34 Best Hotels in The Southeast, England

It's easy to miss the low-key sign for this elegant, modern hotel tucked away amid the frilly houses on Marine Parade, but it's worth the trouble of finding, because everything is cool, calm, and sleekly designed. The lobby is dark and sophisticated, while each guest room has its own style, with handmade wallpaper, firm beds covered in luxurious linens, and art everywhere. Some "feature" rooms have quirky touches, including claw-foot tubs looking out to sea. Rooms with sea views are much more expensive than the others, but what's the point of a seaside hotel without a sea view? The hotel's excellent fine dining restaurant Dilsk has a big local following for its Modern European cuisine. 

Enter under the portcullis of this genuine medieval castle, where present-day luxury dominates. Antiques and rich draperies furnish the individually designed bedrooms, and many have lattice windows, beamed ceilings, and curtained four-posters. The hallways, lounges, and dining areas are adorned with suits of armor, mounted weapons, and historic portraits. You can dine beneath a 12th-century barrel-vaulted ceiling in the excellent Queen's Room restaurant; the prix fixe menu includes three courses, and you can add three paired wines for an additional cost. Alternatively, consider the superb afternoon tea (£50 per person), which is served until 5:30 pm and can be enjoyed in the Great Room, in one of the charming lounges, or out on the beautiful garden terrace surrounded by ruined castle walls. If you're staying the night, take a stroll around the lush grounds—stop for a game of croquet or tennis, or play a round on the 18-hole putting course along the way—or wander along the country path into the village of Amberley, via the impossibly pretty thatched-roof houses on Church Street.

Convenient for exploring nearby Standen House, this luxurious country hotel offers traditionally furnished bedrooms, superb gourmet dining, and fun and games galore—from golfing on the scenic 18-hole forest course to spa treatments in the country club (as well as tennis, swimming, croquet, snooker, and bike hire). Built in the 19th century, the hotel's enviable location on the edge of Ashdown Forest, which was the setting for A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories, means there are appealing walking paths all around; a half-day circular walk takes in the original Poohsticks Bridge. Even if you can't stay overnight, come here for a round of golf, a relaxing spa day, or afternoon tea on the lawn. And, if you can, stick around for dinner, as the hotel's Anderida Restaurant is one of the region's best. Ashdown Park is 6 miles southeast of East Grinstead.

Chic and sleek, this hotel a little off the seafront (three minutes' walk from Brighton Pier) is all about relaxation. The stylish rooms are painted in restful, pale shades of blue and white, and the spacious beds are swaddled in soft white linens. Breakfast offers a mix of continental options—muesli, fresh fruit, pancakes—to accompany the (meaty or vegetarian) "full English." The look is minimal without being cold, and the service hits just the right note of friendliness and helpfulness.

There is no more peaceful place to stay in Canterbury then at this small and modern hotel tucked away within the grounds of the famous cathedral. Each of its quiet, soothingly decorated rooms with creamy white walls and exposed oak trim has cathedral views, as does the serene Campanile Garden. All guests have free access to the cathedral (a substantial savings for two people) as well as an even more precious extra: they get to stay inside the cathedral grounds when the gates close at night. There's limited free parking available for guests; ask when you book. Most rooms have U.K. double beds, which are surprisingly small. For a king-size experience, opt for a twin room and zip the beds together.

This historic B&B, which dates back 600 years and was written about by Dickens, offers a unique and stylish stay not far from Canterbury West Station. Many of the rooms make use of the building's lovely original features; others, in the converted stable block, are more modern. Either way, they are decorated with a contemporary touch (ask for the Paris room with its lovely roll-top tub). Breakfasts are delicious, with plenty of local specialties and healthier options.

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.

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.

Located in Boxgrove, a village just northeast of Chichester, this charming B&B offers space, comfort, and personalized service within a gorgeous, 17th-century thatched cottage. The two suites here are large and characterful, with traditional features like bowed timber beams, squat-to-enter doorways, and antique furniture complemented by modern luxuries like rainfall showers, large and comfy beds, and fast Wi-Fi. Guests are welcomed by the owners with a spot of tea and cake in the garden, while hearty breakfasts are served every morning in the historic dining room.

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.

One of the Southeast's most unusual B&Bs, this 450-year-old whitewashed windmill overlooking the River Tillingham is home to lovely bedrooms with large bathrooms, including walk-in showers. If it's available, opt for the extraordinary two-floor Windmill Suite, which has a balcony with panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside. There's no restaurant, but guests can enjoy the comfy lounge—complete with a roaring fire and an honesty bar—in the evenings, and hearty and delicious breakfasts are served in the beam-roofed breakfast room. Enthusiastic and well-informed hosts Toby and Kathryn are on hand to help with everything from sightseeing recommendations to restaurant reservations.

