Hotels UK
A quiet revolution happened in the United Kingdom between the late 1980s and the Noughties. Back in the day hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages were often places of convenience rather than comfort. And glamping? Well that had yet to be invented. Luxury and originality, such as it existed, came at an enormous price, and upmarket hotels often rested on their laurels, focusing instead on keeping the wrong kind of people from enjoying their tired rooms and intimidatingly posh food. Hospitality was simply something Britain wasn’t very good at: if you wanted to experience good food and a half-decent place to stay at a reasonable price, well, you had to go abroad.Fast forward to the 2020s and Britain is a different country, packed full of great places to stay often run by passionate people who live and breathe good hospitality. The dread word ‘boutique’ was the first indicator that things had changed, and of course is now an over-used term. But it does give a flavour of a new kind of British hotel or guesthouse that began to appear thirty or so years ago – small, independently owned, and putting the guest experience front and centre. There was a new sense of contemporary style in guest rooms, where luxury didn’t necessarily mean antique furniture and four-posters. The renaissance in Modern British food made an appearance too, with lots of places revamping their restaurants and basing their menus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. And service was authentic, never trying too hard to please but always on hand if needed.
Like all good revolutions, change has continued, with new trends and activities emerging – wild swimming, food foraging, art classes, yoga and wellness retreats – and many establishments offering alternative accommodation: shepherds huts, lodges with hot tubs, even treehouses. The best places now have an eye on the environment too, with renewable energy sources, discounts for those arriving on public transport and kitchen gardens saving on food miles.
The Cool Places collection doesn’t pretend to include all of Britain’s best places to stay, but instead aims to provide a curated selection. Our choices are deliberately eclectic, driven not so much by budget as by the uniqueness of the property, its location, facilities, décor – or just its owners and the extra mile they often go for their guests. We avoid the usual global brands that dominate accommodation in many towns and cities, the point being that it’s not always about what you spend on a room, it’s where you spend it, with plenty of surprisingly affordable options if you know where to find them. We also aim to provide a range of choices in most corners of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Britain's Best Hotels, Pubs and Inns
A historic Nottinghamshire coaching inn with sumptuous suites, comfortable lodges and spa facilities
Ye Olde Bell, Great North Road, Barnby Moor, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 8QS
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Nottinghamshire
Holidays in Retford
Voco Grand Central, 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SF
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lanarkshire
Holidays in Glasgow
This Belfast tower is home to the city's most prestigious and comfortable hotel accommodation
The Grand Central, 9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF
Holidays in Ulster NI
Holidays in Antrim
Holidays in Belfast
Kensington Hotel, 109-113 Queen's Gate London SW7 5LR
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Kensington
A historic and very comfortable Cotswolds inn, in the heart of Chipping Campden and serving fabulous Indian food.
The Noel Arms, Lower High St, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6AT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Chipping Campden
Family-owned Suffolk country hotel that's packed full of facilities, including gym, spa, pool and two championship golf courses
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Near Ipswich, Suffolk CO6 4PZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
A boutique Surrey gastropub with rooms just minutes from Weybridge station
Hand & Spear, Old Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8TX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Weybridge
This comfortable Kent country inn is a winning choice for a country weekend
Leicester Arms, High Street, Penshurst Kent TN11 8BT
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Tunbridge Wells
Is this Glasgow city centre's most decadent yet affordable hotel?
House of Gods Glasgow, 65 Glassford St, Glasgow G1 1UP
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lanarkshire
Holidays in Glasgow
A blingy and luxurious adults-only hotel in the heart of Edinburgh
House of Gods Edinburgh, 233 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH6 1JQ
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lothian
Holidays in Edinburgh
This comfortable Thetford Forest country inn is perfect for families looking for adventure.
Elveden Inn, Brandon Rd, Elveden, Suffolk IP24 3TP
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Elveden
A cool and beautifully conceived boutique guesthouse in one of London's nicest neighbourhoods
Mason & Fifth, 5-8 St Marks Square, London NW1 7TN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Camden
Randolph Hotel, 1 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Oxford
Hertfordshire hotel with comfortable rooms, excellent food and beautiful grounds with lots of opportunities for walking and cycling – and it's eco-friendly too!
Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Hertford Rd, Welwyn Garden City, Tewin, Hertfordshire AL6 0JB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hertfordshire
Holidays in Welwyn
A contemporary hotel with a relaxed, welcoming vibe, and a restaurant and bar that are popular with locals as well as guests.
Browns Hotel, 27–29 Victoria Road Dartmouth TQ6 9RT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Dartmouth
A great old country pub with very comfortable rooms, a friendly welcome – and delicious food into the bargain!
