451 Best Hotels in England

About 5 miles south of Bamburgh on the scenic coastal road, this chic boutique hotel combines 18th-century heritage and character with 21st-century luxury and comfort. The individually designed rooms are colorful and spacious, with exposed brick walls and criss-crossing beamed ceilings, though the decor varies dramatically—not everything will be to everyone's taste. For ultimate luxury, opt for the top-floor Craa's Nest suite, which includes a comfy seating area, freestanding copper bath, and even a telescope (to scan the horizon for ships). Downstairs, Beadnell Kitchen serves good food all day long; try the fish pie, which is the catch of day topped with a cheddar crust and served with buttered greens.

Now a smart boutique hotel, this was not the actual London town house of Lord Beaverbrook (newspaper tycoon of the 1930s and '40s and confidante of Churchill), but its 1930s-style decor mixed with Japanese touches is a salute to his sophisticated life at the center of London's power elite. The luxurious but comfortable rooms, all named after London theaters, have velvet loveseats, flat screens that rise up from ottomans, retro landline phones in pastel colors, and minicocktail trolleys with glass tumblers and premixed cocktails (in case Nöel Coward stops by for a drink, presumably). The Japanese theme is continued in the restaurant and its adjoining Omikado bar which serves a nine-course small plate menu. Guests receive keys to Cadogan Gardens, one of London's largest garden squares, across the street.

This grand, castellated hotel in the center of town harks back to its Victorian heyday, with lounge areas furnished with comfy armchairs, warmed by open fires, and dotted with old artifacts and local photos. Choose one of the four rooms with four-poster beds if you hanker for the traditional style, as other rooms have a more modern decor. Despite its dated feel, the hotel revels in its old-world identity, and its nostalgic tone chimes well with Tavistock's timbre. There's a good selection of dishes in the restaurant, and parking is free if you book directly with the hotel.

Just a few miles south of Stratford, this pub with rooms oozes imagination and individuality. Rooms remain true to the 18th-century building’s heritage but retain some of the quirky contemporary style for which the pub is known. Foodies beat a regular path to the door of the pub, where the chef is mindful of the seasons and locality—expect to see the likes of seasonal vegetables or Warwickshire lamb on the menu.

The rooms may be unremarkable and basic, but the staff is friendly and efficient, and the views are special from the hotel's unrivaled location above the western end of the Esplanade—ideal for watching yachts in the Solent. The lounge area has an open fire on winter evenings, and the sun terrace takes full advantage of fine weather.

This ivy-covered Regency manor house set on 27 acres has been converted into a relaxed country-house hotel that combines well-chosen antiques with modern amenities. There's an airy conservatory and a small but luxurious spa fed by its own borehole (a type of well) that features Elemis treatments and a heated outdoor pool. The guest rooms, decorated in country house shabby chic, overlook the grounds (which include two meadows and a stretch of river) or an interior courtyard. The restaurant serves Modern British gastropub favorites. Bishopstrow House is 1½ mile east of Warminster.

This budget hotel in the Jewellery Quarter has pod-style bedrooms and a selection of mini-apartments for those who want to use their hotel as little more than somewhere to sleep between exploring. The rooms are updated with smart controls and decorated in cool tones of autumnal brown, green, and gray, and have amenities such as pocket-sprung mattresses, monsoon showers, and high-definition LED TVs. You can order a rather basic "breakfast bag" for the morning or just try one of the many local cafés. Guests can also make use of many local discounts, including free entry to the nearby Jam House live music venue.

The more palatial of Bristol's two links in this large chain has a superb location next to the medieval cathedral. The reborn Victorian hotel has imposing public rooms, an on-site Miller & Carter steak house, and top-notch health and business facilities. Some of the well-equipped guest rooms are on the small side; suites are spacious and plush.

The welcome is friendly, the breakfast is hearty (salmon fish cakes with poached eggs and a full English breakfast are among the options), and the rooms have patterned wallpaper and heavy, luxurious fabrics at this Victorian terraced house. Purples and browns predominate, and one room has a four-poster. The single room is a very good value. This is one of a cluster of B&Bs on Portland Place, a short walk north of Penrith's center.

