Stay at The Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke, offering free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, and a bar with comedy events. Near Festival Place and M3 motorway access.
Recent guests highlight the hotel's welcoming staff, central location, and clean, cozy rooms. It suits travelers seeking straightforward accommodation with practical amenities in the town centre, though some traditional elements remain.
GoHotelly doesn't process bookings — we open this property on each partner so you can compare live rates, cancellation rules and loyalty perks side by side.
Some links are affiliate — if you book, GoHotelly may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure.
Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Located on Red Lion Lane in the heart of Basingstoke, The Red Lion Hotel offers straightforward accommodation with a low-key atmosphere. This hotel features event and meeting facilities, including a function room and wedding venue, making it suitable for both business and celebratory occasions. Guests benefit from amenities such as free Wi-Fi, free parking, room service, a restaurant, and a bar known for hosting comedy events.
The property operates check-in from 14:00 and checkout by 11:00, providing a relaxed schedule for visitors. Rooms have been described as clean and comfortable, with a practical, cozy style rather than modern luxury. Friendly and professional staff receive positive mentions, while some reviews note the hotel’s older charm and convenience for town centre access. The accommodation is smoke-free, accessible, kid-friendly, and does not allow pets.
Just a short walk from the Festival Place Shopping Centre and within easy reach of the M3 motorway, the hotel is well placed for exploring Basingstoke’s local attractions. Nearby points of interest include the National Trust’s The Vyne country house, the Milestones Museum with its interactive family exhibits, and Jane Austen’s preserved home. Guests looking for a casual nearby café may visit The Tavern Gaming Cafe, which combines gaming with a comic and cosplay theme.
Travelers arriving via air have options such as Heathrow Airport, approximately a 44-minute drive away, or London Gatwick and Stansted Airports within one to two hours by car or public transit. Within close proximity, several other hotels provide alternatives, ranging from budget to higher-rated options along the town centre. The Red Lion Hotel provides practical accommodation with essential services, appealing to visitors wanting a convenient base close to Basingstoke’s center for work, leisure, or events.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
The Red Lion Hotel is a very nice and cosy place. I spent there 4 nights and the whole staff was very nice professional and friendly at the same time. Room clean with the cleaner very understanding as I was tired and I slept in in the morning and as soon as I left the room around 12 although I got back in 15 minutes after the room was spotless again, bed made up properly and coffee tea and biscuit all replaced again. Plus Sunday night which dinner stops at 8:30pm without realise I went there at 8:25pm they still said yes to me and gave me a tasty steak pie gravy and chips. Point is if you go around Basingstoke Red Lion Hotel is the 1 you wanna check in! Chef Alessio Guaranteed
Clean room, lovely shower and very friendly staff that made me feel welcome.
Stayed at the Red Lion as was seeing a show at The Haymarket. Excellent location for the theatre & restaurants. Very welcoming, attentive staff both in reception & the dining area. Wouldn’t hesitate booking again
Straightforward clean hotel. Ideal for town centre visits as easy parking
Slightly contemporary hotel with old fashioned charm. Excellent location for both shopping and dining oit. Free car park. Reasonably priced breakfast.
Stayed here twice. Once in a double room and then In a superior room Look at booking direct for this warm friendly hotel. Met the lovely deputy manager Wendy at Breakfast, and once Lorraine the manager. Both the reception staff and management are warm and friendly and it feels very safe and homely as a single female traveller. Thanks Wendy for the interesting conversation over Breakfast and in between you giving good service to all. See you again soon. Regards julie
It all depends on what you want or need. I wanted a cozy room as close to town center as possible. I got a large room, clean, on the old side but pleasant. I would call it cozy actually and that is what I usually look for. Also very convenient price wise. I actually enjoyed it. A lot.
I was running late due to work commitments, and the lovely receptionist I spoke to on the phone, I believe Sarah, was so polite, explained clearly how to gain entry to the hotel after 11pm when the doors are locked, which helped to relieve some anxiety around my delay. The night porter was very professional and opened the door promptly, explained everything clearly at check in and asked if I required a wake up call. The room was very comfortable and clean, comfortable bed also! I had a very pleasant stay and would definitely stay there again if I return to the area in the future!
Great staff - from reception who gave a warm welcome to the Lady that looked after the breakfast room they were credit to the Hotel. First Class
Decent enough rooms at a fantastic price. It's right in the town centre. It's now separated from the pub. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The beds are the most comfortable I've slept in for years.
A 7-minute walk from the Festival Place Shopping Centre, this straightforward hotel fronting the old pedestrian street in the town centre is an 8-minute drive from the M3 motorway.
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in United Kingdom. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
1,980 reviews Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton GU34 1SD, United Kingdom
4,742 reviews Vyne Rd, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL, United Kingdom
3,479 reviews Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke RG22 6PG, United Kingdom
Hand-picked alternatives with a comparable feel, size and price band.
Stay at The Royal Hotel in Bideford with airy 17thcentury rooms, river views, free WiFi, petfriendly service, and an elegant re...
Stay at Tŷ Gwyn Hotel, a historic 1636 inn offering free WiFi, breakfast, parking, and dining in scenic BetwsyCoed, close to Sn...
Stay at Esplanade Hotel in ClactononSea featuring simple rooms with sea views, Sunday carvery, free parking, WiFi, and easy acc...
Relax at Highlander Hotel, a 4star stay in Newtonmore featuring free WiFi, parking, petfriendly rooms, and a classic Scottish r...
Victoria Hotel in Hull offers a comfortable 4.4star stay with 47 guest reviews. Located at 36 Hedon Rd, HU9 1LN, United Kingdom, ...
Stay at The Crown Hotel in Penrith, featuring free WiFi, parking, kidfriendly dining, and bar. Explore nearby Ullswater, Lowther...
Stay at Carlton Hotel in Rugby with boutique rooms, free WiFi, restaurant, and parking. Walk 11 minutes to Rugby Art Gallery & Mus...
The Carlton Hotel offers petfriendly rooms, free WiFi, a restaurant, and bar in Forres. Rated 3.9 with 151 reviews, close to Bro...
Stay at The Plough Inn in Congleton cosy rooms, free WiFi, parking, breakfast, and a warm pub. Near Jodrell Bank Observatory and...
Short, honest notes are more useful than long ones. A few sentences about what worked, what surprised you, and who the hotel is best for will go a long way.
