Three posh British hotels have been named the best in Europe by a luxury travel magazine

What’s the fanciest hotel you’ve ever stayed in? Perhaps it had a swimming pool or a spa. Maybe even a minor royal had stayed there at one point. Whatever it was, quadruple the price (at least) and add on a couple of butlers, and you might start to have an idea of the sort of place that makes it onto the Gold List of travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller.

The luxury mag has published its 2026 round-up of the fanciest hotels and resorts in Europe. The publication says its choices were ‘an edit of what our editors consider to be the very best hotels in the world’. 

Of the 21 hotels named for 2026, three are in the UK – and surprisingly, only one of those was in London. 

Beaverbrook, Surrey

Beaverbrook, in Surrey, was the first British venue to make the list. CNT described the 470-acre estate as ‘iconic’, thanks to the ‘elements of its history [that] are woven into the interiors of the main house’. The house is named after its most famous owner, Lord Beaverbrook (no relation to the watch company), who lived there until his death in the 1960s. The house was converted into a hotel in 2011.

Outside the windows you’ll see miles of green English countryside, and a ‘marvel’ of a spa is a must-visit during your stay. Rooms start at £490, but extras like food, spa access, and treatments, mean the cost of your stay will rack up quickly.

Claridge’s

Claridge’s, one of the most legendary hotels in Mayfair, was the next to secure a spot. The city centre hotel has been welcoming high-profile guests for more than 200 years, but is now best known for its 1920s art deco interiors, and city-centre location. Rooms start at an eye-watering £956.

Time Out named Claridge’s the most Christmassy hotel in Europe this year because of its 20-foot designer tree and excellent usage of fairy-lights. Read more about Claridge’s at Christmastime here.

Coworth Park, Berkshire

CNT’s third favourite UK hotel was Coworth Park. Despite being only 20 minutes from Heathrow airport, the magazine described the estate as a ‘micro-break and fresh-air reboot’, far away from any distractions. Slightly more than Beaverbrook but still considerably less than Claridge’s, a night’s stay starts at £559.

You can have a look at the rest of Condé Nast Traveller’s European Gold List here.

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