
The hotel’s cocktail bar is also worth mentioning. It is a very stylish bar and quite popular in Canterbury. The menu is rich in local ingredients, and professional mixologists serve a mixture of classic cocktails and in-house creations, keeping guests coming back. The staff have a well-earned reputation for always maintaining a welcoming atmosphere, with spotless presentation. On-site parking is very limited and carries extra charges, but in central Canterbury, that is not so bad.
Location: Falstaff Hotel, 8 – 10 Dunstans Street, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
Price Range: £84 – £144
3. ABode Canterbury
ABode is a famous luxury hotel in Canterbury, located just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral and Marlowe Theatre. The hotel is the best place for those who prefer modern hotel rooms and facilities at the very center of Canterbury.
The rooms at the ABode are sleek and modern with designs that are cosmopolitan and very futuristic in nature. Many of the rooms come with the best amenities from premium teas and complimentary biscuits, Nespresso machines, ironing boards, hair dryers, and dressing tables to critical amenities like a safe and wheelchair access. The suite rooms also feature a mini-bar and outdoor terrace with the best views.
The ABode is also pretty well-known for having some of the best food and drink in Canterbury. The restaurant, the Brasserie Abode, makes some of the best dishes with only rich local ingredients. Meanwhile, ABode Champagne Bar is a remarkable relaxation spot to unwind with a drink. The staff are always friendly and professional, and the hotel does have a parking spot. Albeit a paid one, nothing too bad for the city center.
Speaking of the center, ABode’s strategic location means that the hotel is really close to several of the best shops, restaurants, and sites within the city
Location: 30 – 33 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, United England
Price Range: £89 – £350
4. House of Agnes
House of Agnes holds the title of one of Canterbury’s historical hotels. Then, just a lowly inn. The boutique hotel was even then popular, having been cited in Charles Dickens ‘ David Copperfield. Just two minutes away from the city center, the hotel is positioned strategically enough to be close to the train station. Its path outside the city walls means that it was most likely at a spot that regularly hosted Chaucer’s pilgrims.
The best feature in the House of Agnes has got to be the rooms; no exceptions. Each room is individually decorated with a country theme, from the seaside Boston Room to the beautifully patterned Mumbai room. The Paris, Marrakesh, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Venice rooms can also transport you to the countries of their name as soon as you enter them. While others still like the cottage room, though simple in their looks, maintain a warm, cosy feel. The stable rooms can be used as individual rooms or connected together into two rooms, perfect for families who want to stay separate but interconnected.
Agnes really embodies its culture of hospitality. The hotel invites you to let go of the city’s bustle and relax within its beautiful garden or honesty bar, stocked full with evening drinks. One of the major perks of Agnes’ garden is that some of the rooms actually open up to private sections of the garden, making for a beautiful view and a quiet getaway. Breakfast is a major highlight here, freshly prepared with local ingredients, and served in a charming setting.
House of Agnes is not a large hotel, but that is definitely what makes the hotel so appealing in the first place. Well, that and its beautiful rooms.
Location: 71, Saint Dunstan Street, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
Price Range: £100 – £150
5. The Pig – at Bridge Place
If you want a hotel that feels like more of a vacation spot, then the Pig should be your go-to spot. The large hotel is the perfect countryside escape. It is the combination of a hotel, one-of-a-kind restaurant, vacation home, and spa house rolled into one. A full retreat house.
The Pig is only about a 10–15 minute drive from Canterbury. The beautiful converted Kentish country house is located in the village of Bridge and is part of the renowned Pig collection.
The rooms are one of the major highlights at the Pig. Comfortable, warm, and individually decorated. You can opt to stay in the small cosy rooms in the main house or retreat to the huts, cabins, and cottages located in the middle of nature all over the property. The best parts, the rooms are fitted with the best of modern convenience; vintage furniture, comfy bed and soft linens, freestanding tubs, wood-burning stoves, and many more. But, they somehow still feel separate from the rest of the world.
As inviting as the Pig is, though, the heart of the hotel is the restaurant. The Pig restaurant is known for serving only a “25-mile menu,” a meal plan made with produce from the kitchen garden and nearby Kentish suppliers. An initiative that they are super proud of. There is also a relaxed bar, a lot of inviting lounges with open fires, and the Potting Shed treatment rooms, where you can book a deeply soothing massage.
The surrounding grounds are designed to be explored. You can walk your way through the lengthy kitchen garden, stream and meadow, grounds and woods, and quiet corners. The picturesque setting is amazing for a city getaway while still being close to Canterbury enough that you don’t have to worry about being in the middle of nowhere.
Location: Bourne Park Road, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
Price Range: £230 – £500
Conclusion
Canterbury is a city meant to be explored, and its hotels just make your time spent in the city better. Every hotel is well thought out and built with so much character and individuality; they feel surreal. Whether you are waking up to views of the Cathedral or stepping out of the city into nature, there is something designed to meet your taste. And maybe even give you a memory to remember.
