451 Best Hotels in England

The Lanesborough is like a beautiful, luxurious cocoon for the seriously well-off, exuding Regency opulence from the swagged perfection of the bedrooms (some with views over Hyde Park) to the magnificent 19th-century antiques. Each room comes with a 24/7 dedicated butler (available for performing tasks like walking your dog) and daily fresh fruit, while children are provided for with in-room treasure hunts, a media library with popcorn, special pool hours, and a welcome gift. The building dates back to 1733, and even the drinks list in the Library Bar is redolent of history, notably the collection of cognacs going back to 1770 (a mere snip at £5,000 a shot). The Lanesborough Grill features inventive modern takes on traditional British cuisine like Dover sole or beef Wellington using seasonal and regional ingredients. Befitting the Regency setting, there's a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. You can also relax at the state-of-the-art spa, open until late.

The well-heeled have been meeting—and eating—at Claridge's for generations, and the tradition continues in the original Art Deco public spaces of this glamorous London institution. Guest rooms are soothing and suave, and spacious bathrooms have enormous shower heads. Enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge, cocktails in the stylish bar, or, better still, a meal in the hotel's legendary Foyer & Reading Room. Perhaps Spencer Tracy said it best when he remarked that, when he died, he wanted to go not to heaven but to Claridge's. Claridge's afternoon tea is a seriously fun, high-class treat—but make sure you book in advance.

To feel like an Edwardian grandee, sweep up the drive to this stately home, one of Britain's grandest hotels, with an opulent interior that includes John Singer Sargent's famous portrait of Nancy Astor, suits of armor, tapestries, and acres of wood paneling. The luxurious, traditional bedrooms, complete with fireplaces, molded ceilings, and antiques, are named after prominent guests, from Charlie Chaplin to Henry James. You can eat contemporary British dishes in the stately Cliveden Dining Room restaurant beneath stunning chandeliers, or more informally at the Astor Grill. Later, take a dip in the beautifully secluded outdoor heated pool. If your pocket doesn't rise to a night here, you can drop in for a luxurious afternoon tea.

A huge favorite of the "we wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else" monied set since its opening in 1917, The Connaught has many dazzlingly modern complements to its famously historic delights. These include up-to-date rooms done in smooth taupes and creams and—the ultimate sign of devil-may-care swagger—a swanky bar with platinum-plated walls. Chef Hélène Darroze runs her namesake, three-Michelin-starred restaurant; alternatively, the afternoon tea is a great splurge. But for all its modern touches, there are nods to history at every turn here. The Coburg bar is a wink at the Victorian royal family (the current royal dynasty was named "Saxe Coburg" until adopting the more British-sounding "Windsor" in 1917) and the hotel itself was named in honor of Queen Victoria's son, Arthur—the Duke of Connaught at the time it was built.

It's little wonder this is now the London home-away-from-home for celebrities, A-list actors, and various other top-tier guests, with its unbeatable Covent Garden location in a former French hospital and stylish guest rooms that use mix-and-match couture fabrics and one-off pieces to stunning effect. Beautifully decked out with painted silks, style anglais ottomans, and 19th-century oil paintings, the public salons are perfect spots to decompress over a glass of Meursault. For £55, the popular Saturday night Film Club offers afternoon tea or dinner in the ground floor Brasserie Max and a film in the deluxe basement cinema.

An imaginative renovation has transformed this 18th-century mansion, set on 240 acres of parkland, into a playful and contemporary lodging, where tree branches serve as bedposts, a grand copper oak-leaf chaplet is suspended overhead in the restaurant, and carpets echo the colors of leaves. You can listen to underwater music in the spa pool, soak in a copper roll-top tub, watch a polo match, or play a game of croquet. The restaurant, Woven by Adam Smith, has exquisite dining, using as much local produce as possible. The Barn serves more rustic fare, and the Spatisserie specializes in healthy options.

Discreet and rakish—and right in the heart of Soho—this stylish Georgian town house (really three town houses turned into one) has a effortlessly chic bohemian vibe and an excellent eponymous Modern British restaurant decorated with interesting pieces by renowned British artists like Peter Blake and Tracey Emin. Inside, comfy velvet sofas and heavy upholstered chairs jostle for space; and many beds are four-poster. As part of the Soho House group of members' clubs and hotels, it's all effortlessly hip, soignée and unfailingly au courant, which comes at a price—although bargains are to be found, especially on Sunday night.

This fashionable boutique hotel occupies a charming old town house in one of London's most upscale neighborhoods. Rooms and suites have been individually designed with bold colors, handwoven carpets, eclectic artwork, and knickknacks from around the globe. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Tivoli radios, and marble bathrooms with Firmdale Hotels' own RikRak products. The drawing room, with high ceilings, cozy fire, graceful windows, and honor bar, is a perfect spot to relax with a cocktail. English brasserie-style cuisine is served in the Potting Shed Bar & Restaurant, a smart, intimate neighborhood find. An elegant afternoon tea can also be enjoyed in the hotel's Drawing Room, which looks out toward Dorset Square. 

