The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Editor’s Choice: Best Spa Hotels
Bringing another dimension to the hotel experience, the UK has been increasing its breath of spa hotels over the last decade, resulting in some of the most highly considered luxury destinations and health resorts in the world. The range of opportunity when it comes to spa hotels makes the small and simple title somewhat inadequate.
Hartwell House, Aylesbury
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2024
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.

The Newt in Somerset
Castle Cary, Somerset
Koos Bekker and Karen Roos have brought to Somerset the vision behind their hotel on a Dutch Cape wine estate, creating an idyll around Palladian Hadspen manor house, with farm-to-fork dining, dreamy spa, unique rooms in converted outbuildings, beautiful gardens – and a Roman villa as well as two interactive museums.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Calcot & Spa
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Amid gardens, native woodland and meadow, this 16th-century manor house is today a family-friendly spa hotel with luxury accommodation, a choice of pub food and more sophisticated dining, and plenty to keep the kids amused.

Isle of Mull Hotel
Craignure, Isle Of Mull
The smart sea-view suites at this luxury spa hotel, with a balcony or decking (some with hot tub), have breathtaking views over Craignure Bay, attractions include wild swimming and wildlife watching, and the restaurant serves a feast of local produce.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2023
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
A grand country house with both Jacobean and Georgain sides, Hartwell gazes over an 18th-century landscape, with Ionic temple, obelisk, and a lake spanned by an arch from the old Kew Bridge.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Winter Escape Special Offer
On show through walls of windows, the sea is a huge presence at this family-run hotel on the cliffs above a surfers' beach, which offers craft sessions as well as a spa and kids club.
The Devonshire Arms
Skipton, Yorkshire
Four Nights for the Price of Three Special Offer
A former 17th-century inn, which is part of the Duke of Devonshire's 30,000-acre estate at Bolton Abbey, is today an impressive country-house hotel, with fine dining and a spa.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst, West Sussex
'Sunday Reset at the House' Special Offer
An Edwardian country house in long-time family ownership is run as a spa hotel, restaurant and leisure destination with facilities for golf, tennis, bowls, croquet, swimming.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
Following a stunning redesign, this family-friendly, luxury New Forest hotel and spa continues to set the standard for country-house comfort, romance, fun and superb food.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells, Powys
A Victorian mock-Tudor fishing lodge in wooded grounds on the River Irfon is today a spa hotel and foodie destination with a country-house ambience and views to the Cambrian mountains.

Talbooth House & Spa
Dedham, Essex
With quirky, stylish bedrooms, spa, tennis court and outdoor pool, the Milsom family's country house in the heart of Constable country is a perfect place to relax and recharge. Guests have a choice of brasserie-style menus at nearby sister hotel Milsoms, and fine dining at the legendary Talbooth Restaurant, in a Tudor building right by the River Stour.

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa
Lavenham, Suffolk
Occupying three wonky, half-timbered 15th-century buildings in this picture-postcard wool town, the Swan blends modern comforts with original features in a wide choice of bedrooms, offering adventurous cooking in the lofty Gallery and simpler fare in the brasserie.

The Lygon Arms
Broadway, Worcestershire
Set in a sprawling, historic and honey-stone building with tall chimneys and leaded windows, this hotel offers grand rooms and antiques along with a thoroughly modern spa, a bistro-style menu in the barrel-vaulted Grill by James Martin, plus real ales, bar snacks and small plates at Tavern.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2022
Homewood
Bath, Somerset
'Complimentary Night' Special Offer
The yellow submarine in the grounds and a hedge sculpture of a giraffe set the scene at this playful, quirky hotel, in a traditional honey-stone building that is both family and dog friendly.
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa
Llandudno, Conwy
National Trust Winter Break Special Offer
This Tudor Gothic-style Elizabethan mansion, extended over centuries, overlooks parkland with a rare 17th-century parterre, walled rose garden, cascade, lily pond and follies.
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.
Congham Hall
King's Lynn, Norfolk
'Sleep Soundly Package' Special Offer
Renowned for its beautiful gardens, this Georgian merchant's manor house is set in 30 acres of Norfolk parkland. The country theme is continued throughout – garden herbs are used in the restaurant and the spa, bedrooms are named after plants, and cabins with freestanding tubs on the terrace overlook the orchard.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.

