Best Luxury Hotels in England

Just minutes from the heart of York, boutique hotel, the Elmbank Hotel is steeped in 19th-century history. Redesigned by George Walton, a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the hotel boasts one of the UK’s most complete Art Nouveau collections. Be greeted by stunning stained glass, murals, and intricate stencils as you make your way to the thoughtfully designed and elegantly styled guest quarters. Its 61 bedrooms are adorned with unique artwork celebrating Elmbank’s significant Yorkshire heritage en-suite bathrooms with hand-crafted GOLEM tiles, (some with roll-top baths), flatscreen TVs, WiFi, and facilities for Yorkshire Tea and Nespresso coffee. Elmbank’s Leetham’s Brasserie serves seasonal dishes, while Peacock Bar, invites you to relax at the marble-topped bar or on plush sofas surrounded by original Art Nouveau treasures.

The Reach at Piccadilly, Manchester – a Tribute Portfolio Hotel within Marriott Bonvoy’s collection – honours the city’s industrial heritage and its pioneering past. Located in the city centre, just a 90-second walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, The Reach at Piccadilly offers a chic design, featuring 215 stylish guest rooms, eight suites, and a ground-floor restaurant and bar: Lock 84. The hotel’s design draws from Manchester’s industrial roots, reflecting its history as ‘Cottonopolis,’ the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The 11-storey building on Ducie Street overlooks the Rochdale Canal, historically used for coal transport, with decor inspired by this rich heritage.

Guests can enjoy nautically themed, nostalgic interiors, quality craftsmanship, and greenery throughout. The hotel’s canalside location influences its use of activated charcoal toiletries and a twist on the historic ‘fourpenny’ drink. Lock 84 serves all-day dining with speciality small plates, using sustainably sourced, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. The menu, featuring a Japanese-style grill and a variety of British dishes, offers everything from a la carte breakfast to tailored tasting menus, complemented by an excellent selection of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Collaborating with local Manchester partners, The Reach at Piccadilly is ideal for both corporate guests and leisure visitors to the city, couples, families, and even pets.

The Store Oxford repurposes the iconic Boswells department store building into a modern boutique hotel with 101 uniquely styled rooms and extensive amenities. Featuring three distinct dining options, including the historically inspired Treadwell restaurant and a rooftop bar that serves a great range of creative cocktails, the hotel seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary luxury. The Store also offers a co-working space and an urban spa developed in collaboration with British wellness brand Oskia. Spanning seven floors, the hotel’s interior style ranges from Art Deco to comforting muted tones, with every aspect of the hotel reflecting Oxford’s architectural beauty and vibrant history.

A hotel with history, Matfen Hall’s story may have begun centuries ago, but its range of first-class facilities is more relevant than ever to the 21st-century luxury traveller. Stay here to indulge in a thermal spa journey, have treatments in candlelit treatment rooms, relax in a Dutch garden, play on a 27-hole championship golf course, dine in a two AA Rosette awarded restaurant, and enjoy strolls on Matfen’s 300 acres of landscaped gardens, parkland and woodland and much more…

Located in London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square, The Biltmore Mayfair, is part of LXR Hotels & Resorts and is the essence of style and opulence. Guests immediately feel the distinctive character of this hotel which showcases splendid décor and unrivalled service. These qualities flow throughout the entire hotel which comprises of 250 stylish rooms and 57 curated suites with stunning views of London’s iconic skyline, personalised touches and extra comfort for the discerning traveller. Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, leads the team to present guests with a superb choice of both formal and casual dining options; from brunch at the tranquil Café Biltmore & Terrace through to a sophisticated evening at The Pine Bar or celebratory Afternoon Tea in the Tea Lounge there is a delicious culinary creation to tantalise every appetite and to fit any occasion.  Guests can also take advantage of one of Mayfair’s largest gyms within the hotel – with 24-hour access to the latest fitness technology and a private workout studio.

