326 Best Hotels in England

Because this country-house hotel reflects the owner's precise vision and attention to detail, a stay here is like a stay at a friend's home, if your friend has an exquisitely tasteful but comfortable, eco-friendly Georgian house on a 400-acre estate an hour from London. The decor is all about stealth wealth, eschewing traditional marble and glitz for muted earth colors in rich fabrics and luxuries like underfloor bathroom heating and Bang & Olufsen televisions. The hotel is committed to being as self-sufficient as possible, with 60% of its produce sourced from its biodynamic farm, eggs from its 480 hens, and cheese from its dairy cows (who you can visit). There are two restaurants (which have won a Michelin Green Star for sustainability), a board games room, and a screening room that hosts showings of first-run films as well as lectures. Also on-site is a spa complex with airy pool, and outdoor activities include wild swimming in the lake as well as fishing, horse riding, and falconry.

With faultless service, sumptuous designer furnishings, and a sense of fun to boot, this impeccable hotel breathes new life into the cliché "thinks of everything," yet the epithet is really quite apt. A "whatever, whenever" button on the bedroom telephone connects you with helpful, amiable staffers who provide exactly that. High-tech gadgets are everywhere in the beautifully decorated black-and-white rooms; some are split-level and all are gorgeously furnished with extraordinary pieces from every corner of the globe. Even the hotel entrance is unique: an elevator sweeps you up to the fifth-floor lobby, where you can relax on a buttery leather couch in front of the fire while you're checked in. Perhaps the most appealing thing of all about this place is how perfectly it balances real luxury with genuine warmth and hospitality.

This hip chain has brought high-tech flair to six former sugar-refining warehouses, built in 1728 when the River Frome ran outside the front door. Rooms are spacious and crisply contemporary, but retain many original industrial features, while the bathrooms have monsoon showers and roll-top baths. The bistro-restaurant specializes in modern but robust French fare. The hotel is close to the docklands and the city center. If you have a car, reserve parking when booking as spaces are limited.

A Victorian eye hospital got a makeover from this hip chain, but it retains such original details as the ironwork double stairway and marble columns. Beyond the imposing redbrick exterior is an inner courtyard with a retractable roof, which is a great summertime outdoor space and a lovely location for afternoon tea year-round. Bedrooms are sleek and contemporary, with leather-encased sleigh beds, slippers and robes, and a choice of drinking glasses to accompany the minibar. The bistro has a flavor of Paris, and in the Bubble Lounge you can sample a wide variety of sparkling wines.

Under the auspices of hotelier Olga Polizzi, the Endsleigh has become one of the country's best-loved hotels, nestled in a fold of the Tamar Valley with the river itself rolling serenely by at the bottom of the garden, which has been cited as one of the world's most romantic. Built as a hunting lodge, with grounds designed by Humphry Repton, the atmosphere is secluded and select, with log fires in winter and acres of grounds to explore in summer. Guest rooms are palatial but cozy, with none of the drafty windows or creaking floors that often go with the country-house experience, and some feature antique, hand-painted wallpaper. There's a two-night minimum stay at weekends. The paneled restaurant draws enthusiasts from far and wide for its traditional but inventive cuisine. It's located 8 miles from Tavistock.

This hotel in a black-and-white timber-frame building in the center of town has a great location opposite Shakespeare’s New Place and a gorgeous, stripped-back feel that works well within the confines of a historic building. Originally called the Falcon, it nods to this past in the wood-paneled tearoom, where it is said wood from Shakespeare's New Place was repurposed when the house was torn down. Far from a museum, though, this well-thought-out hotel has different areas to suit moods and tastes, from a cozy bar to a lovely courtyard garden to a light-filled lobby. Each room comes with a Hypnos bed dressed in Egyptian cotton, beautiful tiled bathroom, and charming splashes of color. Opt for one of the rooms in the 16th-century part of the building for more Tudor character (contemporary rooms are also lovely, and larger), and make sure you dine in the handsome Woodsman pub downstairs at least one night, where local deer, wild boar, and lamb are cooked in front of diners on a wood-fired oven and charcoal grill.

It's the Cornish Riviera, Italian style—this former yachtsman's club, owned by hotelier Olga Polizzi, makes for a luxuriously relaxed stay. Decorated in stately, muted tones, with terra-cotta pots on the terrace, the Tresanton is a meeting of classic English and warm Mediterranean styles, and the terraced Beach Club and the yacht available to guests in summer reinforces the jet-set spirit. In the restaurant, the Italian-inspired menu includes local oysters, lobster, gnocchi, and beef fillet.

