Home/Where to stay/Darlington/4- and 5-star hotels
4- and 5-star hotels in Darlington
A shortlist of the 4- and 5-star hotels in Darlington, drawn from 15 properties rated by guests. It is for couples, families and business travellers choosing between town-centre addresses and country-house stays within easy reach of the town.
Staying in Darlington
Darlington is a market town in County Durham, with a compact centre of shopping streets, bars and restaurants and a railway heritage that makes it a natural stop between the North East and Yorkshire. Visitors come for the town itself, for Teesside and the Yorkshire Dales beyond it, and for the country-house hotels set in the surrounding villages and countryside.
The hotels on this shortlist divide between those in the town centre, such as The Boot & Shoe, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel and Houndgate Townhouse, and those on the edge or in the wider district, including Blackwell Grange Hotel, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington, Rockliffe Hall Hotel at Hurworth On Tees, Redworth Hall Hotel at Redworth, and a group of cottages and lodges at Staindrop Road, Ingleton and Coniston Street. Couples tend to favour the spa and country-house properties, families the hotels with family rooms and cottages with kitchens, and business travellers the central addresses within 0.2 km to 0.9 km of the centre.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Rockliffe Hall Hotel
Hurworth On Tees, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereRockliffe Hall Hotel is the only 5-star address here, set at Hurworth On Tees about 5.1 km from the centre. Golfers get their own course, and there is both an indoor and an outdoor pool alongside a fitness centre and spa treatments. Rooms come with air conditioning and a balcony or patio, and families are catered for with family rooms. With 1431 reviews and a 4.6 rating, it suits guests who want a full resort stay within easy reach of Darlington.
See Rockliffe Hall HotelThe Boot & Shoe
2 Church Row, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Step-free access
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Boot & Shoe sits on Church Row, 0.1 km from the centre, so you are right in the middle of Darlington. Free Wifi and luggage storage cover the practical side, and there is a smoking area plus wheelchair access. Rated 4.6 from 450 reviews, this 4-star base suits guests who would rather walk to everything than drive.
See The Boot & ShoeProperty Hunter 25
25 Roberts Walk, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereProperty Hunter 25 on Roberts Walk is a self-contained 4-star option 0.9 km from the centre, with a kitchen, washing machine and free car parking. A garden and patio add outdoor space, and free Wifi and a TV keep things comfortable indoors. Its guest rating of 4.8 comes from 33 reviews, so it fits travellers who want an apartment-style stay with their own cooking and laundry facilities.
See Property Hunter 25Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking
10 Dene Grove, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereDacama at Dene Grove pairs a patio with 2 free parking spaces, 1.6 km from the centre. The kitchen includes a dishwasher, oven and microwave, and a washing machine handles laundry, while room service is also available. Pets are allowed and cots are provided, making it practical for families or guests travelling with a dog. A 5.0 rating from 22 reviews marks it out among the smaller properties here.
See Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free ParkingBlackwell Grange Hotel
Blackwell Grange, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereBlackwell Grange Hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, combines an indoor pool and fitness centre with a spa, sauna and Jacuzzi. Dining is covered by a restaurant and bar, with breakfast available in your room and special diets catered for. A 4.3 rating from 1311 reviews reflects its established following. It suits guests who want leisure facilities and full hotel service close to town.
See Blackwell Grange HotelRedworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection
Redworth, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereRedworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection lies 10.1 km from the centre in Redworth, an indoor pool and fitness centre at its core, plus a Jacuzzi, massage and pool bar. Guests can eat in the restaurant or bar, order breakfast in the room, or use the business centre, and family rooms are available. With 2509 reviews and a 4.2 rating, it works for those wanting a country-house setting with extensive facilities.
See Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn CollectionHotel Bannatyne Darlington
Southend Avenue, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereHotel Bannatyne Darlington on Southend Avenue is 0.7 km from the centre and built around its spa, which includes a steam room and massage treatments. Family rooms, a restaurant and bar, and breakfast in the room are all on hand, and free parking is provided. The 4.2 rating comes from 976 reviews, so it suits guests who want a spa-led stay within walking distance of the town.
