I'm asked about hotels in Southport more than almost anything else. Usually it's people visiting for The Open, the Flower Show, or a weekend break who want an honest answer rather than a list of sponsored results. Here's the honest answer.
The Grand, Lord Street
The Grand is the obvious starting point. It's Southport's flagship hotel — a beautifully restored Victorian building on Lord Street with proper grandeur, good rooms, and the kind of service that makes you feel like the visit is a special occasion. It books out months in advance for major events, particularly The Open. If you can get a room, it's worth it. If you can't, don't be disappointed — it's usually the last to have availability.
The Bold Hotel, Birkdale
The Bold is my personal favourite for what it does differently. Boutique hotel in Birkdale village — individually styled rooms, strong bar, a restaurant that takes the food seriously. It's a five-minute walk from Royal Birkdale, which makes it the single most sought-after accommodation during Open week. The atmosphere of the place suits people who want character over uniformity. Highly recommended.
The Vincent Hotel, Lord Street
The Vincent is sleek, modern, and sits right on Lord Street. Good rooms, good bar, good location. It's a more contemporary experience than The Grand, which suits some visitors better. Strong for couples who want something stylish and central without the traditional hotel feel. Decent spa facilities.
Premier Inn / chain options
There are several chain hotels in Southport — Premier Inn, Holiday Inn. Reliable, consistent, and considerably cheaper than the independents. If you're visiting for the beach or a family trip rather than an occasion, they do exactly what they're supposed to do. The Premier Inn near Ocean Plaza is the most convenient chain option for the seafront.
What to know before booking
- →For Open week (12–19 July): book now. The town is nearly full. Anything decent is going or gone.
- →For Flower Show (August): book 3–6 months ahead. Less extreme than Open week but still busy.
- →For a regular weekend: most hotels have availability 4–6 weeks out, though the independents fill faster.
- →Birkdale and town centre are the best locations — seafront is good but slightly removed.
🏨The best hotels in Southport are the independents — The Grand, The Bold, and The Vincent. They're more expensive than the chains, but they're also what makes a Southport stay feel like something rather than somewhere you slept.
Attending The Open? We've ranked hotels specifically by distance to Royal Birkdale.
Open 2026 accommodation guide →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
