Sometimes, life calls for a little luxury and luckily, the UK is home to some of the world's most glamorous hotels.
From Manchester's Kimpton Clocktower Hotel to London's Landmark Hotel, why venture outside of the UK for your next city break when you can get five-star accommodation on your doorstep?
If a lavish hotel stay is calling your name, then we have the perfect selection of classy, elegant and eccentric hotels for your holiday bucket list. Whether you're after a sophisticated upmarket retreat, a romantic spot to propose, or an arty wind-down to relax, keep scrolling to discover the UK's best luxury hotels...
SEE: Best hotels in London: From celeb hotspot The Standard to luxury Shangri-La stays and more
Best luxury hotels in Manchester
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
As soon as you step into the Kimpton, you know you're in for a seriously glamorous stay. Where elegant Victorian architecture meets Manchester's vibrant community, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better location for your next luxury city break.
From the impeccable service to the plush kingsize beds placed in magnificent loft-style bedrooms, romantic décor and a seriously indulgent breakfast served in the grand Refuge dining room, this hotel is the perfect place to wind down after an evening exploring Manchester's eclectic surroundings.
HELLO!'s Lifestyle Writer, Georgia, stayed at the Kimpton Clocktower just as their music concierge service launched, an exciting experience and exclusive for Kimpton's guests.
"The key is in the details at the Kimpton Clocktower, with their newly launched music concierge service allowing guests to enjoy a tailor-made selection of records played on a chic vintage vinyl player in the room. Pop? R&B? Classical? Simply let the hotel know your music taste before you arrive. Trust us, they've got you covered."
Best luxury hotels in Oxford
The Store
Oxford's newest hotel also happens to be the city's most luxurious - and most central. The Store is set inside the former Boswells department store, footsteps from the iconic Bodleian Library - Saltburn fans, you'll be able to tread Jacob Elordi's footsteps just minutes from the gorgeous hotel.
Every element of The Store has been carefully considered with luxury in mind, from the brushed rose gold fire extinguisers (so stylish!) to the plush beds, art-deco inspired decor, divine spa and rooftop bar with breathtaking views of the city and its famous spires. We spent more than a few hours basking on the rooftop and drinking in the views - and the rosé!
The hotel is also home to Treadwell, a welcoming restaurant that serves not only the most delicious sharing roast on Sundays, but one of the best burgers we've ever tasted. Our incredible waitress shared that the chef has tasted dozens of burgers in his quest to make the perfect patty. He was successful, because it was the tastiest burger we've ever tried.
The spa, nestled on the lowest level of the hotel, is cosy and cocooning - the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring Oxford's cobbled streets. We booked in for a sublime massage, then spent time in the thermal suite, which has to be booked so you can be assured it'll never be too busy.
The rooms are gorgeous too, with velvet headboards, boucle chairs and warm lighting, plus there's a co-working space downstairs for anyone who can tear themselves away from the rooftop bar!
Best luxury hotels in Cheshire
The Manor House Hotel & Spa
Nestled in the East Cheshire countryside, Manor House Hotel & Spa in Alsager offers guests 52 bedrooms boasting super king beds and comfy seating areas. While the location is quite rural, it's the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get some much-needed R&R with a partner, friend, or in my case, a sibling. Take it from me, I slept a solid 10 hours!
If you're looking for a spa break with a twist, combine your pampering treatments with a cheeky glass of bubbly – without leaving the comfort of the heated pool. The hotel – which won the Best Luxury Garden Spa in Europe and the Best Luxury Countryside Spa in the UK at the 2023 World Luxury Spa Awards – is home to the UK's first swim-up bar offering everything from champagne cocktails to espresso martinis, beers and wines.
