326 Best Hotels in England

A hotel that caters to guests who are here for sightseeing rather than the daily grind of the financial district, Sun Street Hotel makes its case with a quiet luxury. Opting to embrace the history of the building it inhabits (it resides within six combined Georgian town houses), the hotel is awash with heritage colors, William Morris-esque prints, and plush velvet and buttoned leather at every turn, creating an atmosphere of grown-up, elegant luxury. Close to the buzz of Shoreditch in one direction and the likes of the Tower of London in the other, all while enjoying its place among the peace (particularly on weekends) of the City, Sun Street is well placed for exploratory wanderings.

Few inns can boast of a more idyllic setting than this mid-17th-century coaching inn, originally a row of cottages on the banks of the gently flowing River Coln and now comfortably modernized. Inside the charm continues through cozy lounges to the richly decorated, modern guest rooms. Cottage suites come with private gardens; one has a hot tub, another an open fireplace. The colorful Swan Brasserie serves Bibury trout from the local trout farm, or you can indulge in options such as hearty dry-aged steaks and lemon tart with apple-and-cinnamon ice cream.

Facing the cathedral, this former coaching inn built in the 15th century has guest rooms furnished with antiques and done in subtle, restful colors. Check out the rooms first, as some are better than others. A few have four-poster beds, and some have to-die-for views (including Nos. 40, 41, and 42, and the aptly named Cathedral Suite). An adjacent courtyard holds three apartments with contemporary decor. The restaurant serves pub classics and traditional meat and fish dishes.

This half-timber 14th-century lodging has rambling public rooms, roaring fireplaces, and corridors so low that cushions are strategically placed on beams. Most of the individually styled bedrooms have rich oak cabinets and original wood paneling. Bathrooms have been fashioned around ancient timbers and hidden rooms. The popular bar is full of memorabilia from the days when this was a favorite pub of American airmen stationed here during World War II. One wall is entirely covered with autographs and messages from the vets who loved this place, while another is a memorial to those who didn't make it back. The moving display is worth dropping in to see if even if you're not staying here.

The elaborate building housing this grand hotel in the financial district is a former bank, and the vast old banking hall—beautifully adapted as the lobby, with luxurious marble and mahogany panels—really sets the scene. Guest rooms are stylish and spacious, with modern bathrooms, big comfortable beds, and sage green and taupe decor along with more mahogany. Given the location, it's no surprise that this place looks as if it were custom-designed to please business travelers although its decor will appeal to anyone with a penchant for classic glamour. 

An Art Deco town hall, abandoned in the early 1980s and turned into a chic hotel 30 years later, is now a lively and stylish place, with the best of the building's elegant original features intact. In keeping with the Town Hall Hotel's hip image, the excellent Da Terra restaurant serves South American food with an Italian twist. Guest rooms are bright and airy, and bathrooms are visions of white and chrome, but some sacrifice too much in the name of design, with only a curtain separating them from the bedroom.

Strong on historical atmosphere, this central lodging housed the town's assembly rooms, where news of Admiral Nelson's victory at Trafalgar and of the death of Nelson himself were first announced from the minstrels' gallery in 1805. The Trafalgar Room, lounge, and dining rooms retain their Georgian elegance. A number of the traditionally styled guest rooms have window seats and views over Mount's Bay, though some of the carpets and corridors could use updating. If the reception is unstaffed, check in at the bar, where you might find live music on Tuesdays and Saturday evenings.

Decorated with a chic, contemporary flair, Cambridge's oldest hotel is a welcome luxury option, where public spaces include a handsome library and the suave Parker's Tavern brasserie for weekend roasts, afternoon tea, and cocktails. Rooms and suites are done in warm, colorful tones with stylish patterned fabrics. Some are even outfitted with their own private book collections as a nod to Cambridge's academic legacy.

Set amid gardens and woodlands, this handsome mansion—built in 1845 for Francis Wedgwood, heir to the family property firm—has comfortable guest rooms that make a perfect retreat after spending the evening in the cozy lounge with a log fire. Some rooms have private balconies. A full English breakfast is included, and the welcoming restaurant serves creative Modern British cuisine in a classic setting.

This stylish boutique hotel with an adjoining spa has wide windows that flood the place with light, rooms that are chic and contemporary, and spacious suites with sofas from which to admire the city stretched beneath you. Inevitably, the more expensive rooms have the best views. The roof terrace is a lovely spot for an evening cocktail if the weather's fine, or you could unwind in the spa, where a 30-minute stress-relieving massage sets you back around £54.

A colorful, whimsical hideaway—where a shabby-chic design contrasts with a hip, sophisticated vibe—on the Holkham Hall estate is more laid-back and family-friendly than the austere Victorian exterior suggests. Bedrooms are on the small side, but comfortable, with elegant, handmade furniture and modern bathrooms. The hotel restaurant is one of the finest in the area, with an emphasis on modern European cuisine. The dune-backed Holkham Beach (where the desert island conclusion of Shakespeare in Love was filmed) is a few minutes away; show your room key to avoid the access fee of a couple of pounds. The hotel is dog-friendly, too.

Situated in a large, late-Victorian mansion on a promontory, this charming, refurbished hotel makes the most of uninterrupted Robin Hood's Bay views, with the main restaurant, the garden, and several bedrooms facing the sea. Osborne's, the fine-dining restaurant, serves locally sourced Modern British dishes like pan-fried fillet of bream with heritage tomatoes and wild samphire or Champagne-battered North Sea cod. There's also a cocktail lounge and The Loxley pub, which specializes in small sharing plates and local craft beers.

