Best Luxury Hotels in United Kingdom

One of the most famous hotels in London, if not the world, the Savoy opened in 1889 on The Strand, as the first luxury hotel in Britain. It quickly became a byword for elegance and grace, with interiors designed by Collinson & Locke. Now owned by the Fairmont group, it has an illustrious history – Frank Sinatra, Geroge Gershwin and Noel Coward all entertained here, while Oscar Wilde, Laurence Olivier, Edward VII, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles and many other legends have counted among its guests. Hosting royalty and a wide variety of celebrities is all in a day’s work for this titan of the hotel industry. Many of the 268 rooms provide stunning views across the nearby River Thames, and the hotel also has 7 restaurants for a wide variety of fine dining options. As an English icon, The Savoy is very popular with tourists seeking a quintessentially classic British stay.

In recreating the rooms at the Connaught, Guy Oliver and Guy Collins have fused modern styling with retro touches which help keep the overall impression in harmony with this hotel’s architectural roots. Every room is generously apportioned, particularly the suites; the Sutherland Suite has its own Baby Grand Piano. Restaurant Helen Darroze at the Connaught offers a package that won her two Michelin stars. Relax in the restaurant’s magnificent interior, designed by India Mahdavi. Alternatively, dine at Jean-George’s where British classics blend with Southeast Asian flavours. The hotel also has a spa that offers a range of treatments and alternative therapies.

It’s hosted the stars of Hollywood and members of the Royal Family for over two centuries. Spencer Tracy commented that he’d rather go to Claridge’s than to heaven when he dies. And Gordon Ramsay opened a restaurant here. This hotel is grand and British, with elements of its heritage – notably its art deco years – evident in the decor. Highlights include the Davies & Brook restaurant and The Fumoir, a sultry speakeasy-style glamorous bar. There’s a swish outdoor dining area, a spa and a famous afternoon tea. The kid-glove service is top-notch and attentive, with butlers in suites and the penthouse.

Located on Edinburgh’s most famous thoroughfares and offering what has to be one of the most enviable vistas of Edinburgh from any hotel window, 100 Princes Street is the latest addition to the family-owned Red Carnation Hotels collection, and arguably its most exclusive. Evocative of a private members’ club and a celebration of Scottish exploration, the property features 30 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, ‘The Wallace’ dining room, bar and lounge and ‘Ghillie’s Pantry’, an elegant private dining space offering over 200 whiskies along with custom whisky experiences.

You’ll find the Corinthia London where Northumberland Avenue meets Whitehall Place. Positioned on a landmark triangular site, it’s between Trafalgar Square and the Thames Embankment. The building once served as British Government offices and as the Hotel Metropole in the 19th century. Nowadays it’s home to the award-winning ESPA Life at Corinthia, a new 1920’s inspired theatrical cocktail bar named Velvet, The Northall restaurant with its designer dining room, Michelin-starred celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and a glittering lounge, where 1,001 Baccarat crystals provide chandelier lighting for your afternoon tea. Corinthia London accommodates 283 bedrooms including 51 suites and seven penthouses.

The Chancery Rosewood in London is an all-suite sanctuary where heritage architecture and modern design converge on Grosvenor Square. Comprising 144 suites crafted by French architect Joseph Dirand, this extraordinary property occupies the restored former U.S. Embassy, originally designed by Eero Saarinen and meticulously reimagined by Sir David Chipperfield. Interiors reflect timeless sophistication through warm tones, bespoke furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing Mayfair’s skyline.

Eight distinctive restaurants and bars include Carbone, the cult New York import, Serra, celebrating Mediterranean warmth, Tobi Masa, marking Chef Masayoshi Takayama’s London debut, and Jacqueline, a tea and dessert salon by Marius Dufay. The expansive Asaya Spa by Yabu Pushelberg features a 25-metre pool, The Taktouk Clinic, MoodsPro treatments, and EviDenS de Beauté rituals. Guests enjoy flexible check-in and use of a chauffeur-driven House Car, with private butlers for suite guests.

Relive the Golden Age of Travel, with a stay at this art deco, nautically-themed hotel just across from the Titanic Experience. It may be a new venue, having opened its doors in 2017, but the building has a long history. This was once the headquarters of Harland & Wolff (the maritime engineers responsible for most of the White Star ocean liners), a heritage reflected in the hotel restaurant’s title. Indeed, the waterfront’s history is woven throughout – lookout for details like the stunning Titanic model in the Harland Bar. The venue received three gongs at this year’s Irish Hotel Awards and was named Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel in 2020’s World Travel Awards.

Situated in the old Work & Pensions building in the city centre, Dakota Glasgow offers the best in affordable luxury and top-quality cuisine. On a quiet street just steps from Sauchiehall Street, you couldn’t be closer to the city centre pubs, restaurants, clubs and theatres. The interior of the hotel is as striking as its painted black exterior, with lots of exposed brickwork mixed with luxe furnishings and fittings – all very effortlessly stylish! The 83 rooms and suites are light and spacious with full-length windows which wouldn’t look out of place in an NYC loft and walls and soft furnishings dressed in the trademark dark grey tones that run throughout. The olive-tiled bathrooms are also a delight and add to the calming and peaceful ambience. In terms of food, the Dakota offers an in-house Bar & grill helmed by a head chef who trained under Rick Stein, and their impressive Champagne Bar is perfect for private dining or special occasions!

Designed in the Beaux-Arts style and opened in 1922 as the Port of London Authority building, this hotel is now a Grade II listed building. At its opening, it was one of the tallest structures in the capital and the 100 current rooms still command excellent views. This member of the legendary Four Seasons chain popular with business and leisure travellers offers a number of fine dining options. Creative French cuisine can be enjoyed in Anne-Sophie Pic’s Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic London. Contemporary Chinese and Japanese dishes are served at Mei Ume. And the stunning domed Rotunda Lounge and bar, at the hotel’s heart, is the setting for a unique Crown Jewels-inspired afternoon tea. Below ground, the lavish contemporary spa contains one of the most dreamy pools in the city.

This hotel first opened in 1997, bringing the brand’s Nobu Japanese-Peruvian dining experience, popular with the A-list, to London. Rooms here are all about space and light. The Como Metropolitan is clutter-free and deeply calming, contrasting the bustle of the streets below. Everything is activated via the touch of the button – from climate control to the smart media system, lit rainfall showers and the thick silk blackout drapes. This serene ambience extends into The Como Shambhala spa, renowned the world over for its acupuncture and shiatsu. Alongside more traditional treatments, top visiting therapists also offer osteopathy and energy healing. 

Prestonfield House is a unique 5-star hotel that seamlessly blends opulence, theatricality, and luxury within one of Edinburgh’s most charming historic buildings and has been operating since the 1950s. This exclusive haven, presided over by James Thomson O.B.E DL, marries the serenity and seclusion of a country estate with the vibrancy of urban Edinburgh. Set within 20 acres of beautiful, manicured gardens, with views across the nearby majestic Arthur’s Seat guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the green open space. Yet just a mere five-minute jaunt from the heart of Edinburgh, those seeking to explore the city can easily do so.

Each of the 18 lavish bedrooms and five romantic suites showcases individual features and character, adorned with one-of-a-kind antique furnishings and distinctive feature beds with the antique theme flowing throughout the hotel. The destination restaurant, Rhubarb, presents guests with the choice of private dining rooms, lavish salons, and grand public spaces – not to mention the fine seasonal cuisine they serve. The level of service and hospitality is impeccable, personal yet professional.

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.