16 British Hotels that are Perfect for a Cheeky Gataway
Chic city pad or seaside retreat? Foodie palace or dog-friendly quarters? Whatever you need from an overnight stay,
British hotels
Our fair isle is blessed with so many fantastic hotels, it can be hard to choose sometimes which one to book. Here's a guide to our current favorites.
Best for: True glamor
In the heart of Mayfair, Claridge’s hotel oozes quintessential English style and charm. The spacious suites along with the team’s subtle but tailored service are what make this place special. That, and the amazing food. From the ultimate smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast to their iconic afternoon tea – it’s an experience you never want to end. The splendid Fumoir bar is perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink, while The Foyer and Reading Room are the ideal settings for dinner. we provide spa online booking hotels.
Out and about: The shops of Bond Street are on your doorstep. Head the other way and it's a 30-minute walk (through Hyde Park) to Knightsbridge, which also has every designer shop you could want, plus iconic department stores Harvey Nichols and Harrods, alongside high-street favourites such as Zara. Fortnum & Mason is worth stopping by for afternoon tea. The V&A is a short distance, too. And for a special night out, hail a cab and head to the Royal Opera House – an utterly glorious performance of Romeo and Juliet runs until 25 Feb (for tickets visit roh.org.uk).
Best for: The afternoon tea of dreams
Despite being less than a 10-minute walk from the centre of Bath and the famous Pulteney Bridge’s shops and restaurants, the Roseate Villa maintains a serene air, overlooking the leafy Henrietta Park and its genteel surrounding streets. Rooms are airy and stylish – we loved our chaise longue, perfect for lady-of-leisure moments. The super-friendly staff bring welcome chocolates to your room, can whip up a mean mojito made with homemade passion fruit liqueur and serve an elegant afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, plus champagne and cocktails (top tip: skip lunch). All beyond delicious.
Out and about: It’s a short walk to the Holburne Museum (aka Lady Danbury’s house in Bridgerton), which houses a permanent collection of fine and decorative arts as well as special exhibitions. You can have a light lunch in the museum’s modern glass extension, then potter through the landscaped park to the Kennet & Avon Canal for a towpath walk or cycle. For a glimpse of quirky Georgian architecture, have brunch or dinner at The Botanist, housed in an 18th-century octagonal building that was once a private chapel. Friendly Italian Antica, on Pulteney Bridge, is great for pasta and pizza, while Portofino offers Porlock Bay oysters right in the city centre.
Best for: Adventurous cooks
The Grand definitely lives up to its name: a top-hatted doorman welcomes you into the imposing lobby of this historic hotel, a stone’s throw away from the city walls. Rooms are modern and comfy, some with views overlooking the city, while the bar has a clubby feel – all button-back leather and velvet. The Rise restaurant combines old and new, with an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work (we loved the seared skate wing). In fact, the food is the star here: be sure to book into the on-site cooking school. We joined an Asian cuisine class, with Andrew Dixon, making three dishes including monkfish massaman curry.
Stella loves: The chance to make your own culinary creations.
Out and about: Horrible Histories fans will love the Jorvik Viking Centre, on the exact site of 10th-century excavations. York is a browser’s paradise, full of quirky independent stores such as The Imaginarium and vintage stores – try Upside Down Design and the Antiques Centre York. Afterwards, refuel at The Botanist gastropub or try a craft beer at the Micklegate Social.
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Best for: Dandy city lovers
Playful and flamboyant, but with the confident luxury and impeccable service of a heritage hotel, The Mayfair Townhouse is the latest location from the people behind Cliveden and Chewton Glen. The hotel’s motif is a mischievous fox and witty Oscar Wilde-style moments abound in the decor, art collection and menu. It’s a place full of pleasant surprises, from the quirky rooms and suites, some with secret patios, to the candy in the minibars. The heart of the hotel is the decadent Dandy Bar with its sexy low lighting and hedonistic signature cocktails – The Casanova being particularly appropriate in a building where Georgian gentlemen would often take private rooms.