Stately five-star luxury in the heart of London is exactly what guests can expect when they visit this historic hotel. The hotel is conveniently located in the regal St James’s, Mayfair area and is just minutes from many of London’s iconic landmarks and must-see attractions. Accommodation is set across four distinct areas; within the main Victorian house, the Mews Suites, the Carriage House and the Gate House. Rooms are stylish with sumptuous furnishings – some with four-poster beds and the hotel’s suites are truly elegant boasting a range of unique and exclusive services for guests. The Game Bird, is the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, presents a modern British menu, delivered with great flair and creativity. The ambience is cool and sophisticated. The American Bar is for those in the know, serving a range of creative cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Its cosy corners are perfect for intimate meetings, the atmosphere encourages lively chats and the private courtyard is perfect for al fresco dining. The Wine Cellar is a fascinating space; built in the 17^th Century and used as an air-raid shelter during WWII it is now home to a collection of over 8,000 of the world’s finest wines.

With gardens, tennis courts and its own health club (The Peak Fitness Club) with a 20-metre naturally-lit indoor pool, this feels more like a resort than an urban hotel. The Carlton Tower has an enviable Knightsbridge address on Sloane Street. Inside, are 186 guest rooms, of which the three-bedroom Royal Suite is the pièce de résistance, with incredible views. Dine on modern-meets-classic Italian dishes at Al Mare. And don’t miss the award-winning nature-inspired afternoon tea in The Chinoiserie Lounge. The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is the sister hotel to the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Part of the Luxury Collection group, The Park Tower is a five-star establishment in the heart of Knightsbridge and Belgravia. It first opened to guests in 1973, a noticeable new landmark on the west London skyline, with its unusual circular architecture. All 271 rooms and suites come with a view thanks to its unique shape, as well as 200-thread count cotton sheets, robes, slippers and deep soaking tubs. In-room spa services are available, as well as The Park Tower Butler, for your every need. The Hyde Bar is the hotel’s main dining establishment, with afternoon teas served in The Knightsbridge Lounge.

Base yourself here and you’ll be perfectly situated for both the shops and world-leading theatres of England’s capital. Located in Marble Arch, the bustle of Oxford Street is a stroll away, but in this salubrious Mayfair neighbourhood, guests are cocooned in elegance. Some of the executive rooms and suites at this 5-star establishment offer views over Hyde Park, balconies and sofa beds, with all bathrooms crafted from Italian marble. Suites come complete with lounge access offering complimentary food and drinks throughout the day and evening in the Lanes of London restaurant. A fitness centre features an indoor pool, steam room and gym with optional massage and spa treatments available too. And the hotel’s restaurant, Lanes of London is a chic venue for classic British-inspired dishes, botanical afternoon teas and craft cocktails. 

This recently launched 16-storey establishment on the corner of Leicester Square is defined in a new category of accommodation: super boutique. While large in size, the hotel is intimate in nature. Operated by the privately owned Edwardian Hotels London group, it blends style with sustainability and high-end facilities. Guests unable to sleep – or those who like to socialise into the night – can frequent The Y Bar, The Drawing Room, and The Whisky Room.  A Japanese restaurant, bar and terrace are found on the eighth floor. While below ground, lies The Retreat, a wellness sanctuary with holistic therapies for body and mind, as well as a soothing hydro pool.

A few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square is this relatively unassuming, Edwardian fronted 153-bedroom hotel. But this was in fact, the original HQ for Scotland Yard, now a five-star refurbished property, that’s part of the Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. The interiors are modern, yet effectively pay homage to the building’s past, with copious memorabilia and artworks. The Yard is the hotel’s aptly named restaurant, plus there’s a cosy colonial style Parlour and a whisky bar evocative of the art deco era. It’s also pet friendly, offers valet parking and has an onsite fitness centre.

Reward yourself with 5-star service and luxury amenities at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House. Located in one of the capital’s best addresses Park Lane Mayfair and moments away from many of the city’s best attractions like Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace and Knightsbridge. Make yourself at home in their elegant rooms and suites, featuring plush pillow-top beds, marble bathrooms and many with views out to Hyde Park. Savour delicious dining at JW Steakhouse and start the evening off with a cocktail at Red Bar and the Bourbon Bar. This landmark hotel is perfect for business travellers and guests who appreciate a touch of contemporary British design and style without the stuffiness.