The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

For me, a luxury hotel is about the whole experience. Excellent service, beautiful bedrooms, and top-class amenities. It doesn’t have to break the bank to be “luxury”, it just has to feel like pure escapism.

And if you’re looking for the best luxury hotels in the North of England, you don’t have to look far to find those things.

Whether you want a brilliant spa, private hot tub or award-winning restaurants, you’ll find the perfect place in this guide. I cover my 10 favourite luxury hotels in the North of England, and the reasons why I think they’re special.

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 top 3 picks: Luxury hotels in the North of England

1. Wildhive Callow Hall

Location: The Peak District

Photo’s courtesy of Wildhive Callow Hall | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

If you’re looking for the best luxury hotels in the North of England, Wildhive should be top of your list. This award-winning hotel only opened its doors in 2021, and already holds the titles of The Sunday Times ‘Hotel of the Year 2021’ and GQ’s ‘Best Hotel 2022’.

This Grade II listed Victorian building has been beautifully converted into 15 bedrooms, with 2 treehouses and 11 woodland hives nestled amongst the grounds.

In the house, rooms range from “Cosy”, small but still beautiful, to “Fabulous” the largest of the lot – featuring emperor size beds, a free-standing bath tub and views over the brook.

For the ultimate luxury break, you can’t beat the treehouses. Complete with an open plan kitchen/living area, two ensuite bedrooms, and a large wraparound deck with its own copper bath. It’s the ideal space for the whole family.

Just the two of you? Check into one of the Hives. They’re tucked away amongst the trees to provide complete privacy, and come with a mini kitchen, an outdoor deck and a Burlington shower. It’s luxury down to the details, all of the bedrooms include 100 Acres toiletries, a Roberts Radio and Nespresso coffee machine.

There’s not much to do here, but that’s exactly the point. Wildhive is the place to relax and re-energise. Spend your days exploring the grounds, discovering wildlife, and eating great food.

The Garden Room restaurant uses locally-sourced ingredients to deliver a classic British menu. Dinner highlights include local Derbyshire steaks, Scottish cod and Calke Abbey Venison.

During the day, choose from a more formal lunch, or toasties and sandwiches from the Snap menu.

2. The Tawny

Location: Staffordshire

Based amongst 70 acres of rural Staffordshire countryside, The Tawny is undoubtedly one of the best luxury stays in the North of England. It’s a hotel that has it all – beautiful bedrooms, immaculate grounds, outstanding amenities and brilliant food.

It’s the type of place you never want to leave, which is exactly what you’d expect from a luxury stay. The hotel’s set amongst acres of stunning gardens, and borders the Consall Nature Park, a nature reserve home to over 740 acres of woodland.

It’s the ultimate peaceful retreat – designed for relaxation and escaping the everyday.

There’s 55 rooms available, but these aren’t ordinary hotel rooms. Every room at The Tawny has an outdoor spa bath. So no matter which one you book, you’ll experience a slice of luxury.

There’s very few hotels in existence that can offer that. And the types of rooms available aren’t ordinary either – choose from shepherds huts, boathouses, lookouts and treehouses.

For the ultimate luxury stay, book the “retreat” rooms. They’re the perfect place to relax and get away from it all. Soak up the views across the estate from your freestanding bathtub inside the cabin, or make your way outside to your private hot tub on the deck.

You might not feel like leaving your room, but if you do, there’s an outdoor heated pool and spa treatments available to book.

You’ll dine in The Plumicorn, an impressive glass building overlooking the grounds. Choose from a-la-carte dishes such as duck breast, risotto, and halibut. Or try the Taste of the Tawny menu, a 6-course tasting menu that’s the ultimate luxury experience.

3. Middleton Lodge

Location: North Yorkshire

Photo’s courtesy of Middleton Lodge | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

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. If you’re looking to treat yourself, book the Dairy Room – complete with a freestanding tub inside, and a tin hot tub on your private patio.

Middleton Lodge is the perfect choice if you’re bringing the family, some rooms come with bunk beds and others have space for fold down beds. Coming in a group? Book into the Farmhouse – a private self-catering property that sleeps 12.

