Name: The William Cecil
Address: High Street St Martins, Grantham
Telephone: 0800 031 8416
Rating: 4

Classic Elegance Steps from Stamford’s Music Scene

Set within the historic Burghley Estate, The William Cecil is a boutique hotel blending old-world charm with modern comforts. Located just a short walk from the heart of Stamford, this elegant retreat offers individually designed rooms with original features and luxury touches like Egyptian cotton sheets and aromatic toiletries. With parklands, deer herds, and Elizabethan architecture nearby, it's a picturesque base for any music-filled getaway.

Why Concert-goers love it

Concert fans appreciate the hotel’s peaceful atmosphere after a high-energy night out. Just a 5-minute walk from Stamford’s center and a 2-minute drive from the A1, it’s easily accessible whether you're catching a gig in town or traveling to nearby venues. The 3pm check-in and 11am check-out times offer flexibility, and the quiet surroundings are ideal for post-show wind-downs.

Who this Hotel is great for

Groups of friends looking for a stylish stay with character

Solo travelers catching a once-in-a-lifetime show

Couples making a romantic weekend of it

Fans who prefer a quieter, more refined retreat after the music ends

Budget-conscious music lovers who still want a touch of luxury

Food and Drink Options

The on-site restaurant serves fresh, seasonal cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, perfect for refueling after a show. While there’s no mention of 24/7 room service, the welcoming bar and elegant dining area offer a relaxed setting for evening bites and drinks. For late-night cravings, Stamford’s eateries are within easy walking distance.

Nightlife Options

While The William Cecil doesn’t feature its own live music, the hotel bar is a cozy place to enjoy a glass from their excellent wine list or a local craft beverage. With Stamford’s pubs, lounges, and bars just minutes away, you’ll have options for both buzzing nightlife and quiet nightcaps.

What People Say

“Charming and full of character—loved the period features in the room.”

“Peaceful and quiet, yet close enough to walk to everything.”

“Really friendly staff and a fantastic breakfast—great after a late night!”

“Comfortable beds and a beautiful setting—ideal for a relaxing weekend.”

Areas for Improvement

While the hotel oozes character, some rooms show their age with quirky layouts or slightly creaky floors—charming to some, a bit inconvenient to others. Also, those craving late-night food might need to venture out, as the in-house options wrap up earlier in the evening.

The Bottom Line

If you’re after a character-filled, peaceful stay within walking distance of Stamford’s venues, The William Cecil hits all the right notes.

The William Cecil Guest Reviews

Overall Average Score:

Very Good (4.5 out of 5)

Write a review

Pleasant

Awful, made worse by lack...

Liked: Manager was helpful relocating us to an alternative property.
Disliked: Poor cleanliness and maintenance. A run down property in need of major refurbishment of rooms and corridors. (Did not try the internal public spaces).The bedroom furniture in room #3 is dilapidated and needs replacing.

Exceptional

Liked: Again this was an excellent stay, very quiet and relaxing, the staff were superb
Disliked: Leaving

Superb

Liked: I've stayed at the William Cecil several times but not for 5 years or so, I very much like the face lift throughout the hotel.
Disliked: The room I was assigned (21) was in the attic and it was a hot sticky day, it was intolerably hot in the room. A large fan was provided but as the lower part of the sliding casement window was permanently fixed shut ( I understand the safety reasons for this) there was no way the fan could draw air from outside! The fan merely circulated the hot air. I spoke to reception who moved me to a smaller ground floor room, this room had opening windows and the supplied fan was able to draw in cooler air. In my opinion unless better arrangements are put in place then room 21 is not suitable for occupation in the warmer months.

Very good

Exceptional

Liked: In the centre of town and had a good car park

The perfect stay

Liked: Really warm welcome and very attentive staff throughout our stay, special thanks to Rachel for making us feel so welcome on arrival. Gorgeous, comfortable rooms, comfortable beds. We booked a table in the restaurant for dinner, Millie’s, it was amazing! Every course was delicious. Breakfast was also great the next morning. Will definitely be back for our yearly family meet up.

Shambolic check in and expensive

Liked: The breakfast was nice with hot and cold to choose from including fresh pastries from Hambletons.
Disliked: The check in was shambolic. I wanted a double room for myself and husband, and an additional double room for my daughter. I requested our rooms to be near during a phone conversation with the receptionist. For some reason this became quite a complicated issue, but I assumed it had been sorted out. During my journey to the hotel, another member of staff called me to check if I still wanted 4 rooms!!!! Why would I need 4 rooms when there were only 3 of us! This staff member sorted that issue out, and mentioned the room numbers adjacent to each other that would be ours. All seemed well, until we arrived only to be told we had different room numbers to the ones I had been told an hour previously ......one of the rooms I was first quoted had been given to someone else! After a long journey following my mothers funeral I was about to give up....why was this seemingly so complicated for staff to deal with when receiving guests and allocating rooms was their job?? My daughter was shown to her room which was lovely, bright with a welcoming letter + info with her name on it, and fresh biscuits in a jar. Myself and my husband were taken to what was to be our small, non-adjacent room which was dark, no welcoming letter+ info, no biscuits, no bottle of water (basically unprepared for guests). Also the blind was broken so it wouldn't pull up making the room dark. The shower room was small and the shower itself was tiny and grubby.