The Michelin-starred Dining Room at Gravetye Manor is a highlight of any stay here. Many ingredients come from the country house’s century-old walled kitchen garden – of which floor-to-ceiling windows provide an ample view. The grounds are stunning and the hotel runs tours of the gardens alone. Inside, 17 rooms are each named after trees on the estate, furnished with antiques, pastel textiles, oil paintings and flowers freshly picked from outside. The building dates back to the 16th century and the portraits of the original owners can be seen carved above the fireplace in one of the bedrooms.

A country dining pub with rooms, The White Horse is renowned for its excellent fish and chips. It’s close to the Goodwood Estate on the South Downs and boasts an upscale rustic cottage style. Rooms are decorated with contemporary Scandi touches, sheepskins, steamer trunks, funky feature walls and modern four-poster beds, with skylights and original beams.  And The Indulgent suite also comes with its own private terrace and hot tub. Children and dogs are welcome – the garden, courtyard and rolling hills beyond proving conducive to a family stay. The White Horse has received 5 Gold Stars from the AA awards.

Stay on a secluded private island once frequented by royalty, aristocrats notable writers, performers and artists. The 18th-century low-rise complex is made up of Grade I listed pavilions flanked by weeping willows, landscaped grounds and surrounded by the peaceful flowing water of the Thames. There are 40 guest rooms, the grandest being the Wedgewood Suite, designed by the award-winning New York-based Champalimaud Design. Private residences, a spa, brasserie and two bars are also found on the estate.

This was the grand hotel of choice for the Duchess of Sussex the night before her nuptials. The five-star mansion has often been a royal haunt. It dates back to the 17th century and was the home of the Astor family. Regal rooms are furnished with antiques and plush textiles, some with their own hot tubs and separate living areas. The Astor Grill and Cliveden Dining Room are refined grand affairs and afternoon tea is a speciality. Guests can also enjoy some pamper time in a spa located behind its walled garden.

The Retreat Elcot Park is a newly re-imagined 18th-century country house hotel and spa set in magnificent grounds, located in the heart of the beautiful West Berkshire countryside. The hotel boasts 55 rooms and suites (including adjoining rooms – ideal for families) each of which is beautifully appointed and displays its own individual charm. Eating and drinking is a memorable experience here with two stunning restaurants offering exceptional quality food; the 1772 Brasserie and Yu, pan-Asian Restaurant. For more informal drinks, light bites, and Afternoon Tea, guests can make use of the Orangery and many other fabulous spaces around the hotel. Relax and unwind in the spa, make a splash in the heated outdoor pool and the hydrotherapy indoor pool, and get active in the gym, fitness studio, or even on the tennis court.

Offering some of the most stunning views in the whole of Canary Wharf, the Novotel London Canary Wharf sores high above the surrounding buildings. The sophisticated top-floor bar is the perfect place to unwind with a cool cocktail at the end of the day while soaking up the scenery. The check-in process is informal and is sure to put nervous travellers at ease while offering a memorable personalised touch. Lovers of luxury will want to make sure that they secure one of the 26 sumptuous suites, which have open plans to help them feel especially spacious and decadent.

With its quirky interiors and splashes of bright colour, this establishment really stands out from the rather stark and business-like style of the rest of Canary Wharf. A short stroll along the underwater foot tunnel in Greenwich takes guests to a wide range of attractions, although this is a great place to simply unwind for a while. The large indoor swimming pool is the perfect place to splash around while working up an appetite. Dining options at the hotel include all-day dining at ‘Food Store’ Driven by produce that’s in season, socially and ethically produced and sourced, chef Rumel Pinnock serves an all-day dining menu perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner. All appetites and tastes are catered for, with a selection of small plates, pizzas and hearty mains. While Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen run by celebrity Chef, Cyrus Todiwala OBE, brings signature dishes from his acclaimed landmark restaurant in the city, Café Spice Namaste, to be enjoyed in this stylish, vibrant restaurant at the hotel. The hotel has 129 rooms for guests to choose from and all are spacious with plenty of cosy touches.

The Lucknam Park’s Spa has been crafted using wood, marble and glass – the design of which was inspired in part by its parkland environs. Award-winning facilities include a 20-metre indoor heated pool, an indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, an outdoor saltwater plunge pool, a skincare mixology bar, five thermal cabins, a social lounge, a brasserie and therapy rooms where the range of 111SKIN, and Bath-based Natural Spa Factory treatments take place. This 18th-century Palladian mansion house sits 8 miles from Bath in the Wiltshire countryside and is home to its own cooking school and Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as an equestrian centre, football pitch and croquet lawn.

Book a stay in a grand Georgian country mansion with a bohemian edge. Homewood has a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna and a steam room indoors. While outside, you can swim some lengths in the heated outdoor pool and soak in the hot tub enjoying epic views over the valley. A menu of ila holistic treatments are available to book, each targeting different areas of the body; or you might like to have the signature Vitality treatment for a top-to-toe experience. Therapists practice the ancient Indian marma therapy and use energy-enhancing essential oils to leave you feeling restored and rejuvenated.

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.