There’s 2 restaurants on site, the Coach House offers a more relaxed atmosphere, serving dishes such as coq au vin, beef cheek, steak and celeriac parpadelle. The Forge is the fine dining restaurant, where you’ll indulge in a tasting menu inspired by the estate.

Make the most of your trip and book one of the many activities on offer. There’s cycling, shooting and treatment rooms. And if you fancy exploring further afield, you’re a 40-minute drive from the North York Moors and an hour from Whitby and York.

4. Rothay Manor

Location: Ambleside, The Lake District

Photo’s courtesy of Rothay Manor | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

If you’re a foodie, Rothay Manor is one of the the best luxury stays in the North of England. Their restaurant has been awarded 3 AA rosette’s and the food is exceptional.

I stayed at the hotel last December and it was some of the best food I’ve ever had. Even the breakfast was impeccable. You’re treated to a starter of fruit salad, compote, granola and yogurt, followed by your choice of cooked breakfast, all included in the room price.

In the evening, the fine dining experience continues. Expect dishes like guinea fowl, lobster, and suckling pig. There’s equally brilliant vegetarian options, so everyone can enjoy the food here.

Nestled on the outskirts of Ambleside in the Lake District, hotel locations don’t get much better than this. You’ve got the best of both worlds here – with incredible countryside views over the fells, but being walking distance from the fantastic pubs, restaurants and sights in town.

There’s 23 rooms to choose from, spread across the manor and the new Pavillion building. I’d recommend booking one of the new Pavillion suites, the design is beautiful.

We checked into Buttermere, and my boyfriend and I agreed it was probably the nicest hotel room we’ve ever stayed in (and we’ve stayed in a lot!).

There’s a huge double shower, separate freestanding bath tub, a separate seating area, and a private cedar wood hot tub on the patio with views over the fells.

5. Grantley Hall

Location: Yorkshire Dales

Grantley Hall is a Grade II listed luxury hotel located in the stunning Yorkshire Dales. There’s 47 bedrooms, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, a spa and a gym. So it’s no surprise that it won AA ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2022.

Rooms range from Deluxe right up to the Royal Suite – set over 2 floors, with its own pillow and robe menu, mood lighting and 24-hour room service.

There really is something for everyone here, not least in the restaurant choice. The fine dining restaurant from Michelin Starred chef Shaun Rankin uses ingredients from the hotels kitchen garden, as well as hand-picked local suppliers.

And there’s plenty of other places to dine if you’d prefer something more informal.

For a lot of people, the hallmark of a luxury hotel is a great spa, and Grantley Hall offers that in abundance.

There’s an 18-metre indoor swimming pool, an indoor to outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, steam room, and even a snow room. Plus, there’s an extensive list of treatments available to book, including massages, facials, and holistic treatments.

This place is the height of luxury and opulence, and without a doubt one of the best luxury hotels in the North of England.

6. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Location: The Lake District

Photo’s courtesy of Gilpin | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

Another Lake District location, Gilpin is made up of the Gilpin Hotel and Gilpin Lake House. The hotel is set amongst 21 acres, with 30 bedrooms and 2 restaurants.

22 of those bedrooms have their own hot tub, and some also have a ensuite spa. All of the bedrooms have Lakeland views, and the Junior & Garden Suites have private patios.

If you’re looking for luxury, book one of the spa suites – they come with a ‘floating’ bedroom, a circular stone bath, and your own spa room with sauna, steam room, infrared bed, massage chair and a hot tub outside.

You have a choice of 2 restaurants at the hotel – a Michelin-starred, four AA rosette offering and Gilpin spice, an open-kitchen serving pan Asian dishes. It might be less formal in style, but it still holds two AA Rosettes.

A mile down the road is Gilpin Lake House, set amongst 100 acres of private grounds. There’s just 6 bedrooms here, so there’s a much more exclusive feel. Rooms here don’t have private hot tubs, but instead share the boat house, spa treatment room, hot tubs, sauna and a swimming pool.

The Knipe Grill is the restaurant here, serving dishes cooked on charcoal. The hotel runs a complimentary chauffeur service between the hotel and the Lake House, so you can dine in any of the 3 restaurants with ease.

7. No 1 by Guesthouse

Location: York

Photo’s courtesy of Guesthouse | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

A luxury break doesn’t have to be in the middle of nowhere, sometimes we want a slice of luxury in the city. And No 1 by Guesthouse provides exactly that. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the centre of York, yet it feels like total escapism.

