6 Michelin Key Hotel Experiences In The UK & Ireland

Whatley Manor

Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Set in 12 acres of gardens, this Grade II-listed Cotswold manor house hotel is a popular choice for Londoners who crave a grown-up, gourmet getaway.

Quiet, cosy and dog-friendly, it has 23 elegant rooms and suites, a cinema, and large spa, featuring an indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a thermal suite, and even a Himalayan salt cabin.

Just like many hotels with Michelin Keys, Whatley Manor also boasts a Michelin star: head to The Dining Room to sample executive chef Ricki Weston’s superb British fare.

That’s not the only Star awarded to this impressive hotel however: xommitted to sustainability, it’s also earned a rare Green Michelin star, as well as silver accreditation with Earthcheck.

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Doubles from £379. 01666 822 888 | whatleymanor.com

Lympstone Manor Hotel

Exmouth, Devon

This handsome country-house hotel is the culmination of experience gleaned by chef patron Michael Caines over an exceptional career gaining Michelin stars. There are 21 glamorous guest rooms which take their names from birds of the Exe Estuary, as well as six shepherd’s huts at the foot of the vineyard looking up through the vines to the house. Indeed, the soul of the place revolves around the Exe and its wildlife.

The birds of the estuary are featured in the staircase wallpaper, and the bedrooms, each decorated with a watercolour of their avian namesake, match the feathered colour schemes. One of the main reasons to come is for Caines’ exquisite and intelligent food with a Michelin star and ve-AA rosettes.

There is a second casual dining restaurant, the Pool House Restaurant & Bar, too, with its outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis court. Located on the Exe Estuary and at the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, the 28 acres of grounds feature an 11-acre vineyard producing English Sparkling Wine and a collection of wines from barrel-aged chardonnay to Provencal-style rosé and more.

Read our full review here.

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Doubles from £495. +44 (0)1395 202040 | lympstonemanor.co.uk

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel

Great Milton, Oxfordshire

Winner of the inaugural C&TH x Polestar’s UK & Irish Sustainable Hotel of the Year Awards in 2023, this is one of the best-known manor house hotels in the country – and for good reason.

With the unequivocal gastronomic vision of Chef Patron Raymond Blanc OBE, the restaurant here received two Michelin stars in the first year of opening, in 1984, and has held them ever since.

More recently, a Green Michelin Star has been added, acknowledging the seasonality, foraging and no-waste approach which are integral to the dining experience. The good news is that guests staying overnight are guaranteed a table for dinner where both a tasting menu and an à la carte option are available.

Afterwards, retire to one of the 32 individually designed rooms and suites, each drawing inspiration from Blanc’s travels. Stroll through manicured gardens to magnicent orchards, ponds and sculptures, or book into classes at the Raymond Blanc Cookery and Gardening Schools.

‘Everyone aspires to one moment of luxury: here is the place to have it,’ says Blanc. We couldn’t agree more.

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Doubles from £955. +44 (0)1844 278881 | belmond.com

The Ritz London

This is surely one of the most iconic hotels in the world, with an enviable location on London’s Piccadilly overlooking the royal Green Park.

Opened in 1906 by hotelier César Ritz, The Ritz quickly became a favourite home-from-home for Hollywood stars and royalty alike. It was also the first hotel to be awarded a Royal Warrant in 2002 for banqueting and catering services.

Ideal for families and couples alike, guests today can choose between lavishly decorated Louis XVI-style rooms and suites. Soon, a brand new underground spa will open its doors, too.

In the exquisite Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, with its sparkling chandeliers and marble columns, executive chef John Williams MBE uses the finest seasonal ingredients. Of course, you can also enjoy the legendary afternoon tea in the Palm Court, complete with a resident pianist (The Ritz even has a certified tea master) or spend the evening sipping cocktails in the intimate Art Deco Rivoli Bar.

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+44 (0) 20 7493 8181 | theritzlondon.com

The Goring

Belgravia

A truly independent, family-run hotel, The Goring is impeccably English with a subtle streak of wit and wonder. Its rooms are world-renowned as some of the most luxurious in the city, pairing great comfort with undeniable wow-factor glamour.

A huge private garden – larger than Wimbledon’s Centre Court – is The Goring’s secret glory. An exquisite floral oasis, over which many of the rooms and suites look out, it’s a soothing haven amid London’s hubbub, perfect for a glass of wine or a bite to eat, while the newly-refurbished Michelin-starred Dining Room is a sight to behold. Head to the elegant Goring Cocktail Bar for an after-dinner digestif.

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Doubles from £790. +44 (0) 20 7396 9000 | thegoring.com

Grantley Hall

Ripon, North Yorkshire

A shining north star, Grantley Hall is a real destination for luxury, fun and fine dining. Dating back to 1680, this Grade II*-listed mansion house on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales boasts an English Heritage-listed ornamental Japanese garden in its grounds.

Opened in 2019, following a huge restoration project by the Sykes family, the Georgian mansion’s Palladian beauty has been restored to its former glory, capturing its elegant grandeur as well as adding several new buildings.

Guests are spoiled rotten, with 47 beautiful bedrooms; an indulgent spa and wellness o­ffering; an engaging programme of events; five exceptional restaurants, including pan-Asian eatery Restaurant EightyEight; picturesque terraces for alfresco dining; and a glamorous late-night Champagne and cocktail bar, Valeria’s.

Foodies will rub their hands with glee because the hotel’s principal restaurant, overlooking the formal gardens, has menus by Yorkshireman and culinary maestro, Shaun Rankin, and one Michelin star. It will soon be joined by a new culinary offering, The Grantley Arms, too.

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Doubles from £555. +44 (0)1765 620070 | grantleyhall.co.uk