Best Luxury Hotels in England

One of the oldest hotels in the area, this four-storey castle was erected in 1350. The restored medieval tower house has walls seven inches thick, ensuring a quiet night’s rest. Another superb option for couples celebrating a special occasion, it has many four-poster beds (some in the main body of the castle) and a two AA Rosette eatery, the Josephine restaurant. Interconnecting rooms ensure families are well catered for as well and despite its age, the hotel offers a good level of accessibility. Guests can learn more about the Grade I listed building’s colourful history with tours of the battlements.

An Edwardian mansion is the centre-piece of this sprawling resort, surrounded by farmland and woods. 141 large bedrooms are decorated in a traditional baronial style. Public areas feature real fires, dark oak panelling and rich velvet upholstery. By contrast, the restaurant is bright and airy, with two additional bars serving child-friendly hearty classics. Guests can play golf on its two championship courses, take part in country pursuits, get pampered in the spa and try a range of malts in the hall’s Whisky Snug. Well suited to families, dogs are also welcome in some of the rooms. And there’s plenty more to see and do in the local area – Hadrian’s Wall and Derwent Water are just two of the attractions close by.

15 years were spent transforming this property to create a grand, yet cosy 36 bedroom hotel. Originally constructed in 1818, it’s now Northumberland’s only four AA red star awarded hotel and comes with 10 acres of its own land. Conveniently close to the A1, it’s the perfect luxury stop-off if travelling further afield, or booked for an elegant getaway, and canine companions are made extremely welcome, no matter their size. A spa with an indoor pool, carefully manicured gardens, afternoon teas served fireside in the library and a fancy two AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, add to Doxford Hall’s wide appeal. If you’re planning a romantic trip away, you can request a room with a four-poster bed.

Created by none other than Raymond Blanc in 1984, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons was awarded two Michelin stars in its first year. Each of the hotel’s 32 rooms has been independently styled, inspired by Blanc’s own travels. Lawns, orchards, a large kitchen garden and colourful flower gardens surround the 15th-century property. The hotel is situated in the village of Great Milton, just 11 miles from the centre of Oxford.

Just 18 miles from London, The Grove was the ancestral home of the Earls of Clarendon. Perfect for a golf break close to the city, it has a championship course, fine dining options and an award-winning spa. Its outdoor pool is a superb spot to catch some rays as you recline on a lounger with a cocktail in hand – and there’s an activities programme to keep younger guests occupied, so the adults can relax and enjoy a romantic picnic in the grounds.

This was once the country seat of Lord Mountbatten. Now the Georgian mansion is a modern hotel with 126 rooms and a sleek spa (The Cottonmill). For an ultra-exclusive stay, book a Mews Suite, accessed via private gates, and set in gardens designed by the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Gold award winner, Ann-Marie Powell. Drink and dine in The Brasserie, Outdoor Terrace, Cocktail Lounge and Conservatory.

Once a village pub, this nine roomed bijou hotel has been reimagined with on-trend interior design and contemporary art. But it retains its charming wooden beams, fireplaces, rustic flooring and some antique furniture. For an extra treat book the Farmhouse Suite with its large copper bathtub. Ales and quality pub grub cab be enjoyed in the bar, and there’s a cosy dining area – The Clubhouse serving high-quality British plates.

This stunning 17th-century property in Amersham is part of the Relais and Chateaux portfolio, promising high-quality gastronomy. Hartwell House was once the court of Louis XVIII in exile and while the exteriors are from Jacobean times, inside you’ll find elegant Georgian and rococo interiors. Baroque furnishings, antiques and high ceilings are found in the public rooms, whereas the bedrooms (which include everything from singles to multi-room suites) have a cosy traditional country style. Guests can savour Chef Daniel Richardson’s fine English cuisine in the elegant dining room.

Mismatched furniture, an honesty bar, copious family photos, a resident dog and an obliging butler give the sense that you’ve arrived to spend the weekend in an aristocrat’s home, rather than a public hotel. Rectory Manor is just along from the town of Lavenport and provides a range of activities (tennis, croquet, an outdoor pool), that add to this high-end home vibe. There are just three classically styled guest bedrooms in the main house, with further accommodation in a converted stable. In the morning, a hearty English breakfast is served, alongside a continental buffet.

Located in a peaceful idyll just a few miles from the university town of Cambridge, is the 17th century Tuddenham Mill. 12 acres of grounds include a pond with resident swans, weeping willows and a meadow. Stay in one of 21 boutique bedrooms (Nooks and Lofts) with lavish contemporary furnishings and rustic features. Dine in The Mill’s sleek three AA Rosette multi-award-winning restaurant or grab a drink in the airy lounge bar. The hotel is dog and child friendly, with special menus geared to younger visitors.§

Set in 175 acres of land on the outskirts of Ipswich is Hintlesham Hall Hotel, a 32 bedroomed 16th-century hall with Georgian facade. The pale terracotta coloured main house is accompanied by two wings with an array of intact period features and shuttered windows. Climb the grand oak staircase to an expansive beamed suite in the eaves furnished in rich fabrics, or stay in a courtyard room close to the orchard (one of which had a former life as a culinary school kitchen). Chef Alan Ford cooks French cuisine eaten in Carrier’s Restaurant – a la carte or table d’hote, the choice is yours.

It’s one of the best-known spa hotels in the country, attracting celebrities and well-heeled guests seeking serenity. But there’s much more to this country house hotel. Hands-on foodies can build on existing culinary skills with a course at the kitchen school, nature lovers can explore the New Forest or take a trip to the sea, while family-friendly treehouse apartments complete with hot tubs make for an unusual and memorable school holiday getaway. And of course, you mustn’t miss some of the most exquisite body and facial treatments in the UK. If you’re short on time or passing through the area, spa day packages are also available.