With the amenities you'd expect from a five-star hotel, including crisp white sheets on huge beds and luxurious bathrooms, and impressive views of the Thames and Canary Wharf, the addition of this luxury hotel has been a boon for Greenwich Peninsula which has been under a huge development, creating a whole batch of riverside residences that hug the elevated walkway and linear park called the Tide. On-site dining options include the fabulous Kinaara restaurant while the Clipper bar echoes the region's maritime history in its decor and layout, overlooking the mighty Thames through floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. Take the elevator up to the rooftop Eighteen Sky Bar for after-dinner cocktails and views, and make sure you also use the spa—just be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment as the hotel is popular with day visitors taking advantage of an afternoon tea and spa day program.

Occupying a sprawling 19th-century mansion in the northeastern part of the city, this attractive, independent boutique hotel is surrounded by manicured gardens overlooking a stream with a small waterfall and is filled with polished oak floors, huge windows, and wandering staircases. You can read the paper by the inglenook fireplace in the lounge or curl up on a firm bed in one of the chic and modern guest rooms. For ultimate comfort, book one of the two major suites; each offers quirky sloping ceilings, spacious seating areas, and appealing rooftop terraces. Downstairs, the elegant Fern Dining Room serves sophisticated yet unfussy dishes using the finest regional meat and produce; try the aromatic tandoori spiced monkfish or the indulgent cheddar cheese and spinach soufflé. Ask at reception for a quick peek inside The Great Hall, a grand, high-ceilinged room with oak paneling, huge Gothic windows, and an intricately carved fireplace, all overlooked by an ornate minstrels' gallery.

The 63 acres surrounding this elegant 17th-century country-house hotel retain many original features, including the walls of the kitchen garden (still in use), the apple trees in the former orchard, and a mile-long avenue of linden trees, the longest in the United Kingdom. The house itself is similarly rich in period details such as a baronial staircase, wood paneling with carvings by Grinling Gibbons in the bar, and two fireplaces surrounded by hand-painted Delft tiles (all the rage when the house was built during the reign of William and Mary). Rooms may have original wood shutters and ceiling molding, but the bathrooms have up-to-date electronics and underfloor heating. Smaller, less pricey rooms in one of five extensions are more modern and less distinguished. Don't miss the falconry displays featuring the resident owls and falcons. The hotel is 2½ miles northwest of Winchester.

Hotel pedigrees don't come much greater than this one: built in 1865, The Langham was the original luxury hotel in the city, all but inventing the very image of what a great London hotel looked like. Good fortune didn't last: it closed in the 1940s, and spent much of the 20th century being used as office space by the BBC, before finally reopening in 2010 after a renovation that was rumored to cost nearly £100 million. The public spaces are flawless, from the spectacular, light-filled atrium, with its soaring marble pillars, to the restored ballroom, which now houses Mimosa, chef Jean-François Piège's French Riviera-inspired restaurant, transplanted to the hotel from Paris. Guest rooms are spacious and modern, with sumptuously comfortable beds, although bathrooms in the basic rooms are small.

In a central neighborhood where hotels veer from wildly overpriced at one extreme to grimy bolt-holes at the other, the Lime Tree gets the boutique style just about right—and at a surprisingly reasonable cost for the neighborhood. The casual dining restaurant The Buttery, which serves delicious cooked breakfasts and brunch, light lunches, and cake, backs onto a sweet little garden, while the simple yet elegant bedrooms are in muted tones of taupe and cream; many have views over the classic Georgian London street outside. Thoughtful extra touches include a guest computer and a guidebook library.

This delightful, elegant townhouse in the popular Wyle Cop area of Shrewsbury is stylish and modern where it counts—in the chic bar area and adjoining restaurant—but nevertheless has plenty of character in its wonky floors and oak beams. The bright, light-hued rooms come with crisp linens, wrought-iron bedsteads, and pocket-sprung mattresses, and have decent bathrooms. The town's main attractions are within walking distance, as long as you can manage some hills.

Style and image are the draw at The London EDITION hotel, where Michelin-starred chefs and hip bars complement the boutique property’s sleek, contemporary design. Behind the neoclassical exterior, a decidedly bohemian air permeates this luxurious hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia, the second hotel in Ian Schrager's venture with Marriott. Rooms are crisply styled in deep tones of chocolate and oatmeal, with huge beds and faux-fur blankets strewn about while bathrooms have cavernous freestanding tubs or sizeable showers. Service is exceptional and personalized, with arriving guests escorted to rooms upon check-in. But really it's all about the nightlife here, sophisticated though it is. Berners Tavern, the main bar-restaurant, has a belle epoque feel, with old paintings filling almost every inch of available space on the cool gray walls. Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton runs the kitchen, though the vibe is kept casual. The exclusive Punch Room is the more intimate of the two dedicated cocktail bars, with its creatively prepared alcoholic punches. A fashionably mixed crowd, relaxed atmosphere, and culinary expertise combine to create the recipe for this winning contemporary hotel.

