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
Cool, contemporary apartment-hotel in a terrific location near Tower Bridge.
Bermonds Locke, 157 Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, London SE1 3LW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Southwark
This Folkestone boutique B&B is full of personality, serves superb food and has views out to the English Channel
Rocksalt Rooms, 4-5 Fishmarket Folkestone Kent CT19 6AA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Folkestone
Not far from Falmouth, this is a unique Cornwall hotel nestled in its own by sub-tropical gardens overlooking the sea
Hotel Meudon, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5HT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Falmouth
A beautiful contemporary boutique hotel by the sea with gorgeous rooms and a superb restaurant
The Idle Rocks, Harbourside St, Mawes, Cornwall, TR2 5AN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
A luxury family hotel overlooking the sailing and literary Mecca of Fowey
Fowey Hall Hotel, Hanson Drive, Fowey, Cornwall PL23 1ET
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Fowey
A wonderfully relaxed seaside bolthole, with great views and everything you need for a comfortable, grown-up stay by the sea.
The Old Quay House, 28 Fore Street, Fowey, Cornwall PL23 1AQ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Fowey
Treat yourself to a break by the sea at Southend at this slick boutique hotel and restaurant.
Seven Hotel, 7 Clifton Terrace Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 1DT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Southend on Sea
Cornwall boutique hotel rooms just off Polzeath beach with a sea-view restaurant downstairs
Polzeath Beach House, Atlantic Mews, New Polzeath, Padstow, Cornwall PL27 6US
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Polzeath
Almost a country house hotel, but in the centre of Newcastle.
Jesmond Dene House, Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE2 2EY
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Newcastle
Liverpool's most affordable cool hotel
The Resident, 29 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4AU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Merseyside
Holidays in Liverpool
The Kinmel Arms, The Village, St George, Abergele, Conwy LL22 9BP
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Conwy
Holidays in Abergele
This gloriously cool dockside hotel is one of Liverpool's best places to stay
Titanic Hotel, Stanley Dock, Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 0AN
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Merseyside
Holidays in Liverpool
Cool foodie hotel in the heart of the City of London that is also dog friendly.
South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in City
Sleek seaside hotel in the heart of Margate with fabulous beach views and a good restaurant
No 42 Margate, 42 High St, Margate, Kent CT9 1DS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Margate
A comfortable and contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Nottingham's best district
Lace Market Hotel, 29-31 High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HE
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Nottinghamshire
Holidays in Nottingham
This small Pembrokeshire hotel provides understated luxury and fine dining in beautiful surroundings.
The Grove of Narberth, The Grove, Molleston, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8BX
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Narberth & Templeton
This country inn on the Cumbrian borders serves renowned food and has nine luxurious rooms for those who want to stay.
Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, Cumbria CA6 5QB
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
This Lancashire inn is a shining beacon of good cooking and warm hospitality
The Cartford Inn, Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Near Preston, Lancashire PR3 0YP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Lancashire
Holidays in Preston
Contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Bristol city centre.
Bristol Harbour Hotel, 49/55 Corn Street, Bristol, Somerset BS1 1HT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bristol
Belfast's world famous city centre hotel, with understated elegance, buckets of charm and a fantastic location
Europa Hotel, Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AP
Holidays in Ulster NI
Holidays in Antrim
This Notting Hill hotel is both homely and stylish at the same time – a hidden gem that makes a terrific base for the capital
The Laslett, Pembridge Gardens, Notting Hill, London W2 4DU
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Notting Hill
Manchester's luxury hotel with a boutique feel
King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth Street, Manchester M24AW
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Greater Manchester
Holidays in Manchester
Clerkenwell gastropub where the food and rooms are a cut above the norm.
The Coach, 26–28 Ray Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3DJ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Clerkenwell
A super-slick hotel spread across 16 buildings in and around London's iconic Denmark Street
Chateau Denmark, Denmark Place, London WC2H 0LA United Kingdom
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Soho
This Helensburgh hotel has it all – sea views, good food and easy access to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Riva Boutique Hotel, 12–14 West Clyde St, Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute G84 8SQ
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Argyll & Bute
Holidays in Helensburgh
A handsome old house on King's Lynn's historic waterfront that is one of North Norfolk's best boutique hotels.
