6 Best Hotels in England

A stay in this elegant yet homey boutique hotel near Sloane Square gives visitors a taste of life as an old-school, old-money Chelsea resident. The feel here is very much of a private town house, albeit one with an excellent, accommodating staff. Bedrooms are furnished in tasteful neutrals, and a few have a working fireplace. Some are on the small side, but all are luxurious. There's no restaurant, but guests are welcome at the restaurant of the sister hotel around the corner. A garden lounge serves fresh breakfasts, brunch, and afternoon Champagne and cake. The charming staff has a nothing-is-too-much-trouble attitude and a genuine feeling of warmth toward their guests.

Few hotels this opulent manage to be as personable as The Dorchester, which opened in 1939 and boasts a prime Park Lane location with unparalleled glamour; gold leaf and marble adorn the public spaces, and guest quarters are awash in English country house–meets–art deco style. The entirety of the hotel's guest rooms and suites were recently refurbished under the watchful eye of superstar designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, with the more spacious, soundproofed accommodations sporting delicate designer floral headboards and soothing pastel tones to conjure an elegant sense of opulence. Three stunning restaurants include one exquisite three-Michelin-star spot, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, helmed by Ducasse protégé Jean-Philippe Blondet. Afternoon tea in the Promenade lobby is a classic, and a cocktail in the Martin Brudnizki-desiged Vesper Bar is a must, while the award-winning spa is popular with jet-set Londoners and in-house guests. 

Exuding an understated grandeur, this luxurious hotel is a relaxing, indulgent sanctuary in the heart of the city. The impressive lobby, with its black-and-white marble floor and its ground-to-ceiling glass cabinets of curiosities, sets the tone for this decadent yet playful destination. Elegant decor and furnishings abound, and guest rooms are well appointed with large comfortable beds. The brasserie-style Holborn Dining Room wins plaudits for its Modern British food while Scarfes hotel bar is a seductively salubrious place for pre- or post-dinner drinks. And if after all that, you’re in need of some serious pampering, then there's always the wonderful Sense day spa in the basement.

With its floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's highest cocktail bar, and unrivaled views of the London skyline from 1,016 feet above the South Bank of the Thames, the Shangri-La has become one of the city's most distinctive hotels, occupying floors 34 to 52 of the tallest skyscraper in western Europe. Located next to London Bridge station, it's within easy walking distance of Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe, the Southbank Centre, and the Tower of London. Room decor is tastefully understated so as not to distract from the the jaw-dropping views of the city visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows (a small price to pay for occasional privacy concerns since nearby office buildings can also see in). There's also a 24-hour fitness center, a spa with an infinity pool overlooking the skyline, a lounge serving Asian-themed light bites, and a Modern British–meets-Asian fine-dining restaurant on the 35th floor featuring ingredients from Borough Market.

If you're looking for a discreet, luxurious hideaway in a woodland setting with uninterrupted views and an excellent spa, this hugely relaxing country-house hotel is hard to beat. The Regency main building has welcoming public rooms with open fires. Comfortable guest rooms, both here and in the forest cottages, lake cabins, and lodges, combine impeccably appointed bathrooms with bespoke furniture and occasional quirky touches like freestanding bathtubs overlooking the forest. The Italian-influenced restaurant is under the direction of leading chefs Angela Hartnett (who also supervises the on-site cooking school) and Luke Holder; there's a more casual, health-oriented restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The sumptuous spa is one of the country's best, and Wellington boots are available to borrow for walks along New Forest trails (maps provided in rooms).

Originally a 17th-century coaching inn, this luxurious country-house hotel—near the River Wharfe and an easy walk from Bolton Abbey—has contemporary rooms in a modern wing and traditional main house rooms tastefully decorated with antiques, perfectly chosen textiles, and memorabilia from Chatsworth House (Derbyshire seat of the duke of Devonshire, who owns the hotel). The six- and nine-course tasting menus in the elegant Garden Room restaurant use game, fish, and produce from the estate, while the less formal Brasserie offers more moderately priced but equally fresh dishes. There's also a lovely spa with an indoor swimming pool in a 17th-century barn.