UK Hotels That Should Be on Your Radar
From cosy pubs with roaring fires to sprawling hotels with a hot tub in every room, these are the UK hotels you should have on your radar
If there’s one positive to take from the last few years, it’s that staycations have made a big comeback. More people are exploring the places closer to home and UK hotels are seeing more demand than ever.
I may be biased, but I truly think the UK has some of the best hotels in the world. I’ve spent many weekends exploring the best hotels across the UK, and I’ve compiled them here into one handy list.
*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It won’t make a difference to what you pay, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.
My take on the best hotels in the UK
To make your staycation extra special, here’s 22 of my favourite places to stay in the UK:
Glebe House
Location: Devon
Price: ££
Glebe House is one of the best UK hotel openings in the last few years. A 6 bedroom family-run guesthouse and restaurant in the East Devonshire countryside, it’s the perfect place to switch off from the hustle and bustle of life.
4 of the rooms have freestanding bathtubs, ideal for sinking into after a long day walking the nearby Jurassic Coast. Fall asleep surrounded by rolling hills and wake up to a farmhouse breakfast (included in the room rate).
There’s a big focus on fresh ingredients either grown in the garden or sourced locally. Owner Hugo, a former chef at London’s Sorella, heads up the kitchen alongside Sam Lomas. There’s an ever-changing menu Sunday-Thursday charged at £48 pp.
For a true slice of the slower-paced Devonshire life, book into one of their new experience days – choose from pasta making, wine tasting, photography courses and even mackerel fishing.
When you’re not picking up a new skill, the hotel grounds are extensive. There’s over 15 acres of gardens that are home to a tennis court and kitchen garden. In summer, the outdoor heated pool opens to guests. It’s the kind of hotel you’ll never want to leave.
Double Red Duke
Location: Bampton
Price: ££
The Cotswolds isn’t short of beautiful hotels, and they’re easily amongst the best in the UK. So when Sam and Georgia Pearman opened Double Red Duke in 2021, I booked a stay straight away.
A former grain store, it’s been lovingly restored throughout, the outside being no exception. Flowers frame the building and draw your eye into the most Instagrammable parasols I’ve ever seen in a beer garden.
The bedrooms are beautifully decorated with patterned wallpaper, Roberts radios and thoughtful details like guides to the area and freshly baked cookies on arrival. Some rooms are dog friendly but make sure you request this when booking.
Our stay was made extra special by the addition of a beautiful free-standing bathtub. I’d definitely recommend upgrading your room if you can. We spent hours soaking in the tub filled with 100 Acres bubble bath (the best!).
There’s not much to do at the hotel except eat great food and drink delicious cocktails (both fine with me). But you’re only a 15-minute drive from lots of amazing villages in The Cotswolds. I
f you don’t have a car, there’s a lovely walk to neighbouring Bampton, where parts of Downton Abbey were filmed. Or, cancel all plans and book yourself in for a massage in the garden spa shed.
The Bradley Hare
Location: Somerset
Price: ££
A traditional village pub with rooms, The Bradley Hare is an interiors dream, largely thanks to James Thurstan Waterworth, the co-director who previously looked after European design at Soho House.
Each of the 12 bedrooms feature a mix of antique pieces and modern touches. Expect freestanding tubs, nook beds and clashing prints.
Downstairs, the pub offers an eclectic menu using seasonal produce and local beers. Their approach to waste is refreshing – each ingredient is treated with care, if it’s not part of dinner, it gets fermented, pickled or cured.
Set within the quaint village of Maiden Bradley, you’re in the heart of an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, so pack your walking boots and get exploring.
If you prefer retail therapy and local food, it’s only a short drive from the idyllic Somerset towns of Frome, Wells and Bruton.
Middleton Lodge
Location: Yorkshire
Price: ££
Overlooking the North Yorkshire moors, Middleton Lodge is a 200-acre estate, complete with a spa, tennis courts and walled garden.
Choose from cottages, suites, and shepherd’s huts scattered around the grounds, most of which have freestanding tubs. If you’re coming in a group, book into the Farmhouse – a private self-catering property that sleeps 12.
Make the most of your trip and book one of the many activities on offer. There’s cycling, shooting, treatment rooms and a spa opening soon.
Want to explore further afield? You’re a 40-minute drive from the North York Moors and an hour from Whitby.
