Best Luxury Hotels in England

Beyond the city wall of Chester and set in secluded gardens lies the 18th-century Georgian country manor house of Rowton Hall Hotel. If you are looking for complete relaxation in Chester this is the hotel for you. Rooms vary from classic bedrooms oozing character and charm though to their superior and premier rooms complete with four poster beds and right up to their suites and apartments which are perfect for indulgent longer stays. In the evening head to the Langdale Restaurant which offers a mix of daily and seasonal menus which take advantage of the freshest ingredients growing just outside the kitchen window. And for the ultimate in relaxation head to their large spa area which has an indoor pool looking out to the gardens, sauna, steam room and large menu of spa treatments.

The Langley is part of the Marriott group and is located not far from the famed Pinewood Studios, in Iver. There’s a timeless feel to the Palladian mansion, accompanying Grade-II listed Brew House, lake and gardens, which were re-designed in the 18th century by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The hotel has a range of rooms and suites – 41 in total – as well as a glitzy spa and luxe fitness suite. Dine with a view at Cedar, take tea in the drawing-room and sip on cognac in The Churchill Bar.

A short distance from the city itself, on the edge of the Peak District, is this village-based hotel. Like Whitley Hall, Fischer’s is a creeper covered country mansion, but is much newer, having been built in 1907. It has a Grade II listing and was formerly a private home. The centrepiece is very much its Michelin starred restaurant. Fischer’s gained this accolade back in the 1990s and has maintained it ever since, with creative, beautifully presented cuisine. Complementing the fine fare are activities arranged in-house, around culinary themes (such as foraging tours and wine tastings). There are just 11 bedrooms, with designer decor, Nespresso machines and Sedbergh Soap Company bath products.

A historic house believed to date back to the 16th century, Saltcote Place has been extensively renovated and restored over the years. Each of its six suites has been individually decorated and furnished with antique pieces and features such as wooden four-poster beds, chandeliers and roll-top tubs. Reserved for those over 14 years of age, Saltcote Place is a grown-up retreat and high-end B&B, where guests are treated to bubbles at breakfasts and complimentary nightcaps. The venue also hosts weddings in its function suites and caters especially well for honeymooning and anniversary couples.

voco Oxford Thames is a 15th-century barn converted into a high-quality four-star hotel for those who prefer to relax slightly away from the city centre. Set in 30 acres of lush parkland on the outskirts of Oxford, and overlooking the River Thames, the hotel has a spa, pool, fitness centre, sauna, and outside tennis court. With its large comfortable rooms, excellent bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and fine dining, De Vere’s offers more than many five-star establishments.

Nestled between the New Forest and the Solent, Careys Manor & SenSpa is the perfect escape for a pampered getaway in the countryside. Located in Brockenhurst, the stunning manor house offers 18th-century grandeur with traditional charm. Home to the world-class SenSpa, and three restaurants including modern British brasserie Cambium, traditional French bistro Le Blaireau, and authentic Thai eatery The Zen Garden, Careys Manor & SenSpa is the ultimate destination to relax and rejuvenate.

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.

If you’d rather stay somewhere central and buzzing with activity, the Kings Head Hotel has a host of amenities and attractions on its Cirencester doorstep. But there’s plenty to keep you from leaving the 46 roomed premises – a spa and cinema in the cellar, the elegant dining room, cosy bar, frequent events and live entertainment. The 14th-century building also contains the remains of a Roman mosaic, encased in glass in the lobby. Kids and dogs are welcome in this relaxed yet luxe inn.

PWeeke Barton’s sustainably-minded environment places an emphasis on homeliness. The owners (who live on-site, along with their spaniel and son) select the finest, most interesting products and ingredients, and have crafted a cosy yet minimal design for optimum relaxation. There are two sociable group sittings for dinner (kids at tea-time followed by adults only), allowing each group their own time. Then post-meal, why not recline into a garden hammock with a tasty tipple and take in the sounds of nature?

The Malvern Hills rise along the border of Worcestershire and Herefordshire in western England. Perched high on the wooded slopes is the evocatively-named ‘Cottage in the Wood’, in reality, a historic, hidden-away, luxury hotel on a hill and the ideal base from which to hike and explore the area, designated one of outstanding, natural beauty. This Georgian-built property was comprehensively refurbished after new owners took over in 2015. The multi-million pound renovation introduced a more contemporary, design-led, luxury aesthetic while still maintaining an elegant, country-house feel.

Thirty-two unique and stylish bedrooms are set across the hotel’s three properties – the Main House, Beech Cottage and the Coach House. Select rooms in The Coach House are dog-friendly. For larger groups and families, two luxurious, self-catering guest houses available, The Studio and The Chapel, which are tucked into the hillside just below the main hotel. Many rooms have sweeping and dramatic views of the Severn Valley, Vale of Evesham and the rolling hills of the Cotswolds.

Dining is a defining feature of ‘The Cottage’. The award-winning 1919 Restaurant has earned a reputation for refined modern British cooking, with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients shaping elegant tasting menus. The more relaxed Brasserie offers all-day dining with the same attention to quality. An intimately-lit cosy yet stylish bar and lounge with adjacent outside terrace complete with tables and seating overlooking the incomparable view, and a welcoming book-lined reception area make-up the public areas.

Wilde Cambridge City Centre introduces its distinctive aparthotel concept to one of the UK’s most celebrated cities. With 227 studio and one-bedroom apartments, the property is set among Cambridge’s historic university colleges, a short walk from Jesus Green and the River Cam.Inspired by Oscar Wilde, the interiors capture literary sophistication through rich woods, brass accents and textured finishes. Designed by acclaimed studio Thurstan, social spaces feature a blend of mid-century and contemporary styles with velvet, marble and warm lighting creating an inviting atmosphere.

The aparthotel’s social hub, Oscar’s, includes a shop, coworking lounge and café bar serving seasonal produce and artisan snacks throughout the day. Guests can enjoy breakfast featuring British honey and locally sourced eggs, cheese and charcuterie platters for light meals, and dishes such as Lamb & Apricot Tagine in the evening. Amenities include a fitness room, outdoor terrace and on-site shop. Art plays a prominent role, with curated works from local artists displayed throughout the building, reflecting the creative and academic heritage of Cambridge.

Housed in a former printing works which dates from the 1850s, The Nadler is another successful case of a warehouse conversion done right, managing to retain faithful marks of its original history updated for the present. Each of its bedrooms are contemporarily designed with solid, contrasting monochrome features and lots of exposed brickwork. The reception is friendly, the price is very reasonable and the facilities are top notch. This is a top pick for quality-minded guests on a modest budget, situated within and around plenty of dining and drinking spots in the lively Ropewalks area.