Your stay — Rainbow Lodge
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The Property — Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge is a modest, family-run guesthouse on a quiet residential street in the Mutley area, about a 15-minute walk from the city centre. The vibe is homely rather than polished: floral wallpaper, a small breakfast room, and a sitting area with well-thumbed Ordnance Survey maps. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-fuss base with off-street parking and don't need a bar or restaurant on site. Standing in the lobby you smell toast from breakfast and hear the owner giving directions to the Barbican.
Chronicles of Plymouth
Plymouth grew from a medieval fishing village into England's foremost maritime city, the departure point for the Mayflower in 1620 and later a Royal Navy dockyard. Much of the historic centre was destroyed by aerial bombing in the Plymouth Blitz of 1941; the post-war reconstruction, led by architect Patrick Abercrombie, gave the city its distinctive grid of broad, pedestrianised avenues and modernist civic buildings. The Hoe, a grassy public space overlooking Plymouth Sound, has been a gathering place since Tudor times, and its Smeaton's Tower lighthouse remains the city's most recognisable landmark. Today the city balances its naval heritage with a growing university population and a lively food scene along the Barbican's cobbled streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Plymouth guide →Best months
June and September: pleasant temperatures (16-20°C), long daylight hours, and lower rainfall than July and August; the crowds are manageable outside school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month, driven by school holidays, the British Firework Championships (mid-August on the Hoe) and the Plymouth Seafood Festival. Hotel prices can rise 30-50% above June rates, and Rainbow Lodge often fills weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best value: temperatures are mild (12-17°C in May, 10-15°C in October), visitor numbers drop sharply, and room rates at Rainbow Lodge are typically 20-30% lower than in high summer.
Weather & packing
Plymouth's climate is milder than much of the UK thanks to the Gulf Stream, but it remains one of the rainiest cities in England. Pack a waterproof outer layer and a warm mid-layer (fleece or light sweater) even in July; a single sunny day can turn to drizzle within an hour.
Live City Briefing — Plymouth
- The 'Plymouth Sound National Marine Park' – the UK's first national marine park – officially opened in 2024; the visitor centre on the Barbican now offers guided snorkelling and kayak tours. Check availability for July as sessions book quickly.
- Plymouth's main bus station on Exeter Street is undergoing refurbishment until late 2026; some services have been relocated to temporary stops at the Mayflower Retail Park. Visitors relying on public transport should check Stagecoach's app before travelling.
- A new direct ferry service linking Plymouth to Roscoff (Brittany) launched in May 2026, operated by Brittany Ferries' smaller vessel. This means more foot passengers and day-trippers arriving at Millbay Docks, so the Barbican may be busier than usual on Saturdays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Rainbow Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Upper floors (3rd or 4th) on the rear side of the building, away from the street. Less foot traffic noise and better light.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms overlooking the front street – expect traffic rumble from Plymouth's main roads. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft if there is one.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors may overlook the quieter residential area rather than the main road. Front rooms will face the street.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors – higher up reduces street-level disturbance.
🔊 Noise notes
Front of the hotel faces a main Plymouth road – constant traffic, occasional delivery lorries. Rear is calmer. Lift noise can carry on floors directly adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
Request a rear-facing room when booking – most 3-star hotels in Plymouth have a quieter side. Check if parking is offered on-site; if not, the closest public car park is a short walk.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Rainbow Lodge
Free standard WiFi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login required
A small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; free PressReader access via QR codes in lobby
Check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00, late check-out until 12:00 for £20
Free storage for day-of-arrival and departure, subject to space
Step-free entrance via ramp at rear; no adapted rooms; lift is narrow (70 cm) and may not accommodate all wheelchairs
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Barbican Car Park (5 min walk), £12 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment taken at booking; a £50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Demetrios & St Nikitas Greek Orthodox Church (522 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Church of Christ the King (665 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Plymouth Unitarians (868 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: St Boniface's Cathedral (870 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Armada Shopping Centre — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Millbay Park — 129 m · ~2 min walk
The Box — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Plymouth Arena — 92 m · ~1 min walk
Neswick Street Play Park — 754 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 290 m · ~4 min walk
Day Lewis Pharmacy — 338 m · ~4 min walk
Union Street Food & Wine — 281 m · ~4 min walk
Derry's Cross Coach Stop — 507 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Plymouth railway station or tourist spots as they give poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay are widely accepted in shops, pubs, and restaurants; chip-and-pin is standard. Small cash-only stalls at markets may still require cash.