Mayfair Townhouse
The heart of the Mayfair Townhouse is the decadent Dandy Bar CREDIT: Mel Yates
Stella loves: The Loft Suite with terrace views over the London sunset. Out and about: Mere minutes from Green Park station, with the most chic Mayfair restaurants within walking distance, the hotel is perfect for shopping, sightseeing and theatreland. VIPs (very important pooches) are also welcome, and animal lovers can also book private horse rides through nearby Hyde Park.
Don't forget the spa, with a soothing pool, sauna and steam room, and treatments by Irene Forte, the brand owned by Rocco's daughter. True to Scottish character, it's a family affair. My earliest childhood memories are at the Balmoral. I would toddle across the Palm Court as my mother indulged in afternoon tea and I still remember the dainty pistachio macarons, the gracious plucks of a harpist and the impressive white columns. Through the eyes of an adult, it’s no less dreamy.
Best for: West End city break
Amid the greenery of Portman Square but only moments away from the bustle of Oxford Street, the super-chic Nobu Hotel, which opened in 2020, is suffused with Japanese calm and cool. The vast restaurant has an open kitchen where you can watch the theatre and artistry of the impossibly serene kitchen staff. Highlights include the Nasu Miso (an aubergine dish) and Wagyu beef tataki. Upstairs, rooms are modern, bright and luxurious with pillows and bed linen that confirm its five-star status. Also a big draw is its state of the art Pilates studio, where you can learn its signature Nobu Pilates.
Nobu Portman Square
Watch the theatre and artistry of the culinary experts in Nobu's open kitchen
Stella loves: The cocktails. The Ayacucho martini is to die for. Out and about: The Nobu Hotel makes a great base for exploring Mayfair. KOL Restaurant, the most upscale Mexican restaurant ever to open in London is a five-minute walk. We love their modern, deconstructed dishes with British ingredients. Also down the road is Lurra for modern, Basque fine dining. Their 14-year-old ‘Galician Blond’ steaks are among the best steaks to be had in London. For shopping, Selfridges is within spitting distance. A 10-minute walk will take you to The Wallace Collection, one of the most beguiling museums in London, with works by Rubens and Velazquez.
Best for: Stylish respite with ultra-local cuisine
Charming design meets culinary excellence at Glebe House, where ex-Londoners Hugo and Olive Guest have taken over Hugo’s Devon family home, transforming it from traditional b&b to modern guesthouse. The interiors are joyous: bright colours and hand-drawn wallpaper; all on the relaxing side of chintz. We stayed in The Old Kitchen annexe, which has a woodburner and roll-top bath, and awoke to the sounds of birds and cows.
But the cosy feel belies a sophisticated foodie operation, with a professional kitchen jostling for space with the family Aga. Hugo is a talented chef, previously of Sorella and The Marksman, and trained in Tuscany. We enjoyed his ‘simple supper’ (served Mon-Sat, the restaurant opens Thurs-Sun) of homemade everything from the on-site polytunnels, kitchen garden, bakery and ageing room: pickled carrots, sourdough by River Cottage-trained baker Sam Lomas and charcuterie cured from local rare-breed pigs. Vodka is infused on site, fish is landed nearby at Beer. And that’s just for starters. A wild garlic pie, which we protested is too overwhelming for two, somehow disappeared. Breakfast features the best poached rhubarb I’ve ever tasted and the sunniest eggs. The service doesn't feel like service, so natural and friendly are Hugo and Olive. They urged us to come back and you can bet your last slice of home-cured bacon we will.
Best for: Luxe gastronomy
The Lake District is a renowned gourmet paradise and the family-run Gilpin sure got the memo. Both Gilpin Spice (tapas-style pan Asian) and Hrishi (Michelin-starred fine dining) are on site. Snooze off your feast in one of the luxury spa suites: once the wood burner is roaring and the sun’s setting over your private hot tub and plunge pond on the decking, it’s impossible to leave… well, except to eat more. The whole suite (including under floor heating throughout) works at the touch of a remote, but should you need assistance, the super-friendly staff team are on hand 24/7. The owners have truly thought of everything. From the fully equipped cocktail bar to the serene spa room off the main living area, it’s the ultimate in luxury mini breaks.
