Best Luxury Hotels in United Kingdom

Come here to sample two-Michelin-starred French cuisine by Alex Dilling in the restaurant, or to stay in a suite formerly occupied by legends like Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill and David Bowie. Michelin-starred chef Albert Adrià (believed to be the world’s finest pastry chef) also chose Hotel Café Royal as his only non-Spanish endeavour, where you can order sweet treats and champers. As soon as you arrive into the lobby, you’ll be dazzled by a 700-pound Murano glass chandelier. And the holistic well-being centre provides sound healing and Watsu water therapy.

This residence may be among the bright lights of London’s theatreland and nightlife hub, yet it’s tucked out a view in a peaceful pocket of the district. Kit Kemp has created the colourful interiors, with bright prints and a cool Britannia vibe. Guests at The Soho Hotel have the benefit of an onsite boutique cinema with two funky screening rooms, a beauty spa, a library and a drawing room and access to a Nintendo Wii. Bedrooms come equipped with a fully stocked mini-bar, a Tivoli Radio, a Bluetooth Bose unit, Frette bed linen and RikRak bath and body products.

If you’re a fan of Batman, be it the cartoons or movies, you absolutely must put this on your bucket list. Subtly themed on the superhero, with nods to the character here and there in the form of some classy memorabilia, the identity of this hotel is opulent and sophisticated. Dark colours reign, especially in the mysterious corridors, creating a moody, dramatic atmosphere. The restaurant, Honey, has a menu designed to ‘get you thinking sweet thoughts’ and stunning half-moon feature windows proffering city views. This was once a bank, and now is a grade II listed building overlaid with funky contemporary furnishings.

Soaring 47 floors from the ground in the Beetham Tower, this is the place for bird’s eye views. Super central, this Hilton is handy for those preferring to explore on foot and a stay here provides ample opportunity to dress up for the evening.. The aptly named Cloud 23 cocktail bar and Podium restaurant (serving British cuisine) are situated on the 23rd floor; visit in the evening to see Manchester’s dazzling array of lights, as you drink and dine. And if you’d like a touch of VIP hospitality, stay in an Executive Guest bedroom for access to the Executive Lounge.

Choose from ABode’s trademark room categories: Comfortable, Desirable, Enviable and Fabulous, where parquet flooring, ironwork columns and high Victorian ceilings provide lashings of character. Modern touches such as Marshall Blue tooth speakers, blackout curtains, air conditioning and Nespresso machines (the latter featured in higher-end rooms) make your stay extra comfortable. Themed fifth floor suites are akin to mini apartments and include tuck boxes, mezzanines and spiral staircases. Drinks can be brought to your room and you have the option to order takeout from local delivery services. Brasserie ABode serves guests a ‘Breakfast of Champions’. The hotel is just across the road from Picadilly Station.

King Street Townhouse is a contemporary hotel conveniently located within the upper King Street conservation area of Manchester city centre. The elegant and impressive Italian renaissance building dates back to 1872 and was designed by Edward Salomons, a local architect. Now, a modern ‘baby grand’ hotel and part of the Eclectic Hotel Collection, King Street Townhouse, comprises 40 bedrooms and suites – with a good choice of room type (from snug to Luxe suites) to suit every type of visitor. For those in need of some relaxation, indulge in some time in the unique infinity pool located on the seventh floor and offering stunning views across the city. For those who enjoy a little more activity, there is a small but well-equipped gymnasium for residents to use. From the rooftop terrace to the wine cellar there are exclusive spaces for residents to enjoy cocktails and grazing platters through to tasting menus with a sommelier service. Brunch, Afternoon Tea, wine tasting and all day dining options are available for residents and non-residents to enjoy at The Tavern at King Street – the stylish onsite restaurant. Seasonal menus showcase the finest British cuisine with tasty dishes created from local ingredients. This really is the place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and eat, sip and socialise!

Take a five-star, opulent break in Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter. The Merchant Hotel is housed in a palatial Victorian Grade A listed building (once Ulster Bank HQ), with a glamorous Art Deco wing. Admire the skyline as you unwind in the modern rooftop jacuzzi or work up a sweat in the gym with a view. There’s an abundance of eateries on the doorstep, but inside guests can dine in splendour at The Great Room Restaurant, drink in the award-winning Cocktail Bar or the Cloth Ear. The Merchant is also home to the only live jazz bar in the city and an exclusive fashion boutique.

This landmark hotel has regularly played host to celebrities, VIPs and top-drawer events since its inception in 1971. Built on the site of the Great Northern Railway Station, it now accommodates an elegant piano lounge, a modern bistro (the Causerie Restaurant), extensive meeting facilities and 272 bedrooms – including family-friendly interlinking bedrooms. Guests can book the Clinton Suite, named after the political power couple who stayed in November 1995. And at 51-metres in height, it provides far-reaching vistas from the upper floors. Like the Titanic Hotel, it’s part of the illustrious Hastings Group and often used by film crews visiting the city – two series of a BBC documentary series, Lobby Lives, were shot here.

The three hundred rooms of the Grand Central Hotel proffer views over the Lagan Valley and the Mournes beyond. Found in the trendy Linen Quarter, the Hastings Group hotel is ideally placed for the city’s attractions and transport links. Founded in 1893, it became the social hub of Belfast, with guests including Winston Churchill, King Leopold of Belgium, Billy Graham, Al Jolson, Mario Lanza, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones having graced its luxurious suites. The Grand Central’s Seahorse Restaurant and 23rd-floor Observatory bar (Ireland’s tallest cocktail lounge) are destinations in their own right, loved by locals as well as visitors.

Bursting with individuality and charm, The Scotsman Hotel is an Edinburgh institution. The beautiful Baroque buildings in which this luxury hotel sits was once home to the National Newspaper – which is now the hotel’s namesake. Interiors showcase many original features, including luxurious floor-to-ceiling wood-panelled rooms, grandiose marble staircase and stained glass windows – all combined with modern amenities and unique signature details. Each of its  58 rooms and 14 suites is individual, stylishly appointed and a comfortable sanctuary in the heart of the city. Guests can dine at the hotel’s destination restaurant, enjoy a drink in the bar or seek a moment of solitude in many of the cosy spaces throughout the hotel. And home to a 48-seater classic cinema, guests can enjoy a trip to the Picturehouse with the utmost convenience.

Located in 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland, just seven miles from Edinburgh city centre, the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is a 4-star hotel that offers guests refined accommodation across its 215 rooms and suites. Guests can choose from period rooms and suites within the original manor house or more contemporary rooms in the north wing. There is lots to do at the hotel including a luxurious leisure club, indoor swimming pool, two 18-hole golf courses, and a refurbished driving range. Guests can also enjoy an excellent choice of Scottish gastronomy in a period drama-style setting; from the signature restaurant with views out to Edinburgh Castle and beyond through to an elegant Afternoon Tea and cocktails or a wee dram at the cosy bar. Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have once been a visitor to Dalmahoy in days gone by – so stay and follow in the footsteps of Royalty.

Perhaps one of the most romantic hotels in Edinburgh, The Witchery, is a boutique hotel which is intimate, opulent and offers an exceptional fine-dining experience with an award-winning wine list. Located at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, in a 16th-century building, the hotel boasts a rich and colourful history that is intertwined into the guest experience. Each of the nine suites are dramatic and theatrical – some with a four-poster bed, some with a roll-top bath for two, some with original portraits and tapestries-  and all with flamboyant style. Stay here and be transported to a bygone era.