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4- and 5-star hotels in Ely
This shortlist covers the 4- and 5-star hotels in Ely, from riverside inns to town-centre houses and converted barns. It is for travellers who want a comfortable base in this small cathedral city and its surrounding villages.
Staying in Ely
The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel is on Sandhill in Littleport, The Old Hall Ely is at Stuntney, and Barrow Barn is listed simply at Ely. In the city, The Royal Standard is on Fore Hill, Poets House is on St Marys Street, Nyton Hotel is on Barton Road, and The Lazy Otter and The Three Pickerels are both on Cambridge Road and Bridge Road respectively. Others are further out: Baileys At Springfields on Ely Road at Little Thetford, Grove Barn at Sutton Gault and The Gate House on Lynn Road at Littleport. That spread suits different trips. Couples and short-break visitors will find the town-centre addresses convenient, while families are served by hotels with family rooms, cots and gardens, and guests arriving by car are helped by the free car parking listed at most properties. Business travellers have 24-hour front desk and business centre facilities at Poets House.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel
1 Sandhill Littleport, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Bar/Lounge
Why stay hereA 5-star address on Sandhill in Littleport, The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel gives guests a bar and lounge alongside a restaurant and a garden with river frontage. Family rooms, free car parking and free wifi suit groups and couples who want entertainment on site rather than a quiet retreat.
See The Swan A Colombo Edition HotelBaileys At Springfields
Ely Road Little Thetford Little Thetfordely Cb6 3Hj, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereBaileys At Springfields is a 5-star stay on Ely Road in Little Thetford, kept simple: free wifi, free car parking and non smoking rooms throughout. Special diets are catered for, which makes it a practical base for guests with specific food requirements. It suits travellers who want an uncomplicated, no-frills 5-star room and their own transport for exploring the fenland around Ely.
See Baileys At SpringfieldsBarrow Barn
Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereBarrow Barn is a 5-star self-catering option in Ely, with a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and garden for longer stays. Towels, a TV and a shower are provided, and there is free wifi, free car parking and a garage. Non smoking rooms and first aid on site round it out. Best for families or small groups who prefer cooking their own meals and settling in for several nights.
See Barrow BarnVineyard's Apartment
27 The Vineyards_X000d__X000d__X000d_, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereVineyard's Apartment, a 5-star property on The Vineyards in Ely, is built for independent stays: a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and garden, plus towels and a TV. Garage and free car parking sit alongside free wifi, and the apartment is non smoking. It suits couples or families who want the run of a whole place and easy parking while using Ely as a base.
See Vineyard's ApartmentThe Old Hall Ely
Stuntney, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereThe Old Hall Ely in Stuntney is a 4-star hotel with the strongest guest score on this list, 4.8 out of 5 from 728 reviews. Guests get a restaurant and bar, a garden and terrace, concierge service and luggage storage, with free wifi and free car parking. Wheelchair accessible, non smoking and with banquet space, it fits celebrations and travellers who want polished service just outside the city.
See The Old Hall ElyAnchor Inn
Bury Ln Ely England Cb6 2Bd, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereAnchor Inn on Bury Lane is a 4-star inn with 4.4 out of 5 from 246 reviews. Its 1 to 50 rooms include sofa beds and cribs, so families are easily accommodated, and there are lifts and wheelchair access. A shuttle service and free car parking make arrivals straightforward, and laundry service is on hand. Pets are not allowed. A good fit for guests wanting a small, well-rated base with transport help.
See Anchor InnGrove Barn
Bury Lane Sutton Gault Sutton Gaultelycambridgeshire Cb6 2Bd, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereGrove Barn on Bury Lane in Sutton Gault is a 4-star property rated 4.7 out of 5, though from only 23 reviews. Breakfast is served, and there is a terrace and garden-style outdoor space to use, along with free wifi and free car parking. A safe is provided in the room and the property is wheelchair accessible. It suits travellers who value a high score and a quiet village setting over extensive facilities.
See Grove BarnThe Royal Standard
24 Fore Hill, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereThe Royal Standard on Fore Hill is a 4-star hotel with air conditioning, a restaurant and a bar, rated 4.2 out of 5 across 744 reviews. Rooms have desks, coffee and hairdryers, with free wifi and free car parking. Fishing, horse riding, squash, tennis and water sports are all offered on site, so it appeals to active guests who want sport and dining within one address.
See The Royal StandardThe Lazy Otter
Cambridge Road, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Bar/Lounge
Why stay hereThe Lazy Otter on Cambridge Road is a 4-star hotel with a bar and lounge, a restaurant and breakfast service, scoring 4.1 out of 5 from 216 reviews. Free internet access is available in the lounge, and the garden gives guests somewhere to sit outdoors. It is a non-smoking hotel. A straightforward choice for travellers who want dining and a drink on site without a large property.
See The Lazy OtterNyton Hotel
7 Barton Road, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereNyton Hotel on Barton Road is a 4-star hotel with family rooms, a garden and a restaurant, rated 3.5 out of 5 from 128 reviews. Rooms include a bath or shower, desk, coffee, hairdryer and TV, and there is free wifi and free car parking. Pets are allowed, which sets it apart locally. It suits guests travelling with a dog or needing extra beds for children.
See Nyton HotelPoets House
40 44 St Marys Street, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay herePoets House on St Marys Street is a 4-star hotel in the centre of Ely, with air conditioning, a restaurant and bar, room service and a 24 hour front desk. Bathrobes and slippers, a desk and coffee are provided, along with free wifi and free car parking. Banquet space and business centre facilities make it work for both leisure stays and events.
