Royal Hotel Hull

★★★ ⭐ 3.7 / 5 · 1,020 reviews 📍 170 Ferensway, East Yorkshire, Hull HU1 3UF, UK Typical check-in 15:00 · check-out 11:00
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ℹ️ Data notice: Intelligence is sourced from public data, AI analysis and internet sources. Details including room configurations, prices, opening hours and event listings may be inaccurate or outdated. Always verify directly with the hotel, restaurant or transport provider before travel.

🌤️ Your stay

Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen

📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Hull.

✦ The Property

Stepping into the Royal Hotel Hull feels like a gentle nod to the city's grand 19th-century maritime heyday, with a classic Edwardian facade and a lobby that balances heritage features like high ceilings and a sweeping staircase with modern comfort. This three-star property sits proudly on Ferensway, offering a no-fuss, central base that appeals to both leisure travellers exploring Hull's Old Town and business attendees heading to the nearby Connexin Live arena. The vibe is unabashedly traditional – think polished brass, subdued tones, and a sense of quiet reliability – suiting those who value location and honest service over boutique frills.

💬 What guests say

⭐ 3.7 / 5 · 1,020 reviews

Guests consistently praise the hotel's superb central location, grand Victorian architecture, and friendly, helpful staff. However, many note the decor and furnishings feel very tired and dated, with common gripes including hard mattresses, small rooms, and maintenance issues like leaking overflow pipes. Overall, it's seen as a clean, comfortable stay with great potential if renovations were made.

★★★★

“Nice, traditional hotel but showing signs of tiredness through its wonderful Victorian grandeur. The wonderful hallway is overpowered by some awful 70's style light structures which if replaced with period crystal or a sculptural feature would display the area at it's best. The rooms were comfortable and adequate. The”

— Vic Hibbert, 6 years ago
★★

“At first glance and from a distance this is a magnificent hotel, beautiful architecture and a historic building. However that's as far as it goes. When you look closer there are many issues, some small, that contribute to make the hotel very disappointing. The room I stayed in is very tired, lots of small issues lik”

— Steve Garrett, 7 years ago
★★★★

“My stay was enjoyable, I appreciated the that I could adjust my heating in the room. Nice to see they have tea and coffee in the rooms. The room was a good size just for me and I was given a quiet section as I had asked. Staff were accommodating. The place felt a little dated but over all a good experience.”

— Tina Clark, 7 years ago
★★★★

“Superb location, literally next door to the train station. Check in was a smooth process. The room was a little hard to find, but the staff helped us. The bar area was nice and the drinks were reasonably priced. Room itself was small but perfectly acceptable, it was clean and comfortable. Would definitely return.”

— Jenny Parsons, 6 years ago

🏛️ Chronicles of Hull

Hull (officially Kingston upon Hull) was founded in the late 12th century by monks seeking a wool export port, but truly flourished as a major whaling and merchant hub in the 18th and 19th centuries, its Old Town a maze of cobbled lanes and medieval warehouses. Bombed heavily during the Second World War – it was the most severely damaged British city outside London – Hull rebuilt with a mix of pragmatic post-war structures and renewed focus on its maritime heritage, embodied by The Deep aquarium and the rejuvenated Marina. Today, it is a proud UK City of Culture (2017) with a thriving arts scene, a strong literary tradition (home to poet Philip Larkin and novelist Winifred Holtby), and a working port that still shapes its down-to-earth, resilient identity.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

Full Hull guide →

✅ Best months

May and September-October: warm, often sunny days with fewer tourists; the Humber estuary moderates temperatures, making for pleasant walking weather.

🔥 Peak / festival surge

June-August is peak season, driven by school holidays and summer festivals like Hull Freedom Festival (August). Hotel prices can rise 20-30%, and advance booking is essential.

💷 Budget shoulder season

Late April-May or September-October offer the best budget value: milder weather, lower room rates, and fewer queues at attractions like the Streetlife Museum.

🧳 Weather & packing

Hull's climate is famously changeable thanks to its exposed east coast location – you can experience four seasons in a day. Pack a waterproof jacket and layering options as your non-negotiable rule.

