Best Luxury Hotels in England

Found in the beautiful little Forest town of Lyndhurst, The Lime Wood was once a mediaeval hunting lodge. It belonged to the Duke of Clarence in the 1700s and is now an extravagantly decorated 32 roomed boutique hotel. The Herb House Spa and heated outdoor pool epitomises country chic. The main dining room, Hartnett, Holder & Co, serves foraged foods and hand-reared meats that have been smoked on-site. Velvet couches and funky Tracy Emin artworks adorn the walls. Guests can also dine at Raw & Cured or The Courtyard for lighter bites.

Located in Hook close to the town of Basingstoke, Tylney Hall is a Grade II listed building in sweeping landscaped grounds with carefully tended gardens and an 18-hole golf course. There’s a welcoming classic country feel to the place, with florals, artwork and lavish marble bathrooms. It houses 113 rooms, health suite, indoor and outdoor pools, a wood-panelled Oak Room Restaurant and a fancy lounge for sumptuous afternoon teas.

Enjoy a sublime spa getaway at this rural stone-built manor house within easy reach of Plymouth. Facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, alfresco hot tubs, a Finnish sauna, a Crystal Salt steam room, a sensory journey shower experience, a relaxation room overlooking a wildflower meadow and a laconium herbal sauna. The ‘Spatisserie’ serves both healthy and indulgent meal options to nourish and treat guests, and luxe contemporary rooms ensure deep and dreamy sleep afterwards.

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.

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.

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.

Set among 400 acres of the Farncombe Estate in Broadway village, Dormy House makes for a divine spa getaway with a Veuve Cliquot nail bar, Temple Spa products, a 16-metre sleek indoor pool, hot juniper sauna, an experience shower, salt-infusion therapy room, rhassoul-mud room and outdoor hot tub. Interior designer Todhunter Earle has infused a retro meets Scandi style in the 38 rooms and suites. Dine with a view in the Garden Room Restaurant and be sure to take a peek at the estate’s secret Japanese garden.

Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this 50-room spa hotel is perched on the tranquil estuary adored by sailing enthusiasts and mariners. Stunning sea views, award-winning in-house restaurants serving the freshest seafood, chic sun decks, pools, ESPA treatments and nearby access to beautiful beaches make this a winning choice for any traveller.

This incredible Grade I-listed, Georgian building is the jewel in Buxton’s crown. Built by the fifth Duke of Devonshire in the 1780s, it fell into disrepair at the end of the 20th century. Under more recent ownership by the Ensana brand, Buxton Crescent reopened at the end of 2020, after undergoing a lavish renovation spanning almost two decades. As a result, everything here is in mint, brand new condition, sensitively retaining the original features, while adding sophisticated and on-trend elements. Drawing on the natural thermal waters of its environs, the spa here is a dream, with several indoor hydro experiences, relaxation rooms and a salt grotto. Guests have unlimited access and can swim from indoors to out, in the rooftop infinity pool. The dining offer is top class too, with service to match.

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.

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.