Restaurants: 10% if service not included (check bill). Taxis: round up to nearest pound. Hotel staff: £1-2 per bag for porters, discretionary.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A takeaway filter coffee from a café or chain costs around £2.50.
A filled baguette or pasty from a bakery or sandwich shop costs about £4-5.
A main course in a pub or casual restaurant costs roughly £10-13.
The Plymouth Market (Cornwall Street) and the Friday/Saturday market on the Piazza offer affordable street food like burgers, kebabs, and Caribbean wraps.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Aldi are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
Primark in the Drake Circus shopping centre and charity shops on Mutley Plain offer cheap clothing options.
A single bus fare within the city is about £2.50; a day pass (Plymouth Citybus or Stagecoach) costs around £5.50. From the airport (Exeter or Bristol) take National Express coach to Plymouth for around £20-30 one-way.
1. Walk between the Hoe and the Barbican – it's free and scenic. 2. Buy a pasty from a proper bakery for a cheap, filling meal. 3. Use the City Centre Coach park for cheaper parking than the waterfront.
Good to know — Plymouth
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Plymouth, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Rainbow Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 290 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Day Lewis Pharmacy — 338 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →City Centre/Hotel area → Plymouth attractions, Hoe, Barbican
💡 Day tickets (£4.50) offer great value. Download Stagecoach app for real-time tracking and contactless payments.
Plymouth Railway Station → Exeter, Bristol, London, Cornwall
💡 Station is 10-min walk from hotel. Book advance tickets online for significant savings. Perfect for day trips to Dartmoor or Cornwall.
Plymouth Airport (PLH) → Premier Inn Plymouth City (Lockyers Quay)
💡 Book in advance for better rates. Journey time varies with traffic; allow extra time during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Any location in Plymouth → Any location in Plymouth
💡 Uber available in Plymouth centre. Cheaper than black cabs for short journeys. Evening surge pricing applies after 10pm.
About Plymouth
Wikipedia ↗
Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar, about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon. Plymouth's history exten...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Rainbow Lodge?
Upper floors (3rd or 4th) on the rear side of the building, away from the street. Less foot traffic noise and better light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Rainbow Lodge?
Ground-floor rooms overlooking the front street – expect traffic rumble from Plymouth's main roads. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft if there is one.
Is Rainbow Lodge noisy?
Front of the hotel faces a main Plymouth road – constant traffic, occasional delivery lorries. Rear is calmer. Lift noise can carry on floors directly adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Rainbow Lodge?
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors may overlook the quieter residential area rather than the main road. Front rooms will face the street.
What are insider tips for staying at Rainbow Lodge?
Request a rear-facing room when booking – most 3-star hotels in Plymouth have a quieter side. Check if parking is offered on-site; if not, the closest public car park is a short walk.
What time is check-in at Rainbow Lodge?
Check-in at Rainbow Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Rainbow Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Rainbow Lodge?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Rainbow Lodge?
A filled baguette or pasty from a bakery or sandwich shop costs about £4-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Rainbow Lodge?
A single bus fare within the city is about £2.50; a day pass (Plymouth Citybus or Stagecoach) costs around £5.50. From the airport (Exeter or Bristol) take National Express coach to Plymouth for around £20-30 one-way.
When is the best time to visit Plymouth?
June and September: pleasant temperatures (16-20°C), long daylight hours, and lower rainfall than July and August; the crowds are manageable outside school holidays.
Top Attractions in Plymouth
💡 Head to the eastern end near the Citadel for quieter spots and a better view of the harbour entrance. The Tinside Lido is right below but costs to enter.
💡 Look for the 'Elizabethan House' on New Street (free to peek through the window, small entry fee inside). The fish quay is active in the morning; the best free view is from the top of the Mayflower Steps ramp. Avoid the tourist-trap souvenir shops on the main drag.
💡 The free permanent collection includes the 'Plymouth: A City at War' gallery and the natural history section with a giant whale skeleton. Allow 1-2 hours. The café is decent but pricier than nearby cafes.
💡 Best visited on a sunny weekday when it's quiet. The bakery at the Yard (The Dock) does good sourdough. Walking from the Barbican via the coastal path takes about 25 minutes and is nicer than the road.
💡 Best at sunset or low tide when you can walk along the shore. It can get windy. There's a small cafe (Astilbe's) nearby for takeaway coffee. Buses to Stonehouse or walking from the city centre takes about 40 minutes.