Best Luxury Hotels in United Kingdom

Set within eight acres of woodland on North Deeside Road, on the western edge of Aberdeen, you’ll find Marcliffe, the city’s only AA five-star hotel. Since changing hands, the hotel is undergoing a period of significant investment, with a striking £5.5 million glass-domed brasserie, Skylark, and a newly refurbished collection of Suites and Superior rooms, each named after one of the region’s castles. Start the day with a bountiful breakfast in the Conservatory, enjoy afternoon tea or a massage in the spa mid-afternoon, and by evening take a drink in the Drawing Room by the log fire to the sound of the live pianist. And being just 20 minutes from Aberdeen city centre, you have the perfect base for both a city or countryside break in Aberdeenshire.

Standing watch opposite Glasgow City Chambers in the city’s historical municipal district, you’ll find the AC Hotel Glasgow, which breathes a vibrant, fresh energy into Glasgow’s hospitality scene. 245 rooms and suites sit across a brand-new contemporary new wing, plus 22 heritage rooms within the historical wing which once acted as Glasgow Parish Halls. Downstairs, restaurant Hazel, named after the hazel tree in Glasgow’s coat of arms, offers all-day dining, alongside a seriously good cocktail bar, lounge and coffee shop. And being just steps from Queen Street Station, you have everything to hand for a stylish leisure break or business trip in Scotland’s biggest city.

One of London’s most anticipated luxury hotel openings has taken another significant step forward, with Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch officially opening reservations ahead of its long-awaited debut later this year. Occupying one of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks, the hotel will become the first Waldorf Astoria property in London and the first time in Admiralty Arch’s over 100-year history that guests will be able to stay overnight within the Grade I-listed building. Reservations are now available for stays from 1 March 2027, with additional dates expected to be released as the hotel’s autumn opening approaches.

Set on Scotland’s Sutherland coastline at the start of the North Coast 500, Royal Marine Hotel, Brora is an Arts and Crafts period country house, transformed into a coastal retreat, complete with a quintessential, yet contemporary Highland welcome. The building itself, designed in 1913 by the celebrated architect, Sir Robert Lorimer, as a private residence, was acquired by Highland Coast Hotels and reopened in 2022 following a £1.6 million refurbishment. The result is a 21-room bolthole, complete with dining space championing local produce, a cosy bar, set alongside one of the area’s most challenging golf links for its neighbour. A convenient hour from Inverness and the same onto to Wick and Thurso makes this the perfect base to either relax and explore the area or use it as a stepping stone on your journey around Scotland’s rugged highland coast.

A luxurious flagship hotel in the historic Paddington area of London, Inhabit Southwick Street – a member of Design Hotels offers respite from the bustling city centre and a range of world-class amenities to enhance your stay. There are 159 thoughtfully designed guestrooms showcasing the best of contemporary Scandinavian design with traditional Eastern and British twists. On-site dining is available in Yeotown where fresh, plant-based cuisine is served all day or at Pantry where you’ll find healthy snacks and soft drinks on offer. Inhale at Inhabit is the comprehensive wellness centre boasting indulgent treatments and a yoga studio alongside the fitness centre featuring a Peloton bike. There is a calming library and a retail facility where guests can browse.

Located in a peaceful idyll just a few miles from the university town of Cambridge, is the 17th century Tuddenham Mill. 12 acres of grounds include a pond with resident swans, weeping willows and a meadow. Stay in one of 21 boutique bedrooms (Nooks and Lofts) with lavish contemporary furnishings and rustic features. Dine in The Mill’s sleek three AA Rosette multi-award-winning restaurant or grab a drink in the airy lounge bar. The hotel is dog and child friendly, with special menus geared to younger visitors.§

Set within 400 acres of majestic countryside, Cameron House is not only one of the best luxury hotels in Scotland, if not the UK, it also boasts breathtaking 360 degree views of the Scottish landscape and a stay here opens the doors for you to enjoy some of the best adventure sporting activities on offer in Scotland. Enjoy scenic bike hire trails, falconry experiences, pony treks, clay pigeon shooting, 4×4 off-road driving adventures, Segway safaris, as well as many picturesque walks and hikes curated by the hotel’s leisure and events team. Activities have been created with guests, locals and groups in mind, meaning each experience is perfect solo, with a partner, with your family and as part of a group. Combine this with award winning dining options and incredible luxury suites in the hotel’s ‘Auld House’ and you have the perfect combination for an unforgettable hotel stay in the heart of Scotland.

Formerly a dower house, The Peacock is now a chic boutique hotel. Antiques from across the ages mingle with stylish modern pieces, upholstered in rich fabrics. Guests can enjoy more casual dining in the firelit bar, or take a table in the formal restaurant surrounded by oil paintings and heavy drapes – either way, the delicious menu translates across to both venues. Younger children aren’t permitted to stay at weekends and overall it does suit adults better, especially those seeking a break with a more grown-up vibe.

Hidden within 36 acres of Italian gardens and woodland outside of Ballantrae, this hotel lies close to the Ayrshire coastline. A late 19th-century baronial castle, it was first intended as the family seat for the Earl of Inchcape and holds a significant claim to fame – Winston Churchill was said to have discussed the D-Day landings while staying here in the 1940s. Pursuits for the well-heeled are a speciality – shooting, fishing and falconry, as well as tennis and croquet. Inside, guests can relax beside log fires, feast on six-course meals and peruse enormous wine lists. 17 bedrooms offer a period feel filled with antiquities and panelled or marble bathrooms include Penhaligon toiletries.

Built at the turn of the twentieth century, this central Derry hotel pays homage to its location and history in its artworks and carefully restored interiors. Bishop’s Gate was once a gentleman’s club, hosting luminaries including Winston Churchill and WB Yeats. Order drinks and food from the marble bar in Wig, and peruse the fireside portraits of these, and other, former club members, along with an enormous library of antique books. Formal meals are taken in Gown, a fancy candlelit French restaurant – named (like the bar) after the courthouse next door. The hotel also has a gym, 28 rooms and two suites, decorated in classic Edwardian hues.

Arguably Jersey’s finest hotel, Longueville Manor is one of Europe’s top boutique hotels. Its 29  bespoke rooms and suites are the definition of splendour and occupy a stunning and quaint restored manor house. The Longueville’s attention to detail and personalised service ensures guests receive the quintessentially British luxury experience. There is always something to do at Longueville as it has tennis courts, a fitness centre, jogging trails, an outdoor pool and a Spa. The Longueville can also arrange a Luxury yacht charter for guests wishing to explore the stunning coast of Jersey. The hotel’s restaurant is in the The Oak Room whose iconic oak panelling creates the perfect atmosphere for a night of fine dining. The menu is curated by award-winning Chef Andrew Baird whose divine food is accompanied by some of the best wines in the world.

Built in 1887 by the then Earl of Lovelace, this 18-bedroomed baronial hunting lodge is filled with original features. While the hotel’s design certainly harks back to the building’s former life, the decor has splashes of bright accented colour. A kitchen garden supplies a multitude of organic produce, along with local meats and fish. And Highland cows can often be spotted wandering past the grounds. If travelling with kids, or those seeking some thrills, Torridon Outdoors is conveniently located on the doorstep, providing a range of outward-bound activities. Be sure to take a peek at the hotel’s drawing room, with its unusual zodiac-designed ceiling and to sample the hotel’s own Arcturus gin.