Part Jacobean, part Georgian, this magnificent stately home provides formal luxury in an opulent country setting. The building is decorated with a masterful touch—crystal chandeliers, original oil paintings, and carved ceilings adorn the ornate public areas; the magnificent Jacobean staircase is guarded by unique carved figures. Bedrooms, furnished with well-chosen antiques and comfortable beds, are suitably grand. Some rooms are situated in Hartwell Court, on the approach to the main house, and some have direct access to 90 acres of landscaped parkland. You can dress to impress for dinner, enjoy the terrace of the spa's café, or just drop in for a refined afternoon tea.

The design throughout this trendy East London lodging is contemporary—but not so modern as to be absurd; in keeping with a claim to combine a country-lodge lifestyle with true urban living, a fire crackles in the lobby. The chic but casual restaurant is packed with friendly youth; the comfortable guest rooms have Frette linens and down comforters; the bar is popular with local office workers; and the Hoxton Grill combines American steak-house style with French bistro chic. You'll be hard-pressed to find another hotel of this quality, near the center of town, for the price.

Standards are high at this 15th-century stone manor house, the ultimate place for a gourmet getaway, where master-chef Raymond Blanc's epicurean touch shows at every turn, including in one of the country's finest kitchens. The idyllic, 30-acre retreat has a kitchen garden, where vegetables are grown for the restaurant. There's also a valley of wild mushrooms, an herb bed with 70 varieties as well as micro-herbs, an orchard stocked with more than 80 varieties of British apple trees, and a wildflower meadow. Although Let's Cook experiences and garden tours (weekdays only) are popular, and the impeccable dining experience is a big draw for many, the hotel—part of the Belmond collection—stands on its own, whether you're a foodie or not. The accommodations are separated into seven categories and spread out between the main house and garden courtyards. The layout of each room and suite is vastly different; one might be in a dovecote, another might have an Asian-inspired feel with bamboo wood and a scented steam room, and another a private terrace and marble bath. Dogs have their own heated kennels.

A shiny fortress of luxury, ME brings a splash of modern cool to a rather stuffy patch of the Strand. Designed by Foster and Partners (the architects behind London's City Hall and the Reichstag in Berlin, among other buildings), the sleek, subtly lit public areas give way to bright and spacious bedrooms with modern gadgetry like custom-controlled mood lighting. The main on-site restaurant—STK—is fun and glittery, but the Radio Rooftop Bar is the real star. The view of the Thames, from the Shard in the east to the old Battersea Power Station in the west, is one of the best in town. Other on-site facilities include plenty of meeting spaces and a 24-hour gym.

Rooms at this lovely boutique hotel are created from several Victorian stucco town houses located just around the corner from the Victoria and Albert Museum and look like they come from the pages of Architectural Digest; the delightful courtyard garden is an added bonus. Chic yet welcoming, guest rooms feature beautiful furniture and textiles designed by owner Kit Kemp, offset by nice touches like hardback-filled bookshelves and flat-screen TVs set into the wall; bathrooms are clad in gray marble and polished oak. The staff are friendly, so lingering in the drawing rooms is a pleasure, and drinks are served in the leafy garden in summer.

One of London's most iconic hotels maintains its status at the top with winning attributes of impeccable service, stunning decor, and a desirable location on the Strand. There's still no grander entrance hall in London than the main stately lobby or a more glamorous setting than the adjacent Thames Foyer, a dreamy salon done up in black-and-white chinoiserie and pink orchids. Gadgets such as LCD TVs are oh-so-discreetly incorporated so as not to destroy the effect as you prepare for cocktails at the famed American Bar (first opened in 1893, it maintains a strict first-come-first-served policy, so who knows who you'll be standing in line with). There are four superb restaurants: the Gordon Ramsay–run Savoy Grill; a tiny tasting menu-only Restaurant 1890; the Thames Foyer; and Ramsay's the River Restaurant with its glorious panoramic views of the Thames.

The five-story atrium and Art Deco staircase hint at the delights to come in this converted warehouse—a breath of fresh air with its playful color schemes, elegant wallpapers, and wonderful views of the city from the higher floors. Thoughtful little touches, from the plethora of gadgets in every room to the exclusive 1,500-foot borehole from which the hotel draws its mineral water (yes, really) raise this place to something truly special. Across the street is the 13-bedroom Marrable's Hotel, a sister hotel offering the same quirky style with a touch more intimacy—and an excellent cocktail bar, too.

With a sustainable approach to luxury, the US-based 1 Hotels has brought its first European outpost to Mayfair, and the hotel's promotion of all things natural offers a fresh perspective and a welcome alternative to more staid hotel experiences in the city. A striking living chandelier in the lobby, plants and shrubs at every turn, and living moss walls in the rooms, elevators, and hallways truly bring the outside in, providing a visual symbol of the hotel's holistic, eco-friendly ethos. The open dining room of the Dovetale restaurant is relaxed, wellness facilities are a key offering, and the rooms are spacious sanctuaries with natural materials used wherever possible.