📰 Live City Briefing

  • A £5 million refurbishment of Hull's Paragon Interchange (train and bus station) is complete, improving passenger flow and accessibility; it's a five-minute walk from the Royal Hotel. (Source: Hull City Council, 2024)
  • Hull's newly extended Maritime Museum, following a major renovation, now features an immersive exhibition on the city's whaling and slave trade history – ideal for a short visit.
  • A new pedestrian and cycle route along the Humber estuary from the Marina to Victoria Pier opened in early 2025, enhancing the waterfront walk for visitors.

🏨 Room Intelligence

✨ AI-generated

Before you check in to Royal Hotel Hull, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift to reduce hallway noise and potential street sounds.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid rooms near the ice machine, vending machines, or stairwells, as these can be noisy. Also, steer clear of rooms directly above or adjacent to function rooms or the breakfast area.

🪟

Best views

For a 3-star city hotel, rooms on higher floors facing away from the main road may offer a quieter outlook, though views are often of surrounding buildings; ask for a street view if you prefer, but be prepared for traffic noise.

😴

Quietest floors

Upper floors are generally quieter due to distance from street and lobby activity, but the topmost floor may have more foot traffic near stairwells.

🔊 Noise notes

General noise may come from adjacent rooms, corridors, and street traffic. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, and consider requesting a room away from lifts and high-traffic areas.

💡 Insider tips

1. Book directly with the hotel and ask about quieter room options, as they may have less-trafficked wings. 2. Request a room on a higher floor and away from the lift well in advance, as these are popular.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

🏨 Hotel Facilities

📶
Wi-Fi

Free basic WiFi (up to 2 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (£5/day) with up to 20 Mbps available; login via room number and surname

🛗
Lift / Elevator

One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections

📰
Media & Newspapers

Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby tablet; no daily physical newspapers; the hotel notes its 1930s Art Deco facade as a heritage quirk

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 free of charge; late check-out until 12:00 (fee of £20 if after 12:00, subject to availability)

🧳
Baggage Storage

Complimentary storage at reception for same-day check-out or early arrival

Accessibility

Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor; lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs; no hearing loops

🅿️
Parking

No on-site parking; nearest public car park is St Stephen's Shopping Centre (0.1 miles) at £12 per 24 hours; no EV charging on site

💷 Fees, Taxes & Deposits

City / tourist tax: None (Hull does not levy a specific city/tourist tax as of 2025, but VAT at 20% is included in rates)

Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment for non-refundable rates; for flexible rates, a credit card guarantee is required, and a £50 incidental hold is placed at check-in

🕌 Faith & Dietary Nearby

  • Church: Danish Church (164 m · ~2 min walk)
  • Church: The Salvation Army (411 m · ~5 min walk)
  • Church: Holy Apostles (499 m · ~6 min walk)
  • Church: Jubilee Central (638 m · ~8 min walk)

🎯 Local Lifestyle & Recreation

🛍️
Shopping

St Stephen's — 425 m · ~5 min walk

🚶
Walking & Running

Humber Dock Promenade — 916 m · ~11 min walk

🖼️
Museums & Galleries

Ferens Art Gallery — 651 m · ~8 min walk

🎭
Theatres & Concerts

Bonus Arena — 472 m · ~6 min walk

🧒
Kids & Family

Waterloo Street Play Ground — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk

📍 5-Minute Radius Essentials

🏧
Nearest ATM

Nearest — 411 m · ~5 min walk

💊
Nearest Pharmacy

Superdrug — 378 m · ~5 min walk

🏪
Convenience Store

City Mini Market — 149 m · ~2 min walk

🚉
Nearest Transit

Hull Paragon Interchange — 158 m · ~2 min walk

💱 Money & Currency

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

British Pound Sterling, GBP

🏦
Where to exchange

Use high-street banks or post offices for fair rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux which charge poor rates; many travellers simply withdraw from ATMs which offer competitive rates

💳
Cards & contactless

Card and contactless payment are standard; most shops, cafes, and transport accept Visa/Mastercard; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted

🪙
Tipping etiquette

15% in restaurants is customary for good service (not obligatory); rounding up or £1-2 for casual cafes; taxi drivers typically receive 5-10% or rounded fare; hotel staff appreciate £1-2 per night

💸 Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget

Cheap car hire →
💡
Money-saving tips

Buy a reusable Oyster-style MayTravel card for buses—discounted weekly/monthly passes save 20-30% vs single tickets; supermarket meal deals (sandwich/snack/drink bundles) at £3-5 beat cafe prices. Walk or cycle the city centre (flat terrain); HU1 is compact and pedestrian-friendly with cheap bike rental via Gorebike stations

ℹ️ Good to know

🔌
Plugs & power

Type G · 230V

🚰
Tap water

safe

💱
Currency

$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP

🚨 Emergency Contacts

Hull
🚔
Police
999
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
999
🚒
Fire Department
999

For non-emergency police inquiries in Hull, call 101. Emergency services are free to call. Hull is served by Humberside Police.

