Best Luxury Hotels in England

Part of The Polizzi Collection, this hotel lies in utterly peaceful and magical surrounds made up of grottos, woodland, hidden follies and the soothing flow of the River Tamar. Each of its 19 rooms has been individually designed to fuse the past and the present. Once the Duke of Bedford’s hunting lodge, the grounds feature a romantic stable perfect for private dining, weddings and unique events. Look out for falcons, otters kingfishers and deer as you meander the calming and quintessentially English countryside.

Those preferring something a little more bohemian and very in keeping with Brighton’s eccentric and creative side should book a stay at this Regency Townhouse. 24 bedrooms are all individually designed. Each contains original artworks, murals, limited edition prints, a Nespresso coffee machine, a Roberts radio, organic bath products and a mix of vintage and reclaimed furniture. Some have balconies and extra fancy touches like copper sided rolltop bathtubs and super king-sized unusual metal-framed four-poster beds. With rooms for four or six too, it’s the ideal establishment for discerning small groups. There’s also an all-day cafe and bar – their brunch is especially good.

Stay in refined luxury at the 5 Star Gainsborough Bath Spa located in the heart of Bath. The only spa hotel in the city, the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel is a contemporary take on the city’s thermal water heritage. Originally built in the 1800s, The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two Grade II Listed buildings with distinguished Georgian and Victorian façades. The hotel was completely redesigned in 2017 by award-winning Champalimaud and is a Leading Hotel of the World, Design and YTL’s first Hotel in the United Kingdom. All guestrooms and suites are custom furnished, subtly combining fine period details with graceful interiors and modern functional elements which range from classic and deluxe rooms through to their Bath Spa rooms which include in bath access to the thermal waters right through to their suite class of rooms. The hotel’s jewel in its crown is its Spa Village Bath, which includes thermal pools, infrared saunas, steam room and relaxation area. After the spa take Afternoon Tea in the Canvas Room and in the evening enjoy a menu of locally sourced dishes in their three AA Rosettes restaurant The Gainsborough Brasserie

Less than a mile from the iconic attractions of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, the Conrad London St James is set within two 19th-century townhouses which were once Queen Anne’s Chambers and government offices. This property has been the Conrad London St. James since September 2014 and part of the Hilton Worldwide group, it became the brand’s 24th hotel, taking on the US chain’s upscale approach to international hospitality. There are plenty of nods to its past connections, not least in its fascinating and thoughtfully curated art collection as well as plenty of dining experiences from its themed afternoon teas, an art deco-inspired dining concept The Pen, The Hedgerow bar and a traditional London pub. This property oozes luxury and is one of our favourites in London.

Hotelier Ian Schrager designed this one-of-a-kind Fitzrovia hotel, set in a row of Georgian townhouses. It’s ideal for those who want to stay in true luxury but with West End and Soho nightlife on the doorstep. Past and present are blended in this boutique space, where period features are complemented by forward-thinking innovative furnishings and decor. Step inside one of the 172 rooms and suites, and you could imagine you’re aboard a private yacht. Dine at Berners Tavern hosted by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jason Atherton and drink in the Punch Room. Many guests visit for the ‘happenings’, a programme of events for adults and families, including immersive gong sound meditation retreats and cocktail masterclasses. But the pièce de résistance has to be the 2098 square foot Penthouse with wraparound landscaped terrace and 360-degree views of the capital.

This Grade II-listed property (formerly a bank) places you within walking distance of major sights, such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Theatreland. Grand inside and out, high ceilings, polished marble floors and period features are complemented by dramatic flower arrangements, antiques and Persian rugs. Enter your room and you’ll notice a step-change; these evoke a more midcentury feel as designed by Pierre Yves-Rochon, plus there’s funky artwork, Nespresso machines and Diptyque amenities. Pay a visit to the Sofitel’s Michelin-star restaurant Wild Honey St James by Chef Anthony Demetre, the Rose Lounge for afternoon tea, a vintage style bar and the spa.

Visitors to North Yorkshire can elect to stay in the grand surroundings of this privately owned stately home, the once-residence of Princess Mary. The five-star 17th-century Grade II listed building is set in 11 acres of land with far-reaching views. Stained glass windows, Jacobean architecture, oversized fireplaces, heavy drapes, four-poster beds, exposed beams and antique rugs are just some of its regal features. There’s also a spa, hot tub, charming orangery and some of the best service in the county. Hearty yet high-end Yorkshire cuisine is to be found on the menu – the hotel has an AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence and you mustn’t miss the traditional afternoon tea in Princess Mary’s Drawing Room.

There is so much to entice the weary traveller at this luxury 5-star boutique hotel with a private members club, nestled in the heart of St James’s. The hotel oozes Victorian charm blended with contemporary style. The eye for detail, visible in every piece of high-end furniture, upholstery and general décor is a thing to behold. In addition to the usual accommodation options, St James’s offers terrace suites and a Penthouse with its own private lift. There is a range of food options which include, Michelin-starred 7 Park Place under the watchful eye of William Drabble. There is also a Bar and Bistro.

Looking out on the southern corner of the 25 acre Parkers Piece park the Gonville Hotel offers a truly unique experience in the heart of the city. It is just a short walk from the hotel to Market square and Cambridge’s colleges. The hotel has been recently renovated and the finished look is both contemporary but in keeping with the history of this historical city. if you want complete luxury book one of their eight feature rooms in Gresham House the stand along villa in the hotel. Each room has been individually styles and features extras like Bose speakers, cashmere bed, and glorious ESPA toiletries in the bathroom. Foodies can rejoice as the hotel has some of the best dining in Cambridge. You can have Fine Dining in the hotel’s Cotto Restaurant overseen by Master Chef Hans Schweitzer and lunch in the Atrium Brasserie. They also have a comprehensive wellness spa offering a large range of spa treatments, and to top things off they offer complimentary picks up and drop offs in the hotel’s Bentley.

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.

The first JW Marriott branded hotel in the UK, this elegant townhouse overlooking Hyde Park, was once home to the Grosvenor family/Dukes of Westminster. While its heritage stems back to the Roaring Twenties, the interiors display a classic contemporary panache. Bedrooms boast king-sized beds, fully stocked minibars, marble bathrooms and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. It has an American-style steakhouse on the ground floor and a fine dining restaurant by chef Richard Corrigan, as well as two additional eateries and bars. Do stop by The Great Room – now a meeting hall, it was once an ice rink, where none other than our monarch, Queen Elizabeth, learned to skate.

Treehouse Hotel Manchester brings a playful and eco-conscious retreat to the city. The second UK property in the Treehouse Hotels portfolio, this 224-room hotel blends nostalgia with modern luxury. Its ground-floor restaurant, Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague, champions low-waste, seasonal cooking. The hotel features Flix, a 43-seat screening room, The Playground gym, and seven treetop-inspired event spaces. A curated cultural programme led by Manchester icons Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford celebrates the city’s arts and music scene.