Big is Beautiful at the St Paul’s Sheffield

St Paul’s Sheffield  – the Big Boutique Hotel

St Paul’s Sheffield is a relative newcomer on the scene having opened its doors in 2005. You really could not ask for a better location slap bang in the heart of the old City next to the Town Hall and the amazing Peace Gardens.

It may look like a typical chain, business hotel from the outside but appearances can be deceiving and St Paul’s is a big hotel with a boutique heart.

From the minute you drop your car off at the valet station, and wander into the airy reception, you will realise this is not your typical business property.

It is bright, it is bold and it is a fun place to stay! Just minutes from a selection of eateries in and around the Peace Gardens and Leopold Square, you will be spoiled for choice for dining and drinking options. Some of my personal favourites are the Genting Club, (not a gentleman’s club as I thought when it first opened) an upmarket casino with classy bar and dance floor, Browns, and of course the Champagne Bar at St Paul’s Sheffield.

I have already waxed lyrical about this drinking bar in a guest post on TravelCandy so be sure to check that out, especially if you are currently wondering why you should come and visit Sheffield at all. There is definitely more to this city than just steel!

So let me share with you the little things I love about the St Paul’s Sheffield which, for me, makes it feel more like a boutique hotel than a big hotel (it has 163 rooms if you were wondering!)

Reception

The welcome you receive on entering this hotel is superb. From the cleaning staff to the bar staff, reception to the spa, everyone stops to greet you and say hello. Better yet, it has the coolest decor so atypical of many corporate hotels. Look at these funky chairs and table. They are just too cool for school.

To showcase Sheffield’s snooker heritage, they are overlooked by an art commission depicting a giant snooker table. After all, the Crucible is just a short walk through the Winter Gardens. So close, you will barely get wet on a rainy day!

Hotel Rooms

The cool vibes continue in the bedrooms which have been recently refurbished. Super king size beds await you (always guaranteed to bring a smile to my face!) with views over the Peace Gardens and Town Hall or the Winter Gardens.

Both are sublime, and frankly I don’t think I will ever tire of watching kids debating whether to risk running through the shooting fountains in the Peace Gardens! I almost feel the inclination to do a mad dash through them myself, but it is winter!

Our room has a great view of the gardens so I am able to indulge myself for a while. If gothic architecture is your thing, the Town Hall of Sheffield is a real gem. It looks like something straight out of the Pied Piper of Hamelin!

Even if it is grey and wet in December, the Christmas market around the corner will soon brighten your day. Jam packed with stalls selling all kinds of fudge, jewellery, Christmas jumpers and mouth-watering sausages and treats, it makes a fun outing if you can tear yourself away from that Champagne Bar, or the comfort of your room. St Paul’s Sheffield sure does have comfy beds!

We were super stoked in our room to find a little Christmas indulgence too!

Panoramic Corner Suites

If you fancy splashing the cash and upgrading, there are two panoramic corner suites. These include a bedroom and lounge allowing you to enjoy the views of both the Winter Gardens and the Peace Gardens. Double bubble!

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Winter Gardens are anything but wintery. They are in fact, a sub-tropical greenhouse next to the hotel and directly accessible from reception. You can easily imagine yourself in some tropical jungle in here, even when it is cold and grey outside. Here’s a picture to prove it. I love this place!

Champagne Time

Once you have soaked up the views, head to the Champagne bar, which looks even more gorgeous when decorated for Christmas. Spangly, purple stars hang from the ceiling and bright decorations adorn each table. The only problem is tearing yourself away to explore.

What Else?

The hotel has an airy dining room overlooking the Winter Gardens where you can enjoy a full cooked breakfast and continental options.

There’s ballrooms in the basement where you can enjoy a ‘Hollywood Themed Night,’ ‘Rat Pack’ celebration, or even get married. There are certainly plenty of great photo opportunities around the hotel!

Then there’s the spa…

The Spa

Now I must confess that this is my third stay and I have still have not managed to visit the spa. It looks pretty lovely but the lure of all that excitement on the doorstep is simply too much temptation. All thoughts of being healthy usually disappear the minute I set eyes on the Champagne Bar!!

Of course, if you were to visit for a weekend, you would be much better placed to enjoy the spa.

Big is the new boutique at St Paul’s Sheffield

So yes, I think the hotel feels more like a boutique hotel than a typical chain. It has cool decor, great service, the perfect location in Sheffield and it is great value, with rooms available from £72.90 in January (or only £126.90 for those fabulous suites!)

Heading to Sheffield for a night out or on business in the near future? Then check out St Paul’s Sheffield. It’s a short walk from the station, and has a great bar and restaurant to keep you wined and dined.

What do you think?

Maybe you have stayed at the St Paul’s Sheffield. If so, what do you think? Pop any thoughts in the box below as we love to chat!

Disclaimer: We stayed courtesy of St Paul’s Sheffield however all views are our own and unedited. This is my third stay at the hotel, and both previous stays were booked and paid for by us. A true endorsement for any hotel is repeat visitors and I would recommend this hotel to anyone without hesitation.