The Yard
Location: Bath
Price: ££
Bath has been crying out for a beautiful boutique hotel for a while, and The Yard fits the bill perfectly. Once a coaching inn, it’s been restored to an incredible hotel centred around a cosy courtyard in the heart of the city.
Boasting 14 king size bedrooms, breakfast hung on the door each morning and its very own wine bar, it’s an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.
Each room has a king size bed, REN toiletries, Netflix, Roberts radios and Nespresso coffee machines – nothing has been missed here.
If you’re looking to really treat yourself, book room 8 for your own terrace and bath tub to sink into.
University Arms
Location: Cambridge
Price: ££
Boasting the best views in Cambridge, University Arms was the first hotel to open in the city in 1834. Today it’s made up of 192 rooms with a classic design and seriously impressive bathrooms.
If you fancy treating yourself, book a suite – complete with a terrace and freestanding bath.
There’s everything you need for the perfect city break. It overlooks Parkers Piece in the heart of Cambridge, with free bikes to get around if you’re not in the mood for walking.
The hotel restaurant, Parkers Tavern, is one of the best in town, serving British staples sourced locally.
Number One Bruton
Location: Somerset
Price: ££
Found in the trendy Somerset town that shares the same name, Number One Bruton is a beautiful Georgian townhouse that’s been converted to a 12-bedroom hotel. Once part of a coaching inn, the building has been used for over 500 years.
There are 3 different room types; cosy cottages, colourful townhouses and The Forge, a 12th-century building with a separate terrace overlooking the courtyard.
Clashing prints, original features and unique artwork make these bedrooms my favourite of any UK hotel.
On arrival, each guest receives a care package full of local Westcombe cheddar, Bristol-based tea and coffee and organic milk from the Dairy in Bruton.
In keeping with their locally-sourced theme, Number One Bruton is home to Osip, a farm-to-table restaurant found in the old ironmonger’s shop in the hotel.
Breakfast is included and extremely generous -choose from granola, yoghurt, freshly baked brioche, soft boiled eggs, homemade jams, ham, juices and more.
Mollie’s Motel
Location: Faringdon
Price: £
If you’re after a UK hotel (or should I say motel), that won’t cost you a fortune, with no compromise on style, check in to Mollie’s Motel.
A country escape this is not, the clue is in the name that Mollie’s is a motel, situated off an A-road near Buckland (it shares a driveway with a petrol station).
Mollie’s Motel is from the people at Soho House, and whilst you’re not paying Soho House prices to stay here, there’s no compromise on style.
The rooms are design-led; think Scandi-style furniture, statement Soho House Cowshed toiletries, pink accent chairs, and a rainforest shower.
There’s lots of choice when it comes to room types – doubles, twins, bunk rooms for children and even connecting rooms if you’re coming in a group.
Plus the option of keyless entry to each room via the app means no frantic searches at the bottom of your bag.
The major selling point of this place is definitely the price – you can bag a room here from £50 a night, making it a pretty strong contender when it comes to booking a hotel for a UK getaway.
Birch Community
Location: Hertfordshire
Price: £
For a UK hotel that’s a little different from the rest, look no further than Birch. Just half an hour from London in Hertfordshire, over the last two years its been restored by former Ace Hotel managing director Chris Penn and his business partner Chris King.
Compared to other hotels on this list, the decor in the bedrooms is understated and somewhat lacking. There’s a stripped-back theme running through the hotel – you decide whether that feels in keeping with the building, or simply unfinished.
I enjoyed the rustic feel of the hotel and felt it complimented their focus on enjoying the grounds and you know, talking to people. In line with that philosophy, there are no desks or TVs in the room. In their place are quirky sculptures and a small Roberts radio.
There’s 2 restaurants in partnership with Robin Gill (the Dublin-born chef behind London’s The Dairy, Sorella & Counter Culture). Book in at Zebra Riding Club for a menu taking inspiration from the nature surrounding Birch, or head to Valeries for all-day dining.
You can do just about anything at Birch, from beekeeping courses to deep house yoga.
There’s a games room, a deckchair-filled cinema and 3 bars to keep you entertained from day to night. You’ll also find a pottery and art studio, a music room and horticultural activites with Tom, the farmer.
There’s even a pastel-coloured lido, complete with Mirabeau-wine bar and a no-kids rule after 3pm. But if all you fancy doing is lying in a hammock with a good book, you can do that too. Birch is set amongst 55 acres so you’re bound to find a quiet corner to escape to.
