This is officially the best hotel in England
You don't always need to get on a plane to have a luxurious break. There's plenty of brilliant places to stay right here in the UK. In fact, one hotel in particular is so good that it has just been named the best across the whole of England.
VisitEngland, the country's official tourism board, are experts when it comes to where to go and what to do. Putting their all-seeing, all-knowing influence to good use, each year they conduct the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which celebrate 'those who have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional travel experiences'. There are a few categories, but one of the big ones is 'Large Hotel of the Year', and not just because of the size of the property.
There are thousands of high-quality hotels in England, but only one can be awarded the gold. According to VisitEngland's criteria, the winner must be a 'full-service hotel' and be 'providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business'. This year, that honour goes to… the Mallory Court Hotel & Spa in Warwickshire!
Mallory Court was described by the judges as providing 'a serene base' which is 'set within 10 acres of landscaped gardens'. When you look out your window and are met with rolling Warwickshire hills, it's hard to disagree. The spa comes complete with gorgeous views of the grounds, access to a pool, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. There's even a well-maintained garden you can walk through to clear your mind.
VisitEngland also commended the hotel's 'strong commitment to sustainability, incorporating homegrown produce and eco-conscious practices along with its high-end touches'. If you do fancy leaving the grounds (although we can't see why you would), its proximity to nearby towns Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon is also a plus.
Other accommodation categories included 'Small Hotel of the Year', which was won by the Summer Lodge Hotel in Dorset, 'B&B and Guesthouse of the Year', claimed by Sunnyside Guest House, Merseyside, and 'Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year', named as the Treworgey Cottages in Cornwall. Both the cottages and the Lodge Hotel are both quite rural, so clearly escaping to the countryside is firmly in.
You can learn more about the rest of the Awards for Excellence, such as what 'cow cuddling' is and where you can get involved, on VisitEngland's website here.
Planning your 2025 staycations
If you're currently on the hunt for a perfect 2025 getaway, here's our favourite family friendly holiday digs. But you deserve to have fun too – here's some tree houses you can rent out for something a little different. We've also got guides to the country's cosiest cabins, and the coolest castles you can stay overnight in.
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