Best for: Seaside indulgence
In the tiny Cornish fishing village of St Mawes, with its steep and winding paths and atmospheric fisherman’s cottages, sits the Idle Rocks, a luxurious harbourside hotel in the heart of the Roseland Peninsula (aka Poldark country). Wake to dreamy views across the water – kayakers and small sailboats are a regular sight on this busy waterway – and after a slow breakfast on the waterside sun terrace, kick off the day with a refreshing plunge into the crystal-clear waters of the River Fal. Afterwards, ease away aches at the hotel’s on-site spa, The Reef Knot Retreat – try the 90 minute ultimate aromatherapy experience, an indulgent head-to-toe massage using Aromatherapy Associates deep relax body oil. But the restaurant is the hotel’s biggest draw. It’s led by former Le Manoir chef Dorian Janmaat, who magics up exceptionally fresh seafood – the citrus cured sea trout with yuzu kosho, blood orange and Exmoor caviar is divine. Out and about: There are many stunning coastline walks along the Roseland peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty, to choose from, but the 45-minute amble to the picture-perfect St Anthony’s lighthouse offers cinematic views back over St Mawes and beyond to Falmouth. For other excursions and cultural activities, such as Henry VIII's seaside fortress St Mawes Castle, Visit Cornwall has endless holiday inspo.
Best for: Low-key luxury
When Carbis Bay was the location of the 2021 G7 Summit, the world got to see the stunning beach – and now its charms are world famous. And the Gannet is the perfect base, just a 10-minute downhill walk from that beach, which looks out to the Godrevy Lighthouse (inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse). This hotel has a good size car park – a real draw as parking spaces are like hen’s teeth here. Our room was snug with a sloping roof and a tiny window from which you could see the sea, but with a whopping bed. The highlight is the enormous restaurant with an extensive menu, impeccable service from friendly staff, and enormous squishy chairs some of which are upholstered with Mulberry Home’s striking Flying Ducks fabric – perfect for whiling away a long lunch or evening. Out and about: Carbis Bay Beach is far quieter than the neighbouring sands of St Ives. To prepare for the (bracing) walk back up the hill, stop off at sister hotel Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate. It has an excellent spa with outdoor heated pool and serves Cornish cream teas in the conservatory looking out over the sea. Alternatively, pick up the coastal path to St Ives, a 2km gentle but hilly walk above the railway line with spectacular views of St Ives Bay. You'll need a car to get around (if you come by train, hire one from £79 a day; zipcar.com). The Minack Theatre, carved into the cliffs, is well worth the 40-minute drive from the hotel, not only to see the plays but the sunset over the ocean during the performance.
Best for: Cyclists and golfers
Built in the Seventies but inspired by the Thirties, the crisp, clean, modern lines of this hotel are a striking foil to the mesmerising views of a sandy bay and the ocean beyond. Rooms are simple and comfortable; the perfect place to rest your tired muscles after a day spent exploring the island by bike. Electric ones are available to hire from the hotel, and they will also pack you a delicious picnic for £30p per person. Golfers will be in heaven: the 120-year-old La Moye club is just next door. Worked up an appetite? The hotel's Ocean Restaurant is a dream for seafood fans.
Best for: Modern design lovers
This imposing Grade-II listed Georgian building, formerly an arts club, was bought and lovingly restored by owner Susan Stuart a few years ago, a painstaking process that took two years. Today it’s a slick, modern six-bedroom guest house, with striking modern design – but it also feels homely. Take the enormous double-height drawing rooms, with glossy white wooden floors, white walls with modern art, grand piano and a smattering of antiques – it’s polished enough to front an interiors magazine yet relaxed enough that you feel able to kick off your shoes and curl up on the sofa. We stayed in one of the two duplex studios in the courtyard – a one-bedroom self-contained property with a floating staircase, poured concrete sink and walk-in shower, and chic Tom Raffield wooden lighting. Breakfasts were delivered to our door – excellent, homemade fare prepared with local produce. Try the superb smoked haddock. It’s best taken on the two balconies overlooking the harbour and St Michael’s Mount. Just watch out for the seagulls.