The Newt in Somerset
Castle Cary, Somerset
Koos Bekker and Karen Roos have brought to Somerset the vision behind their hotel on a Dutch Cape wine estate, creating an idyll around Palladian Hadspen manor house, with farm-to-fork dining, dreamy spa, unique rooms in converted outbuildings, beautiful gardens – and a Roman villa as well as two interactive museums.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Calcot & Spa
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Amid gardens, native woodland and meadow, this 16th-century manor house is today a family-friendly spa hotel with luxury accommodation, a choice of pub food and more sophisticated dining, and plenty to keep the kids amused.

Mullion Cove Hotel
Helston, Cornwall
There are spectacular sea views from this dog-friendly, late-Victorian clifftop hotel and glass-walled spa, with traditionally furnished bedrooms and suites, sophisticated cooking in the restaurant and more casual dining from an eclectic bistro menu.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2021
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
A grand country house with both Jacobean and Georgain sides, Hartwell gazes over an 18th-century landscape, with Ionic temple, obelisk, and a lake spanned by an arch from the old Kew Bridge.
The Devonshire Arms
Skipton, Yorkshire
Four Nights for the Price of Three Special Offer
A former 17th-century inn, which is part of the Duke of Devonshire's 30,000-acre estate at Bolton Abbey, is today an impressive country-house hotel, with fine dining and a spa.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
Following a stunning redesign, this family-friendly, luxury New Forest hotel and spa continues to set the standard for country-house comfort, romance, fun and superb food.
Summer Lodge
Evershot, Dorset
Country-house luxury abounds at this child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel, a Georgian mansion in ‘well-maintained gardens a huge joy to visit’.
Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa
Newton Abbot, Devon
In wooded grounds with Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep, the Hassell family's country-house hotel and beautiful spa impresses with a warm welcome, great service, and a choice of dining venues.

Whatley Manor
Easton Grey, Wiltshire
Centred on a Georgian farmhouse in Arts and Crafts ornamental gardens, with a spa, gym, cinema and contemporary bedrooms, this honeyed-stone luxury country-house hotel holds a Michelin star for Ricki Weston's inspired tasting menus in The Dining Room, while guests can dine more informally on small plates in Grey's, or from an all-day lounge menu.

Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells, Powys
A Victorian mock-Tudor fishing lodge in wooded grounds on the River Irfon is today a spa hotel and foodie destination with a country-house ambience and views to the Cambrian mountains.

Mullion Cove Hotel
Helston, Cornwall
There are spectacular sea views from this dog-friendly, late-Victorian clifftop hotel and glass-walled spa, with traditionally furnished bedrooms and suites, sophisticated cooking in the restaurant and more casual dining from an eclectic bistro menu.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Bath, Somerset
At the centre of a glorious, honeyed-stone Georgian crescent, two adjoining mansions are home to an elegant yet family-friendly hotel with an air of opulence, elegant bedrooms, fine dining in Montagu's Muse restaurant, an oasis garden and charming spa.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2020
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.
Mallory Court
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
'Ultimate Tasting Experience' Special Offer
A romantic Elizabethan-style Edwardian mansion, built for a Manchester cotton bleacher and set in landscaped gardens, is the epitome of a well-run country-house hotel.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
Following a stunning redesign, this family-friendly, luxury New Forest hotel and spa continues to set the standard for country-house comfort, romance, fun and superb food.
Dart Marina
Dartmouth, Devon
Big picture windows frame views of the Dart at this cool, contemporary hotel with a leisure vibe, uncluttered chic bedrooms, relaxed bistro dining in the riverside restaurant and alfresco.

