Blackpool hotels

Sitting in a prime spot between Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the boisterous South Pier, Boulevard Hotel’s airy lobby and plush rooms make it an enticing stay. In fact, I’d say it’s on par with any luxurious big city offering.

Trust me when I say there are few hotels as polished as this among Britain’s traditional seaside towns. Opened in 2021, the hotel’s downstairs Beachside Restaurant serves up well-presented British fare, though it’s the chic monochrome decor that makes this place one of the best hotels in Blackpool.

While hardly any hotels in the city offer sea-facing balconies, at Boulevard you can sit outside with a morning coffee and watch the waves of the Irish Sea roll in. Oh, and if you’re looking to add a little sparkle to your Blackpool break, don’t miss their indulgent prosecco-infused afternoon tea.

​​​​​​​The grand dame of Blackpool during the town’s Victorian Golden Era, the Imperial Hotel dates back to 1867, and its impressive redbrick facade is one of the Promenade’s most iconic sights.

Over the last 150 years, these spacious rooms have played host to a range of illustrious guests, from Charles Dickens and the Beatles to Queen Elizabeth II. Book a sea-facing room and witness one of the finest coastal views in town. The Imperial’s location just above the North Pier makes it one of the best hotels in Blackpool for soaking up beachside vistas, particularly from the higher floors, where the north Welsh coast is visible on clear days.

This is also one of the few hotels in Blackpool that offers a full Sunday roast, so if you're here on a Sunday afternoon, make sure to book a table at the breezy Palm Court restaurant.

Sitting in the shadow of Blackpool’s rival to the Eiffel Tower, few hotels are better situated to make the journey to Blackpool Tower’s soaring summit than the Westholme Hotel.

One of the best hotels in Blackpool for visiting the town’s most spectacular attraction, it’s just a three-minute walk door-to-door. Not only that, the Westholme is also a cozy base for other local sights, like the Empress Ballroom and Winter Gardens. Inside, the hotel’s ample rooms and comfy beds mean you’ll get a good night’s sleep before another day of enjoying the sights, rides and, of course, fish and chips.

My favorite part of the Westholme is the rather curious Egyptian decor in the restaurant and coffee bar downstairs. While you’re tucking into a hearty English breakfast, take a moment to admire the pharaohs, Egyptian gods and hieroglyphics adorning the walls. Only in Blackpool…

​​​​​​​It’s rare to see big-name brands like Hilton in traditional seaside towns, but Blackpool is moving with the times. Comfortably one of the best hotels to stay in Blackpool’s South Shore area, the smart white-washed rooms at the Hampton offer a sleek and modern stay perhaps more reminiscent of a bigger city.

Step outdoors, though, and the bracing sea air is an instant reminder of home. Just a short stroll north, the towering frame of the Big One rollercoaster shows just how close you are to Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s attractions. And at Burlington Road, there’s a useful tram stop that will whisk you to wherever you want to go on the Promenade.

While most people don’t visit Blackpool to work up a sweat, I like that the Hampton offers a fitness room, something you’ll find hardly anywhere else in this party-loving town, making this one of the best hotels in Blackpool for fitness lovers.

​​​​​​​The Kenley is a good example of a family-run guesthouse in the classic Blackpool tradition, the sort where you’ll chat with the owner and they’ll make you feel totally at home. It’s that personal touch that makes the Kenley so attractive, and with just seven suites, guests here settle into their rooms with minimum fuss.

Speaking of rooms, they’re pleasingly spacious, while playful pops of yellow and purple make them a bright retreat to return to each evening. Located between the entertainment shows of Central Pier and the amusement-heavy South Pier, it’s a “pick-your-poison” moment when emerging onto the Promenade. A tram stop at the end of St Chad’s means nothing is too far away. But for me, it’s that personal welcome that makes this one of the best hotels in Blackpool for a traditional seaside experience.

​​​​​​​This easy-going spot on the North Shore is one of the best hotels in Blackpool for a no-fuss, no-frills weekend away. Located within walking distance of the historic North Pier (the oldest of Blackpool’s three piers), the Brooklyn Hotel is a family-friendly guesthouse with rooms spanning three floors.

As well as offering a hearty English breakfast every morning, there’s also a fully stocked bar inside that includes – and this is very Blackpool – several retro games machines. For me, the best thing about the Brooklyn is the south-facing terrace outside,a wonderful sun trap that allows you to soak up every last ray of the English summer.

​​​​​​​Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of Europe’s legendary amusement parks and the Big Blue Hotel experiences all of its thrills. In fact, it’s so close that you can hear the enormous Big One rollercoaster rumble by throughout the day.

With 157 spacious rooms, there’s a range of styles to choose from – my top pick is a Deluxe Suite, which comes with a Juliet balcony that looks right into the park itself. The Big Blue is also just a short stroll from the South Pier and, with the tram stop virtually outside, the rest of the Promenade is only a few minutes away.

One thing I like about staying here is that guests have their own VIP entrance to the Pleasure Beach, meaning you can avoid the long queues that form throughout the summer months.

With Blackpool’s waterfront gathering so much attention, it’s sometimes easy to forget that there’s plenty happening in town, too. Located right next to Blackpool's main train terminus, the Holiday Inn is one of the best hotels in Blackpool for travel convenience, especially if you’re arriving by rail. Not that it’s a long walk to the Promenade (around 10 minutes), but being able to immediately drop your bags at your hotel and head out is a liberating feeling.

Opened in 2024, the Holiday Inn brings buckets of American polish to an old-world town, and the rooms here are clean and comfortable. Amenities, meanwhile, include a fitness suite and an Italian restaurant created by chef Marco Pierre White. Ultimately, this is a solid central base and one of the top-rated hotels in Blackpool, encouraging guests to explore quirky central Blackpool thoroughfares like Talbot Street and mingle in Cedar Square.

You don’t have to be a football fan to stay at the BFC Hotel. In fact, the hotel at Blackpool Football Club is known for being one of the best hotels in Blackpool and is well-situated between the Central and South Piers, less than a 10-minute walk from the Promenade.

Set within the club’s Bloomfield Road Stadium, there’s a lot to like about this hotel, which offers smart wood-paneled rooms with both pitch and city views. One unique aspect I like is that the BFC Hotel is one of the few hotels in the area to feature an on-site spa.

So, if unwinding is a priority, then this is one of the best hotels in Blackpool for relaxation. And as the town is arguably Britain’s party and activity capital, a full body massage might be an inviting (and much-needed) way to spend an afternoon during your stay.

The LGBTQ-friendly Mardi Gras Hotel is a colorful option near Blackpool North train station and shows how welcoming and inclusive this town is. One of the best hotels in Blackpool if you’re looking to let your hair down and party, this lively spot features a 24-hour licensed bar and a pumping dancefloor that gets busy at weekends.

Yes, this is one of the rowdier hotels in town, but Blackpool’s diversity is one of the city’s main strengths and I love how loud and proud the Mardi Gras feels.

Another positive aspect is that the bar here is open to the public, so you’ll meet all sorts of locals during your stay. Check into one of the comfortable rooms and definitely try to visit during Blackpool’s Pride Festival weekend, held every June, to see the Mardi Gras in its exuberant element.