Staying In England: 15 Resort Hotels Compared

Days Inn Hotel Sedgemoor sits directly at the M5 motorway services in Somerset, making it a practical staging point for guests exploring the region's resort circuit rather than a destination resort itself. It sits within 10.7 miles of Cheddar Gorge and under 5 miles from Burnham-on-Sea, positioning it as a low-cost overnight base for travellers moving between South West England's major leisure areas. Free parking and 24-hour reception make it genuinely convenient for late arrivals or early departures, and pet-friendly access adds utility for guests travelling with dogs on countryside breaks. Street Designer Shopping Outlet is reachable within a 40-minute drive for guests combining leisure with retail.

• Free on-site private parking
• 24-hour reception for flexible check-in
• Pet-friendly rooms available

Exeter Court Hotel is positioned just 15 minutes from Exeter International Airport and 5 minutes from the M5, making it a strong choice for guests entering Devon for a multi-destination resort break. Exeter city centre is 6 miles away, while the Teign Valley golf course - with direct views across Dartmoor National Park - is reachable in 15 minutes. Rooms are light and airy with en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, and wireless internet throughout, with some featuring comfortable lounge seating. The on-site restaurant uses fresh West Country produce, and the bar area features an 80-inch widescreen satellite TV - a practical touch for sports-watching guests.

• Free on-site parking with direct M5 access
• 15 minutes from Exeter Airport - useful for fly-drive itineraries
• Restaurant using locally sourced West Country produce

Leonardo Hotel Plymouth occupies a central city position within walking distance of the historic Barbican, Drake Circus Shopping Centre, and Plymouth's working waterfront - giving guests immediate access to the Devon and Cornwall coastal circuit without needing a rural base. The nearest train station is a 5-minute walk, enabling car-free exploration along the South West coastline. Rooms are equipped with signature Dream beds, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with spa toiletries, delivering a reliable mid-range standard. The Bar and Grill offers all-day dining including an extensive grill section, burgers, pizzas, and illy coffee.

• 5-minute walk to Plymouth train station
• 24-hour front desk with luggage storage for flexible itineraries
• All-day Bar and Grill dining with full menu range

Copthorne Hotel Plymouth occupies a city-centre position with direct views of Armada Way toward Plymouth Hoe and the Barbican, and is within a 5-minute walk of both Drake Circus and Armada shopping centres. The on-site 50 Degrees North Brasserie & Bar is an award-winning restaurant specialising in dishes made from local ingredients, which distinguishes it from standard city hotel dining. The free-of-charge fitness suite is available to all guests, and conference and banqueting rooms accommodate up to 140 guests. The National Marine Aquarium is a mile away, and charming fishing villages are accessible within a short drive along the Devon coastline.

• Award-winning 50 Degrees North Brasserie using local ingredients
• Free fitness suite for all guests
• City-centre position with views of Plymouth Hoe

The Hadley Hotel in New Barnet provides a practical base for guests visiting North London and Hertfordshire who prefer a quieter residential-fringe setting over central London pricing. Southgate London Underground station is 5.7 km away, providing Tube access into central London, while London City Airport is 32 km from the property. Air-conditioned rooms feature a safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, wardrobe, and private bathroom with shower - a clean, functional package at a suburban price point. The on-site restaurant, bar, shared lounge, and terrace give it a social atmosphere suited to group stays or extended business visits.

• Free private parking in a zone where London parking costs are typically high
• Air-conditioned rooms - uncommon at this price tier in the London commuter belt
• Full English breakfast available on-site daily

The Vernon in Hanbury, Worcestershire, is a countryside inn positioned in the heart of the West Midlands rural belt, making it a well-placed base for guests exploring the Worcestershire countryside, the Malvern Hills, and the wider Cotswolds fringe. The property's village setting gives guests an authentic rural England experience distinct from the managed resort environments of larger hotel groups. Hanbury Hall, a National Trust property, is in the immediate vicinity, adding heritage value for guests interested in English country estates. The inn format suits short leisure breaks where guests prioritise local character and countryside access over branded amenity packages.

