Southampton Harbour Hotel

Style

Shipshape

Setting

Aqua marina

All aboard the good ship Southampton Harbour Hotel – this dry-docked luxury stay is built into a lively marina rather than set afloat, but its upcoming launch is reason enough to smash a champagne bottle in celebration – or order one in the rooftop bar, chased with a round of fantastical cocktails. The vessel, moored by the south coast and overlooking the Isle of Wight, has mod-nautical rooms in sun-and-sea shades for nesting; boatswain beauticians in the sleek spa to keep you barnacle-free; and – in lieu of lashings of rum – a free decanter of gin. A stay suited to those who lub land or water: we like the cut of its jib.

Facilities

Rooms

91, including 10 suites.

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates are room-only; a Continental (£12) or cooked breakfast (£22) is served at HarBar.

Also

The lower deck has cosy couple-sized relaxation pods to sit in and watch the waves. Afternoon tea, served in the lounge, fills its tiers with sweet-and-savoury scones, praline éclairs and small pots of trifle.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

Cinema, spa and gym, promenade deck with relaxation pods, lounge, laundry, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: flatscreen TV, a free decanter of gin, Nespresso coffee machine, minibar, tea- and coffee-making kit, and Bramley bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

Each room gets a glimpse of the calm waters and boats bippity-bopping about in the harbour. However, aspiring cap’ns can admire the British coast uninterrupted from the Deluxe Suite’s panoramic terrace. First mates can bunk up in the equally marina-facing Deluxe Doubles for a few less pieces of eight.

Poolside

The indoor heated pool is the hotel’s watery ballast, ensuring doses of splashy fun and serenity, and has set times for both adults and kids. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one side look out over the marina, and water-babies can wallow – or get pummelled with massage jets – in the adjoining hydrotherapy pool.

Spa

HarSpa takes a beautifying tip from the ocean, using luxurious Espa rituals with seaweed and salt, and offering sea-shell massages in seven sleek treatment rooms. Scrubbing, rubbing, and moisturising masks are a speciality, but a spot of rhassoul-mud slinging, reflexology or holistic hopi-candle cleansing can be booked too. Couples have their own space; men and mothers-to-be have specialised signature treatments; and you can get a superfood fix in the juice bar and café.

Packing Tips

Wellies for countryside wanderings. Leave the seasickness pills and patches at home, this stay is on a level.

Also

All areas are wheelchair-accessible, and there are specially adapted rooms on the second and third floors, accessible by lift.

Children

Children of all ages welcome, but the hotel’s best suited to juniors, tweens and teens. There are set splash times for kids in the hotel pool, and the cinema often screens family favourites.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

The marina has some rejuvenation to go before it rivals Monaco, but few can deny the view’s lure – take the bait and sit on the terrace.

Dress Code

Sail on silver girls (and boys).

Hotel Restaurant

The Jetty Restaurant sits on the ground floor of the hotel and spills out onto the boat’s ‘deck’, affording peaceful views of moored boats at rest. Harbour Hotel chefs rival Aquaman for fish-mastery; the coastal setting ensures fine sea-sourced dishes: signature cockle popcorn, oysters any-way, creamy fish soup and pies, and off-the-quay catches of the day. For those sworn off the sea, twice-baked soufflés; venison with pear, walnuts and haggis; and sumptuous cuts of steak keep things carnivorous. There’s a special menu of salads and noodle dishes for vegetarians and vegans, too. Embark on a voyage through the lengthy wine list – there’s sure to be a few shanties along the way. For dinner you'll need to book in advance as tables fill up quickly.

Hotel Bar

Water, water everywhere and leagues of cocktails to drink… HarBar on 6th (on the sixth floor, naturally) mans the hotel’s poop deck with talented and imaginative mixologists. The menu is awash with infusions, syrups, essences and aromas, and sprinklings of bee pollen, salt or chocolate shavings. Alongside requisite dark ‘n’ stormies, Manhattans and martinis, are remixes: a Nutty Old Fashioned fixed with walnut-infused bourbon, and a Negroni pepped up with smoked salt and thyme. Smoothies and juices are equally tempting and the kitchen rustles up salads and small plates (tacos, arancini) and wood-fired pizzas – the one with veal meatballs, sage and prosciutto is our pick. Things crank up a notch after sunset, when the locals arrive and the DJs start spinning.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served 7am to 10am weekdays, 8am to 11am on weekends. Lunch runs from noon to 2.30pm, dinner from 6pm to 10pm. The spa cafe runs from 7am to 9pm and HarBar serves till 11pm.

Room Service

Whether you’re hankering for a wrap or salad, or a full-on lobster feast, you can have an in-room meal anytime of the day or night.

Planes

Southampton Airport is the closest to the hotel, a 20-minute drive away. Flights from major European destinations arrive here direct; international flights usually connect via Dublin. London airports Heathrow and Gatwick are around a 90-minute drive away (Stansted and Luton are two hours away by car); the Smith24 team can arrange flights and transfers on request.

Trains

Southampton Central station is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The fast train from London Waterloo arrives in just over an hour; and there are direct routes to cities in the west of England, including Birmingham, Bath and Bristol.

Automobiles

Port city Southampton welcomes landlubbers; it’s easily explored on foot. However, the city’s sandwiched between two prized patches of British parkland: the New Forest lies to the west, the South Downs to the east. Unless you’re a hardened rambler, hire a pair of wheels and seek out Shetland ponies, woodland paths and cosy pubs. There’s valet parking at the hotel (£16.70 for 24 hours).

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

If you’re missing the motion of the ocean, the next best thing is a cruise over the Solent strait to the Isle of Wight. In late June, the isle’s famously chilled-out, yearly music festival kicks off. Otherwise, ogle the Needles Rocks, waft through Queen Victoria’s country home Osborne, or explore the local galleries. Film buffs may leave with square peepers after they’ve stopped at the Harbour Hotel’s cinema room, and Ocean Village’s Cineworld and Harbour Lights Picturehouse, the city’s indie stalwart. West Quay will keep shoppers happy. The SeaCity Museum spins many maritime yarns, especially poignant is its Titanic exhibit – the ship set sail from here and many locals who joined its crew were lost. The University Botanical Gardens have rows of neat cypress hedges and fir trees, fragrant herb gardens and elegant post-war greenhouses – there’s a badger sett hidden in the hillside too. Beyond the city, find abundant greenery, dramatic white cliffs (including infamous Beachy Head) and petite ponies in the New Forest National Park and the South Downs.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .