A Must-Stay Hotel Before Boarding Your Cruise in Southampton!!!.
Our itinerary this time mainly had us staying in Southampton, UK. So, why did we choose voco Southampton? Well, the hotel used to be a Holiday Inn, but after the upgrade, it has a distinctively fresh vibe with enhanced design and artistic touches, making it the top accommodation choice for many cruise passengers. I highly recommend that if you're planning a cruise, whatever you do, don't just arrive on the day of departure. Stay a night at voco, and you can leisurely head over to board the ship the next day—it makes for a much more relaxing trip!
The hotel is located right on Herbert Walker Ave. Step out the door, and you'll see its ultra-modern exterior, which looks quite stunning against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds. It's close to the city center, so you're just a short walk away from major shopping malls, restaurants, and tourist landmarks—super convenient! Most importantly, the hotel is just an easy stroll from the Southampton cruise terminals, saving you all the hassle and exhaustion of traveling to and from the ship. It's super chill.
Speaking of breakfast, they really deliver here. Every morning features an English buffet spread complete with eggs, sausages, and the classic black pudding, offering a hearty, warm start to the day. The setup is thoughtful but unfussy, with convenient and quick self-serve beverage machines in a nice, clean environment.
The guest rooms have a modern aesthetic and are spacious and spotless. As for soundproofing, although many say you might hear some noise because it's close to the port, the floor I was on wasn't loud at all. Once you close the windows and pop in earplugs at night, you barely notice a thing. The room service is also incredibly attentive. The front desk staff, in particular, are super fast at handling check-ins and member benefits, and they happily accommodated all of our little requests.
For sightseeing, I definitely recommend the Southampton Town Walls & Tudor House (just a 10-minute walk away), or you can walk a little further to the Westquay shopping center, so you won't ever get bored. At night, you can snap some great close-up architectural shots on the main road right outside the hotel—the views are top-notch.
A few quick tips for everyone:
1. It's best to arrive a day early for your cruise to avoid any transit delays and check in with peace of mind.
2. Book your room early! voco fills up extremely fast, especially during the peak cruise season.
3. If you want a great breakfast experience, make sure to try the black pudding for a super authentic local taste.
4. If you're a super light sleeper looking for extreme quiet, request a room facing the inner courtyard, as the port-view rooms can be slightly noisy.