On a quiet corner, this upscale boutique B&B has spacious guest rooms with carefully chosen fabrics and wallpaper, comfortable mattresses, and contemporary touches. Stained glass, wooden floors, shelves of books, and a grand piano help give the place a cultured air. Breakfast options include local sausages, fresh fruit, and eggs Benedict. Your hosts will also prepare picnic baskets, cheese plates, and other delicious savory platters on request.

An intimate retreat within a hectic city, this boutique town-house B&B has a delightful setting on a cobbled lane in Liverpool’s charming Georgian Quarter. The focal point is the lounge, with its elegant gentleman’s club feel, but there's also a basement contemporary art gallery curated by a leading collector based in Berlin and Antwerp and open to guests by request. You're within easy walking distance to many of the city’s most exciting dining options, but stay here for the glorious in-house breakfasts of local produce, with a vast array of choices. The four stunning rooms have freestanding tubs—one in the sleeping area itself.

Lovingly restored, this Grade II–listed Victorian town house, set on a quiet, narrow street just across the river from the castle and cathedral, is Durham's best city center stay. Each of the boutique hotel's bedrooms provides a comfy king-size bed, modern bathroom, and eye-catching (often floral-themed) decor, but the very best ones have an added bonus: bay windows that frame a stunning view of Durham Cathedral. Rooms are linked by a spiral stairway lined with elegant stork wallpaper and bird-related artwork, as well as light fixtures in bird cages. Start each day with an excellent breakfast in the ground-floor dining room, and end it with a limoncello from the honesty bar in the cozy lounge. The center of town is a short (but steep) walk from the hotel, though you have to climb back up the other side of the river to visit the castle and cathedral.

With Clifton Suspension Bridge at the end of the street and the Avon Gorge directly below, this elegant Georgian B&B offers classic views of Bristol from its windows. The thickly carpeted rooms are spacious and embellished by antique furniture and works of art, and the comfy lounge offers access to a generous lawned garden. The staff welcome guests with a glass of sherry and a slice of homemade cake. Breakfast, around a communal table, is a lavish affair with smoked salmon on toast and pancakes with syrup among the numerous choices.

Enter under the portcullis of this genuine medieval castle, where present-day luxury dominates. Antiques and rich draperies furnish the individually designed bedrooms, and many have lattice windows, beamed ceilings, and curtained four-posters. The hallways, lounges, and dining areas are adorned with suits of armor, mounted weapons, and historic portraits. You can dine beneath a 12th-century barrel-vaulted ceiling in the excellent Queen's Room restaurant; the prix fixe menu includes three courses, and you can add three paired wines for an additional cost. Alternatively, consider the superb afternoon tea (£50 per person), which is served until 5:30 pm and can be enjoyed in the Great Room, in one of the charming lounges, or out on the beautiful garden terrace surrounded by ruined castle walls. If you're staying the night, take a stroll around the lush grounds—stop for a game of croquet or tennis, or play a round on the 18-hole putting course along the way—or wander along the country path into the village of Amberley, via the impossibly pretty thatched-roof houses on Church Street.

Swanky and upscale, the design at the Andaz (East London's first-ever five-star hotel) cleverly symbolizes its geographical position between the East End and the City, blending pinstripes and framed graffiti art with added touches of opulence throughout—guest rooms are colorfully decorated with designer furniture and intensely comfortable beds. The hotel provides an enjoyable check-in ritual too—guests are offered a glass of Prosecco on arrival—as well as a daily 6 pm canapé and wine hour in the sumptuous foyer. There has been a hotel on this site since 1884 when the Great Eastern Hotel was built adjacent to Liverpool Street Station at the height of the railway era. Ask any of the reception staff about the hotel's history, and they'll mention the hidden Masonic Temple discovered during the refurbishment (where Lady Gaga later staged a photoshoot). If you walk down to the on-site restaurants instead of taking the elevator, you'll get another taste of the past by spotting the once-grand ceilings and wide stairwells. From the stunning light green Rake's Bar to the striking red walls of Lady Abercorn's, each bar and dining area offers a change in color palette, decor, and menu. From all-day dining at the Brasserie to fine Japanese dinners at Miyako, you could easily spend an entire visit eating your way around this place. And as each restaurant has a door leading directly to the street, they're always frequented by locals, many of whom possibly don't even realize they're in a hotel, adding to the lively atmosphere.

As packed with bohemian character as they come, this small boutique hotel oozes retro charm. The shabby chic decor lands somewhere between town house and artist's loft, with muted gray and stripped brick walls, reclaimed furniture, and distressed pine floorboards offset with irreverent touches like quirky art, milking stools, and antler chandeliers. The effect works beautifully, and it helps that the staff are so friendly. The café serves traditional English breakfasts and lunches with an emphasis on regional produce. There's a speakeasy-style bar in the basement with a concise but considered cocktail list. 

A classic Georgian building has been converted with flair and wit to create a contemporary guesthouse—the first link in what is now a small chain whose boutique properties all have a strong artistic bent. Each of the bright rooms has been individually designed by a different artist using a bold mixture of retro curios, old-style furnishings, and colorful murals, although bathrooms are reassuringly modern and well equipped. If possible, ask to see your room first (some are quite small). A self-catering cottage is available, too. The bar, restaurant, and terrace garden are also well worth exploring.