69 Festing Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, United Kingdom | (888) 708-2081
Handsome
Edwardian house with particularly stylish interiors
Five minutes'
walk from Southsea beachfront
Stylish rooms with individual character and modern bathrooms
L’Occitane
products and goose feather bedding
Excellent
breakfast included in rate
Free Wi-Fi and
on-site parking (though limited)
Rooms advertised as small are very small
Few on-site facilities
The 11-room Number Four
Boutique Hotel treads that fine line between sophisticated boutique and
high-end guesthouse. While there's very little in the way of hotel facilities,
interiors are beautifully finished throughout. Rooms are individually styled and inviting with modern bathrooms. The location feels a little out of the way and the immediate
area is not particularly interesting, though Southsea beach is a short walk away. For
the quality of the rooms, rates are very reasonable and cheaper than the very
similar -- though slightly sexier and adult-only -- Clarence Hotel across town.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Impeccably tasteful boutique behind early 20th-century red brick townhouse
The Number Four Boutique Hotel occupies a
large Edwardian red brick townhouse typical of the area and derives its name
from being the fourth in the Mercer Collection group of hotels (all of which
are within a short distance of each other). Stepping inside, the quality of the
hotel's interiors are immediately apparent -- a smart and classy black-and-white
reception area sets the tone for the rest of the property. Things
get a little more lavish in the front lounge, where chic contemporary touches
blend with plush velvet furnishings in a 21st-century take on traditional
styling. Polished black herringbone flooring leads to a
small-but-perfectly-formed bar, while guests follow charcoal carpets up to one
of three floors -- the period property not allowing for an elevator. The atmosphere is polished and peaceful.
Location
Residential neighborhood two miles from station but minutes' walk from Southsea beachfront
The hotel is located on a relatively quiet,
wide residential street in the Southsea area of the city of Portsmouth. There's a high street five
minutes' walk away with a few restaurants and shops. Just a minute away on foot
is a large park with Portsmouth's Natural History Museum and Southsea Model
Village, while the other side is the Southsea's beachfront esplanade. Under 10
minutes' drive away can be found Portsmouth's historic dockyard and the
Gunwharf Quays -- with numerous outlet stores, restaurants, bars, and cafés --
as well as ferries to the Isle of Wight. Portsmouth and Southsea train
station connects directly to London and is about two miles from the hotel -- so
a cab is recommended -- while Portsmouth's main ferry terminal is about 10 minutes away by car with connections to Spain and Jersey.
Rooms
Fresh and impeccably finished rooms with goose feather bedding and fancy toiletries
No two of the
hotel's 11 rooms are the same, though all are finished in fresh, neutral tones
with smart contemporary furnishings and an impressive attention to detail. Due
to the nature of the building rooms vary in size and those advertised as small
really are, while Superior rooms are particularly spacious. Bathrooms also vary
in finish, from traditional white tile to marble, while some have in-room tubs
others have roomy walk-in showers -- all come with high-end L’Occitane toiletries. Goose feather duvets and pillows also add further touches of luxury
while free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs also come as standard. Lovely patterned wallpaper adds to the sophisticated feel.
Features
Free cooked-to-order breakfast, Wi-Fi, and limited on-site parking
The Number Four
serves an excellent cooked-to-order breakfast each morning in the basement --
though surprisingly bright -- dining room (and is included in the room rate).
There is also a small bar area with
Chesterfield armchairs and a playful wine-glass chandelier and drinks can also be take in the plush
lounge with open fire and velvet furnishings. The hotel also encourages guests
to dine at its nearby off-site restaurant. Both Wi-Fi and parking are free of charge to guests, but parking spaces
are a mix of off-road and street spots.