The Elephant's Nest Inn, Horndon Mary Tavy Tavistock Devon PL19 9NQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Tavistock
Lovely old Kent inn with great food and comfy rooms.
The Five Bells, The Street, East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5LP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Ashford
A very Isle of Wight blend of the contemporary and traditional
Royal Hotel, Belgrave Road Ventnor PO38 1JJ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Isle Of Wight
Holidays in Ventnor
Characterful Cotswolds pub with lots of history, great food and comfy cottage and stable rooms.
The Swan Inn, Swinbrook, Near Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4DY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Burford
A beautiful dog friendly Cotswolds escape, with extensive riverside grounds and an excellent restaurant.
Minster Mill, Minster Riding, Minster Lovell, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 0RN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Witney
Fine old pub with boutique rooms in a beautiful Sussex village.
The Ram Inn, Firle, Near Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6NS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Lewes
Lovely, stylish hotel with sound eco-credentials in one of Bournemouth great locations
The Green House Hotel, 4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Bournemouth
A perfectly situated dog-friendly Cotswolds inn with extensive grounds.
The Inn at Fossebridge, Stow Rd, Fossebridge, Gloucestershire GL54 3JS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Cirencester
A cool contemporary hotel in a gorgeous Cornish seaside location – great for couples and families alike.
Hotel Tresanton, Lower Castle Road, St Mawes, Cornwall TR2 5DR
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
A comfortable boutique hotel and restaurant in one of Cornwall's most happening resorts.
Merchants Manor, Western Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4QJ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Falmouth
A dog friendly Dorset hotel that also everything you need for a fantastic break with the family.
Moonfleet Manor, Fleet Rd, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4ED
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Weymouth
This historic coaching inn is one of the most iconic Cornish locations you could choose to stay in.
Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7TS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Launceston
A hotel situated in pole position by Padstow Harbour
Old Custom House, Old Custom House, South Quay, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8BL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Padstow
An updated dog friendly coaching inn on the edge of Dartmoor.
The White Hart, The Square, Moretonhampstead, Devon TQ13 8NQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Moretonhampstead
This central St Ives pub serves terrific food and has ten bright and contemporary bedrooms.
Queens Hotel, High Street, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1RR
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
A proper pub with comfortable en-suite rooms in the heart of Hackney.
The Old Ship, 2 Sylvester Path, London E8 1EN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Hackney
A lovingly restored Baptist Church in the heart of Bloomsbury, purple palette and titillating boudoirs, a small hotel conceived as a theatre
L'oscar London, 2-6 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Covent Garden
Stands out for its location, its atmosphere and above all for the impeccable service the staff provides.
The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Kensington
This historic coaching inn is Thetford's most comfortable place to stay.
The Bell Hotel, King Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2AZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Thetford
A smart hotel in a prime East London spot
Dorsett City Hotel, 9 Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1AH
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in City
A boutique bolt-hole par excellence (and handy for the airport!).
The Linden, 1–3 Silver Street, Stansted Mountfichet, Essex CM24 8HA
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Stansted
This appealing gastropub with rooms is perfect for discovering Wells, Holkham and beyond.
The Victoria Inn, Park Rd, Holkham, Norfolk NR23 1RG
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Wells-next-the-Sea
Well-priced contemporary townhouse hotel that's convenient for both the city centre and train station.
Jorvik House, 50–52 Marygate, York YO30 7BH
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in York
A restaurant with rooms in an unspoilt Essex seaside town
The Oyster Smack Inn, 112 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HR
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Burnham-on-Crouch
A terrific pub with rooms serving top-notch food and local ales bang in the centre of Rye.
The Standard Inn, The Mint, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7EN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
A sensational Sussex country house hotel
South Lodge, Long Hill, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6PS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Horsham
Central Colchester's best place to stay, with well-appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant
Greyfriars, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1UG
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Colchester
Spectacular views and Pooch in Room service at the Lodore Falls hotel
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Borrowdale Valley, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5UX
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Keswick
A Grand Victorian pile favourite of the stars - Blackpool
Imperial Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 2HB
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Blackpool
Luxury all-round, the only 5* inn in Northumberland
The Joiners Arms, Newton-by-the-Sea, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 3EA
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Alnwick
Has all the charm of an old inn in a little visited Lake District corner
Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater CA13 0RU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Loweswater
Rustic yet classy Herefordshire pub and restaurant with rooms
The Greenman, Fownhope, Herefordshire HR1 4PE
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Hereford
A classic Lake District hikers' pub with rooms and hearty food.
Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9JY
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ambleside
