Part of the Maybourne Group, this landmark grande dame still feels utterly relevant.

Aside from world-class in-house facilities – from signature patisserie to tranquil urban spa – it’s the service levels that ultimately help set The Connaught apart.

A huge favorite of the "we wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else" monied set since its opening in 1917, the Connaught has many dazzlingly modern compliments to its famously historic delights.

Guy Oliver and the late David Collins lent their hands to the sumptuous interiors at the Connaught. Bespoke modern furniture sits comfortably alongside antique pieces, and personal butlers are on hand.

Elegant and supremely comfortable, with fabled service, this Edwardian brick hotel in Mayfair has a polished-wood staircase and wood-paneled halls lined with art. Rooms in peppermint green have silver leaf and Edwardian slate, and white bathrooms get their color courtesy of Greek Thassos marble...

Built in the 19th century as the Hôtel Métropole, this building later housed the Ministry of Defense. Now it’s back to its original purpose as an impossibly glamorous luxury hotel, complete with seven extravagant penthouse suites, a massive Baccarat chandelier in the lobby, a spa that expands over four floors.

This is not a shy sort of hotel. It’s a place of gold leaf and chandeliers. And this is certainly not the sort of outfit that does anything by halves—the four-floor spa is one of the city’s finest.

The Corinthia is one of the most impressive five-star hotels in London, with a peerless spa, some of the best dining in the country and a great location near Trafalgar Square and the River Thames.

Corinthia Hotel London features a luxurious Parisian-influenced design style that blends modern lines with traditional touches and dramatic patterns.

Few country escapes can beat this 19th-century neo-Gothic castle in Ireland’s County Limerick. First built for the Second Earl of Dunraven on an 842-acre estate, it features stained-glass windows, gold-leaf ceilings, and towering fireplaces, all restored to their original glory.

A stay at Adare Manor takes feeling fancy to a whole new level. This chateau-style estate was built in the 1850s and completely renovated in 2017, transforming into a sophisticated 104-room country escape.

The original house here dates back to 1720s so there's a rich and romantic history to the building that was continually improved over the generations.

Adare Manor is an ambitious property, unapologetically grand and efficient.

Creative dining concepts, magnificent interiors and myriad outdoor pursuits are among the attributes set to distinguish it.

The sprawling estate comes with picturesque walled gardens and walking trails in parklands which will also serve as grounds for various activities.

This Thomas Hardy-designed estate is practically a hallmark of quintessential English charm. Expert, unobtrusive service completes the fantasy.

This is the heart of Hardy country, and as such the hotel is perfectly placed for those wishing to explore the surrounding landscape on which his Wessex novels were based. This Georgian hotel is better associated with spa breaks and adult country escapes but it's a great spot for families (children over 7 only).

Whatley Manor is a country house haven set in rolling 12-acre grounds, with a cutting-edge spa, magnificent gardens and a terrific reputation for its food.

Not to be missed.

Having opened in September 2017, the foliage-filled Fitzrovia hotspot has already earned a reputation as one of the most magical, hedonistic hideaways in the city.

In a stark contrast to the fantastical public spaces, many of the guest rooms are low-key, featuring a mix of white and dark tones offset by colourful avant-garde prints and gorgeous gray marble bathrooms. Others take the surrealist steampunk ambience a step further, with dark-velvet draperies, jewel-tone interiors, and claw-foot bathtubs.

In this age of ironic-minimal hipster home-away-from-home comfort hotels, Rami Fustok’s Mandrake takes hospitality in the opposite direction.

The Mandrake's public spaces have the intricacy of a souk, of courtyards and half-glimpsed spaces. Off the main bar is a tucked-away snug behind a chainmail of metallic links, and a small library, then a private dining room coated in red lacquer like a Chinese jewellery box.

The perfect countryside getaway... You begin to feel infinitely lighter, reaching a point of previously unimaginable bliss, because this is pure English heaven...

The Grade II-listed building is a grand piece of architecture, yet its interior is decidedly cool: modern geometric furnishing and a handful of big design statements, such as a copper horseshoe bar and an exploded chandelier in the dining room.

Of course, its the food that is the star of the show... Caines has taken the opportunity to experiment with some new concepts, such as the fish-only estuary tasting menu, inspired by the hotel’s location, while plenty of his greatest hits have been recreated for his fans using local ingredients.

Each room is named after a bird found in the Exe estuary and is well kitted out. Expect Nespresso machines, “gin trays” with complimentary G&Ts, plush velvet sofas, massive beds with excellent linen, and marble bathrooms with brass fittings and L’Occitane products.

Britain's most exciting new country house hotel in decades, with double Michelin-starred BBC Great British Menu icon Michael Caines MBE at the helm, and extraordinary food. Book a room with an outdoor bath overlooking the golden syrup sunsets of the Exe estuary. Expert rating: 9/10.