Beneath forested hills in the tiny village of Egton Bridge, about 5 miles outside Whitby, this two-story stone house has comfortable, spacious, impeccably decorated guest rooms with peaceful views, including some over the Esk Valley. During the day, you can enjoy the garden or take a walk on nearby trails across the Moors. In the evening, you can sit by the crackling fire. The fresh breakfasts are delicious. It books up quite quickly .

Founded in 1837 by James Brown, Lord Byron's "gentleman's gentleman," this hotel occupying 11 Georgian town houses holds a treasured place in London society. Nowadays the interior has a slightly more modern edge, thanks to a top-to-bottom renovation by the Forte chain. Fans of the hotel still love the old-world setting, although a few complain that it's not quite the atmospheric old place it used to be. Nonetheless, it's a well-run operation, filled with the kinds of top-end extras you'd expect with this kind of price tag. The subtle, contemporary guest rooms have office spaces and marble bathrooms equipped with luxurious products, while the staff are exceedingly professional.

With its good food, modest but elegant rooms, and sweeping views of the sea, Brudenell is the very definition of an English seaside hotel. The excellent restaurant specializes in fresh seafood (of course) and has a very good wine list. The bar has a lovely sun terrace overlooking the sea, but come early to get the best seats—you'll be competing for space with locals at busy times.

This luxury hotel checks all the Knightsbridge boxes (top-of-the-range everything, ultrafashionable design, a haven for the international rich) and brings the same attention to detail and Italian high style to the decor as it does to its eponymous jewelry line (though Bulgari hotels are now part of the top end of Marriott). The bedrooms and suites are all large by London standards (and some have fireplaces and terraces), and the glamorous marble-clad bathrooms will make you feel like a movie star (and all have Bulgari toiletries, of course). There's a beautiful onyx-lined spa and indoor pool, while the Sette restaurant, a branch of New York's Scarpetta, showcases good though pricey Italian comfort food. Service is professional but friendly. Suites come with personal butlers and the gym comes with personal trainers.

This half-timber Elizabethan building reveals its long history with stone-flagged floors, bowed and twisted oak beams, and heavy antique furniture. Creature comforts offset the smallish size of the bedrooms, which retain their original character—some are crooked, with sloping floors. The restaurant serves good, crowd-pleasing pub food. Pets are welcome in some rooms.

Centrally located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the Bushel is a classic inn with homey rooms above a lively pub. Run by the Greene King pub chain (the national company based in Bury St Edmunds), the pub is a traditional old boozer that serves solid pub grub in the bar.

This elegant hotel spread out over five town houses features luxurious decor that incorporates sculptural lighting fixtures and modern art while retaining nods to The Cadogan's Edwardian past (it was the site of Oscar Wilde's infamous arrest for gross indecency with a young man). There's a highly rated Modern British restaurant on-site, and access to the 93-acre Cadogan Place Gardens, one of Chelsea's largest garden squares, is included with your stay.

Nothing is ever too much at this elegant hotel that was formerly a private house; mattresses are handmade, sheets are 450 thread count, bathrooms are marble, and everything is done in impeccable taste. There are fine-grain woods, original prints, and soothing, country-chic furnishings throughout, and service is understated. All the rooms are spacious but ask for one facing the front to get more space. Several star chefs got their start at the restaurant, which currently offers all-day dining in the form of everything from poké bowls and pasta to burgers and steaks from the Josper grill.

Squeezed into a narrow space at the bottom of a steep lane just outside Torquay, this secluded coastal spot lies just feet from the rocky shore and the waters of Babbacombe Bay, where dolphins and seals are occasional visitors. There's a view-laden lounge, a cozy pub-restaurant with open fires in winter, and plenty of outside seating. Guest rooms are spacious and there are also luxury beach huts and self-catering cottages away from the main building. If you're not tempted by Babbacombe Beach, you can indulge in the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and treatment rooms instead. Valet parking takes the stress away from negotiating the steep approach road.

Right by Peveril Castle, this former coaching inn—also known as The Castle and reputed to be haunted—has rooms that blend modern convenience and slick bathrooms with original features such as old wooden beams and exposed stone walls. The cozy pub and restaurant serves seasonal local fare.

