Previously known as the Deeside Inn, this historic property received a multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2022, ensuring its upgrade to the esteemed AA five-star rating. Now operated by Crerar Hotels and renamed, the Balmoral Arms boasts an enviable village location close to His Majesty’s summer retreat. This is complemented by authentic Highland hospitality, an Ishga spa and menus featuring produce from the Royal Balmoral Estate. Here is where period heritage meets contemporary design, with a homely feel and some regal flavour.

Hilton London Bankside is at the forefront of Hilton Hotels’ innovative, design-focused evolution. Every element of the hotel has been meticulously thought out to echo the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of the area, merging raw urban elements with sleek, modern aesthetics. A stone’s throw from iconic London attractions like the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe, The property boasts 292 guest rooms, including 25 suites that offer stunning cityscape views, along with a rooftop penthouse, peloton guest rooms, a vegan suite, and a heated indoor pool and gym. Two dining experiences are onsite too OXBO Bankside and The Distillery.

Located near the picturesque banks of the Thames, near London’s most iconic landmarks, The Westminster London, inspired by Ian Fleming’s James Bond, reopened in May 2021 following an extensive multimillion-pound refurbishment. The hotel features 464 beautifully designed guestrooms, ranging from standard rooms to suites, all equipped with modern-day essentials such as flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and bottled water. Guests can enjoy the on-site gym rooftop gym with Peloton equipment and incredible views or indulge at the Westminster Bar & Grill, a modern steakhouse with a carefully curated wine list along with its own unique bowling alley. Additionally, the Westminster Café on the ground floor offers casual dining with a selection of hot drinks, juices, sandwiches, snacks, and canned cocktails, perfect for a quick breakfast or a pre-dinner drink.

Period features meet contemporary interiors in this hotel opened in 1837. Interior design by Olga Polizzi was inspired by literary works and former guests – Rudyard Kipling wrote many of his novels here and it’s believed that The English Tea Room was the inspiration for Agatha Christie’s ‘At Bertram’s Hotel’. As such, the Afternoon Tea is popular with history lovers, seeking to retrace the steps of heroes and heroines in this award-winning, wood-panelled establishment. Now owned by Rocco Forte, modern comforts in the 33 suites and 82 rooms abound. Elegant muted shades are offset with pops of colour and unique artworks. The in-house restaurant Charlie’s, named after the founding Forte Lord Charles, is all about British cooking. While Donovan’s bar (named after photographer Terence), is an intimate and playfully decadent spot to enjoy a bespoke sixties-themed cocktail.

This famous AA Resort Hotel overlooks both the 17th hole of the prestigious Old Course (known as having the trickiest par 4 in the world) and the West Sands – a long golden stretch of the Fife coastline. The 175-roomed Old Course Hotel is home to the only Kohler Waters Spa outside of the USA, as well as four fine restaurants and multiple bars. Its interiors have been designed by Jacques Garcia, creating an elegant and classic ambience. Don’t miss the uber-elegant afternoon tea.

One of our favourite luxury properties in London, the Wellesley Knightsbridge. Positioned in one of the best addresses in London 11 Knightsbridge, Belgravia, overlooking Hyde Park, The Wellesley Knightsbridge is a luxury hotel unlike most others in the capital. Petite in size at just 36 rooms, which means attention to detail is flawless and service is personal. Art Deco features adorn the walls, it feels like stepping back in time to an age of 1920’s elegance, while finishing touches like a butler and a chauffeur services for guests further elevate the luxury experience.

This glorious 4-star hotel located across from Kings Cross station breathes a breath of fresh air into Kings Cross with it graffiti fronted facade and newly refurbished Design Rooms. The Megaro is independently run and integrates, design, fashion, cinematography and music together with a big dose of British pop culture! Design Rooms come in 4 different styles with our favourite rooms being Backstage Britannia. The hotel has an all-day dining restaurant ‘The Eatery’ as well as a speakeasy basement bar and the lobby doubles up as the hotel’s mini bar too!

This quintessentially British hotel is located in St James’s Place, Mayfair, close to Piccadilly Circus and Green Park. At Dukes, you are offered luxury and sophistication in a hospitable environment where the in-house team will do everything possible to make your stay perfect. Refinement and elegance matter here; it is all part of the magical concoction that creates Dukes’ unique ambience. Bedrooms and suites are beautifully appointed; there is even a dog-friendly room.

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.

Crossbasket Castle, located in High Blantyre just 12 miles south of Glasgow, offers 40 Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites in its new hotel along with, nine historical rooms in its castle. Designed to blend early 20th-century elegance with modern luxury, featuring unique dining experiences such as Foveran’s, a light-filled space serving breakfast and lunch, and Trocadero’s, an energetic, Roaring Twenties-themed restaurant with live entertainment. Guests can enjoy rooms with luxurious amenities like marble bathrooms, underfloor heating, and Penhaligon’s toiletries, as well as expansive historical suites. The castle is set within 14 acres of landscaped gardens, with easy access to Glasgow, Loch Lomond, and the Trossachs National Park, making it the perfect base for both relaxation and exploration.

Return to the splendour of the Georgian era at Batty Langley’s. 29 suites are inspired by 18th/19th-century life and notable characters of the ages. There are two lounges for guests’ use, one with an honesty bar (the epitome of fancy boutique London hospitality) providing a recipe book for cocktail making. Breakfast can be served in these, or in your room. This establishment is certainly a place to lounge in your room till late and order room service at any time of the day or night; Batty’s has a theatrical decadence about it, that’s made for minimooners.

Located in the heart of Crail in Fife, The Shoregate is a coastal treasure reimagined by Nicholas Frost and Damon Reynolds in 2019. This historic 18th-century building, which has operated as a hostelry since the late 1800s, underwent a meticulous two-year restoration and reopened in May 2022. The restoration emphasised local craftsmanship and historical authenticity, ensuring every detail reflected its rich heritage. The Shoregate offers a destination restaurant, cosy bar along with four stylish guest rooms, three with breathtaking views of Crail and the Firth of Forth and one a two room suite. Inspired by old photographs, original architectural plans, and local features, the bar retains its historic character with Victorian pitch pine panelling, etched glass ceiling fixtures, and brass ship’s lighting. Stained glass, both original and newly commissioned, adorns the space, alongside reclaimed pews from a chapel near New Lanark, upholstered in Ross-shire woven fabric. The dining room offers a calm yet dynamic atmosphere with light oak tables, Carl Hansen chairs, and accents of near-burnt orange and teal panelling. Mirrors enhance the space, creating depth and ambience. The room is furnished with Crail pottery and Harris tweed lampshades and cushions, contributing to its unique charm. The four guest rooms focus on spaciousness and comfort. The first floor features three large ensuites, transformed from five original rooms, with bespoke wardrobes by a local furniture maker. The top floor, previously staff quarters and storerooms, now houses a stunning two-room family suite with expansive views across the Forth.