I didn't indulge in a cocktail until 4pm after spending the afternoon alternating between the icy plunge bath and salt steam inhalation chamber, warming up in the sunken tabletop hydrotherapy tub, and relaxing under the heated lamps of the hanging day beds. This was broken up only by my afternoon tea – featuring hot sausage rolls, chocolate brownie and scones – and my Drift Away full body massage, which melted away the tension in my neck and shoulders.
I finished off my luxurious day with a three-course dinner in The Stables, where the vegetable spring rolls, wild mushroom risotto and heavenly triple chocolate brownie left me wanting more.
Reviewed by Nichola Murphy
Best luxury hotels in London
The Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square
Situated in the heart of the city, the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is an exquisite place to stay. With incredible views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, this Grade II listed ornate building looks super grand from the outside, and as soon as you walk in, you just know you will be experiencing a stay to remember.
The rooms are spacious, with incredible, sumptuous furnishings; no detail is overlooked. Comfortable and chic is the perfect combination! Pop on your robe and visit the spa on the ground floor. The 14-metre pool is a dream, and there are a variety of jacuzzi-style jets in a separate pool, as well as a huge sauna and steam room. There are treatment rooms galore and the fitness centre is epic; it's even open 24 hours a day.
When it comes to food and drink, there are three restaurants to choose from. Also, if you're feeling in the Christmas mood, you need to try the Festive Afternoon Tea. This offering is perfect for a YuleTide treat - you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with live music, and the surrounding decorations are glittering.The patisseries are created by incredible Pastry Chef Sylvain Goujon.
The InterContinental Park Lane
Five-star holidaying is synonymous with the world's A-listers. Luckily, the InterContinental hotel already boasts royal credentials before you even get in the door -the hotel is located at 145 Piccadilly, the site of the Queen's childhood home before she moved into Buckingham Palace with her father, King George VI.
After a long day of exploring London, there is nowhere better to curl up than in one of the hotel's exquisite rooms. We recommend the Deluxe room, which comes with a king-sized bed, flat-screen TV and speakers, a functional work desk and a table and armchairs to sit at and take in the beautiful views of the Wellington Arch.
The Landmark Hotel
Situated in the heart of upscale Marylebone, The Landmark London is a deluxe stay famous for its striking glass-roofed eight-story atrium with towering palm trees, an award-winning restaurant, luxurious bedrooms and an indoor pool and spa. Beautiful Regents Park and Lords Cricket Ground are both less than ten minutes’ walk away.
Marylebone underground and train station are just fifty yards away, providing excellent access to all London’s attractions from outside of the city. If the white marble bathtub or the plush super-king bed isn't enough to tempt you, we're sure the quintessential British breakfast in the hotel's iconic Winter Garden Restaurant will.
MORE: 12 of the most romantic couples' retreats to stay with your other half
London Marriott Hotel County Hall
© Nigel Story Levanterman PhotographySituated on the Southbank between Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, the Grade II-listed London Marriott Hotel County Hall boasts five-star luxury and views that will leave even resident Londoners in awe.
Of the 206 bedroom and suite options, the Balcony Suites showcase the very best of the hotel. The palatial rooms feature curated art and literature capturing London through the centuries, plus all of the mod cons you could wish for!
After tearing yourself away from your cushioned balcony seats (a discreet but prime position for people-watching), take a soak in your marble bathtub or slip into your complimentary robe and slippers and wander down the corridor to the sauna, steam room and 25-metre indoor swimming pool that is bathed in natural daylight and accessible exclusively to hotel guests.
King George V officially opened the hotel in 1922, and if you meet Len at reception, he is a fountain of knowledge and will happily book you in for a decadent Afternoon Tea in The Library.
Sun Street Hotel
© Sun Street HotelIn a convenient central London location, the recently launched Sun Street Hotel is situated only a five minute walk from the bustling Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations. The vibrantly elegant interiors, paired with a traditional Georgian style exterior of this new boutique hotel are incredibly charming. Boasting 41 rooms in total, including seven suites, you can choose to stay in a space decorated in either a modern or traditional style. Our recommend? The latter, which encompasses beautiful oriental themed wallpaper, plush furnishings and opulent bathrooms that create an inviting yet luxurious atmosphere.