See Poets HouseThe Gate House
2B Lynn Road Littleport Ely England Cb6 1Qg, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereThe Gate House on Lynn Road in Littleport is a 4-star property offering breakfast, a garden and a reception area, with lifts for access. Free internet access is available in the lounge and there is free car parking on site. It keeps things compact and quiet, making it a reasonable choice for guests who want a simple 4-star stay with parking and breakfast included.
See The Gate HouseThe Three Pickerels
19 Bridge Road, Ely, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Three Pickerels on Bridge Road is a 4-star hotel with a restaurant, bar and garden, plus river frontage and a terrace. Family rooms are available, and rooms come with a balcony, coffee, minibar, refrigerator and hairdryer, with free wifi and free car parking. The combination of riverside setting and family rooms suits couples and families wanting meals and drinks on site.
See The Three Pickerels
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Baileys At Springfields | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Barrow Barn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Vineyard's Apartment | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| The Old Hall Ely | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Anchor Inn | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Grove Barn | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| The Royal Standard | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| The Lazy Otter | ★★★★ | – | Yes |
| Nyton Hotel | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Poets House | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| The Gate House | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| The Three Pickerels | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Close to the centre
These four sit on Ely streets: The Royal Standard on Fore Hill, Nyton Hotel on Barton Road, Poets House on St Marys Street and The Three Pickerels on Bridge Road. They put you in the city rather than out in the villages, which is what most short-break visitors want.
The Royal Standard · Nyton Hotel · Poets House · The Three Pickerels
For families
The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel lists family rooms along with a games room and garden; Nyton Hotel and The Three Pickerels both list family rooms. All three add practical touches such as cots, sofas or refrigerators, and each has free car parking.
The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel · Nyton Hotel · The Three Pickerels
Best rated
Guest ratings put The Old Hall Ely highest at 4.8 out of 5 from 728 reviews, then Grove Barn at 4.7 from 23 reviews and Anchor Inn at 4.4 from 246 reviews. Choose these if other guests' verdicts matter most to you.
For drivers and pets
Free car parking appears widely, but these three add useful extras: Nyton Hotel is the one property here listing pets allowed; Barrow Barn and Vineyard's Apartment each offer a garage, kitchen, washing machine and garden, which suits longer self-catering stays.
Where to stay in Ely
Littleport
Littleport is named in the addresses of The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel on Sandhill and The Gate House on Lynn Road. Both are 5- and 4-star properties with free car parking, which makes the village a practical base if you are arriving by car and prefer quieter surroundings to the city streets.
Our picks here: The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel · The Gate House
Stuntney
The Old Hall Ely is addressed at Stuntney, a separate village setting outside the city. It is the highest-rated hotel on this shortlist at 4.8 out of 5, and its facilities include a restaurant, bar, garden, terrace and wheelchair access, all with free car parking.
Our picks here: The Old Hall Ely
Little Thetford
Baileys At Springfields is addressed on Ely Road at Little Thetford and at Little Thetfordely. This 5-star property lists free car parking, free wifi and special diets, so it suits guests who want a village base with dietary needs catered for.
Our picks here: Baileys At Springfields
Plan your stay
When to go
Ely is a cathedral city in the Cambridgeshire fens, and the hotels here range from town-centre addresses to village settings such as Littleport, Stuntney, Little Thetford and Sutton Gault. The site offers no seasonal guidance, so plan around the general seasons: spring and autumn are mild, summer brings the longest days for the city and its riverside, and winter is the quietest. Travellers should check opening details for individual hotels directly, as the site lists only their facilities and guest ratings.
Questions, answered
Which Ely hotel is closest to the city centre?
Several are addressed on streets within Ely: The Royal Standard on Fore Hill, Poets House on St Marys Street, Nyton Hotel on Barton Road and The Three Pickerels on Bridge Road. Of these, The Royal Standard and Poets House sit closest to the historic heart of the city.
Which hotels in Ely have free parking?
Free car parking is listed at The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel, Baileys At Springfields, Barrow Barn, Vineyard's Apartment, The Old Hall Ely, Anchor Inn, Grove Barn, The Royal Standard, Nyton Hotel, Poets House, The Gate House and The Three Pickerels.
Can I bring my pet to a hotel in Ely?
Nyton Hotel on Barton Road is the one property on this shortlist that lists pets allowed, and it also offers a garden and free car parking. Anchor Inn, by contrast, states that pets are not allowed.
Which Ely hotel has the best guest rating?
The Old Hall Ely at Stuntney scores 4.8 out of 5 from 728 reviews, the highest on this shortlist. Grove Barn follows at 4.7 from 23 reviews, then Anchor Inn at 4.4 from 246 reviews and The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel at 4.2 from 787 reviews.
Do any Ely hotels have a pool or spa?
None of the hotels on this shortlist lists a pool or spa in its facilities. The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel does list a pool bar, alongside a garden, terrace, games room and karaoke, while other properties focus on restaurants, bars and gardens.
Which Ely hotels are good for families?
The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel lists family rooms, a games room, a garden and a sofa bed. Nyton Hotel and The Three Pickerels also list family rooms, and The Old Hall Ely adds wheelchair access, a cot at Poets House and cribs at Anchor Inn.
Which Ely hotels suit business travellers?
Poets House on St Marys Street lists a business centre, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour security, copy facilities and dry cleaning, plus a restaurant and lounge. The Royal Standard and The Old Hall Ely also provide desk space and restaurant facilities for working stays.
Do the Ely hotels serve breakfast or dinner?
Breakfast appears at Grove Barn, The Lazy Otter and The Gate House, while breakfast in room is listed at Poets House. Restaurants are listed at The Swan A Colombo Edition Hotel, The Old Hall Ely, The Royal Standard, The Lazy Otter, Nyton Hotel, Poets House and The Three Pickerels.