Last Minute Hotels for Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival, held at Cheltenham Racecourse, is one of the most famous occasions in the UK horse racing calendar, along with the Royal Ascot and the Grand National. This year, it’s taking place from 14th - 17th March, but if you haven’t booked yet, don’t worry - there are still various tickets and hospitality packages available on The Jockey Club website. Gates open at 10:30 daily, with the first race at 13:30 and the last at 17:30.

Where should I stay for the Cheltenham Festival?

As you can imagine, Cheltenham's intimate and friendly spa town, located just on the edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, gets inundated with visitors during the Cheltenham Festival. It's why most horse racing ticket holders prefer to book their hotel in Cheltenham well in advance and avoid a last-minute panic!

However, if you're not one of those super-organised people, there's no need to worry. Finding last-minute hotels for Cheltenham Festival on the Plans Change website is still possible. So whether you're looking for an overnight stay, a couple of nights away, or you're planning to stay in Cheltenham for the entire festival, all you need to do is type in 'Cheltenham,' search your dates, and we'll show you the nearest hotels at the best prices.

Last minute hotels for Cheltenham Festival

To help you find last-minute hotels for Cheltenham Festival, we’ve put together a quick guide to some local hotels that still have some availability at the time of writing this blog post. There’s a range of hotels to suit all budgets, but be quick - they’ll get booked quickly!

DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham

Nestled in a tranquil and idyllic setting overlooking Lilley Brook Golf Course, DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham is a 4-star hotel offering a luxury stay during the Cheltenham Festival. This charming hotel is just 2 miles from Cheltenham Town Centre, 3.5 miles from Cheltenham Racecourse and an excellent base for exploring more of The Cotswolds. Benefit from free hotel parking and easy transport links into the city centre via bus. Retire to an elegantly designed guest room with plush beds, a flat-screen TV and complimentary WiFi after a busy day at the festival or go all out with a deluxe room booking, promising lovely garden views and extra indulgences!

Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre

Stay closer to Cheltenham Racecourses at Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre, just 1 mile away! This budget-friendly hotel is a great choice for those looking for cheap accommodation for Cheltenham Festival. It has all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay, including flat-screen satellite TVs, power showers, a complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast and free use of the nearby Fitness First gym.

Central Hotel Cheltenham

The 3-star Central Hotel Cheltenham is another budget-friendly option, offering an inexpensive stay without sacrificing quality or comfort. Its central location is just a 4-minute drive from Cheltenham Racecourse, and you’re also ideally placed for visiting high street shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Malmaison Cheltenham

If you’re happy to splash out on race day hospitality, a stay at Malmaison Cheltenham will be worth every penny. This stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Cheltenham offers chic and spacious rooms, first-class amenities, charm, and character to boot.

During Cheltenham Festival, the restaurant hosts contemporary dining experiences at Chez Mal, with a bespoke collection of carefully curated dishes by executive chef John Woodward. There will also be live music on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March, with performances by Irish Folk band Life O’Reilly. Reservations and tickets must be booked in advance directly from Malmaison.

Beaumont House

If you’re looking to stay outside the city centre, Beaumont House is a cosy boutique guest house offering a range of elegantly designed guest rooms and luxury accommodation. All rooms have en-suite bedroom facilities, flat-screen TVs with digital channels and free WiFi. For extra special stays, you can opt for one of the luxury rooms, which have uniquely themed decor, whirlpool baths and the addition of a mini bar!

Beaumont House is a 5-minute drive from Cheltenham city centre and a 9-minute drive to the race course.

Hotel Du Vin Cheltenham

Hotel Du Vin is one of Cheltenham's most luxurious boutique hotels, boasting beautiful rooms and suites, modern, classic bistro dining and the perfect location for exploring the city, visiting The Cotswolds and attending Cheltenham Races.

During the 4-day festival, Hotel Du Vin is hosting evening dining experiences at its trademark Bistro, live music on Tuesday 14th and Friday 17th and offering private hire dining rooms, perfect for post-race dinner parties with friends. Book dining directly to avoid disappointment.

Re-sell your Cheltenham Races hotel room with Plans Change

Here at Plans Change, we understand that even when you’ve planned a trip or event meticulously, you can’t account for things beyond your control. So, if you have booked a hotel room for Cheltenham Races that you can no longer use - for whatever reason, we can help you get your money back!

All you need to do is list your hotel room on our marketplace at either the same price you initially booked for or a discounted rate. The cheaper you price your hotel room and the better deal you offer, the more likely it’ll get snapped up, and you’ll get some of your money back. A captive audience will be looking for last-minute hotel rooms for Cheltenham Races, so get it listed as soon as possible. At Plans Change, we can re-sell your hotel room to a buyer up to the point of check-in, so if your plans really do change at the last minute, there’s still a chance you won’t be left out of pocket!

Registration and listing your hotel room is 100% free. We’ll only charge you a small fee once your hotel room sells, and we’ll let you know how much that will be upfront. Visit our ‘How it works’ page to learn more, and list your reservation on our hotel resale marketplace today!