Artist Residence
Location: Bristol, Oxfordshire, Penzance, Brighton & London
Price: ££
One of my favourite hotel brands in the UK, Artist Residence started life in Brighton, where co-founder Justin was helping out at his parents B&B on the seafront.
Looking to give the building a revamp, he offered local artists board in exchange for them decorating the rooms, and a new boutique hotel brand was formed.
3 years later, Artist Residence opened the doors to their Penzance location, followed by London, Oxfordshire and Bristol.
If you’ve only got time to visit one, the cosy Oxfordshire branch would be top of my list. A traditional village pub with rooms, grab a board game and curl up by the fireplace, before retiring to one of the 8 bedrooms above.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, there’s even a shepherds hut at the bottom of the garden.
The Hoxton
Location: London
Price: ££
If there’s a Hoxton Hotel in the city you’re visiting, book it without hesitation. Their first hotel opened in Shoreditch back in 2006 and since then they’ve expanded to locations across England, Europe & America, with 3 locations across London.
They’re driven by community, culture and wanting to offer a space where guests can live like a local and truly get a feel for the neighbourhood they’re staying in.
Undeniably the best thing about staying here is ‘flexy time’, an initiative they brought in back in 2019 to allow guests to choose their check-in and check-out times within a 24 hour period.
Let’s say you booked to stay on a Saturday night – if you really wanted to, you could check in at 12:01am Saturday morning and check out at 11:59pm Sunday night (I know, because I asked).
There’s a big focus here on making your experience as relaxed as possible, evident in everything from the app to order room service, to the neighbourhood guides you’ll find on the shelves to help you familiarise yourself with where you’re staying. Fancy exploring? There’s ‘Hox bikes’ available for free throughout your stay.
If all you want to do is stay inside the hotel, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Every Hoxton Hotel has an incredible choice of food, and the Southwark location is one of my favourites.
Downstairs you’ll find Albie – a casual all-day restaurant serving food from two local eateries; Eggbreak and Pecking Order. But the real gem is on the rooftop, where you’ll find Seabird, an incredible seafood restaurant serving up everything from octopus roll to manchego cheesecake.
Seafood not your thing? Pop up for a drink and grab a seat on the outdoor terrace – the views are unbeatable.
The Rose
Location: Deal
Price: ££
A small town on the Kent coast, Deal is home to independent shops, a pebble beach and even a castle. The Rose is undoubtedly the best place to spend the night, just 2 minutes from the beach with the most incredible interiors.
The building has been around for over 200 years and is now owned by Chris Hicks (the great-grandson of a former owner) and his wife, Alex Bagner.
Since buying it in 2016, The Rose has undergone an impressive renovation – now boasting 9 bedrooms, Wes Anderson style interiors and a restaurant.
The Rose does details well; expect toiletries from Norfolk-based brand Austin Austin, record players in the bedrooms, and whisky nightcaps alongside the tea and coffee stations.
The Tawny
Location: Staffordshire
Price: £££
Based in rural Staffordshire, The Tawny is 70 acres of pure heaven. With a heated outdoor pool, treatment cottage and the Peak District on your doorstep, it’s designed for relaxation and escaping the everyday.
There’s 5 different room types to choose from, from cosy shepherds huts nestled amongst the trees, to grand lookouts with uninterrupted views of the countryside.
The best part about this hotel for me is the fact that every room comes with an outdoor bath, so no matter which one you book, you’ll experience a slice of luxury.
Some of the rooms are dog friendly and it’s the perfect place to take them – there’s over 5 miles of lakes of woodlands to discover amongst the grounds.
The Tawny borders Consall Nature Park, so you won’t have to venture far to spot some wildlife.
Finn Lough
Location: Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
Price: ££
Leading the way for luxury hotels in Northern Ireland, Finn Lough is a spa hotel you’ll never want to leave. This hotel has nature at the heart, and it’s in the Elements spa trail where this really comes to life.
A self-guided experience takes you through a series of cabins in the forest, through two saunas, float room, hot tub, relaxation room, and if you’re feeling brave, a dip in the lake.
Whilst you could check into any one of the rooms here and be perfectly content, the real stars of the show are their forest domes.
The transparent bubbles make for a completely immersive experience – stargaze from the comfort of your bed, and wake up to the sun rising over the Northern Irish countryside.
Special occasion? The premium bubble dome even has its own freestanding bathtub.