This lovely, larger-than-you-expect farmhouse on the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle was originally built in 1885 and lovingly restored in 2009 by the National Trust. Tastefully decorated in muted, neutral color schemes, bedrooms are spacious and welcoming, with comfy beds, modern bathrooms, and sumptuous views across the estate. On arrival, guests are served tea with homemade cakes in the cozy communal lounge—or in the garden if the weather's nice—while charcuterie and cheese platters can be ordered in the evening (there's no restaurant). An honesty bar stocked with snacks and drinks is also available—though make sure to save enough space for tomorrow's deliciously filling breakfast.

Located 15 miles southwest of East Grinstead (and within east reach of Arundel, Brighton, and Lewes), this spectacular country estate is the region's most luxurious stay, set within 92 acres of Sussex countryside and including a small vineyard, woodland walk, kitchen garden, and rockery. Still, it's what inside the hotel that counts. The beautifully appointed bedrooms, suites, and lakeside lodges are individually designed to combine heritage features with modern comfort, and there are wide-ranging dining options in the three excellent restaurants—including the Michelin-starred Ben Wilkinson at The Pass—along with the billiard bar and garden terrace. Perhaps the highlight, however, is the state-of-the-art spa, with an indoor pool and a natural outdoor swimming lake, as well as a scented sauna and salt steam room. Breakfast is served in the elegant Camellia, or you can eat in the spa restaurant Botanica, which has many vegetarian and vegan options. South Lodge is also an excellent family retreat, with extras for young children including a tent and books in the room, activity trails through the gardens (with prizes), and designated swimming times.

This glossy boutique hotel inside the old city walls offers up-to-date style in traditional Canterbury, with good-size rooms—modern but not minimal—classed as Comfortable, Desirable, Enviable, and Most Enviable. The latter have the most space and extras like wood floors, sitting areas, and freestanding roll-top baths, but even Comfortable rooms are nicely designed with soft bedding in neutral colors (although most have no view). There's also a Fabulous suite, with a sun-trap terrace offering sweeping cathedral vistas. Back downstairs, the superb brasserie serves Modern European cuisine, while the beam-ceilinged bar offers afternoon tea every day. The hotel can also arrange private "chef's table" dining events (including a view of the action inside the kitchen).

Guildford was once famous for its coaching inns, and this handsome, 500-year-old hotel is the last to survive. Guest rooms have marble-lined bathrooms and reproductions of antiques; about half are in the original stone building, while the rest are in a modern annex. The courtyard, where coaches and horses clattered to a stop, is open to the sky. There's a salon with a fireplace and minstrels' gallery, and the 14th-century stone-vaulted crypt serves as the backdrop for an elegant bar. There is no in-house restaurant, but there is a branch of the excellent casual dining chain, Bill's, on the same site.

Situated a few miles south of Arundel, this charmingly out-of-the-way country escape offers lovely period features, expansive private gardens, and one of the region's finest spas; sleeping options are spread out across a series of houses, cottages, and courtyards. Most of the buildings are (despite appearances) less than a century old, and the rooms vary from highly decorative, medieval-style suites with four-poster beds to bright and breezy bedrooms with modern furnishings. Ask for a peek inside the 13th century chapel, one of the truly historic buildings in the grounds.

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.

There's a general Zen vibe (and no TVs) at this boutique B&B in the quieter St. Leonard's district of Hastings, making it a thoroughly relaxing place to stay. The comfortable, light-filled guest rooms are decorated in soothing tones of gray and polished wood, with beautiful art on the walls. A holistic approach is taken to guests' health and well-being—four dedicated therapists offer aromatherapy, Reiki, shiatsu, or hot-stone treatments, while delicious, well-balanced breakfasts and dinners are served in the excellent restaurant. The owners could hardly be friendlier, nor the atmosphere more relaxed.

At this attractive hotel on Rye's main road, rooms take a boutique approach and cleverly mix modern pieces with antiques in the sprawling Georgian building. Guest rooms are individually decorated, but many combine muted colors with bold-print feature wallpaper, colorful cushions, quirky artwork, and fresh flowers. The standard "cozy" rooms are quite compact, but the classic, superior, luxury, and deluxe rooms—as well as the elegantly minimalist Junior Suite—give you more space, as well as extras like four-poster Vi-Spring beds and free-standing roll-top baths. The George Grill restaurant and bar downstairs are popular with locals as well as visitors.