Located in a Grade II listed townhouse, this hotel is stunning inside and out. There’s 39 bedrooms, including 3 suites, complete with separate living spaces, balconies and four-posted beds.

The details aren’t forgotten about here, all of the bedrooms have savoy luxury hotel toppers on the beds, with Egyptian cotton linen. There’s Nespresso kits, a turntable with a selection of vinyl, and a pantry full of treats.

There’s a restaurant, bar and a lounge serving afternoon tea, and even a small spa with a selection of treatments.

Best of all, it’s kid-friendly and dog-friendly, and it’s not just a tick box exercise. If you’re bringing children, they have a kids menu in the restaurant, plus tipis, books, adjoining rooms and instax cameras for them to use. For dogs, they’ll provide beds, recommended dog walks, dog treats, and even a dog walking service.

8. King Street Townhouse

Location: Manchester

Photo’s courtesy of King Street Townhouse | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

King Street Townhouse is the ultimate luxury hotel in the North of England. There’s 40 bedrooms, ranging from Snugs to Suites. And the 2 suites are definitely the stars of the show. With floor-to-ceiling windows, a super king-size bed, and a free-standing bath tub.

The spa is the main attraction here. It’s incredible, and the perfect place to relax and unwind. There’s a salt cave, multiple treatments including massages and facials, but the showstopper is definitely the incredible infinity pool that overlooks Manchester city centre.

The pool & sauna are located on the 7th floor, and the area’s reserved exclusively for hotel guests.

After spending the morning relaxing, grab afternoon tea at the hotel. It’s served 7 days a week between 12-6pm and you can choose from tea or champagne.

In the evening, you can grab a cocktail and watch your favourite movie in the hotel’s cinema, or dine at hotel restaurant The Tavern, serving a locally-sourced British menu.

9. Another Place

Location: Ullswater, The Lake District

Photo courtesy of Another Place | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

As you’ve probably gathered from this list, The Lake District is home to some of the best luxury hotels in the North of England. 

Another Place is the 3rd hotel in the area I’m recommending in this guide, and with good reason. The sister hotel of Cornwall’s Watergate Bay, Another Place sits on the shores of Ullswater amongst 18 acres of the national park.

The views are incredible, there’s nothing like waking up to the stillness of the water.

I stayed at Another Place last year and was blown away by the amount there is to do. It’s one of the only hotels in the Lake District to offer access to the water directly from the hotel.

Guests can book a private paddle board or kayaking session. Or if you’re feeling brave, you could try open-water swimming. There’s also cycling, skiing, and plenty of beautiful walks recommend by the hotel.

Inside, the 20-metre indoor swimming pool is a highlight, with views over the private lake. Choose from 3 restaurants, our favourite was The Glasshouse, serving wood-fired pizza and cocktails amongst the grounds.

There’s 40 bedrooms to choose from, and I’d strongly recommend the shepherds huts. They only opened last year and they’re the best way to immerse yourself with nature.

Complete with stargazing roof, free-standing bath tub, separate living and kitchen area and an outdoor patio and fire pit. They really are the ultimate place to stay.

10. Titanic Hotel

Location: Liverpool

Photo’s courtesy of Titanic Hotel | Best Luxury Hotels in the North of England

Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel is a great option for a luxury break in the North of England. There’s 153 rooms, each one retaining the original windows of this former factory. The character in each bedroom is beautiful, featuring exposed brick and original vaulted ceilings.

For the ultimate luxury experience, book the Presidential Suite. It’s spread across 72 square metres and has a separate living area and kitchenette, plus a bath tub and drench shower in the bathroom.

All of the bedrooms are beautiful, so no matter what you pick you’ll be spoilt.

I stayed at the Titanic several years ago, and I was most impressed by its spa. It’s hidden underneath the hotel, and includes a hydrotherapy pool and a range of treatments.

It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind. The restaurant and bar serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, overlooking the water. And if you fancy venturing out to explore the city, you’re just a 25-minute walk away.

I hope you’ve found this guide to the best luxury hotels in the North of England helpful. There’s lots of amazing options so you’re bound to have the perfect trip.

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