In two mellow Victorian buildings overlooking one of Clifton's leafiest squares, this somewhat functional hotel makes a useful base for exploring this part of Bristol. Rooms are decorated in neutral colors and are mostly spacious; rooms 229 and 247 open directly onto a small walled garden. Hotel parking is limited but street parking is available with a permit (both options incur an extra charge). Bus 8 from Temple Meads station stops right outside.

Located close to the London Stock Exchange, merchant banks, hedge funds, and The City's oldest guilds, the luxury boutique hotel Vintry & Mercer offers a nod to tradition, then proceeds to deliver a chic, colorful, and contemporary experience that stands out in this neighborhood. A handsome basement cocktail bar, a ground-floor restaurant, and the refined rooftop terrace offer great accompanying public spaces to the bright, luxuriously appointed rooms.

If you want hotel benefits, this is a good bet; near the water's edge, with good views, it's comfortable and spotless, with excellent service and amenities such as underfloor heating, espresso machines, and even the occasional trouser press. Rooms are decorated in a similar style, in browns, greens, and neutral colors with some prints and carpeting. Discounted rates are often available in the winter; check the website for the latest offers.

Mullioned bay windows, gables, and tall chimney evoke the luxury of bygone days at this hotel in an 1886 neo-Jacobean-style building. Relax on the Italianate terrace overlooking the 157 acres of landscaped grounds, or take afternoon tea, which is available every day. The hotel boasts its own 18-hole golf course as well as a leisure club and spa. Public rooms such as the Great Hall, with wood paneling and a marble fireplace, complement the main house guest rooms, which have faux-antique furnishings. For the best views, ask for a room overlooking the gardens. The fancy Trevelyan Restaurant relies on a French foundation to present British cuisine. The hotel is about a five-minute drive north of Stratford.

Originally a 16th-century coaching inn, but given a Victorian makeover, this gray, rather austere, turreted pile close to Boscastle's harbor makes a welcome place to return to after an energetic ramble along the coast. The turret rooms are good choices if they are available, but most of the guest rooms are spacious with plenty of quirky historic character. The traditional restaurant and bar serve tasty pub food and Cornish ales, and there are lovely gardens to the rear. Three cozy self-catering apartments are also available.

This former Methodist chapel that dates back to 1824 has been converted into a stylish boutique hotel in an area sorely lacking them (the church is still a part-owner of the property and the basement space, which retains the original stained glass window and is used for worship and community functions). Bedrooms are comfortable and thoughtfully designed in terms of storage, while the smart TVs are huge and the free Wi-Fi is fast. There is no restaurant on-site but Camden Town's many dining options are right on your doorstep.

Spectacular views of the river, Big Ben, and the London Eye fill the floor-to-ceiling windows in this rather stark, steel-and-glass building steps from Tate Britain. The hotel comes with sleekly modern guest rooms and two self-explanatory dining options, STK Westminster and Bao Yum. Fitness buffs will love the penthouse fitness suite.  

Guests have been welcomed to this inn since the 15th century (it's even said that Oliver Cromwell stabled his horses here), and the main building retains all the period trappings—cobbled entrance, beams, stone walls, courtyard—while the bedrooms, both in the main building and in a separate wing, are relatively modern. The hotel has a casual but atmospheric bar-restaurant where you can order such dishes as steak-and-ale pie, curries, and burgers; guests who book accommodation direct receive a 20% discount on the restaurant bill.

A 450-year-old former coaching inn, this hotel and restaurant once patronized by Charles Dickens is full of historic character, with open fireplaces, wood paneling, and exposed beams. The bedrooms, some with original fireplaces, offer a combination of traditional charm and modern, uncluttered style. The cozy bistro downstairs serves a Modern British menu with an emphasis on seafood.

None of the character of this black-and-white timbered hotel, in one of Stratford’s most historic buildings, has been lost in its swanky but sympathetic update. Low beams, wood paneling, and winding corridors are partnered with the best of contemporary design, original artwork, and striking swan motifs. Public rooms feel ancient yet cozy; bedrooms come individually designed, many with freestanding or copper baths and a choice of pillows. If you want the most history, ask for a room in the oldest part of the hotel. Don't miss the stunning 16th-century wall painting in the restaurant.

Perks at this one-time 19th-century cotton mill include complimentary yoga classes for guests while a tempting roster of social events and activities open to both residents and locals includes drag brunches, vintage swing dance classes, bee mosaic making (the bee is the city's symbol), and Sunday board games. There's a Peruvian-inspired restaurant too. The suites and studios combine hip contemporary decor with nods to the building's Victorian quirks and eccentricities, plus the practicality of full kitchens. Colors and textures are refreshingly offbeat—think salmon pink, mustard yellow, and various shades of green on everything from sofas to painted brick walls.

This sweet and rather elegant old hotel, on the premises of one of London's first B&Bs (1881), is a decent, well-situated option. It's a cheery little place, with comfortable (if small) bedrooms, in which muted modern color schemes clash only slightly with the kind of floral fabrics your grandmother would love. The restaurant serves decent, though unimaginative British and European cuisine; however, you're just a couple of blocks from London's Victoria train station and the multitude of eateries close by. Breakfasts are delightful. 

Part of a global brand that first became known for its airport capsule hotels, this colorful lodging option features high-tech "cabins"—some are tiny and some windowless, but all incorporate sustainable-design elements like LED lighting that turns off when not in use, solar panels, and water-reducing showers. In-house MOTLEY serves low-key, seasonal produce and beer from local breweries and even has a karaoke pod. Guests get discounts at TRIB3 boutique fitness studio.

If you're looking for a central location and modern urban style on a tight budget, the Z is a superb option. Rooms are pared-back and minimalist—all the better to appreciate the superb city views from rooms with windows (the most expensive, but still great value). Bespoke beds, crisp linen, and flat-screen TVs make the place feel more expensive than it is. The Z Café serves buffet breakfasts and snacks.