Chapel House, Penzance
Chapel House is a modern, yet homely guesthouse in Penzance
Stella loves: The buzzy Friday Night Supper Clubs, hosted by Susan (a tremendous cook) – good for solo travellers who want to meet others. These paused during the pandemic but will be resuming shortly.Out and about: Hire an eBike and pootle around the harbour to St Michael’s Mount or the guides can point you to routes further afield – the bikes come with handy panniers to pack a picnic (ebikecornwall.com). Refuel at local deli, The Cornish Hen, which serves a mean steak pastie, made on the premises (27 Market Place). It also sells little bottles of gin from the upstairs distillery. Stop by Penlee House Gallery and Museum, home to beautiful paintings by Newlyn School and Lamorna artists, plus there’s a cute gift shop and lovely gardens for a cuppa afterwards. Then there’s Jubilee Pool, an enormous Art Deco seawater lido, right on the sea, plus a geothermically heated pool for chilly days. An ideal place to while away a sunny afternoon.
Best for: Rustic charm
One of a small chain of bohemian boutique hotels, Oxfordshire’s Artist Residence is in the Mason’s Arms, a converted pub in the village of South Leigh, 10 miles west of Oxford and on the edge of the Cotswolds. There are just five rooms under the magnificent thatched roof of the 16th-century inn, along with three suites in the outbuildings, with terraces looking out over wildflower meadows, plus a shepherd’s hut at the end of the herb garden for those looking for a more off-grid experience. Each room is individually decorated in a rustic-chic style – exposed original beams, paint-stripped reclaimed doors – with mod cons like a Nespresso machine and exceptionally comfortable beds. Ask for one with a free-standing bath. The Mason Arms itself offers a comforting menu of pub grub, from half-pint shell-on prawns with saffron aioli to rump steak and chips with a spicy peppercorn sauce. Breakfast, meanwhile, includes local Burford poached eggs with avocado on sourdough toast to a veggie full English. With bikes and Hunter wellies to borrow, you’re fully kitted out for a jaunt around the Cotswolds.
The Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
Each room at the Artist Residence is individually decorated in rustic chic style
Stella loves: The Barn Suite’s four-poster bed, constructed from tree branches.Out and about: Around 20 minutes to the west is the medieval Cotswolds market town of Burford, famous for its orange-yolked eggs (as featured in your breakfast). A similar drive east takes you to Oxford city centre, with those dreaming spires and the extensive collection at the Ashmolean. If you have children to entertain, the Story Museum is enchanting. There are also punts to be hired (oxfordpunting.co.uk) and a number of Harry Potter locations to explore (experienceoxfordshire.org/oxford-harry-potter).
Best for: A city break with your pup
Yes, the play-on-words in the name is deliberate – and that playfulness runs right through this chic, art-packed townhouse hotel, from the smashed-plate mosaic adorning the reception desk, to the hand-painted furniture in the 31 well-kitted-out bedrooms (Dyson hairdryer, Nespresso machine, Malin+Goetz bath products all present and correct). Many rooms are dog-friendly, and the usual fee of £25 per dog per night is waived until the end of March, with a ‘woof box’ of treats and dog bed included. Fido can also join you at breakfast (but not dinner). It’s an easy stroll into town along elegant, lime-stone terraces, and after exploring the city, on your return take a seat in the peaceful garden with a cup of Jaywing, the hotel’s bespoke tea blend. we provide spa online booking hotels.
Best for: Bucolic five-star luxury
There’s a strong focus on sustainability here – the hotel has a bronze EarthCheck award and a green Michelin star for sustainable gastronomy. Rooms are luxurious and comfortable, and the sitting room and terrace that connect to the bar make for the perfect spot for an extended cocktail hour. Try the Whatley Manor citrus drop, made with their own sustainable citrus vodka (a tree is planted for every bottle created, and they use the waste lemon and orange peel from the kitchen), and honey from their own bees.
Curtesy: spa online booking
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