451 Best Hotels in England

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.

This bed-and-breakfast lies 1½ miles outside town and backs on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal; the grand building dates from 1837 and is brimming with character and charm. Queen Victoria once stayed here before taking the throne—look for her coat of arms, which can be seen in the gables and in some of the fireplaces in the bedrooms. Rooms come with smart TVs and power showers alongside more period-style decor. Guests are welcome to relax in the drawing room (where there is a fire in winter), play board games, or have a game of pool. The B&B is next door to the Stratford Parkway train station and the Park and Ride, which has a bus service into town.

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.

This venerable 17th-century coaching inn has counted the eminent statesman William Pitt the Elder among its guests, and, since his visit, it has retained much of its antique style. Today, though, the guest rooms are spacious, comfortable, and modern, with all the amenities necessary for a night or two. A range of foods is available in the bar and restaurant, including a hearty brunch.

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.

These contemporary apartments were loosely inspired by the wit and wisdom of Irish writer Oscar Wilde and blend personality and creativity with practicality in the design-led studios and one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens. Think timber flooring, bespoke joinery, and unique crafts and artwork, many by independent Irish business and artists, plus high-end appliances. There are discounts for longer stays.

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. 

A watering hole since 1755, this pub with rooms near the cathedral and the college wears its Britishness proudly, with depictions of national heroes like Nelson and Churchill, military artifacts, and an assortment of pewter mugs hanging from the ceiling. The individually decorated rooms are comfortable and characterful, if on the small side, with freestanding baths and good modern showers. The seven rooms in an annex across the street are more modern. A well-regarded wine list sets off the Modern British dishes at the restaurant, which is popular with locals.

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.

Check out this agency for attractive small flats in Farringdon and Bloomsbury, starting at around £150 per night.

This agency specializes in executive apartments for business travelers, so prices are high, but so is the quality. Aside from a few supercheap places in parts of town you wouldn't want to stay in, prices start at around £70 per night for a one bedroom near the former Olympic Village in Stratford (East London), rising to around £550 per night for a two bedroom in Mayfair.

Rooms in private homes in Knightsbridge, Kensington, Mayfair, Chelsea, and West London are handled by this agency. Prices start at around £87 a night per double room, making this a great alternative to budget hotels.

Contact this company for delightful little London hideaways, in Kensington, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge, costing around £75–£125 per night with full English breakfasts.

This company arranges stays in the properties of Londoners who are temporarily away. Attractive apartments and houses are primarily in Notting Hill, Kensington, and Chelsea, and most cost around £115 to £170 per night. The minimum booking of five to seven nights is a bit limiting, though, and you must make a substantial security deposit (usually between £200 and £1,000), which is returned after your stay.

Dozens of flats all over London, available for weekly rent, are on Interhome's books. Properties range from suburban pied-à-terres to luxurious city-center apartments.

It costs from $99 per year for a listing and online access with this company.

Specializing in unusual and historic buildings, this agency has London apartments starting at around £650 for a four-night (minimum) stay.

What sets this agency apart is the quality of the properties on offer and the outstanding support you get during your stay—fresh linen, toiletries, a kitchen full of basic supplies, iPhones helpfully loaded with maps, and, in a lovely touch, a package of tips about the area from the owners themselves.

This agency has hundreds of luxurious flats in residential neighborhoods all over London, with prices starting at around £1,000 per week.

Only upscale addresses are handled by Uptown Reservations, and they specialize in hosted homes or apartments for Americans, often business executives. Nearly all the homes on its register are in Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington, and Chelsea. Prices start at around £125 per room, per night. There's limited information on its website; bookings must be made over the phone. A nonrefundable deposit is required.