We will be spending our first day and night in Winchester, England. I've read the places to stay in the Fodor's guide, but does anyone have first hand experience with a nice hotel there?

Try Forte Travelodge.

There is the Wessex Hotel right beside the cathedral (bell ringing practice is Wednesday evening), or if you want a touch of old England, there is the Wykham Arms which is a very old inn with rooms and good food. It is in a very old part of Winchester, next to Winchester College.

We were just in Winchester for a day this summer and had a great lunch at the Wykham Arms. We took a look at their little "hotel" across the street, and vowed if we ever get back to Winchester that's where we'd stay. It looked delightful and is in a great location. Not sure about their parking there, so I'd check if that's an issue.

The Wykham Arms sounds good! Does anyone know of a website? I cannot seem to find one. Thank you!

I don't believe the Wykeham Arms has a web site but here is the web site for the page from the AA lodging guide:-http://www.theaa.com:80/hotels/23289.html

Thank you Jan! I was basically trying to find any pictures of the place because we'd like to stay there. <BR> <BR>I did find an e-mail address to write to for reservation info -- in case anyone else might be interested: <BR> <BR>[email protected]

Well this is a first! I used to live literally next door to the Wykeham Arms: It's in Kingsgate St in Wichester, just by the Cathedral Close and has an excellent reputation. For obvious reasons I never stayed there but I have eaten (and drank) there far tooo often for my health). If you can't get in to the main Inn there is an annexe opposite as well, which is after my time. <BR> <BR>Failing that the Hotel du Vins in Southgate St is supposed to be good and the Royal Hotel in Parchment st is highly regarded too. I wouldn't bother with the wessex, the only good thing I can say about the Wessex is that when you're inside it it's the only place you can't see it from! (A small piece of trivia: the 60s hit "winchester CAthedral" was written by an american working on the building of the wessex). <BR> <BR>Plesae email if you would like any more information on my erstwhile next door neighbours.

We went to a wedding very near to Winchester in a beautiful hotel. I think it was called the Botliegh Grange hotel, it was part of the Best Western chain but nothing like a chain hotel can often be. <BR> <BR>Perhaps David has come across it and may be able to comment? <BR> <BR>Kavey

I forgot to mention the Hotel du Vin. It has really excellent food. I much prefer the Wessex to the Royal, but would prefer either the Wykeham or the Hotel du Vin to either of these. I have stayed in both the Wessex and the Hotel du Vin but eaten in the others. The Wessex is a modern building but has views directly over the catherdral. <BR> <BR>The Wykeham is my local too, David!