The days are getting shorter. The temperatures are getting colder. You need a treat to look forward to this winter, and a staycation might be just the thing. If you’re in need of some inspo, don’t worry: the AA has got you covered.
Every year AA – yes, the car insurance company – hosts its annual hospitality awards, celebrating the very best in British food and accommodation. It names the best restaurants and hotels in the UK, as well as recognising up and coming chefs and hospitality’s ‘rising stars’. According to Simon Numphub, the managing director of AA’s media arm, the goal is to ‘highlight the passion, creativity and resilience that define UK hospitality’.
The award ceremony was earlier this week, meaning the four best hotels in the UK were revealed. Because the AA recognises one for each UK nation, one of them is bound to be within driving distance from you, making for the perfect weekend getaway.
The 4 best hotels in Britain right now, according to the AA
England – The Cavendish Hotel
The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow, Derbyshire, was named England’s best. The AA isn’t the first to recognise the excellence of this luxurious country estate – it was also the Sunday Times’ hotel of the year for 2025.
A recent refurb has ‘transformed this amazing property’, according to the AA. Every room comes with a stunning view of the hotel’s grounds, which include a maintained rose garden, a Victorian rock garden, and rolling Peak District hills. Its location is its greatest asset; tucked away from any villages or towns a stay here whisks you into a tranquil alternate reality and leaves modern life behind.
Here’s a quick look at the Cavendish hotel. Find out more on Booking.com.
Scotland – 100 Princes Street
The best hotel north of the border is 100 Princes Street, a luxury city-centre hotel in Edinburgh. It describes itself as offering an ‘exclusive, immersive and opulent Scottish experience’, and is in the perfect location for exploring Scotland’s capital. This hotel has also received attention elsewhere, with TIME Magazine naming it one of the best places to visit in the world last year.
Between the walls papered with tartan and the view of Edinburgh castle, there’s no chance of forgetting where you are during your stay. The hotel’s managing director told AA that winning Hotel of the Year is ‘an incredibly proud moment’, adding: ‘As a family run hotel group, we pour our soul into every detail, from the design to the guest experience, to create something truly unique.’
Have a look at the super-Scottish decor in 100 Princes Street. Book on Booking.com here.
Northern Ireland – Old Inn
Over the Irish sea, it was the Old Inn, a boutique hotel 15 minutes from Belfast. This hotel looks like a regular old cottage from the outside, but indoors it is sumptuous and warm. The AA describes it as ‘elegance and grandeur hidden behind a quaint thatched exterior’.
The Treetop Spa, which overlooks the nextdoor country park, is a brand new addition to the hotel, adding to its luxe feel. The Old Inn said it was proud of the ongoing work to maintain and modernise the centuries old property, explaining that ‘every detail has been thoughtfully considered to honour the Inn’s rich legacy while delivering an exceptional guest experience’.
Here’s what that understated luxury actually looks like. The Booking.com link is here.
Wales – St Brides Spa Hotel
St Brides Spa Hotel was Wales’ champion. The coastal resort is in Carmarthen Bay, and has an outdoor infinity pool with views out onto the bay as part of its spa. This view is shared by some of the rooms, which the AA describe as ‘stylish’ and ‘modern’.
The AA also highlighted the food on offer, with excellent seafood – caught locally, of course – being served in the ‘modern, airy restaurant’. The hotel said it was ‘thrilled’ by the award, and that ‘it gives the entire team real encouragement to know that the experiences we create for guests are being appreciated’.
Here’s what a stay at St Brides could look like. Find out more on Booking.com here.
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