The restaurant, library and bar are other hotspot areas within the hotel that are certainly worth a visit. Whilst the bar is a contemporary space offering exotic cocktails and a place to gather with friends and loved ones, the library has been created as a snug environment in which you can rest and relax with a good book in hand. Sounds dreamy.
Best luxury hotels in Edinburgh
The Virgin Hotel
© Hotel providedThe Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh is a blissful surprise. Located slap bang in the centre of the Old Town, 10 minutes walk from the station and literally looking out on Victoria Street (the stunning street J.K. Rowling supposedly based Harry Potter's Diagon Alley on, with all the charm you'd imagine), this hotel is right where the action is. But once inside, it opens up in a kind of tardis-like way, offering an instant reprieve from the bustle of the city, it's peaceful and minimal modern interiors bringing a sense of calm to its impressive and ostentatious Victorian architecture.
I stayed two nights with my son, on a mini-tour of the city and it was perfect. The room we stayed in was so spacious, with sofas and chairs available for us both to have room to chill out (or check work emails/watch YouTube, depending on which of us it was!). There was space for a roll out bed, the mini-Smeg fridge added style and function on a hot summer's visit and the huge King-sized bed was incredibly comfortable.
Eve, the restaurant on the ground floor (the hotel has way more floors than you first imagine as it's built into one of Edinburgh's hills) serves a delicious a la carte breakfast each morning and dinner on the patio during the height of summer was a real treat. Sharing dishes we loved include the Salmon Poke Bowl and the Pork Belly - all washed down with a cocktail from the cocktail list. Eve gets busy - it was fairly quiet and laid back the night we were there, but DJ nights and live music are common.
There are other offerings in the hotel that looked uber cool and we didn't get to trial or spend much time in this trip like the Common's Club (pine-panelled glamorous dining venue) and the delights of the Victorian Funny Library - I'd have loved to have spent longer here. The books and boardgames make this a perfect place to unwind.
Because the weather was so warm when we were there, drinks on the rooftop patio were a must - and the views to the castle behind, the perfect backdrop for an Instagram snap.
It manages to find the perfect balance between being cool while also inviting and accessible, and two days in Edinburgh or at the Virgin hotel are not enough!
Reviewed by Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon
The Balmoral
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The iconic Victorian-style building is at the epicentre of Edinburgh, surrounded by stunning views of the bustling, historic city. With its ornate grandeur and welcoming service, this elegant 5-star hotel - which is situated on the most prestigious address, No. 1 Princes Street - is the perfect setting for an idyllic city break.
From the high ceilings and stunning art collection, the hotel exudes a grand and timeless feel. If you're looking for a luxury escape with a touch of class and culture when you're travelling to Edinburgh, you certainly can't go wrong with The Balmoral.
Best luxury hotels in Bath
The Gainsborough
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, situated in the heart of the historical Roman Baths city, undeniably offers the perfect getaway for those looking for some much-needed rest and relaxation with a spot of class and luxury.
Housed in a former 18th-century Georgian mansion, the yellow, honeydew brick building holds an impressive 99 rooms, various suites, thermal rooms as well as a spa in their historic vaults - a totally wonderful setting for some much-needed downtime.
Whether you're looking for a spa, a class in English literature, a vibrant shopping culture or a decadent afternoon tea at neighbouring tea rooms, you'll find something that more than meets your needs on the doorstep during a stay here.
READ: What to do in Bath in 3 days - the best things to see in the historic city
Best luxury hotels in Berkshire
Clivenden House
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This five-star country-house-hotel hosted Meghan the night before her lavish wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Stretching across 376 acres, the 17th-century property has welcomed the likes of Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill, and Charlie Chaplin through its doors.