The city's most famous hotel and a seafront landmark, the Grand Brighton is a huge, Victorian wedding cake of a building dating from 1864. It's both imposing and elegant, with high-ceilinged public rooms richly decorated with enormous chandeliers and plenty of marble. Having afternoon tea here is a Brighton tradition, and highly recommended. The spacious bedrooms are light-filled and traditional, with luxurious fabrics, white linens, and large bathrooms. Prices vary significantly depending on season and even day of the week (a weekend stay in summer often costs twice as much as a weekday one), so search the website for deals.

This handsome 18th-century house, known for its flying (partially freestanding) staircase and colonnade, is now an elegant boutique hotel but was once the residence of Admiral George Murray, one of Admiral Nelson's right-hand men. The public areas have been restored to their full, Regency-era glory, while the guest rooms have a cooler, more contemporary design. Some rooms have lovely views over the city's old rooftops. The Ship restaurant is flooded with light from the rows of big windows. There's also a basement-level spa to help soothe away those travel-weary aches and pains.

Part of a small boutique chain, the Harbour Hotel is one of the more contemporary offerings in this part of Surrey, with its modern and well-designed rooms attracting mostly business travelers—although the spa brings in plenty of people who want a pampering getaway. The spa has a long list of stress-busting treatments, and at pretty reasonable prices, like £135 for a 90-minute full-body massage including facial treatments. The hotel also has two good in-house dining options, but since it's right in the center of Guildford there are plenty of other options within a few minutes' walk.

In Warrior Square at the edge of Hastings, this boutique guesthouse brings a funky, modern style to a grand Victorian building. Its individually styled guest rooms are chic and stylish, with big, comfortable beds and bright splashes of color. Marble bathrooms are small, but just big enough. Rooms 3, 5, and 7 have sea views but are also the priciest in the house. Dinner is available if you let the owners know in advance, as is afternoon tea.

Set within 1,100 acres of parkland, this luxurious Victorian manor house was built as a private home in 1850; it was owned by a friend of the late Queen Elizabeth until the 1980s, and she was a regular visitor. Today it continues to exude English country-house style, with a magnificent Victorian staircase, elegantly traditional guest rooms, and special touches like the secret door in the Gothic library, which leads to a private courtyard. The dining room serves elegant fare using fresh, local ingredients. The house is 6½ miles northeast of Lewes.

An elegant sandstone house dating from 1762 has been transformed by this chain into a chic boutique hotel with luxurious furnishings; Oriental rugs give public rooms a warmth that is both intimate and grand, and guest rooms are minimalist and modern, with luxurious linens and pampering bathrooms. The Burgundy Bar stocks a fine selection of French wines, and the bistro's contemporary menu changes daily but is strong on creamy soups, crisp salads, grilled steaks, and fresh seafood. It's also a hot spot for afternoon tea and Sunday lunch.

In the Lanes area, this outpost of a snazzy boutique chain has chic, modern rooms. Pampering touches include Egyptian linens and large "monsoon" showers. The more expensive rooms have luxurious roll-top baths and wonderful sea views. The bistro restaurant offers classic fare that makes use of local seafood, and the wine list is excellent. Room prices fluctuate wildly day to day, and are significantly higher in summer than other times of year; check the website for the best rates.

Here the imaginations of designers have been given free rein, and the result is a vicarious romp through pop culture and rock and roll in guest rooms with wildly original themes. There's the leopard-print pinup parlor, a Muhammad Ali boxing ring room, and a Caribbean dub and reggae room. Some rooms are inspired by legendary singers, from David Bowie to Dolly Parton. This place is so over-the-top, you'll either love it or hate it with equal passion.

Antiques fill the cozy bedrooms of this rambling 1689 house, where the snug, painted-and-paneled parlor has a wood-burning stove for cold days. The delicious breakfast menu includes smoked wild salmon with scrambled eggs, French cheese and croissants, and a Rye variant on Welsh rarebit (fancy cheese on toast). It's served in a galleried room formerly used for Quaker meetings. Check out the extraordinary inscription by the front door; it alludes to the date the foundation stone was laid by Samuel Jeake, a local Puritan with a powerful belief in astrology. One room does not have its own bath.

A calm oasis in the heart of Brighton, this guesthouse is filled with contemporary art and designer accessories. The rooms are compact but smartly designed, with beds supported on platforms of glass bricks that filter an ocean-blue light. Splash out on the beautifully adorned Gin Room, which boasts sea and pier views.

The best accommodation option in Arundel town center, this 18th-century coaching inn on the main street was, like Arundel's cathedral and castle, built by one of the dukes of Norfolk (during the Napoleonic Wars, it was used to house soldiers). The comfortable rooms are decorated in a simple, country-house style, and range from small singles to spacious "feature" doubles; those in the annex are generally larger and more modern. Downstairs, the Norfolk Tap pub serves good food and craft beer until late.