Best Luxury Hotels in England

You may recognise this hotel from the small or big screen — it featured in The Witches, Wild Things and an episode of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Perched on a peninsula, it offers an escape from the more populated parts of Newquay. Dog and family-friendly, The Headland has a sophisticated spa, gym, a cocktail bar and epic, elevated sea views. Accommodation options include rooms, suites and self-catering cottages, all with elegant furnishings and GAIA Skincare toiletries. Samphire Restaurant and the Terrace Bistro both hold two AA Rosette awards, while The Deck serves casual meals beside the hotel’s pool.

The Store Oxford repurposes the iconic Boswells department store building into a modern boutique hotel with 101 uniquely styled rooms and extensive amenities. Featuring three distinct dining options, including the historically inspired Treadwell restaurant and a rooftop bar that serves a great range of creative cocktails, the hotel seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary luxury. The Store also offers a co-working space and an urban spa developed in collaboration with British wellness brand Oskia. Spanning seven floors, the hotel’s interior style ranges from Art Deco to comforting muted tones, with every aspect of the hotel reflecting Oxford’s architectural beauty and vibrant history.

Escape the noise of the capital, with this Belgravia townhouse as your base.  The grand building, formed of arched windows, portland stone and Georgian brick, has been reimagined inside, by Milan-based architecture studio Laboratorio Associati and Linzi Coppick. 41 bedrooms and suites channel the elements, in a sophisticated, warm, elegant and upscale home-like style. The COMO Shambhala philosophy is evident throughout, be it in the healthy cuisine options, or the in-room therapeutic treatments (there’s no spa onsite, but guests have access to the Halkin’s sister property’s wellness facilities, a ten-minute walk away). Families are catered to with mini bathrobes and COMO the Halkin teddy bears for little ones.

Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge are among the most iconic landmarks in the city. Stay here and you’ll be afforded front-row views of them. The heritage building on Sion Hill was once a spa, with its steam pumps, the original marble and stained glass windows preserved as part of the sleek refurbishment. Its White Lion Pub has one of the largest terraces in the southwest, with an urban industrial-chic interior and there’s an art-filled cocktail lounge. Goram and Vincent is the main restaurant, featuring an open kitchen replete with coal-fired grills, a smoker and bespoke clay ovens.

Like something from a Jane Austen novel both inside and out, Middlethorpe Hall is a pretty country mansion surrounded by 20 acres of rolling grounds, just a couple of miles from the city centre. Two Edwardian cottages house the destination spa and there’s a pool. Guests can stroll through the walled and rose gardens, dine in the two AA Rosette restaurant and attend a wine tasting in the 17th Century dovecote. 29 hotel rooms comprise main house suites, main house bedrooms, courtyard rooms and suites, garden suites and a cottage (the latter two are dog-friendly). The property is just one of three Historic House Hotels.

With gardens, tennis courts and its own health club (The Peak Fitness Club) with a 20-metre naturally-lit indoor pool, this feels more like a resort than an urban hotel. The Carlton Tower has an enviable Knightsbridge address on Sloane Street. Inside, are 186 guest rooms, of which the three-bedroom Royal Suite is the pièce de résistance, with incredible views. Dine on modern-meets-classic Italian dishes at Al Mare. And don’t miss the award-winning nature-inspired afternoon tea in The Chinoiserie Lounge. The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is the sister hotel to the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Food lovers will really be in their element at The Forest, as this Victoria mansion comes complete with its own Michelin-starred restaurant. The interiors are cool and elegant with plenty of colourful and contemporary touches. There are twenty spacious guestrooms to choose from, each of which boasts a spacious bathroom and pretty garden views. Head chef Kevin Tickle has created an extensive and imaginative menu for guests to work their way through that highlights the abundance of fresh produce that can be found in this part of the world. Some of the taste sensations that are just waiting to be enjoyed here include venison pastrami with ewe’s milk cheese, lemon sole with leeks in horseradish and mugwort ice cream.