Bingham Riverhouse
Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey
You can paddleboard on the river, take a yoga class, stroll to see the deer in Richmond Park, and feel a world away from central London at this smart, multifaceted Thames-side hotel.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Longueville Manor
St Saviour, Jersey
In landscaped gardens with swimming pool, lake and specimen trees, this is a spoiling luxury hotel blending traditional and contemporary style. It serves inventive dishes, with good wines from its exceptional cellar.

Whatley Manor
Easton Grey, Wiltshire
Centred on a Georgian farmhouse in Arts and Crafts ornamental gardens, with a spa, gym, cinema and contemporary bedrooms, this honeyed-stone luxury country-house hotel holds a Michelin star for Ricki Weston's inspired tasting menus in The Dining Room, while guests can dine more informally on small plates in Grey's, or from an all-day lounge menu.

St Brides Spa Hotel
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
High above the town, a modern hotel with 'exceptional' seascapes that are as restorative, perhaps, as the calm that washes over guests in the award-winning spa.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2019
Congham Hall
King's Lynn, Norfolk
'Sleep Soundly Package' Special Offer
Renowned for its beautiful gardens, this Georgian merchant's manor house is set in 30 acres of Norfolk parkland. The country theme is continued throughout – garden herbs are used in the restaurant and the spa, bedrooms are named after plants, and cabins with freestanding tubs on the terrace overlook the orchard.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst, West Sussex
'Sunday Reset at the House' Special Offer
An Edwardian country house in long-time family ownership is run as a spa hotel, restaurant and leisure destination with facilities for golf, tennis, bowls, croquet, swimming.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.
Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa
Newton Abbot, Devon
In wooded grounds with Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep, the Hassell family's country-house hotel and beautiful spa impresses with a warm welcome, great service, and a choice of dining venues.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Bath, Somerset
At the centre of a glorious, honeyed-stone Georgian crescent, two adjoining mansions are home to an elegant yet family-friendly hotel with an air of opulence, elegant bedrooms, fine dining in Montagu's Muse restaurant, an oasis garden and charming spa.

Cliveden House
Taplow, Berkshire
A veritable palazzo, this Italianate mansion in National Trust pleasure grounds above the Thames oozes opulence, with bedrooms ranging from doubles to lavish suites, as well as a fine dining restaurant overlooking the parterre, and simpler options in the Astor Grill.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.

St Brides Spa Hotel
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
High above the town, a modern hotel with 'exceptional' seascapes that are as restorative, perhaps, as the calm that washes over guests in the award-winning spa.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2018
Cary Arms & Spa
Babbacombe, Devon
25% Discount Autumn/Winter Special Offer
A cosy beamed pub is the warm heart of this hotel, in the shelter of wooded, red sandstone cliffs that reminded the young Queen Victoria of 'a ballet or a play where nymphs appear'.
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.
Congham Hall
King's Lynn, Norfolk
'Sleep Soundly Package' Special Offer
Renowned for its beautiful gardens, this Georgian merchant's manor house is set in 30 acres of Norfolk parkland. The country theme is continued throughout – garden herbs are used in the restaurant and the spa, bedrooms are named after plants, and cabins with freestanding tubs on the terrace overlook the orchard.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst, West Sussex
'Sunday Reset at the House' Special Offer
An Edwardian country house in long-time family ownership is run as a spa hotel, restaurant and leisure destination with facilities for golf, tennis, bowls, croquet, swimming.

Cliveden House
Taplow, Berkshire
A veritable palazzo, this Italianate mansion in National Trust pleasure grounds above the Thames oozes opulence, with bedrooms ranging from doubles to lavish suites, as well as a fine dining restaurant overlooking the parterre, and simpler options in the Astor Grill.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.

Longueville Manor
St Saviour, Jersey
In landscaped gardens with swimming pool, lake and specimen trees, this is a spoiling luxury hotel blending traditional and contemporary style. It serves inventive dishes, with good wines from its exceptional cellar.