Originally an Edwardian ramblers’ hostel, this country hotel remains a great place from which to hike in the magnificent surrounding countryside, including Castleton itself. An Arts and Crafts exterior conceals surprisingly modern, unpretentious, and comfortable rooms. It's the food in the on-site Grafene restaurant that is the real star—think creative Modern British dishes based on super-local produce. Hiking-weary limbs can be soothed in the bijou spa, where you’ll find a small pool, a sauna, and an all-year outdoor hot tub with fabulous views. Rates that include dinner are available.

Occupying a sprawling 600-year-old coaching inn on High Street, the Lygon Arms is a charming warren, filled with cozy nooks for afternoon tea, a separate wine bar, a vaulted dining hall serving locally sourced menus, and plush luxury at every turn. The rooms vary in size (and price), but all are opulently designed and embrace the rich history of the building, while the courtyard leads to a discreet spa and pool complex.

This elegant country-house hotel 3 miles southeast of Warwick makes for a quiet, luxurious getaway; it has more than 40 rooms in two buildings but still manages to make you feel like you're visiting friends, albeit very wealthy ones. The more traditional country-chic rooms are in the original manor house, while the spa and more contemporary rooms are in a newer, separate building called the Orchard House (it's a bit like the main house's younger sibling).  One of the biggest attractions is the oak-paneled Dining Room at the Manor House restaurant, acclaimed for its sophisticated cuisine. The Asian-inspired Sencha restaurant offers cuisine not often found in an English country hotel. You can book a treatment in the spa, hidden among the trees in the lovely grounds, or just kick back in the outdoor vitality pool and take in the view.

Secluded in a 23-acre park on the edge of the village, this partly 14th-century manor house has guest rooms—some in mews cottages—that brim with antique character. Outside, the house is a baronial swirl of solid chimney stacks, carvings, and columns. Inside, a stone frieze depicts characters from Shakespeare's Falstaff plays to commemorate the fact that Sir John Fastolf, thought to be the model for the character, was lord of this manor. The Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant serves fantastic upscale cuisine with imaginative wine pairings, but you can also dine more affordably in the 12th-century pub, The Castle Inn, nearby. The landscaped setting is soothing, with green vistas on every side and a river running through the grounds, though the village is steps away. An excellent 18-hole golf course is on-site.  

Steeped in a history of smuggling—look for Rudyard Kipling's atmospheric poem "A Smuggler's Song" on the wall outside—the 600-year-old Mermaid is Rye's most historic inn; its sloping floors, oak beams, low ceilings, and huge open hearth look like a film set, but it's all totally authentic. Bedrooms are quite small, but some have four-poster beds and stone fireplaces. The restaurant, warmed by a roaring fire in winter, serves good Modern British cuisine.

Owned by the National Trust, and more like an actual country house than a country-house hotel, this splendidly restored Queen Anne building with mid-18th-century additions has furnishings, textiles, and wallpapers that perfectly complement its oak-paneled walls, carved-wood bannisters, and built-in window seats. Dotted with mature oak, cedar, and sycamore trees, the 20 acres of grounds also have walled gardens landscaped to period, as well as former outbuildings and stables that house additional cottage-style rooms. The pretty spa features Aromatherapy Associates treatments. There are two restaurants: the fine-dining The Oak, where the Modern British set-price menus change seasonally, and the less formal Pineapple, which offers lighter fare like sandwiches and salads.

These three intricately decorated Victorian town houses overlooking Kensington Palace provide an intimate, luxurious alternative to the city's more famous high-end hotels, offering thoughtful hospitality and opulent, distinctive rooms full of antiques. The hotel is noted for its attentive service and excellent restaurant. Many rooms have canopied beds, and each has a decorative theme—the Ascot Room, for example, is filled with the kind of elegant hats worn at the eponymous horse race. There's also a sauna and a heated pool, and the hotel can organize special experiences like private tours of Kensington Palace or an in-room recital by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Perched on a hill overlooking the town below, this charming, family-run boutique hotel has spacious, individually designed rooms that combine home comforts like Hypnos beds, walk-in showers, and roll-top baths with quirky touches like bold print cushions, pineapple-shaped lamps, and antique chairs. The hotel's restaurant and bar, set inside an 8th-century cavern below the hotel, is one of the town's best; the all-day menu changes seasonally but might include chilli salted squid, mixed beans risotto, and venison and beef stew. Walk past rooms 7 and 8 and you may find yourself doing a double-take; they are suspended halfway up the wall and don't go anywhere.