Bank House, King’s Staithe Square King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 1ED
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in King's Lynn
Family owned boutique golf hotel and country club in beautiful grounds
Blacknest Golf and Country Club, Frith End Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4QL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Alton
Boutique Christchurch hotel with buzzy bar and restaurant.
King's Arms Hotel, 18 Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1DT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Christchurch
Maltster’s Arms, Tuckenhay, Near Totnes, Devon TQ9 7EH
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Totnes
Contemporary boutique rooms above a busy modern restaurant in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold.
The Sheep on Sheep St, Sheep St, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1AG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Stow-on-the-Wold
An updated coaching inn with stylish boutique rooms and a busy bar and restaurant.
The George Townhouse, 8 High Street Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire CV36 4AJ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Warwickshire
Holidays in Shipston-on-Stour
Lovely Peak District manor house with modern touches and great food.
The Peacock at Rowsley, Rowsley Derbyshire DE4 2EB
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Bakewell
The best kind of gastropub with rooms – and in a fantastic North Norfolk location.
Rose & Crown, Old Church Road Snettisham Norfolk PE31 7LX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Hunstanton
A historic Oxfordshire manor house in an idyllic riverside location by the Thames.
voco Oxford Thames, Henley Rd, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4GX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Oxford
Gastropub with comfortable guest rooms, close to the historic heart of Winchester
Bridge Street House, 5 Bridge Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0HN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Winchester
An elegant and contemporary Newcastle city centre boutique hotel
Grey Street Hotel, 2–12 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6EE
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Newcastle
Boutique hotel accommodation in one of Birmingham's nicest neighbourhoods - with its own pub attached!
The High Field Town House, 23 Highfield Road, Birmingham B15 3DP
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Birmingham
A lovely old Wiltshire pub with great food and stylish rooms.
The Horse & Groom, The Street, Charlton, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9DL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Wiltshire
Holidays in Malmesbury
An upscale 16th-century pub with rooms in the heart of the City.
The Bull and The Hide, 4 Devonshire Row London EC2M 4RH
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in City
Traditional British fare and country-house style rooms in Marylebone, a stone's throw from Edgware Road and Oxford Street.
The Grazing Goat, 6 New Quebec Street, Marylebone, London W1H 7RQ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Camden
A cosy and comfortable – yet thoroughly contemporary – old coaching inn, with luxurious rooms and great food.
The Bull Hotel, Market Place, Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4AA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
A charming 15th century coaching inn renowned for its food and boutique rooms – situated in a peaceful and picturesque part of Suffolk
The Bildeston Crown, 104 High St, Bildeston, Suffolk IP7 7EB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Lavenham
A stylish and family friendly Cheshire inn near fashionable Knutsford and Tatton Park.
The Vicarage, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Cheshire, CW4 8EF
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cheshire
Holidays in Knutsford
The very essence of a modern inn, handily situated close to Manchester, Macclesfield and the Peak District.
The Bridge, Prestbury, Cheshire SK10 4DQ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cheshire
Holidays in Macclesfield
Contemporary boutique inn in a great location in the historic, foodie, market town of Abergavenny
The Angel at Abergavenny, 15 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5EN
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Monmouthshire
Holidays in Abergavenny
A spectacular Welsh castle and exclusive stay venue in a beautiful part of Pembrokeshire.
Roch Castle, Roch Pembrokeshire SA62 6AQ
Holidays in South Wales
Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Holidays in Newgale
A very comfortable, dog-friendly country house hotel in Berkshire with all kinds of amenities, including a massive wine cellar
The Vineyard Hotel, The Vineyard, Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8JU
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Newbury
A contemporary Cotswolds bolthole on a beautiful country estate
The Fish Hotel, Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7LH
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Worcestershire
Holidays in Broadway
