Best Luxury Hotels in England

Formerly a dower house, The Peacock is now a chic boutique hotel. Antiques from across the ages mingle with stylish modern pieces, upholstered in rich fabrics. Guests can enjoy more casual dining in the firelit bar, or take a table in the formal restaurant surrounded by oil paintings and heavy drapes – either way, the delicious menu translates across to both venues. Younger children aren’t permitted to stay at weekends and overall it does suit adults better, especially those seeking a break with a more grown-up vibe.

Lauded by the Sunday Times as one of the best country stays and with two AA Rosettes for its culinary offer, this hotel is highly regarded. Built in an arts and crafts style in 1914, Losehill House is intimate with 23 guest rooms, yet boasts a full spa with an indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub. Losehill House’s Grafene Restaurant was named one of the ’20 best wild places to eat in Britain’ by The Times and prepares homemade seasonal meals with tempting vegetarian options, using ingredients harvested from the hotel’s own garden.

The Varsity of one of the city’s most luxurious properties and also conveniently located in the city centre close to St John’s, Trinity, Jesus and Magdalene College. King’s, Christ’s, Queens’, Gonville and Caius, Clare, Corpus Christi universities. Boutique in size with just 44 rooms, each being individually designed and celebrating the heritage of the city. Their Superking Rooms feature four-poster beds and gorgeous free-standing hot tubs with walk out balconies, while their fellow suites is set over 80sqm, including a private terrace, 19” Apple Mac roll-top bath and a monsoon shower. The hotel includes two dining options SIX their brasserie on the top floor includes 360o views across Cambridge and serves dishes from their Wood Stone oven, Grill and Rotisserie, while their Steakhouse The River Bar down at the River Cam serves 28-day dry-aged steaks. If you are looking for some pampering head to the hotel’s spa The Glassworks which includes an Elewmis Spa, Gym, Steam Room and Jacuzzi.

The sophisticated boutique hotel overlooks the River Cam and offers stunning views of the local area. Just a short walk from the University and close to the historic centre, the hotel presents guests with a convenient location. The four-star hotel takes inspiration from the prestigious University and throughout the hotel there are nods to college architecture and crests, and discoveries like the DNA double helix. Rooms are refined and comfortable with upgraded rooms boasting a private balcony and river views whilst the 2-room penthouse includes a private roof terrace. Riverfront dining (indoors and outdoors) can be enjoyed in the hotel’s restaurant Garden House. The restaurant serves a seasonal flame-focussed menu with a great range of British, European and new world wines and creative cocktails to complement at Garden Bar.

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.

One of the cities newest luxury hotel’s The Tambulaine is a stunning and elegant hotel in an ideal location close to the centre of Cambridge. The hotel takes its inspiration from its namesake from 16th century dramatist and Cambridge alumni Christopher Marlowe’s most famous character. The hotel offers 155 guest rooms, which include floors to ceiling windows to let in maximum light. Décor is charming and full of character, with a base palette of Cambridge blue highlighting dark wood panelling, polished concrete, gleaming brass and richly patterned fabrics. The hotel’s bar offers seasonal menu options, while the Brasserie-style dining room features a majestic carved marble bar, along with accents of soft leather, gleaming brass and salvaged timber. And if you want somewhere to cost away in head to the library which features leather armchairs, an open fire and is where their Afternoon Tea is served each day.

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.

Two quaint pale green buildings in the Lanes sandwich a little medieval-type structure that’s like something straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Together they house Brighton’s Hotel Du Vin, a 49 bedroom property with chic New England style interiors. Upgrade to the lavish Cristal loft suite if you wish to sleep in an 8ft by 8ft bed, recline on leather sofas, soak in twin clawfooted tubs and soak up the sun on the suite’s huge private terrace. There’s a shared terrace for residents also, as well as a maritime-themed bistro and a trendy on-site pub.

An iconic and historic Victorian hotel, this building has become a landmark on the seafront. Built to an Italian Renaissance style, it retains many period features, but with a contemporary vibe inspired by its surroundings. The Grand’s new dining room, Cyan, has become a destination restaurant. Here, two and three-course set menus and a curated range of small plates, sharing platters, and signature dishes can be ordered. There’s also the option of the Victoria Terrace Grill and bar. Single rooms through to Grand Collection suites can be booked, with higher grades providing BOSE sound systems, sweeping sea views, 32” LCD flat-screen TV and Noble Isle bath products.

Stay on this impressive Tudor estate on the outskirts of the town. The 50 acres of grounds alone are a sight to behold; they contain a sundial presented to Great Fosters by Sir Francis Drake, topiaries, terraces, a florally decorated Japanese bridge that crosses over a moat, a fountain, tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool. Once inside, you’ll find two restaurants, the Michelin starred Tony Parkin at The Tudor Room and the two AA rosette awarded The Estate Grill. The hotel has brought together several buildings, the oldest thought to be a Royal hunting lodge dating back to 1550.

Found a little further afield in Sunningdale, near Ascot, Coworth Park is part of the Dorchester Collection. It’s more like a resort than a hotel, with an eco-friendly spa, a pool with underwater music, tennis courts, an equestrian centre and Guards Polo Academy, three restaurants (one of which has a Michelin star) and a library, as well as acres of land to roam. Yet with just 70 rooms it retains a sense of intimacy. Each has its own minibar, Nespresso machine, Mitchell and Peach bath products and a Bang + Olufsen TV, while some suites offer freestanding copper coloured tubs, four-poster beds and garden views.

Found right on the riverbank, this four-star hotel provides direct access to some water-based recreation in the form of its own hire boats. In the summertime, the outdoor terrace becomes an open-air cinema, as well as a place to eat and drink. Very family (and dog) friendly, the hotel has a games room with a PS4 and Xbox, table tennis, a playground and an indoor pool for kids. There’s also an outdoor pool area with sun loungers, a hot tub, and a Guinot crown elite spa. A river theme runs throughout The Runnymede, in the decor and its aptly named Leftbank restaurant (boasting a theatre-style kitchen and Japanese robata-style grill) and the Lock Bar restaurant.