St Brides Spa Hotel
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
High above the town, a modern hotel with 'exceptional' seascapes that are as restorative, perhaps, as the calm that washes over guests in the award-winning spa.
Editor’s Choice
Spas 2017
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa
Llandudno, Conwy
National Trust Winter Break Special Offer
This Tudor Gothic-style Elizabethan mansion, extended over centuries, overlooks parkland with a rare 17th-century parterre, walled rose garden, cascade, lily pond and follies.
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
A grand country house with both Jacobean and Georgain sides, Hartwell gazes over an 18th-century landscape, with Ionic temple, obelisk, and a lake spanned by an arch from the old Kew Bridge.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
Following a stunning redesign, this family-friendly, luxury New Forest hotel and spa continues to set the standard for country-house comfort, romance, fun and superb food.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Bath, Somerset
At the centre of a glorious, honeyed-stone Georgian crescent, two adjoining mansions are home to an elegant yet family-friendly hotel with an air of opulence, elegant bedrooms, fine dining in Montagu's Muse restaurant, an oasis garden and charming spa.

Cliveden House
Taplow, Berkshire
A veritable palazzo, this Italianate mansion in National Trust pleasure grounds above the Thames oozes opulence, with bedrooms ranging from doubles to lavish suites, as well as a fine dining restaurant overlooking the parterre, and simpler options in the Astor Grill.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.

Calcot & Spa
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Amid gardens, native woodland and meadow, this 16th-century manor house is today a family-friendly spa hotel with luxury accommodation, a choice of pub food and more sophisticated dining, and plenty to keep the kids amused.
Hotels with Spas 2025
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
Eco values as well as enjoyment are fundamental to this cliff-top hotel, with sea thrift-covered roof, sweeping curves, reed-filtered pool and walls of windows to soak up the light and the seascape.
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
A grand country house with both Jacobean and Georgain sides, Hartwell gazes over an 18th-century landscape, with Ionic temple, obelisk, and a lake spanned by an arch from the old Kew Bridge.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.

Seaham Hall
Seaham, Co. Durham
Country-house luxury is given a bold modern spin at this Georgian manor house overlooking Durham's rugged coast, with tranquil Serenity Spa, garden rooms with hot tubs, magnificent house suites, fine dining in the restaurant, and Japanese-inspired light bites.

Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A New Forest bolthole, this country-house hotel has an easy glamour, romantic and family-friendly rooms, heart-warming Italian food and top-notch spa.
Find the right luxury spa hotel for you
Bringing another dimension to the hotel experience, the UK has been increasing its breath of spa hotels over the last decade, resulting in some of the most highly considered luxury destinations and health resorts in the world. The range of opportunity when it comes to spa hotels makes the small and simple title somewhat inadequate.
The likes of Chewton Glen take the crown for being amongst the most luxurious facilities in the country, complete not only with excellent spa treatments but a wide range of facilities and knowledge that are hard to come by.
Meanwhile, the likes of Seaham Hall blend a contemporary knowledge of wellbeing with artistic integrity across the whole venue, all surrounded by rich history and contrastingly rugged coastal surroundings that juxtapose beautifully with the perfectly presented hotel and spa.
The Scarlet has a wide reaching reputation for being a spectacularly romantic hotel to visit but is also Cornwall's ultra eco-friendly low-tech solution to wellbeing travel, managing to fuse style and green credentials with the most spectacular coastal views as you sip champagne in the hot tub overlooking the wild Atlantic below. It is the sister hotel to Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, which continues the stylistic credentials of The Scarlet, but adds to it a family friendliness that appeals to a wholly different market.
Then onto another genre of spa hotel in the form of Lime Wood in the New Forest, a spectacularly hip hotel that has a reputation for its decadent restaurant overseen by celebrity chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, as well as The Herb House, its standalone spa amongst its awe-inspiring gardens, which has its own rooms to stay in, a dedication to its namesake - the herb garden and, and treatments that fuse efficacy with holistic credentials. It all comes together to make the rustic playground of the stylish set.