Another Place
Location: The Lake District
Price: ££
The clue is in the name that this place feels like a whole different world. Another Place, the sister hotel of Cornwall’s Watergate Bay, sits on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District amongst 18 acres of the national park.
The real draw of this hotel is the endless activities on offer – choose from open-water swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, cycling, skiing and sailing, as well as exploring the Lakes on foot.
There’s a 20-metre indoor swimming pool with views over the private lake, a kitchen garden providing the restaurant with fresh daily produce and 40 rooms to choose from.
Some rooms have views over the lake, and this summer they’ll be adding shepherds huts and treehouses to the list.
Port Hotel
Location: Eastbourne
Price: £
A trip to the beach is synonymous with British summertime, and over the last few years, the seaside town of Eastbourne has seen the rise of buzzy restaurants, bars & more recently, the opening of Port.
A boutique, dog-friendly hotel located on the Royal Parade with incredible views over the sea, there’s 19 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, with pastel interiors running throughout.
Six of the bedrooms overlook the beach, and it’s well worth the extra money to wake up with the waves. For an extra special stay, book into one of four rooms with freestanding bathtubs.
Downstairs, the restaurant and outdoor dining offer a seasonal menu, locally sourced in Sussex. Mid-week, you’ll find small plates on the menu, with everything from charcuterie boards to spiced lentil dip.
The brunch menu is endless, with classics like avocado toast and a full-English making an appearance alongside duck royale and waffle stacks.
The Fife Arms
Location: Braemar, Scotland
Price: £££
By far one of Scotland’s most impressive places to sleep, The Fife Arms is a 5* boutique hotel in the village of Braemar. From the art-dealer owners behind Durslade and Hauser & Wirth, all eyes were on their latest venture when it opened its doors in 2019.
Once a coaching inn that’s undergone a grand renovation, there are 46 guestrooms and suites all designed to showcase the history of the village – expect antiques, four-poster beds, period prints and an overwhelmingly cosy feel.
The Wirths, although not experienced hoteliers, compare this venture to the galleries they already own, thinking of a hotel as a ‘curated experience’.
That very notion is present throughout the building – you can book an art tour of the property to view over 16,000 antiques and pieces of art.
Whilst this style won’t be to everyone’s taste, there’s no denying its brilliance. There are few places that capture the essence of Scotland so well.
Graduate Hotels
Location: Oxford and Cambridge
Price: ££
Graduate hotels started life in America aiming to improve accommodation choices in university towns. After opening 30 hotels across the US, last year they launched their first UK locations in Oxford and Cambridge (where else?).
Their designs are quirky – each property takes inspiration from the university’s culture. Expect nods to the town’s history, most notably Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll set the story there) in Oxford, and restored punting boats in the lobby of the Cambridge outpost.
Classic British food is central to both hotels – dine in The Alice, or grab a drink in The Snug and The Morse Bar in Oxford. In Cambridge, enjoy afternoon tea in the garden and the Garden House’s locally sourced menu.
Both hotels are dog-friendly, and for humans, Oxford is home to a wellness centre – complete with a steam room, sauna and five private treatment rooms.
In Cambridge, a leisure suite is due to open this year. Book a river view room in Cambridge for a balcony overlooking the River Cam.
The Mitre
Location: Hampton Court, London
Price: ££
Overlooking the Thames and across the road from Hampton Court Palace, hotel locations don’t get much more desirable than this one. The Mitre is the first opening from The Signet Collection, headed up by ex-Beaverbrook boss, Hector Ross.
It’s unsurprising then that The Mitre is simply stunning, with each of the 36 rooms individually designed to retain the character of the 17th-century building it calls home.
History is at the heart of its story, the hotel dates back to 1665 when it accommodated travellers and guests of Hampton Court Palace.
That history has been retained despite its renovation, with several of the rooms named after renowned characters from the past (including a few famous wives and one famous king).
Food takes centre stage here – there’s 2 restaurants and bars, plus a separate orangery for private parties and a snug winter terrace.
Their riverside brasserie, 1665, is headed up by Ronnie Kimbugwe, who’s focused the menu around seafood as a nod to his Devonshire roots. The Coppernose restaurant is a more casual affair, serving up cocktails and nibbles.
Outside, the terrace is home to the world’s first Whispering Angel concession -and if that isn’t the hallmark of a hotel with good taste, what is?