Hotels in the Four Seasons group promise a reliably luxurious standard of living, as well as great food. This one in Dogmersfield encompasses 500 acres of land, with accommodation varying from a Grand Manor Room with estate views, through to an elite two bedroomed Royal Suite. The decor reflects its countryside locale, as does the culinary offer. Meals can be taken at Wild Carrot, Cafe Sante, in the Library, the bar, or Fox Hollow (the latter providing private dining for groups). The hotel is very child and pet friendly, ideal for a family break.

Come here to sample two-Michelin-starred French cuisine by Alex Dilling in the restaurant, or to stay in a suite formerly occupied by legends like Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill and David Bowie. Michelin-starred chef Albert Adrià (believed to be the world’s finest pastry chef) also chose Hotel Café Royal as his only non-Spanish endeavour, where you can order sweet treats and champers. As soon as you arrive into the lobby, you’ll be dazzled by a 700-pound Murano glass chandelier. And the holistic well-being centre provides sound healing and Watsu water therapy.

With 203 rooms including 34 suites, Park Hyatt London River Thames marks the arrival of the Park Hyatt brand in the United Kingdom. Located within the evolving Nine Elms district, between Battersea Power Station and Westminster, the hotel offers contemporary design and sweeping river views to create a calm yet connected retreat in the heart of the capital.

Designed as a modern interpretation of classic English style, interiors feature William Morris-inspired wallcoverings, soft leather and brass accents, and curated artworks by British and international artists including Ian Rayer-Smith and Jo Taylor. The entrance is defined by Charlie Whinney’s sculptural installation Ebb and Flow, evoking the movement of the Thames, while neutral tones and bespoke furnishings bring warmth and serenity throughout.

Dining is led by Executive Chef Fabrice Lasnon, whose 35 years of culinary expertise shape an impressive selection of restaurants and bars. Nine Elms Kitchen & Terrace celebrates seasonal British ingredients, Yú Gé offers refined Cantonese cuisine, while The Nine Elms Bar & Lounge provides a stylish space for cocktails and light bites.

Wellness is central to the experience, with an entire floor devoted to relaxation and renewal. The spa includes a 20-metre indoor pool with natural light and river views, six treatment rooms, a sauna, steam rooms, a serene relaxation lounge, and a 1,550-square-foot fitness centre equipped with Technogym technology.

Located in London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square, The Biltmore Mayfair, is part of LXR Hotels & Resorts and is the essence of style and opulence. Guests immediately feel the distinctive character of this hotel which showcases splendid décor and unrivalled service. These qualities flow throughout the entire hotel which comprises of 250 stylish rooms and 57 curated suites with stunning views of London’s iconic skyline, personalised touches and extra comfort for the discerning traveller. Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, leads the team to present guests with a superb choice of both formal and casual dining options; from brunch at the tranquil Café Biltmore & Terrace through to a sophisticated evening at The Pine Bar or celebratory Afternoon Tea in the Tea Lounge there is a delicious culinary creation to tantalise every appetite and to fit any occasion.  Guests can also take advantage of one of Mayfair’s largest gyms within the hotel – with 24-hour access to the latest fitness technology and a private workout studio.

This is an example of modern luxury, being part of the famous Shard building that towers above London. The building was completed in 2012 and was the tallest structure in Europe at the time. The multi-award-winning hotel takes up floors 34-52. It offers stunning panoramic views across the capital from its 202 rooms, decorated in plush silks, satins and cut-pile velvets. The Hong Kong-based multinational hotelier brand is a favourite with business travellers, providing excellent meeting spaces and proximity to the city’s commercial centre. The Shard is now firmly on the London map, so visitors who prefer a sleek, modern Asian influenced style flock to stay at Shangri-La, to swim in the infinity sky pool and dine with a view at TING. There are also packages for wellness, honeymoons and weddings, as well as two funky bars, babysitting, butler and limousine services.