See Hotel Bannatyne DarlingtonConiston Street
28 Coniston Street Darlington, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereConiston Street offers a 4-star house 1.6 km from the centre, with a kitchen including a dishwasher, oven and microwave, plus a washing machine and free parking. A terrace and free Wifi round it off. Housekeeping is provided, and the 4.5 rating from 20 reviews points to a well-kept base for guests who prefer self-catering with their own outdoor space.
See Coniston StreetMercure Darlington Kings Hotel
9 12 Priestgate, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Parking
- Breakfast
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereMercure Darlington Kings Hotel on Priestgate is the closest listed property to the centre at 0.2 km. There is a restaurant, bar and room service, with breakfast in the room also available, and a garage and parking for drivers. A 3.9 rating from 670 reviews covers this 4-star town-centre option, which suits guests who want to step out directly into Darlington.
See Mercure Darlington Kings HotelHoundgate Townhouse
11 Houndgate Darlington Dl1 5Rf, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Family rooms
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereHoundgate Townhouse stands on Houndgate, 0.2 km from the centre, and pairs a restaurant and bar with breakfast in the room. Family rooms, a garden and a terrace give it a residential feel, and wheelchair access is provided. Special diets are catered for, and slippers and bathrobes come as standard. It suits guests who want a small townhouse stay right in the middle of Darlington.
See Houndgate TownhouseWayside Cottage
Wayside Cottage North Green Staindrop, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereWayside Cottage at North Green in Staindrop is 17.5 km from the centre, a 4-star cottage with a fireplace, garden and kitchen including an oven, microwave and refrigerator. Fishing and a golf course are nearby, pets are allowed and parking is free. It suits guests looking for a quiet rural base away from town.
See Wayside CottageEllaberry
Marley Moor Farm Ingleton, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereEllaberry at Marley Moor Farm in Ingleton, 14.9 km from the centre, is a 4-star property with a fireplace, garden and full kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. Free car parking is provided and the whole place is non smoking. It fits guests who want a farm-based countryside stay with their own cooking and living space.
See EllaberryFoxes Den
Alwent Hall Staindrop Road Winston, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereFoxes Den on Staindrop Road in Winston is 15.3 km from the centre and offers a Jacuzzi alongside a garden and kitchen with microwave, refrigerator and toaster. Pets are allowed and parking is free. This 4-star cottage suits guests who want a rural retreat with a hot tub and room for a dog.
See Foxes DenOtters Holt
Alwent Hall Staindrop Road Winston, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereOtters Holt shares the Alwent Hall setting on Staindrop Road in Winston, 15.3 km from the centre, and adds a Jacuzzi to a garden and kitchen with microwave and refrigerator. Fishing and a golf course are available nearby, pets are welcome and parking is free. It is a 4-star countryside base for guests who want outdoor pursuits and a hot tub at the end of the day.
See Otters HoltBadgers Sett
Alwent Hall Staindrop Road Winston, Darlington, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereBadgers Sett is a 4-star cottage at Alwent Hall near Winston, 15.3 km from the centre. A jacuzzi and garden give it a relaxed feel, and the kitchen includes a microwave and refrigerator, with free car parking on site. Fishing and a golf course are nearby, and pets are allowed. It suits guests who want a countryside stay with outdoor activities close at hand.
See Badgers Sett
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockliffe Hall Hotel | ★★★★★ | 4.6 | 1,431 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 5.1 km |
| The Boot & Shoe | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 450 | – | – | – | – | 0.1 km |
| Property Hunter 25 | ★★★★ | 4.8 | 33 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.9 km |
| Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking | ★★★★ | 5.0 | 22 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 1.6 km |
| Blackwell Grange Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.3 | 1,311 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 1.5 km |
| Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection | ★★★★ | 4.2 | 2,509 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 10.1 km |
| Hotel Bannatyne Darlington | ★★★★ | 4.2 | 976 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 0.7 km |
| Coniston Street | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 20 | Yes | – | – | – | 1.6 km |
| Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel | ★★★★ | 3.9 | 670 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 0.2 km |
| Houndgate Townhouse | ★★★★ | – | – | – | Yes | – | – | 0.2 km |
| Wayside Cottage | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | Yes | 17.5 km |
| Ellaberry | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | – | 14.9 km |
| Foxes Den | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | Yes | 15.3 km |
| Otters Holt | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | Yes | 15.3 km |
| Badgers Sett | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | Yes | 15.3 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For spa and leisure
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection and Hotel Bannatyne Darlington all list a fitness centre and an indoor pool, and most add a spa, Jacuzzi, sauna or massage. Rockliffe Hall Hotel pairs these with golf, archery and horse back riding; Redworth Hall Hotel adds mini golf and a pool bar.