There's a lot to love about this modestly priced, mid-range hotel—it's housed in the city's commanding stone Municipal Building a short hop from Lime Street station, its Palm Court restaurant is decadent, its Seaforth Restaurant salutes refined British cuisine, and its gorgeous spa and pool are serene retreats. Upstairs, stylish rooms come with high ceilings and plush muted grey furnishings that complete the hotel's classy showing.    

Bursting with eye-catching Art Deco design and achingly hip interiors, The Ned is as close to the glamour of the 1920s Jazz Age as you'll find in contemporary London. Guests should catch their breath before walking into the vast impressive lobby, where a cavalcade of lively restaurants and bars await. The multitude of dining options here manage to comfortably share a space not unlike the size of Grand Central Terminal. Replete with 92 emerald-green columns, 10-meter-high ceilings, and gorgeous tiled floors, The Ned is every inch the modern grand dame hotel. Rooms range in size from the smallest "crash pad" to the largest family suite, and the same level of design and attention to detail can be found in each. Luxurious, opulent, and aware of its own style, The Ned is also a surprising bargain.

One of London's hippest hotels sits opposite the famous Royal Opera House, and while a bit austere looking from the outside, inside it's all deluxe boho-chic, with dark mahoganies, worn rugs, velvet sofas, embroidered damasks, and hand-painted wallpapers. Set in the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court and Police Station and delightfully sprinkled with 1,600 pieces of art, be sure to take tea in the Library, enjoy craft cocktails in the subterranean Common Decency cocktail lounge, or sip agave-based cocktails in the hopping Side Hustle bar.

From the impressive collection of modern artwork throughout the hotel to the sleek furnishings in the guest rooms, this stately converted bank building displays contemporary style in a city that favors the traditional. Oxford's most centrally located hotel also holds the busy Quod Restaurant & Bar, serving creative salads and pizzas, as well as heartier dishes like duck confit.

The best views in Mousehole can be enjoyed from this lodging's guest rooms, some of which have balconies or terraces, and all of which have modern bathrooms and come with Cornish tea and proper coffee with fresh milk. You can also soak up the sea views on the sheltered deck overlooking the subtropical garden, at the bottom of which the coast path gives direct access to the harbor, a three- or four-minute walk away. There's good food to be had in the open-plan bar and restaurant, which is adorned with local art.

In the heart of Tunbridge Wells, this stylish boutique hotel perfectly situated between the café-filled Pantiles and the shop-lined High Street is a luxurious and intimate place to stay, with spacious and contemporary guest rooms. Expect chic design in muted colors and natural woods, exceptionally comfortable king or super-king beds, and modern bathrooms with rainfall showers (and, in larger rooms, baths). The brasserie restaurant is excellent—try the incredible garlic and chilli king prawns flambé —and a bright, art-filled bar and snug serves traditional afternoon teas and evening drinks. Everything else you could possibly need is right on your doorstep. Larger groups should consider booking the self-catering townhouse, while sleeps up to eight in four double bedrooms.

As the first new-build hotel in London since 2012, the Peninsula has a feeling of spaciousness not possible in converted period buildings, resulting in an overall feeling of opulence (architecturally, aesthetically, and service-wise). Public rooms boast triple-height ceilings (quadruple height for the 82-foot heated pool) and standard doubles are the size of small apartments, with floor-to-ceiling windows, sofas, mahogany-paneled walk-in dressing rooms, and huge onyx marble bathrooms (complete with Japanese toilets that adjust water and seat temperature and bathtubs offering lighting and media controls). Triple-glazed windows and thick carpets ensure the droning traffic of nearby Hyde Park Corner never intrudes. Unobtrusive but omnipresent tech, a state-of-the-art spa, two glamorous bars, and four dining options (ranging from Canton Blue and its elevated Anglo-Cantonese food to the aviation-themed, fine dining Brooklands with views over Hyde Park) create a luxurious, rarified cocoon infused with Asian influences for the (private) jet set.

This coastal outpost of the stylish, food-centric Hampshire boutique hotel minichain is in a Victorian Gothic former private residence in an unspoiled village on the scenic, peaceful Studland Peninsula. Rolling lawns look out over Studland Bay and the Old Harry Rocks at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast; mats and towels are even provided for excursions to the beach below. Inside the hotel, shabby-chic bedrooms combine comfort with understated elegance (some have mullioned windows and paneled ceilings) as well as individualquirky touches such as freestanding roll-top baths. Two separate thatched-roof cottages are good for those who want privacy, and there's a caravanlike shepherd's hut on the lawn where you can spend the night. As at all the Pigs, the restaurant is excellent, utilizing seasonal ingredients grown on-site or sourced within 25 miles.