3 Best Hotels in Arundel, The Southeast

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.

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.

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.