Where to stay in Southampton
If you are planning on staying overnight in Southampton, then you are in luck, the City has a plethora of Hotel's to meet all budgets and most of them are within walking distance of both the Stadium and the City Centre. More info can be found on each individual hotel's individual website
De Vere Grand Harbour
Five star hotel next to the West Quay shopping complex that offers weekend breaks at fairly reasonable prices.
The De Vere has all the facilities you would expect from such an establishment including top class restaurants, bars and a health club, its situated on West Quay Road, a short taxi ride from the train station, five minutes walk from the City Centre and about 20 minutes walk from St Mary's
The Holiday Inn
Part of the Holiday Inn chain and also on West Quay Road directly opposite the De Vere, it offers a cheaper alternative than the aforementioned hotel, all walking times etc are similar.
Novotel
Situated 200 metres from Central Station, the Novotel is only five minutes walk from the City Centre and 15-20 minutes from St Mary's, convenient for transport links and next to the West Quay Shopping complex, ideal for a football break in Southampton
IBIS
Right next door to the Novotel and sharing the same car park, the IBIS offers a budget hotel but with a bar and restaurant offers a little more than the average travel lodge and has the advantage of being central.
Etap
In exactly the same place as the other two above, the Etap is the budget budget option, having said that its new its clean and convenient and only about £35 a night, breakfast at McDonalds next door.
Jurys Inn
Situated smack bang in the middle of the Charlotte Place Roundabout, the Jurys Inn is the newest and biggest of the Southampton hotels, billing itself as superior budget its handily placed for the football ground which can be walked in about 5-10 minutes, also right on the edge of the City centre its handily placed for a night out, although its in a nice enough location dont submit to the temptation to take a short cut across the park at night unless you are in a big group.
Only real drawback to this hotel is that they charge you to park in their car park, which is not usual practice for Southampton hotels.
Travelodge
Although there are a few travelodge's in the Southampton area, only one is near the City Centre, just off the Avenue in Lodge Road, about a mile from the City Centre and the football ground its not a particularly convenient place to stay for a few beers and a night out.
Holiday Inn Express
Situated at Nursling just off the M271, this hotel is handy for the mtorway and little else, its a good mile to the nearest public transport and situated about 4 1/2 miles out of the City Centre its a good £12- £15 in a cab , it caters for a certain trade and football isnt one of them.
Premier Travel Inn
Perhaps the best located of all Southampton hoels, anyone who has stayed in a premier travel inn knows exactly what you get, a clean tidy basic room for a good price. This one on New Road is exactly half way between the Stadium and the City Centre so couldnt be better placed. Limited parking is available but you have to book in advance.
There are several other Premier travel inn's in the Southampton area including the airport, but they arent central enough if you intend to enjoy a night out in the centre.
The Dolphin
Boutique hotel right on the High Street, so couldnt be better placed for restaurants, pubs and Clubs, also has a car park so ideal.
The Star
Old coaching inn a few doors down from the Dolphin on the High Street.
The Hilton
The Hilton is at Chilworth and is a good 4 miles out of the City Centre, it has all the facilities that you would expect from that chain, but is not convenient unless you are driving as it isnt great for public transport and a cab into the City Centre would be around £10, indeed if you are arriving by train and going to the Hilton you would be better off getting off at Southampton airport which although 3 miles from the Hilton is nearer than Southampton Central.
Bed & Breakfast's
For those on a real budget a bed & breakfast might make a decent alternative, next to the old Dell is the Winston Pub who offer decent cheap accomodation although its a little bit out of the way for both the City and the football ground both ar walkable.
But for a group on a night out the fact that most B & B's are slightly out of town might mean that the savings are minimal after taking account of Taxi fares etc and in general good deals are to be found at all of the aforementioned chain hotels.