Rockliffe Hall Hotel · Blackwell Grange Hotel · Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection · Hotel Bannatyne Darlington
For families
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington and Houndgate Townhouse all list family rooms, and the larger properties also provide cots and restaurants. Houndgate Townhouse is 0.2 km from the centre, so older children can walk in, while the country houses give more space to spread out.
Rockliffe Hall Hotel · Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection · Hotel Bannatyne Darlington · Houndgate Townhouse
For business stays
Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, The Boot & Shoe, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington and Blackwell Grange Hotel are all close to the centre, at 0.1 km to 1.5 km, and offer free wifi. The Mercure and Blackwell Grange add business or banquet facilities, dry cleaning and 24-hour front desks for early starts and late arrivals.
Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel · The Boot & Shoe · Hotel Bannatyne Darlington · Blackwell Grange Hotel
For self-catering
Property Hunter 25, Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking, Coniston Street, Ellaberry, Foxes Den, Otters Holt, Badgers Sett and Wayside Cottage all have kitchens with ovens, microwaves and washing machines. Several add a garden, patio or terrace; some allow pets, which suits longer family stays or groups.
Property Hunter 25 · Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking · Coniston Street · Ellaberry · Foxes Den · Otters Holt
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Site text gives no transport times or routes for Darlington, so use the town centre as the reference point: the central hotels lie 0.1 km to 0.2 km from it, and the country houses 5.1 km to 17.5 km away. A car is the practical option for the outlying properties, while the centre and the Blackwell and Southend addresses are close enough to reach on foot from the middle of town.
When to go
There is nothing in the site text about seasons in Darlington. On general grounds, late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable for the gardens, patios and terraces listed at several hotels and cottages, while the indoor pools, spas and fitness centres at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection and Hotel Bannatyne Darlington make the cooler months perfectly workable.
Questions, answered
Which hotels here have parking?
Free car parking is listed at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Property Hunter 25, Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington, Coniston Street, Wayside Cottage, Ellaberry, Foxes Den, Otters Holt and Badgers Sett.
Which hotels have a pool or spa?
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection and Hotel Bannatyne Darlington list an indoor pool and fitness centre, with spa or massage also listed at Blackwell Grange, Redworth Hall, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington and Rockliffe Hall Hotel.
Which hotels allow pets?
Pets are allowed at Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking, Wayside Cottage, Foxes Den, Otters Holt and Badgers Sett. These are the cottage-style properties, most of them with a garden, parking and a kitchen.
Which hotels are best for families?
Family rooms are listed at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington and Houndgate Townhouse. Rockliffe Hall and Redworth Hall also offer outdoor or indoor pools, gardens and restaurants, which helps with children.
Which hotels are closest to the centre?
The closest are The Boot & Shoe and Houndgate Townhouse at 0.2 km, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel at 0.2 km and Hotel Bannatyne Darlington at 0.7 km. Property Hunter 25 follows at 0.9 km, so all five keep the town within a short walk.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this shortlist?
Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking has a guest rating of 5.0 out of 5 from 22 reviews. Rockliffe Hall Hotel and The Boot & Shoe follow at 4.6, and Property Hunter 25 at 4.8 from 33 reviews.
Which hotels have a restaurant or bar?
Restaurants or bars are listed at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, Houndgate Townhouse and Dacama at Dene Grove with Patio and 2 Free Parking.
Which hotels have family rooms and free wifi?
Free wifi is listed at every hotel on this shortlist. Family rooms are at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel Part of the Cairn Collection, Hotel Bannatyne Darlington and Houndgate Townhouse, so those four cover both.