The Gallivant
Location: Rye
Price: ££
Wave goodbye to any expectations you may have of a British seaside hotel, The Gallivant takes design inspirations from The Hamptons, so airy spaces, classic design and a short stroll to the beach come as standard.
Opposite the golden shores of Camber Sands and a short drive from the picturesque town of Rye, it’s perfectly located no matter what you’re looking for from your getaway.
There’s 20 rooms, from the cosy ‘Snug Cabin’ to the ‘Luxury Garden’ room with a roll-top tub and a private outside space. In the corner of the coastal garden, the beach hut is their very own mini spa, the perfect place for a relaxing facial or massage.
The menu is mostly British, using fresh ingredients from land and sea. Book onto one of the experiences to make the most of your stay – yoga classes, English wine tasting, knife and pastry skills and a coastal garden tour.
No 38 The Park
Location: Cheltenham
Price: ££
If you like huge bathtubs, No.38 The Park is the hotel for you. Expect flawless interiors, bathrooms bigger than most hotel rooms, and 24-hour service.
Sitting adjacent to Pittville Park in a classic Cheltenham townhouse, you’re perfectly located for exploring the town or heading further afield into nearby Cotswolds.
The 13 bedrooms range from ‘Cosy’ to ‘Excellent’. Unsurprisingly, ‘Excellent’ rooms are the best of the bunch – extra space, freestanding tubs, and select rooms even have a TV built into the bed.
But all rooms are dog-friendly, feature the same classic design, and Bramley toiletries in the bathroom. The standard of service here is unrivaled, staff are on hand round-the-clock for anything you need – everything from booking a haircut to helping out with forgotten phone chargers.
How to save money on your hotel stays
be flexible on when you can stay
It’s no secret that hotels charge a premium for weekend stays, and a lot of the best hotels in the UK also have 2-night minimum stays Friday-Sunday (I hate it too).
Your best chance of staying in beautiful hotels on a budget is going mid-week during their off-peak periods, when they’re not as busy and more likely to drop their prices.
Look for last-minute deals
If you’re really flexible on when you stay, keep an eye out for last-minute deals on same-day travel. We booked to stay at The Rectory last year on the same day and got £50 off the room price.
The hotel knows they’re unlikely to fill the room so late in the day and they’d rather have the room full at a cheaper rate than not at all.
Use Booking.com on your mobile
Did you know Booking.com offers mobile-only prices? You can usually save at least 10% on hotel bookings just by switching devices.
Ask for UK hotel vouchers as presents
As I get older, the list of things I want for Christmas or for my birthday is becoming much smaller. I’d rather receive an experience where I can make memories than a gift I don’t really need.
Recently I’ve been asking for hotel vouchers from friends and family – once you’ve saved up a few, it’s a great way to get free stays in beautiful hotels you wouldn’t normally spend your money on.
Mr and Mrs Smith is my favourite place to get vouchers for the best hotels in the UK as there’s so much choice.
Earn cashback with affiliate sites
Affiliate marketing in its most basic form is when a company pays other people (such as bloggers and influencers) to promote its product or service. Each time a sale is generated from the promotional activity, the blogger makes a commission.
There’s also affiliate websites – TopCashback and Quidco are my favourites. They work in exactly the same way, except as well as the website making money, you’ll also earn commission on any purchases you make through the site.
Whenever I’m booking a staycation, I’ll check these sites first to see if the hotel features. You won’t usually find boutique hotels on affiliate websites, but bigger companies like Booking.com and Hotels.com are always featured.
All you have to do is search the affiliate site for the website you’re intending on purchasing from, and follow their link through to book your hotel.
The amount of money you make depends on the time of year and any offers running at the time, and is always paid out after your stay.
If you’re thinking, what’s the catch? There isn’t one. It genuinely is free money just for booking through these websites. The incentive for companies to use affiliate marketing is to capitalise on users they might not otherwise reach, and you can reap the rewards!
Book during sales periods like the start of the year or Black Friday
If you’re a planner and know exactly where you want to stay in for 2022, your best chance of getting a deal is whenever hotels have sales. The biggest sales will usually be around Black Friday and the beginning of the year and you’ll either get a % discount off the price, or another night added to your stay at no extra cost.
The best hotels in the UK – the wrap up
There’s so many beautiful hotels to discover in the UK, with something for every budget. Hopefully, this list has given you inspiration for your next trip. Which one are you going to book first?
