8 Best Last-Minute Hotels In The UK

Planning a trip or a holiday can be great fun. Researching places to stay, things to do, and places to eat can really help to build up the excitement.

However, we don’t always have the luxury of having plenty of time to plan and prepare for a trip.

Sometimes, we need to travel at the last minute, or original plans fall through and alternative accommodation has to be found on short notice.

In these cases, it can be helpful to know some of the best last-minute hotels in the UK to help reduce the stress of late planning.

In this article, we will look at some of the best hotels in the UK that are great at dealing with last-minute bookings. 

1. Malmaison, Newcastle

The Malmaison in Newcastle is a wonderful hotel that often has last-minute rooms available. The rooms in the hotel are affordably priced even at short notice which is refreshing.

The hotel is located on the quayside which provides beautiful views of the city and the River Tyne. 

The rooms in the hotel are furnished with the highest quality beds and bathroom fixtures and fittings. Each en suite bathroom features a full-sized bath for you to relax and unwind.

There is also an on-site brasserie where you can grab a bite to eat. There is a spa and gym that all guests are free to enjoy. If you are travelling for business rather than pleasure, there are also meeting rooms that can be booked. 

Pros

• Very reasonable rates, even for extremely last-minute rooms
• High-quality fixtures, fittings, and furnishings in all rooms. 
• The on-site brasserie and bar are perfect for refreshments after long journeys
• Spa and gym facilities that are available to all guests

Cons

• The central location may be noisy at all hours of the day

2. The Resident, Liverpool

Another hotel that is great for last-minute bookings up north is The Resident, Liverpool.

The Resident is ranked number 1 out of 119 hotels in Liverpool on Tripadvisor which is an indicator of how good the quality of the hotel is. This is another central hotel that is within walking distance of the city centre. 

There are 106 rooms in the hotel, some of which are available at short notice a lot of the time. The rooms are furnished with hand-made furniture that was made in London.

Each room also has a mini kitchen, a Nespresso machine, filter taps, and fast WiFi.

Considering the high quality of the hotel rooms, it is no surprise that the last-minute rooms that are available are slightly more expensive than those booked in advance. 

Pros

• High-quality rooms with comfortable furnishings
• Central location close to travel links and amenities
• Ranked number 1 on Tripadvisor
• Plenty of amenities within the rooms

Cons

• High prices for last-minute bookings

3. Travelodge, Manchester, Upper Brook Street

If you are looking for last-minute accommodation on more of a budget, Travelodge can be a great choice.

There are multiple Travelodge locations throughout the UK, however, for this article, we will focus on a Manchester location. As with many Travelodges,

The Upper Brook Street location in Manchester is centrally located within the city. This means that it is convenient for transport links and amenities. 

Travelodge rooms are always fitted with comfortable beds and sofas. There are also en suite facilities that come with basic toiletries such as shampoo and body wash.

Many Travelodge locations also have restaurants on-site or in neighbouring locations.

There aren’t any luxury amenities available at Travelodges, however, the rates for last-minute room bookings are not much higher than earlier bookings. 

Pros

• Consistent pricing no matter how last-minute the booking is
• Comfortable accommodation on a budget
• Well-known and reliable hotel chain 
• Easy booking system even for last-minute bookings

Cons

• Very basic rooms that aren’t ideal for longer stays

4. Hub By Premier Inn, London King’s Cross Hotel

Another budget but comfortable option for last-minute bookings is the Premier Inn. One of the most popular locations of this hotel chain is Hub in London, King’s Cross.

This hotel is constantly improving to ensure that it remains a stylish and modern place for people to stay in the heart of the country’s capital city. 

The rooms are pretty standard, as all Premier Inn rooms are. They feature high-quality furnishings that are comfortable and functional.

Each room has a private bathroom with basic toiletries. There is a lounge area near the entrance that provides comfortable seating and access to a dining room.

The rooms are comfortable but basic which is to be expected at the price point of Premier Inn rooms.