You're treated to an exceptional view of Windsor Castle's Changing the Guard ceremony from this former coaching inn, parts of which date from the 16th century. In the older section of the Georgian-style house, guest rooms have gently tilting floors and some suites have standing bathtubs in the room; in the modern part, it's smooth elegance, with tasteful neutral tones enlivened by a judicious sprinkling of red or yellow. The cozy lounges are perfect for afternoon tea.

A thatched roof and flagstone bar are some of the 16th-century features of this small inn, where the individually furnished bedrooms make the most of the original beams, exposed brickwork, and stone fireplaces. There's an extensive garden to sit in, and the sea is a 10-minute walk away. Locally sourced gastropub dishes (such as beer-battered fish-and-chips or a fillet of stone bass with butter beans) are available daily. Local craft beers are a specialty. The place is extremely dog-friendly, so anyone with an aversion to Fido should stay away.

In the heart of Lydford village and next to Lydford Castle, this 16th-century inn has rose trellises framing its pink facade and public rooms that are snug, lamp-lighted, and full of period clutter. Guest rooms vary in size, and include singles and larger rooms with four-poster beds. One has its own rooftop balcony, and four are in a cottage across the road. A range of bar snacks and full meals is available.

If you're looking for a hotel with history, you're in the right place: Cathedral Gate's ancient beamed ceilings, low doorways, and sloping floors reveal origins dating back to 1438 (that's 75 years earlier than Christchurch Gate next door). Due to the constrictions of the historic building, rooms vary dramatically—some are poky with shared bathroom facilities, others have bathrooms and four-poster beds and cathedral views—but they're all clean, cozy, and comfortable. Public areas, including the small library, lounges, and a bar, are great for unwinding after a busy day of sightseeing. Continental breakfast is served in the dining room, with beautiful views over the Buttermarket.

Located across the road from Fortnum & Mason (one of the most luxurious department stores in the world), it seems appropriate that the Cavendish comes with a touch of Gilded Age history, a whiff of historical scandal, and a pleasant air of joie de vivre. The hotel was opened in 1906 by one of 20th-century London's great characters, Rosa Lewis (otherwise known as the Duchess of Duke Street), who rose from humble origins to become one of the most feted chef-proprietors of the age (and, infamously, the king's mistress). Today the hotel's genuinely warm and thoughtful service really stands out, and the guest rooms, though small, are comfortable and cozy; upper rooms have memorable city views. 

A stone's throw from the Russell Square Tube station, this is a reliable budget choice whose key attraction is its proximity to the West End and the British Museum. Rooms are clean and comfortable, but with basic amenities (cheapest rooms share bathrooms). Breakfasts are generous and the Wi-Fi is free. A nice touch is the residents' private garden.

Views of the countryside are limitless from this 14th-century manor-house hotel where mullioned windows and oak beams enhance the sitting room. T. S. Eliot, a guest in the 1930s, used to enjoy walking the 50 acres of grounds. The menus at the restaurant include both traditional English and Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as lamb rump  or roast cod with spinach. Most of the rooms, furnished in contemporary style, are outside of the main house. The hotel is 3 miles east of Chipping Campden.

Just steps from the River Windrush, this traditional stone building has been tastefully adapted with contemporary fittings and style. The open-plan bar and lounge area has comfy sofas and a smart, informal feel. Guest rooms, in the main building or in the coach house, are modern, quiet, and done in neutral tones. Across the road, the hotel operates the sleek and modern L’Anatra Italian kitchen.

Deep in the heart of Mayfair, the former town house of the Earl of Chesterfield welcomes guests in wood-and-leather public rooms that match the dark-wood furnishings in the bedrooms—small but looking like fashion magazine spreads, with bold designer wallpaper or tones of fawn and gray. Notice the needlepoint dog pillows on chairs and couches throughout the lobby, a touch from the hotel's dog-loving owners. There are bargains to be had if you book online in advance, and the service is excellent. One neat little detail: the honey at breakfast comes from the hotel's own hives located on the roof.

This former coaching inn on the village's main shopping street has spacious rooms in the handsome main building as well as in the courtyard mews. The accommodations have been renovated in a sleek, modern style; those in the courtyard have more space and privacy. Rates are higher during the week. A traditional bar serves drinks but no meals beyond the breakfast included with the rooms.