Portsmouth attractions, hotels and restaurants in top 10% worldwide

Now is the time of year when TripAdvisor reveals its Travellers' Choice awards, showcasing the attractions, restaurants and places to stay that have been highly rated by visitors over the previous 12 months.

Only those with the very best reviews can proudly display the Travellers Choice' logo - putting them in the top 10% of attractions, restaurants or hotels in the entire world. It's been a bumper year for tourism businesses in Portsmouth, with scores of places being granted the prestigious award. So if you're looking to try somewhere different, or want to ensure you're heading to the best places on your next trip, you're certain to be in good hands by visiting any number of the below locations.

Here's who came out on top.

Things to do

In the attractions category, it should come as little surprise that The Mary Rose has been granted a Travellers' Choice award once again - for the 10^th year running, as it happens. Consistently rated the best attraction in the city by TripAdvisor users, the museum has banked a perfect 5 score - from over 5,500 reviews. 'Interesting', 'fascinating' and 'amazing' were just some of the comments that came up in the Popular Mentions by reviewers.

It's a similar story at the wider Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. One of the top-rated things to do not just in the city but the whole county and beyond, the Dockyard gets an award for being consistently high scoring and generating thousands of reviews. Visitors are happy the Ultimate Explorer provides unlimited visits for a year, with many remarking on the sheer volume of things to do - much more than you can fit into a day.

With its unrivalled view, fun activities and glass floor, the Spinnaker Tower was sure to make an appearance in the Travellers' Choice awards. In fact, the phrase 'well worth a visit' was one of the most used by its TripAdvisor reviewers.

Visitors were similarly effusive about the Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson. Not only did the positive feedback put the armouries at number 4 in the list of top things to do in Portsmouth, reviewers frequently praised it as a 'great museum' with 'excellent café' that's 'well worth a visit' - not least thanks to its free entry!

It's another consecutive Travellers' Choice award for The D-Day Story, with museum-goers enjoying the personal stories of those involved in the Normandy Campaigns, whilst also singling out the 'amazing' Overlord Embroidery, which concludes each visit.

If you fancy a sip of the strong stuff, then get over to the Portsmouth Distillery Co. As well as buying a drink to enjoy in the historic surrounds or a bottle of gin or rum to take home, you can also enjoy a tour of the facilities - which TripAdvisor users celebrated for being 'fantastic' and 'informative'.

Hovertravel is another attraction that was granted Travellers' Choice status. The world's only year-round passenger hovercraft service won fans not just because of its very rare offering, but also the 'friendly staff' who make crossings even more enjoyable.

Outside of traditional attractions, there was also special mention for the whole area of Old Portsmouth. It too was handed a Travellers' Choice award, with its many positive reviews praising the 'interesting area' with its 'cobbled streets' and 'lots of history'.

These are just some of the attractions to pick up awards. The 2021 list of Travellers' Choice picks also included:
Exciting Escapes
Other World Escapes
Kelley's Hero Charters
Onboard RIBs

Places to stay

Whilst the past 12 months may have been all about the daytrip for many, there was still a chance to celebrate some of the city's best hotels and accommodation providers - which kept visitors coming back when restrictions allowed.

Top billing for hotels in Portsmouth according to TripAdvisor reviews is South Parade's Seacrest Hotel. It has not just taken the number one spot but a Travellers' Choice award too, with reviewers commenting frequently that it's a 'lovely hotel', a 'home from home' and something they 'would highly recommend'.

There was good news too for the Mercer Collection of hotels, handed Travellers' Choice awards that put them in the top 10% worldwide. Its boutique boltholes were celebrated for their 'beautiful rooms', each with a 'comfortable bed' and 'delicious' breakfast.

Visitors were similarly impressed with the G! Boutique Hotel just across towards Canoe Lake. In fact, the word 'grinning' stands out within TripAdvisor's Popular Mentions, along with 'luxury room' and 'breakfast was excellent'.

The Royal Maritime Club has long been known for having an enviable location for those visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays or the Spinnaker Tower. Now it can add a Travellers' Choice award to its location credentials, after visitors praised its period features and comfortable rooms.

It was a similar story just around the corner, where the Ship Leopard Boutique Hotel backed up its 4.5 rating with a Travellers' Choice award. Guests here were pleased with the hotel's 'great location', where they said their 'room was clean' and 'within walking distance' of all the top attractions.

If you're travelling on a tighter budget, don’t feel there won't be much for you in the Travellers' Choice awards. In fact, the Premier Inn Southsea took an award in 2021, not least because visitors enjoyed a 'good night's sleep', 'sea view' and 'free parking' - as well as all the great things to do on the doorstep.

Where to eat

Of the 441 restaurants in Portsmouth listed on TripAdvisor, number 1 is Maya on Jubilee Terrace - so it should come as little surprise that it was first to claim a Travellers' Choice award in the restaurants category for 2021. The Latin American specialist has been celebrated by visitors for 'excellent' service and 'freshly cooked' tapas.

Elsewhere it was back over to Europe - and Belgium, to be precise. Huis restaurant also took a Travellers' Choice award, not just for the quality food but also the 'huge selection of beers' - many of which you won't find anywhere else for miles.

A 'fantastic pub' with a 'friendly atmosphere' was how visitors described the Ship Anson, where you could get a quick drink or bite to eat while taking in the great attractions just on its doorstep. As expected, you might say, for a pub that has come out on top of the pile for TripAdvisor's list: Quick Bites in Portsmouth.

Another pub receiving a Travellers' Choice award was the Southsea Brewhouse and Kitchen. It too was commended for a range of different beers, as well as gastropub food to have alongside. Many visitors also enjoyed an experience day at the pub, with 'beer masterclass' and 'gin experience' coming up in the Popular Mentions.

'A Portuguese restaurant with an American twist' is how the owners describe Algarve's Grill. It too took a Travellers' Choice award, with visitors raving not just about the steak and seafood, but also giving special mention to the Pastel de Nata.

It's not just the Michelin Guide heaping praise on Restaurant 27, but visitors and TripAdvisor users as well. The fine dining restaurant on South Parade was frequently called 'wonderful' and 'impeccable', with its tasting menu winning plenty of fans.

Meanwhile it's a more relaxed vibe over at Bonita's, the Mexican-themed bar and restaurant that has a perfect 5 score from around 200 reviews. It was labelled the 'best place in town' by visitors who enjoyed its 'quirky décor' and 'amazing cocktails'.

We could go on to list all the great things that have been said about the top restaurants in Portsmouth, but that would turn this humble blog into a thesis. However, just some others which were granted Travellers' Choice awards, and therefore named among the best of the best, were:
Sant Yago
Bodrum
Soprano's
Agora
The Chambers
Monty's
Beckett's
Gracie-Ann's Tea Room
El Toro
Haldi
Brasserie Blanc
The Florence Arms
The Fisherman's Kitchen
and plenty more besides.