Pros

• Familiar and trustworthy hotel chain
• Prices remain relatively stable even for last-minute bookings
• Every room provides all the basic amenities you would expect
• Mostly central city locations throughout the UK

Cons

• No additional luxury amenities such as spas or gyms

5. Ibis, London, Canning Town

Sticking with the theme of budget UK hotels that offer last-minute bookings for extremely reasonable prices, the Ibis in Canning Town, London is another great option.

There are so many Ibis locations dotted around the country, all of which offer similar amenities.  Despite being an economy hotel, this location manages to be incredibly vibrant and inviting. 

The Ibis is another chain that doesn’t significantly increase its prices when it comes to last-minute bookings. This is the most important trait of last-minute hotels.

One of the best things about the Ibis in Canning Town is the fact that it is a pet-friendly hotel. This makes it perfect for those urgent last-minute trips where pet care isn’t feasible.

Most rooms come with a complimentary breakfast as standard too.

Pros

• Affordable rooms no matter how late you book
• Pet-friendly rooms available upon request
• Complimentary breakfast available as standard in most rooms
• Centrally located for easy access to attractions

Cons

• Basic amenities available in each room

6. EasyHotel, Milton Keynes Central

A slightly lesser-known budget hotel is EasyHotel. The location in Milton Keynes is well-known for its willingness to accommodate last-minute bookings without intense price hikes.

EasyHotels are owned and operated by EasyJet, therefore, they are an extremely budget hotel. They have locations all over the UK that are almost identical to the Milton Keynes location.

All of the rooms in the hotel come with climate control, comfortable beds, a private bathroom, WiFi, charging ports and towels.

It is important to note that not all of the rooms at the hotel have windows. It is likely to be these rooms that are available for last-minute bookings over rooms that do have external windows.

Pros

• Extremely reasonable prices for rooms, even on last-minute bookings
• Central locations are convenient for travel and attractions
• Standard amenities in rooms for comfort and convenience
• Early check-in and late check-out are available

Cons

• Some rooms do not have windows. There are also no food facilities on-site

7. Mollie’s Motel & Diner Bristol

If you want to steer clear of large, budget, chain hotels, Mollie’s Motel & Diner in Bristol is a great choice.

If you are looking for a place to stay in the hub of the South West of England, this could be the perfect place.

There are often rooms available for last-minute bookings and the staff are incredibly helpful to get you booked in and settled as smoothly as possible. 

The prices for last-minute bookings at Mollie’s are slightly higher than they are if you book a room in advance.

However, the price increase isn’t ridiculously high and the rooms are still reasonably affordable. The rooms feature cosy oak finishes, climate control, WiFi, powerful rain showers, a TV, and other essentials. 

Pros

• Reasonable price increases on last-minute bookings keep rooms affordable
• Plenty of standard amenities available as standard in all rooms
• Central location with plenty of local amenities nearby
• On-site diner for refreshments and meals

Cons

• Some people are put off by the “motel” tag instead of “hotel”

8. The Stratford Hotel

If you are on less of a budget, The Stratford Hotel in London is a great last-minute option. The hotel often has last-minute rooms available with only a reasonable price increase applied.

All of the rooms are equipped with incredibly high-quality fixtures and fittings to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

At The Stratford Hotel, all guests have access to the on-site gym and wellness centre. There are also complimentary toiletries available as standard in all rooms and a DUALIT coffee machine.

The rooms also have spacious lounge areas, and comfortable seating, some rooms can even come with branded Stratford hoodies and bathrobes.  

Pros

• Reasonable price increases for last-minute bookings
• Plenty of amenities available as standard in the hotel rooms
• Modern amenities to allow for tech connectivity
• Helpful staff that are happy to help accommodate your needs on short notice

Cons

• Sometimes, the only rooms that are available are the most expensive rooms

Final Thoughts

There are so many hotels around the UK that are perfect for last-minute bookings.

It is important to remember that when you are making a last-minute booking, you will only be able to choose from the rooms that are available at the time.

These are sometimes low quality or conversely, the most expensive. 

Frequently Asked Questions