Top 10 City B&Bs
Added on Friday, October 15th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Top 10 City B&Bs
Following on from our pick of biker-friendly B&Bs by the sea Insidebikes is heading inland with a copy of the new Motorcyclists Welcome Guide in our back pocket. Already urbane now we’re going all urban as we select ten of the best biker-friendly B&Bs in the city.
Ivy House, Edinburgh
Suitably clad in ivy this comfy, listed, Victorian townhouse lies on the edge of the centre of what is surely one of, if not the, most beautiful of UK cities. The city is accessible enough by foot but also lies on a bus route serving the centre with its many sights. The house boasts its own secure car park around the back, whilst the eight power-showered, centrally heated bedrooms are either en-suite or have an adjacent private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is included and full cooked available to order.
The bottom line: Singles from £35, doubles £55, family POA, per room, per night.
Crompton Coach House, Derby
Not necessarily an obvious city choice but Derby’s compact centre hides some real gems – including cracking real ale haunts The Flowerpot and Brunswick Inn – and it’s a great base for Donington Park or exploring the Peak District. This central, 3* B&B offers secure parking and comfy rooms with en suite or shared shower facilities – all boasting wi-fi. Breakfasts are, literally, a big deal, branded as they are Whopping English and Vast Vegetarian. City attractions include the Cathedral, Silk Mill Museum of Industry & History and the new-ish Quad arts and film centre.
The bottom line: Single from £30, standard twins £50, en suite doubles/twins £60 per room, per night.
Web: www.cromptoncoachhouse.co.uk
Arnot House, York
This delightfully refurbished Victorian townhouse has won a hatful of awards including the English Tourism Council’s 5* Gold rating. It’s a tad pricier than many but this simply reflects its quality and a handy location hugging the edge of the historic city centre. Just three en suite rooms are on offer – named after the local abbeys Kirkham, Byland and Rivelaux – each individually decorated and furnished with antiquities. The breakfast menu is pretty extensive and includes the traditional full English cooked up on an Aga. Secure parking.
The bottom line: Doubles from £70 per room, per night. Discounts for three nights or more
The Belgrave, Bristol
Whilst a couple of miles out of the city centre The Belgrave enjoys a pleasant and reasonably convenient location beside the 400 acres of Durdham Downs’ parkland. Pick of this Georgian property’s three en suite double bedrooms is arguably The Courtyard which, reasonably enough given its name, enjoys access to the cobbled courtyard where an Aga-cooked breakfast may be taken. Nearby you’ll find the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge with city attractions including Brunel’s SS Great Britain and history and wildlife laden Arnos Vale Cemetry.
The bottom line: Singles from £50, twins £68 per room, per night.
Web: www.belgravebandbbristol.co.uk
Minster Lodge, Lincoln
In the heart of the city close to Lincoln Cathedral this welcoming 5* guest house combines traditional charm with modern amenities such as property-wide wi-fi. There are six comfortable, spacious en suites, including two family rooms with continental or full cookeds served in an elegant breakfast room – your eggs may have even been laid by the hens in the garden! Just around the corner you’ll find the bars, boutiques and restaurants of Bailgate which leads to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral and the 11th century Castle.
The bottom line: Singles from £65, doubles £75, twins £85, family POA.
Website: www.minsterlodge.co.uk
Hyde Park Radnor Hotel, Paddington, London
Key to the appeal of this 4* Georgian hotel is its great value given a fabulously convenient location within easy walking distance of Oxford Street, Marble Arch and a pannier load of central London attractions. All rooms are en suite with wi-fi and satellite telly, whilst guests can also make use of the lounge and start the day with continental and English breakfasts in the dining room. Secure parking, which is always at a premium in the capital, is available nearby at an additional cost.
The bottom line: Singles from £55, doubles/twins £75, triples £90, family £120 per room, per night.
Magnolia House, Canterbury
This handsome 5* guest house offers 5* accommodation with pleasingly hospitable touches such as complementary wine on arrival and fresh milk for your brews. There are single, double, queen, king beds and even a four poster for those hoping to be romantically reclined! If you’re blessed with good weather there’s a delightful garden. The historic city centre with its magnificent cathedral is an easy walk away whilst further afield lies coastal Whitstable – famed for its oysters – and some stunning countryside. Not for nothing is Kent labelled the Garden of England.
The bottom line: Singles from £55, doubles £95, four poster suite £125 per room, per night.
Web: www.magnoliahousecanterbury.co.uk
Garnish House, Cork
Fresh fruit and flowers in every bedroom demonstrate how this much feted guest house goes the extra mile. Breakfast also goes beyond the norm satisfying carnivorous, vegetarian and piscivores with a massive menu which includes porridge with a dash of whiskey, fish of the day and, of course, the full Irish. There’s also wi-fi, free parking and a central location which makes city centre attractions easily accessible. You might also want to venture further afield to Killarney – a crowded tourist honey pot but well worth a visit – and ride the genuinely stunning Ring of Kerry.
The bottom line: Singles, twins/doubles, superior, triple, family and triple/kings with Jacuzzi baths available. Singles from €59 per room, per night, Doubles/twins €74 per person, per night, Triples €98.
Web: www.garnish.ie
The Waterings, St. David’s
The Waterings is set on the edge of Britain’s smallest city and the only one which sits entirely within a national park – the Pembrokeshire Coastal. Generous 4* accommodation is surrounded by extensive gardens in which you can picnic – there’s even a croquet lawn should that tickle your fancy. St. David’s, a lovely little place, is a short walk as is the beach and coastal path along which a hike to Solva is recommended. There’s also plenty more to see and explore in the spectacularly scenic 240 square miles of National Park.
The bottom line: Doubles and family rooms from £37.50 per person, per night.
Web: www.waterings.co.uk
Cambro House, Carlisle
Few B&Bs make specific their welcome for bikers but this well placed 4* makes a point of advertising its secure storage for motorcyclists. Of course there’s no doubt commercial logic at work given the proximity of favoured roads to ride, south in the Lakes, east to the Pennines and north to Scotland. Conveniently close to hand – an easy walk – are the attractions of the historic city, including the 12th century cathedral and medieval castle. Just three, airy, en suite rooms are on offer, each benefiting from free wi-fi.
The bottom line: Singles from £35, doubles/twins £55 per room, per night.
Got your own tips on biker friendly places to stay? Why not share your experiences and tips with fellow Insidebikes readers – use the comment form below.
All prices correct at time of writing and subject to change without notice.
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