Best Hotels in Sunderland

Where you stay in Sunderland depends on why you are visiting. The seafront at Roker and Seaburn suits a short break by the sea, the city centre suits a show at the Empire or a visit to the university, and the hotel beside the Stadium of Light is the natural base for a match or a concert. Washington, in the west of the city, has a golf and spa hotel close to the A1(M). The hotels below were all trading in 2026. Prices change with demand, and rooms fill quickly on match days and concert nights, so book early and compare rates on each hotel's own website.

The Roker Hotel

The Roker Hotel is on Roker Terrace, above Roker beach and looking towards the pier and lighthouse. It has sea-view rooms and the 1842 Cafe Bistro on the ground floor, which is open to non-residents. The Marine Walk promenade, Roker Park and the cafes along the seafront are all a few minutes away on foot, and buses run into the city centre along the coast road.

Best for: Best for: a seaside stay within walking distance of Roker Pier.

Grand Hotel Sunderland, Seaburn

The Grand Hotel stands on Queens Parade facing Seaburn beach. Its rooms include double sea-view rooms and suites, and guests can use the Health and Leisure Club with its indoor pool, sauna and gym. There is a large car park with around 90 spaces, and the hotel has two places to eat: the Seaview Restaurant and Kawali. The beach and promenade are directly across the road.

Best for: Best for: families and anyone who wants a pool and parking at the seaside.

The Seaburn Inn

For something less formal, The Seaburn Inn on Whitburn Road is a pub with around forty rooms, opened in 2021 by The Inn Collection Group. It faces the beach at the northern end of the seafront, and the bar and restaurant downstairs serve food from breakfast onwards, with a carvery on Sundays. It is a short walk from the start of the coastal path north towards Whitburn.

Best for: Best for: a relaxed pub stay by the beach.

Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland

Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland is on Vaux Brewery Way, right beside the Stadium of Light on the north bank of the Wear. It has 141 bedrooms and the Karbon Grill restaurant, and in April 2026 it marked its tenth anniversary with a refurbishment of the lobby, bar and restaurant. Stadium of Light and St Peter's Metro stations are both close by, and the riverside path east towards St Peter's Church starts nearby. Rooms book up well ahead of big fixtures and stadium concerts, so read our Stadium of Light match day guide before you plan.

Best for: Best for: match days, stadium concerts and business trips.

Premier Inn Sunderland City Centre

The Premier Inn on Hind Street sits opposite the Sunderland Empire, which makes it a convenient choice for a theatre trip. University Metro station is around six minutes' walk away, and the shops of High Street West and The Bridges are close by. Rooms follow the standard Premier Inn format and are booked through its own website or app.

Best for: Best for: a show at the Empire or a visit to the university's City Campus.

Travelodge Sunderland Central

Travelodge Sunderland Central on Low Row is the other city-centre budget option, close to The Bridges, Park Lane Interchange and Sunderland station. It has a small car park of twelve spaces, one of them accessible, charged per 24 hours, and Travelodge points drivers to The Bridges car park when it is full. The restaurant on the ground floor is a separate business rather than part of the hotel.

Best for: Best for: a central, low-cost base close to the station.

Mercure George Washington Hotel, Washington

The George Washington hotel at High Usworth has 125 bedrooms beside its own 18-hole golf course. Guests can use the Montana Spa, indoor pool and gym, there is a driving range, and electric vehicle charging is available on site. It is close to the A1(M) and A194(M), which makes it practical for visitors with a car who want to explore Washington Old Hall, the WWT Washington Wetland Centre or Penshaw Monument. Despite its Newcastle name, it lies inside the City of Sunderland.

Best for: Best for: golf, spa breaks and drivers using the A1(M).

Choosing where to stay

Getting around once you arrive

The Tyne and Wear Metro links the city centre, the stadium and Seaburn, and buses cover Roker and Washington. If you are arriving by car, our guide on where to park in Sunderland covers the city-centre car parks, and getting around Sunderland without a car explains the Metro, buses and cycle routes. For ideas on what to do once you are here, start with things to do in Sunderland and our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide. If you are planning a celebration, see our guide to wedding venues in Sunderland.

Know a hotel we have missed? Get in touch.