The best hotels in Ely

What are the best hotels in Ely?

Ely is a lovely little cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, with cobbled streets, pretty Georgian houses and an impressive cathedral that dominates the skyline. It’s a great choice for a weekend away, with independent shops, good pubs and plenty of history to explore, while the surrounding fenlands are ideal for a countryside walk. Poets House is our favourite base, bringing a welcome touch of boutique luxury to the city with elegant townhouse interiors, deep copper baths and a buzzy cocktail bar perfect for an evening drink.

Scroll down the page for our full selection of recommended hotels in Ely or, for a look at different areas, read our guide to the best places to stay in Cambridgeshire.

The Best Places to Stay in Ely

For a Romantic Mini-break

• Poets House is a 21 room hotel converted from a row of three Georgian townhouses, just opposite the cathedral. The location is excellent, and the hotel brings a certain bling to Ely — a boutique hotel vibe that this lovely little city was missing! Expect deep copper baths (and butlers who will draw them for you), lots of surfaces that reflect, and fancy toiletries. There's also a buzzing cocktail bar and lounge.

For Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Royal Standard is an historic pub in the centre of town. The pub and its restaurant are popular with locals, and known for good local ales, a classic pub menu, and an eclectic wine list. Upstairs there are five rooms, all individually decorated, but mixing their original features with a contemporary collection of furnishings and colours. Good value too.

For a Countryside Escape

• The Old Hall is an historic, Jacobean manor house turned luxurious, 14 room, adults only B&B. The rooms range from simple singles to rather grand suites with four-poster beds and free-standing baths. There are some lovely antiques set alongside more recently handcrafted furniture, and our favourite rooms have views over the mature gardens. There’s a lovely terrace too.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• London’s airports are Ely’s closest, with London Stansted Airport being just forty five minutes away by rail, or 50 minutes by car. London City Airport is next closest, at about two hours away by train, or around and hour and 20 minutes by car. If you’re coming via London there’s a direct rail route to Ely, leaving from Kings Cross, and taking around an hour and a quarter.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you want to visit Ely when the weather is warm and dry, the best months to visit are May through September. Cambridgeshire gets rain throughout the year, so whenever you’re visiting it’s worth packing your waterproof gear. Ely’s largest events include the Eel Festival, held in May, and Etheldreda’s Fair, which runs for seven days on either side of the 23rd of June.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to see our recommendations for all of the best places to stay in Cambridgeshire,
• Expand a little further to include Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds or Newmarket,
• Or, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.