Where to Stay

Leeds is one of the most cosmopolitan and regenerative cities in the UK, attracting investment and tourists from around the world. There is a superlative choice of hotels and guesthouse Leeds is one of the most cosmopolitan and regenerative cities in the UK, attracting investment and tourists from around the world. There is a superlative choice of hotels and guesthouses to meet these demands; from the very expensive to the very inexpensive; for the businessperson and for the tourist. There is a place in Leeds to suit everyone.

Inexpensive:
For those wanting to be in the thick of things, there is an excellent selection of inexpensive hotels. On New Briggate, the aptly titled City Centre Hotel, offers a family environment and a night porter. On the same road you might want to try the Central Hotel which caters for families and individual travellers. Briggate and New Briggate form the backbone of Leeds' shopping district. The road itself, leading up from the River Aire and Bridge End, has always been the shopping spine of Leeds—as far back as 1207.

The university area is located close to the city centre. During the Easter and summer holidays, at a very competitive price, the University of Leeds opens its accommodation and business facilities, offering single bedrooms and self-catering flats. Many other hotels might be found in the university and hospital area. The buildings in this area are noted particularly for their architectural splendour. Many originate from the Victorian and later Georgian period.

To avoid the hustle and bustle, try the price busting Accommodation Centre, only two miles from the city centre. Six miles from the city and open between July and September, you'll find Trinity and All Saints University College, close to Leeds Bradford Airport and situated in a beautiful green belt area. For those seeking a strict non-smoking environment, and where price is still a factor, try Wheelgate Guest House in Sherburn-in-Elmet, 12 miles out of the city center, but adequately compensated by public houses and restaurants. Elmet once spanned the land of Yorkshire, with a king ruling over it, fighting many battles against invaders from the South and North. Leeds (or Loidis) is thought to have once been the capital of that kingdom. The village retains its identity in a vast rural landscape.

Moderate:
The cream of the moderately priced hotels in Leeds skirt two to three miles around the city. Headingley is the hotel capital of Leeds, particularly within this price bracket, and is well geared towards families, students and business travellers. Gargantuan buildings made of old red brick, homes and otherwise, are a common feature of the Headingley landscape and indicate the past wealth of the area. The Cliff Lawn Hotel offers a games room and private gardens. In the same area you might want to try Trafford House and Budapest Hotel, comprised of three Victorian buildings, where the prices and facilities will appeal to many. Also on Cardigan Road, especially convenient for Headingley Cricket Ground, is St Michael's Tower. This family-run hotel offers excellent bar and restaurant facilities and is less than two miles from the city, making the trip back into the centre for alternative refreshments a quick journey—and a cheap one if returning by taxi after a night of celebration!

Another good area for moderately priced hotels is Roundhay. With a huge park in the area, its lake, fields, gardens, and a plethora of nearby sites to see, Roundhay is always popular with families and business travellers. The park itself is frequently home to festivals, carnivals and concerts. The Merevale Hotel is located in a conservation area within easy reach of Roundhay Park and offers excellent services and facilities. Alternatively, try the Ash Mount Hotel, situated only minutes away from the big park. Both have easy access back onto the city ring road, which skirts Leeds. You could also try Aragon Hotel in Meanwood. This recently converted Victorian mansion will be more attractive to individuals and couples, as there are only two family rooms on offer.

Expensive:
For tourists, cricket lovers, and business travellers wishing to avoid the city centre, but still remain within easy access, Headingley's Village Hotel and Leisure Club is a splendid choice. Built in 1996, it offers all the facilities of a very expensive hotel—spa, swimming pool, squash courts and sauna—but at a relatively competitive price. Its location also makes it popular for parents making weekend trips to see children in the nearby universities. For those of you who wish to avoid staying in the city centre at all costs but still want benefit from the city's major attractions, try the Courtyard by Marriott in Tong. Midway between the centres of Leeds and Bradford, its location offers tranquility, but is only minutes away from nearly all of the major motorways to and from Leeds.

Very Expensive:
Many of Leeds' most expensive hotels are based on the perimeter of the city, such as the Wood Hall Hotel near Wetherby that boasts 100 acres of ground and enough facilities to challenge the most energetic of guests. Only 12 miles from the city centre, it is a perfect gateway to the beautiful landscapes, which typify Yorkshire. Marriott Hollins Hall Hotel and Country Club requires the vastness of the Baildon Moors to accommodate it. Technically in Bradford, but only 15 minutes from Leeds on the A65, the establishment offers magnificent facilities, including an 18-hole golf course on 200 acres of ground.

For some, however, concrete and fun is more soothing than grass and leisure. If you want doorstep access to a plethora of entertainment from the most luxurious, aesthetically pleasing of buildings, try The Queen's Hotel, next to the city train station. "The Queen's" looks down on City Square and up towards the business district. With a price structure that will appeal to many, the building is noted particularly for its elegance, interior design and architecture. The Marriott Hotel is of a similar grandeur and prime location. It offers excellent facilities and is ideal for those wishing to shop, dine or drink in the city. There is also the The Merrion, offering quick access to the cultural venues on The Headrow and the nearby universities.

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