Better yet, the property offers surprisingly affordable rooms and runs family-friendly offers all year round, including a 'kids go free' option worth keeping your eyes peeled for.
Best Luxury Hotels in Hertfordshire
The Grove
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Just 18 miles from London lies The Grove, a five-star hotel underpinned by luxury. The hotel has just unveiled their 12 newly-refurbished suites in their 18th-Century Mansion, each individually designed and unique. With four restaurants and a championship golf course, we promise your jaw will drop as you drive up to the entrance. Sequoia Spa located within the grounds is a spa like no other, with black mosaic tiles and sun loungers both inside and on a relaxing terrace outside, this really is the ultimate place to recharge. All treatments use Bamford products, an organic and sustainable skincare brand, with some serious results. We’d recommend the B Silent Ritual, a treatment devoted to relaxing the body, using Japanese shiatsu rocking techniques and a foot bathing ritual - simply divine!
With four different restaurants, all offering varying cuisines, there really is something for everyone. The Glasshouse, a buffet style restaurant is extremely popular with guests, especially those with children, but hidden in the grounds is The Stables. The relaxing restaurant uses seasonal British produce grown in the Kitchen Garden. The Spatchcock chicken with preserved lemon was the perfect summer dish, just be sure to save enough room for the new season strawberries and elderflower dessert - we’re still thinking about it now! It’s clear, the food is a highlight of this exquisite hotel, as even breakfast in The Glasshouse was a meal to remember. In fact, the hotel is currently running a Feast and Foraging Discovery Package, with a foraging tour around the hotel and a seasonally-inspired feast cooked over open fire, if you like us, love food!
The staff couldn’t have done anymore to welcome us, and whilst the rest of the hotel is lovely, we would encourage a splurge to enjoy a suite in the Mansion as they provide a stay to remember. If we’re honest, it was struggle to even explore the hotel, with such a beautiful room waiting for us!
Best luxury hotels in Cambridge
The Varsity Hotel & Spa
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The Varsity Hotel and Spa, situated in central Cambridge along the river is the perfect hotel for a city break. With a riverside location, rooftop terrace, incredible restaurant and spa, this beautiful hotel really is the perfect place to relax after a long day of sight-seeing.
Guests are spoilt for choice with the rooftop garden, a Bar Steakhouse overlooking the River and a Brasserie with panoramic views of the city. We’d recommend booking in at the Steakhouse for some of the most mouthwatering steak we have ever tried -just be sure to add a side of their epic macaroni cheese! The staff throughout the hotel were all lovely and couldn’t have done anymore to make sure our stay was perfect - without doubt, this is one of the best places to stay in Cambridge.
Best luxury hotels in Newcastle
INNSiDE Newcastle
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INNSiDE Newcastle is located on the city’s Quayside, bringing both incredible views and luxury to your weekend getaway. Overlooking the River Tyne, the views from this modern hotel are simply spectacular, and the location is even better! With just a 10 minute walk to the railway station and only slightly further to the shops, this really is the perfect base to explore Newcastle from.
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Equipped with a fitness centre, parking, bar and restaurant, this hotel caters for all. Gino d’Acampo’s restaurant offers an all-day menu, and the breakfast buffet was superb - one of the best we’ve had. The staff are all incredibly friendly and give the large hotel, the buzz you might be scared it could miss - we’d highly recommend staying here for your next city break!
Best luxury hotels in Kent
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
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This award-winning boutique hotel is situated within 15 acres of landscaped gardens, and amongst a safari and wilderness reserve, making it the perfect luxury getaway for couples and families alike. Whether you decide to sleep in the decadent tiger lodge, camp out under the stars in the giraffe lodge, or opt for a stay in one of the popular treehouses, you'll come away feeling revived and rejuvenated. During your break, you can embark one of the many activities on offer, from safari experiences to junior ranger academies. Another draw is that the reserve is renowned its conservation efforts, housing many rare and endangered species across the park.
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