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

🍽️ Where to Eat

Reserve on OpenTable →
1
The Three John Scotts Local
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
The St Johns Hotel Local
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
The New Griffin Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
The Avenue Local
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Botanic Hotel Local
££
🚶 15 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
The Park Local
££
🚶 18 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
Rose Hotel Local
££
🚶 21 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
The Bull Inn Local
££
🚶 24 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hull, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

🛬 Your arrival

🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 411 m · ~5 min walkpharmacy · Superdrug — 378 m · ~5 min walk

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

🚌 Getting Around

Book trains →
🚂
TransPennine Express / Northern Rail £0 (already downtown)

Hull Railway Station → Holiday Inn Hull Marina by IHG

10 min · Multiple daily services from airports via connections · 05:00-23:30

💡 Take train to Hull Station, then 10-min walk to Marina or hop on local bus. Most economical long-distance option.

🚌
Citybus - Hull Local Network £1.80

Holiday Inn Hull Marina by IHG → City Centre / Attractions

5 min · Every 10-15 mins · 06:00-23:00

💡 Marina location is excellent for buses. Buy a 7-day ticket (£16.50) for unlimited local travel. Bus stop directly outside hotel.

🚌
First Bus Hull - Routes 10, 11 £1.80-2.50 per journey

Humber Airport / City Centre → Holiday Inn Hull Marina by IHG

35 min · Every 15-20 mins daytime · 06:00-23:00

💡 Day tickets offer good value at £4.50. Airport Express X4 goes directly to city centre in 20 mins.

🚕
Humber Taxi Services £25-35

Humber Airport (HUY) → Holiday Inn Hull Marina by IHG

25 min · On-demand · 24/7

💡 Book in advance for better rates. Airport is only 5km away, making taxi very convenient.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best rooms at Royal Hotel Hull?

Ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift to reduce hallway noise and potential street sounds.

Which rooms should I avoid at Royal Hotel Hull?

Avoid rooms near the ice machine, vending machines, or stairwells, as these can be noisy. Also, steer clear of rooms directly above or adjacent to function rooms or the breakfast area.

Is Royal Hotel Hull noisy?

General noise may come from adjacent rooms, corridors, and street traffic. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, and consider requesting a room away from lifts and high-traffic areas.

Which rooms have the best views at Royal Hotel Hull?

For a 3-star city hotel, rooms on higher floors facing away from the main road may offer a quieter outlook, though views are often of surrounding buildings; ask for a street view if you prefer, but be prepared for traffic noise.

What are insider tips for staying at Royal Hotel Hull?

1. Book directly with the hotel and ask about quieter room options, as they may have less-trafficked wings. 2. Request a room on a higher floor and away from the lift well in advance, as these are popular.

What time is check-in at Royal Hotel Hull?

Check-in at Royal Hotel Hull is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.

Does Royal Hotel Hull have Wi-Fi?

Free basic WiFi (up to 2 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (£5/day) with up to 20 Mbps available; login via room number and surname

Is there a city or tourist tax at Royal Hotel Hull?

None (Hull does not levy a specific city/tourist tax as of 2025, but VAT at 20% is included in rates)

When is the best time to visit Hull?

May and September-October: warm, often sunny days with fewer tourists; the Humber estuary moderates temperatures, making for pleasant walking weather.

🗺️ Top Attractions

Hull City Hall Free

💡 Check the box office for free lunchtime concerts and cultural events throughout the year.

Queen's Gardens Park Free

💡 Visit in spring for cherry blossoms or summer for free open-air events and performances throughout the season.

Ferens Art Gallery Free

💡 Donations are welcome but entry is completely free. Visit during quieter mornings for a peaceful experience.

Humber Street Galleries Free

💡 First Friday Art Walk events feature extended hours and special exhibitions. Ideal for art lovers seeking emerging talents.

The Deep

💡 Visit during off-peak weekday afternoons for shorter queues. Online booking offers discounts compared to walk-up prices.