England: The Cotswolds

Ideally situated on one of Cheltenham’s most picturesque Regency streets, Queens Hotel overlooks the stunning Imperial Square and Gardens, alongside the impressive Cheltenham Town Hall. Since its opening in 1838, the hotel has been restored to its neo-classical architectural splendor, blending original comforts with modern technologies for a new chapter in its majestic history. Its striking white façade, featuring over 50 Corinthian columns, carved cornices, and Georgian windows, is truly a sight to behold. This modern boutique hotel offers thoughtfully designed rooms equipped with complimentary mineral water and WiFi, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and organic toiletries.

At once elegant and rustic, the Dormy House is bathed in soothing neutral palettes and farmhouse chic. This rural retreat rests near the top of the Cotswold escarpment, high above the village of Broadway, and provides sweeping landscape views. Inspired by the furnishings and warmth of a stylish home, its guest rooms are naturally cooled without air conditioning, and its streamlined interiors evoke Scandinavian designs. The outstanding spa offers a lavender sauna, salt-infusion steam room, and infinity pool. Exposed stone walls and beams round out the historical character of this gorgeous property. At mealtime, choose from three venues: The Garden Room provides exquisite meals and al fresco dining; The Potting Shed offers brasserie classics; and The Greenhouse is your choice for lighter fare. At breakfast, savor a feast of fresh fruits, cereals, meats, pastries, and hot options.

On the main street of Moreton-in-Marsh sits the Manor House Hotel, a 16th-century golden-stone manor converted into a classic country-house luxury hotel. Bedrooms are un-air conditioned and stylishly decorated with modern furnishings and warm colors, and feature views of the surrounding town and countryside. Common rooms include a library, inviting sofas, and striking artwork. A terrace on the ground floor opens onto a tranquil garden with herbaceous borders, pathways, and a 300-year-old mulberry tree. Moreton-in-Marsh has been a market town since the 1200s and a travelers’ stop for 1,700 years; its main street has many 18th-century inns and houses.

A rambling 17th-century luxury manor house, Lords of the Manor blends classic contemporary interiors with country charm and attentive service. Grand public rooms, snug corners, and un-air conditioned guest rooms—both in the main house and in the converted granary and barn—are decorated with country-house floral patterns, a muted color scheme, and antiques honoring the property’s heritage. Luxury skin care and bath lotions, along with slippers, fluffy robes, and complimentary sparkling elderflower water, complete your stay. There’s also an acclaimed restaurant offering upscale French-inspired cuisine and afternoon teas. Occupying eight acres of landscaped grounds featuring sweeping lawns and espaliered walled gardens, the manor is just a 35-minute stroll along country paths to Bourton-on-the-Water, the Cotswolds’ best-known village with its picturesque streets, series of bridges over the Windrush River, and bird habitat. Please note: this accommodation is available on limited departures.

A former Cotswold coaching inn, The Swan Hotel is a tranquil retreat nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds beside the River Coln. Each of its 22 rooms are individually decorated and offer modern amenities such as in-room WiFi and Nespresso machines. Comfortable and stylish, the hotel’s common areas boast bold colors paired with flamboyant prints and wallpapers. Rooms blend antique and modern styles while staying true to the hotel’s historical roots with rooms that are naturally cooled without air conditioning. The on-site restaurant serves meals in an elegant setting and features a lavish afternoon tea. Relax in the lush garden or stroll by the riverbank gazing out over the rolling hills and pastoral scenes that encapsulate the natural beauty of the Cotswolds.

With its lovely location beside the Thames River and amid a lovely parkland, the voco Oxford Spires Hotel is a comfortable haven from which to explore the City of Spires. Cotswolds stone and plush yet elegant interiors combine throughout to create a truly welcoming space of understated luxury. Modern amenities mingle seamlessly with traditional touches in this air-conditioned hotel. Deacon’s Restaurant promises fine cuisine prepared with ingredients sourced from the Oxfordshire countryside, while the bar and lounge—and an outdoor terrace—offer a casual atmosphere for relaxing over a drink or a spot of tea. Each comfortable room is accented with a warmth and décor inspired by the English countryside.