Best Luxury Hotels in United Kingdom

Conducive to romance, this consistently highly-rated hotel offers a four-poster suite with a seven-foot bed and chaise longue. Other bedrooms come in palettes of neutrals and soft retro colours. Some have a light Regency feel, others lean toward an art deco vibe, while others again have a distinctly contemporary air – all have bags of luxury character. This hotel is also the location for Bath’s only Michelin starred restaurant – the Olive Tree is at the bottom of the Queensberry’s Georgian townhouse building and the Old Q Bar, widely believed to be one of the best pubs in the city.

31 bedrooms at the Bird Bath tell their own stories, from dinky doubles through to the Abbey Deluxe. Each is replete with superb views afforded by the building’s raised vantage point, hand-crafted wallpaper, unique artwork and bold designs. And at the top end of the category, guests can enjoy a freestanding copper roll top tub, Malin & Goetz toiletries, a Dyson hairdryer and a Nespresso machine. Meals are served at the hotel’s dramatically decorated restaurant, Plate, with afternoon teas on its terrace overlooking The Abbey. There’s also the option of private dome dining, or The Lodge, for larger groups.

This ex-coaching inn has been sensitively restored. 14 king-sized bedrooms on three floors are each unique, with features such as high sash windows, a terrace, a large stone fireplace and freestanding baths. All come with REN toiletries, Netflix, Roberts Radios, mini-bars, Nespresso coffee machines and a fresh delicious continental breakfast hung on the door daily, awaiting guests’ awakening. And most bedrooms can be arranged to accommodate a child in a cot or small bed. Yard’s courtyard coffee bar serves hot drinks and pastries by day, becoming a sophisticated bar – serving biodynamic and organic wines alongside small plates – by night.

Located on South Parade, the historic frontage of this heritage building gives way to modern interiors with pops of vibrant colour. The boutique establishment houses 166 bedrooms (each furnished with Hypnos beds, Egyptian cotton linen, spa-style bathrooms, minibars and Nespresso coffee machines), chic restaurant The Elder specialising in wild food and game and an entire eight-bedroom townhouse for exclusive private hire. In the main hotel guests can choose from four room categories: Romance & Mischief, Architectural Beauty, Literary Hideaway, Garden Rooms and The Vault – each reflecting its theme, with tasteful and sometimes quirky decorative features.

Found in a collection of converted sugar warehouses in the city centre, this is one of two Hotel Du Vin in Bristol – the other lies further out at Avon Gorge – As such, it has Grade II listing and is filled with quirky industrial features. Modern amenities found in the 40 bedrooms (set across three floors) include Nespresso machines, air conditioning and premium bedding as standard. Dine out on the terrace in good weather or enjoy the ambience in its award-winning French bistro. And enjoy a beverage or two in the aptly named Sugar House Bar. If you’re planning an extra special visit, book the Veuve Clicquot suite with its twin bathtubs, or Harvey’s for its private terrace.

A member of The Doyle Collection, The Bristol offers high standards of service in a thriving location, with 187 guest rooms. It’s a modern hotel, overlooking the activity of the city harbour in this stylish, arts-centred district. Picture windows make up the frontage of The River Grille Restaurant, providing diners with front-seat waterside views as they feast on steak and seafood. While The River Lounge serves drinks and afternoon teas with a relaxing ambience. Previously named as the best city break hotel in the South West by The Sunday Times 100 best British Hotels, this is a great base for soaking up the city’s many delights.

Set in a Grade-II listed building that once housed the Lloyds and Midland Bank, the interior of this grand hotel was inspired by Jacopo Sansovino’s High Renaissance library on St Mark’s Square, Venice. Rooms and public spaces have pops of bright colours, fashionable patterned wallpapers and lashings of vintage-esque glamour. Venture below ground to the ‘vaults’ and the hotel’s HarSPA for some hydrotherapy and treatments featuring TEMPLESPA products. Dine on seafood and British classics at Harbour Kitchen and take a seat at the art deco style marble countertop of The Gold Bar speakeasy, for some magical mixes and live tunes from DJs.

Taking its cue from the original Artist Residence in Brighton, this hip, creative hot spot is found in the up-and-coming St Paul’s district. Decorated with limited edition art prints, shabby chic original fixtures, industrial accents, and an eclectic mix of vintage and reclaimed furniture, it’s a bohemian dream, with the added benefit of luxe conveniences like Roberts radios, Nespresso coffee machines, fully stocked minibars and organic Bramley bath products. There are many room categories to suit every type of traveller including the Broom Cupboard, Boot Room, Factory, Loft, The Lookout and an Artist Suite – some of which are dog and family-friendly.

This hillside Georgian merchant’s house looks across to the verdant Downs on one side and Clifton village’s colourful houses on the other.12 bedrooms have a gentle maritime theme with bulkhead lamps, trunks, art depicting seafaring and deep blue hues. Bathrooms have REN toiletries, robes and suites have copper or tin soaking baths. Relax beside the log burner in a cosy lounge, or soak up the southern sun on the homely terrace. It’s too small for its own restaurant and spa, but breakfast is served in bed, spa treatments can be arranged at the nearby lido and there’s a choice of delectable eateries within a stroll.

Also a Grade-II listed property, the Berkeley Suites form a selection of elegant apartments. Guests staying at the suites enjoy access to the private members’ club The Square (incorporating the renowned Square Kitchen), as well as the gym and spa facilities at nearby the Nuffield Health club. In-room workspaces, bespoke kitchen units hidden in Georgian style dressers, cinema projectors, Delonghi espresso coffee machines with milk frothers, fluffy bathrobes, Elemis toiletries, Vi-spring beds and video painting installations set these art-focused self-catering apartments apart. The venue has been awarded the Condé Nast Johansens Award for Excellence for two years running now.

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.

If you love all things vintage, you’ll adore the Art Deco interiors at this five-star property. It’s packed with 1920s era antiques, with lashings of mahogany furnishings, over a thousand original artworks (as well as notable modern pieces from Turner prize winners) and literary works from yesteryear. The building itself is a piece of history, built during the previous roaring ‘20s and now carrying a Grade II listing – even the D.R. Harris bath products nod to this heritage. But there are modern amenities too; like a shiny new spa and salons. Set beside Brown Hart gardens, there’s a tranquillity that belies The Beaumont’s central location.