Best Hotels to Stay in the 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
An Edwardian seaside villa turned classy bolthole, just footsteps from Porthminster Beach
Primrose House St Ives, Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2ED
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
A contemporary hotel situated between Cornwall’s china-clay ‘alps’ and a string of south coast beaches.
The Cornwall Hotel, Spa and Estate, Pentewan Road, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 7AB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Austell
A country pub with accommodation on the border of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire
The Kilcot Inn, Ross Road, Kilcot, Gloucestershire GL18 1NA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Newent
Lifestyle-driven hotel. The place to hang out by the famous Newquay's Fistral beach
Oceanside Hotel, Headland Road, Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1HN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Newquay
This country house in the pretty village of Evershot has all the ingredients for a romantic escape
Summer Lodge, 9 Fore Street, Evershot, Dorset DT2 0JR
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Miramar Hotel, East Overcliff Drive Bournemouth BH1 3AL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Bournemouth
The Wheatsheaf, Combe Hay, Somerset BA2 7EG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bath
Homey comfort in a traditional country pub set in the Cotswold near Stroud
The Crown Inn, Frampton Mansell, Near Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 8JG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Stroud
Headland Hotel, Esplanade Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1EW
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Newquay
A revamped 16th century in with gorgeous accommodation, perfect for foodies
New Inn, Coln St, Aldwyns, Gloucestershire GL7 5AN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Cirencester
Watersmeet Hotel, The Esplanade, Woolacombe, Devon EX34 7EB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Woolacombe
An opulent, historic place to sleep.
Star Castle Hotel, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly TR21 0JA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Isles of Scilly
Holidays in St Mary's
Traditional B&B pub situated in the beautiful village of Shipton Moyne near Tetbury
The Cat & Custard Pot, The Street, Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire GL8 8PN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Tetbury
Fabulously chic rooms in a beautifully renovated 17th-century Cotswold inn.
The Wheatsheaf Inn & Hotel, West End, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3EZ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Bourton-on-the-Water
A gracious West Sussex country house hotel with swish spa.
Park House Hotel & Spa, Bepton, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0JB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Midhurst
The Mermaid Inn, Mermaid Street, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7EY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
Splendid old village pub with stylish rooms in the heart of the South Downs.
The Bull, 2 High St, Ditchling, East Sussex BN6 8TA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Ditchling
Historic gastropub with 10 en-suite boutique bedrooms.
The Richard Onslow, 113-117 High St Town Centre Cranleigh Surrey GU6 8A
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Godalming
Great service, food and impressive rooms at this Burford historic landmark hotel.
The Bay Tree Hotel, Sheep Street Burford Oxfordshire OX18 4LW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Burford
Great food and three comfy rooms in a terrific Kent location.
The Plough Inn at Stalisfield Green, Stalisfield Green, Near Charing, Faversham, Kent ME13 0HY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
A decent pub with rooms in the heart of Canterbury city centre.
Millers Arms, 2 Mill Lane Canterbury CT1 2AW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
Canterbury's best and most central hotel
ABode Canterbury, 30–33 High Street Canterbury CT1 2RX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
Oodles of charm, warm and friendly staff, relaxation and peace.
Mortons Manor, 45 East St, Corfe Castle, Dorset BH20 5EE
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Wareham
This large art deco hotel sitting right on Bournemouth clifftops, the view from the balconies is second to none
Cumberland Hotel, East Overcliff Drive Bournemouth BH1 3AF
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Bournemouth
A regal hotel in a to-die-for location in Eton.
Sir Christopher Wren’s House Hotel & Spa, Thames Street Windsor SL4 1PX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Windsor
The Olde Bell, High Street Hurley Berkshire SL6 5LX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Hurley
Quirky dog-friendly former pub and manor house near the Thames in Berkshire.
The Elephant Hotel, Church Road, Pangbourne, Berkshire RG8 7AR
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Reading
Fine dining and classy accommodation in a historic and rural setting, close to the Surrey-Sussex border.
Lythe Hill Hotel, Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 3BQ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Haslemere
Convivial boutique hotel in Eton favoured by schoolboys' parents
The Christopher, 110 High Street Eton SL4 6AN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Windsor
Future Inn, Bond Street, South Bristol BS1 3EN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bristol
Lakeside hotel set in peaceful grounds on the edge of the Norfolk Broads
Ivy House Country Hotel, Ivy Lane, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 8HY
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Lowestoft
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
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
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
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
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
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
