The Best Hotels in the Midlands
By CTH Editors
3 months ago
Smack-dab in the middle of the UK
Hambleton Hall
There’s the north of England and there’s the south of England. And then there’s the Midlands – the bit in between. Rich in history and culture, visitors can expect to find Shakespeare’s birthplace, remnants of the Industrial Revolution, Belvoir Valley, Rutland Water, mysterious fenland, and miles of empty rolling hills. Want to know where to stay? These are the best hotels in the Midlands right now.
Great British & Irish Hotels 2024
The Best Hotels in the Midlands
Reviews are taken from this year’s Great British & Irish Hotels Guide – here’s where to buy your copy.
White Hart Hotel – Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Set in Uphill Lincoln, a short stroll from the city’s iconic cathedral and medieval castle, this newly refurbished 14th-century hotel is exactly where you want to be, surrounded by history, heritage, and a bustling independent quarter. Stay in beautifully appointed rooms with velvet bedheads and cosy throws (for cathedral views and more space, book the Brownlow or King Edward suites). Head chef Chris Punter oversees the food throughout, which nods to artisanal Lincolnshire producers while taking inspiration from around the world. There’s something to suit all tastes at Antlers Restaurant where dishes range from pan seared duck breast to tempting beef wellington. For those wanting a lighter bite, there’s the Colonnade Cocktail Lounge at the heart of the hotel for small plates (short rib croquettes, wild mushroom arancini), charcuterie boards and cheese platters. The best spot for a nightcap is the Gibson Club Bar, an intimate space named after legendary wing commander Guy Gibson from the Dambusters 617 Squadron. Here, guests can enjoy signature cocktails such as the No Man’s Land – a combination of bourbon, maple syrup and bitters.
BOOK
Doubles from £119, B&B
+44 (0)1522 526222 / whitehart-lincoln.co.uk
Hart’s Hotel – Nottingham
Hart’s is an award-winning 32-bedroom boutique hotel in Nottingham city centre with a private car park and secluded garden. One of the highest rated hotels in the region, it was purpose built on the old ramparts of Nottingham Castle in 2003, with striking lines, curved buttresses, and a dashing yet welcoming lobby. Bedrooms are faultlessly equipped, with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Six have private terraces that access the garden, and most inward-facing rooms present an unexpected bonus: far-flung views across the city to the countryside beyond. In the foreground is the Park Estate, notable Victorian residences begun by the Duke of Newcastle in the 1820s and now a conservation area. Within the hotel, Hart’s Kitchen is an intimate restaurant with two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. Chef Lukasz Jaworski uses top-quality ingredients, often locally sourced, in simple striking combinations: for instance, pan-fried seabass, blade of beef or wild mushroom risotto, followed by Hart’s famous warm chocolate pudding. Owner Tim Hart has a passion for wine and personally selects every bottle on the list.
BOOK
Doubles from £160
+44 (0)1159 881900 / hartsnottingham.co.uk
The Grand Hotel Birmingham – West Midlands
Birmingham’s original grande dame has awakened. Following a £50 million makeover, which saw the hotel closed for nearly 20 years, The Grand Hotel relaunched in 2021 – and is back as glorious as ever. First opened by Isaac Horton in 1879 and designed by Thomson Plevins, the hotel has welcomed rock stars and royalty alongside hosting fabulous events in the breathtaking Grand Ballroom. The 185 rooms and suites are equally elegant – particularly the jaw-dropping Penthouse Suite with a super king four-poster bed and luxurious marble bathroom, not to mention its own bar, open- plan dining and living room. The restaurant and bar have their unique identities too. Parisian- chic Madeleine, with double-height windows, sparkling chandeliers and rich interiors, is one of the most recognisable bars in town, serving a glamorous menu of cocktails and champagne as well as afternoon tea. Isaac’s Restaurant boasts an informal New York-meets-Brum concept, serving exceptional steak and seafood alongside brasserie classics. The staff are delightful and there’s an inclusive atmosphere to boot.
BOOK
Doubles from £149
+44 (0)1218 279600 / thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk
Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa – Fawsley, Northamptonshire
A historic country estate just a 30-minute drive from Northampton, Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, part of the Hand Picked Hotels collection, has a rich history and many stories to tell. Its formal gardens and parkland were designed by Capability Brown in 1760, and over the centuries it has played host to many esteemed guests, including Queen Elizabeth I. Boasting 60 rooms, the hotel is spread across the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian wings of the house, each with spectacular views of the Fawsley estate. Guests have a variety of dining options during their stay, from sitting down for classic afternoon tea in the Tudor Great Hall, to enjoying light lunches in the Tudor Bar. The award-winning Cedar Restaurant, with head chef Joe Gould at the helm, offers modern British fare in an atmospheric setting adorned with wall lanterns and antique-style furniture. For those looking to relax and recharge, Fawsley Hall offers guests a health club and recently refurbished spa. Drift between the Himalayan salt sauna and the herbal aromatic heat room before a soak in the outdoor hydro-pool (there’s also an indoor lap pool). Fawsley Hall is also proudly dog-friendly.
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+44 (0) 1642 706606 / handpickedhotels.co.uk/fawsleyhall
The Barnsdale – Oakham, Rutland
Converted from a centuries-old hunting lodge in 1990, The Barnsdale has 46 individually decorated bedrooms with stunning countryside vistas and an inviting private courtyard, as well as a plethora of original features including flagstone hallways, sash windows and cast-iron stoves. In 2022, the hotel – on the Exton Estate in the picturesque county of Rutland – became the latest fabulous addition to the Signet Collection, who also owns The Mitre Hampton Court (p84) and The Retreat at Elcot Park (p86). The quality of the rooms, food and location represents superb value for money and locally sourced produce forms the basis of the restaurant’s sumptuous dishes, lovingly created by the passionately talented kitchen brigade. As well as the elegant 1760 Brasserie and four private dining spaces, the Rod Room and Orangery are perfect spots to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. Looking for even more privacy? Rutland Retreats are the hotel’s two and three-bed self-catering cottages just a stone’s throw away, whilst the brand new events space ‘The Barn’ offers the perfect venue for weddings and an evening of entertainment.
BOOK
Doubles from £120
+44 (0)1572 724678 / barnsdalelodge.co.uk
Hambleton Hall – Oakham, Rutland
Of all the luxury British country house hotels that have opened in the last half-century, just one, Hambleton Hall, has remained impervious to fortune and is as magical and enveloping as the day its owners, Tim and Stefa Hart, opened it in 1980. Contented but never complacent, it offers sophisticated yet deeply comfortable classic English interiors, the brilliant, locally sourced cooking of executive chef Aaron Patterson and head chefs Charlie Jones and James Stone (the hotel has held a Michelin star for over 40 years – the record in the UK), and a joyous wine list curated by revered sommelier Dominique Baduel. For those seeking privacy, The Croquet Suite is a cottage for four, adjacent to the hotel. There is also a swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn and views across Hambleton’s south-facing terrace and formal gardens that take your breath away. After an afternoon in the fresh air, Hambleton’s aficionados return to their haven, where loyal key staff – general manager, restaurant manager, chef, sommelier, housekeeper, receptionist, laundress – have notched up over 200 years of service between them.
BOOK
Doubles from £400
+44 (0)1572 756991 / hambletonhall.com
