Best Luxury Hotels in United Kingdom

Less than a mile from the iconic attractions of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, the Conrad London St James is set within two 19th-century townhouses which were once Queen Anne’s Chambers and government offices. This property has been the Conrad London St. James since September 2014 and part of the Hilton Worldwide group, it became the brand’s 24th hotel, taking on the US chain’s upscale approach to international hospitality. There are plenty of nods to its past connections, not least in its fascinating and thoughtfully curated art collection as well as plenty of dining experiences from its themed afternoon teas, an art deco-inspired dining concept The Pen, The Hedgerow bar and a traditional London pub. This property oozes luxury and is one of our favourites in London.

Even closer to the ferry (fewer than five minutes walk), The Douglas Hotel is a boutique property overlooking the sea, with just 19 bedrooms, two suites and a lodge catering for four. Its origins date back to 1782 when it catered for the aristocracy; the hotel later became a medical practice and the doctor’s home, but, after falling derelict, was taken on by Sean Henry in 2010. The decor is both classic and fashionable, with plenty of tweed and plaid to reflect local culture. It has a bar and bistro, with a large terrace for boat and seal spotting on warmer days.

Just minutes from the ferry terminal at Brodick (staff collect guests in liveried vans), Auchrannie is set beside a burn, in the shadow of the mountains. Choose to stay in the spa hotel (best for families), the old house hotel, in a multi-bedroom lodge catering to groups, or at the far reaches of the resort in a couples’ timber-built one-bedroom retreat with a wood burner, a wood-fired hot tub, fire pit and wilderness views. All are within walking distance of the facilities; three restaurants, two pools, two thermal suites, a children’s play barn, an activities centre and games hall and ASPA for treatments.

Patterned wallpaper, painted panelling, palms, Persian rugs and parquet flooring create both a classic and on-trend aesthetic in this property. Bedrooms with carved headboards and bold-printed cushions range from “cosy” through to “luxury studio” categories. The Coral Room salon bar channels the 1920s and was designed in collaboration with Martin Brudnizki. The Dalloway Terrace is a fully heated al fresco space for all-day dining, adjacent to The Coral Garden, with its botanical canopy and fireplace. Then there’s the hedonistic Bloomsbury Club Bar, with a Tarot inspired cocktail menu.