• Rural Worcestershire location close to Hanbury Hall (National Trust)
• Village inn atmosphere with authentic local character
• Well-positioned for Malvern Hills and Cotswolds day trips

Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa is one of northern England's most complete resort destinations, set within a 350-acre estate just 450 yards from Junction 62 on the A1(M) and a 5-minute drive from Durham city centre. The property features two championship 18-hole golf courses totalling 36 holes through mature woodland and lakes - a scale of golf provision rare in the North East. The spa includes a 25-metre indoor pool, bubble pool, steam room, and sauna, with access to Elemis treatments; guests not on spa packages are limited to a 1-hour time slot during peak periods, which is worth noting when planning your stay. Five on-site restaurants - including the award-winning Rib Room Steakhouse & Grill and a pan-Asian Fusion menu - give guests real dining variety across a multi-night stay. The entertainment centre, The Pin, adds a 43-bay Toptracer driving range, 6-lane bowling alley, darts, and shuffleboards for guests seeking non-spa leisure.

• 36-hole championship golf across 2 courses within the estate
• 5 restaurants including award-winning Rib Room Steakhouse
• 25-metre indoor spa pool with Elemis treatment menu

Hydro Hotel occupies a prime position metres from Eastbourne Seafront, with rooms overlooking the English Channel and award-winning gardens that distinguish it from standard coastal hotels. It is a 10-minute walk from Eastbourne Pier and 20 minutes on foot from Eastbourne town centre and the Arndale Shopping Centre, making it walkable enough for guests without a car - helped by Eastbourne Railway Station being 20 minutes away on foot. The outdoor pool and poolside terrace with sun loungers are seasonal highlights, while the Crystal Restaurant serves classic British and French cuisine for evening dining. The on-site beauty salon offers specialist treatments and therapies, rounding out the resort offer without requiring guests to book an external spa.

• Outdoor pool and terrace with English Channel sea views
• Award-winning gardens - a genuine differentiator among Eastbourne seafront hotels
• Beauty salon with specialist treatments available on-site

Three Horseshoes Country Inn sits on the A53 just outside the Peak District National Park, 5 minutes north of Leek and around 10 miles from the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton - positioning it as a genuinely useful base for Peak District exploration with on-site resort facilities. Select rooms feature four-poster beds, whirlpool baths, or private hot tubs, which are rare additions at this category of countryside inn and justify the premium over standard Peak District B&Bs. Spa facilities are available on-site at a surcharge, and Chatsworth House & Park near Bakewell is around 20 miles away - a key draw for guests interested in English heritage estates. The inn also has terrace and garden dining, and full wedding and events catering capacity.

• Rooms with four-poster beds, whirlpool baths, or private hot tubs
• 10 miles from Buxton, 20 miles from Chatsworth House & Park
• On-site spa facilities with terrace and garden dining

The White Lion Hotel sits directly opposite Aldeburgh's shingle beach, where traditional wooden beach huts line the shore - one of the most photographed stretches of the Suffolk Heritage Coast. The privately owned property sources its menus entirely from fresh Suffolk produce, with guests able to dine either in the informal beach-facing bar serving real ales or the oak-panelled restaurant. Snape Maltings Concert Hall, a world-renowned venue and home of the Aldeburgh Festival, is a 10-minute drive away, making this a strong choice for culturally minded guests. Golf on the established James Braid course and tennis at Thorpeness Country Club are both arrangeable nearby, extending the leisure offer beyond the beach itself.

• Beachfront position opposite Aldeburgh's shingle shore
• Menus sourced entirely from fresh Suffolk produce
• 10 minutes from Snape Maltings Concert Hall (Aldeburgh Festival venue)

Old Hunstanton Le Strange Arms Hotel occupies a beachfront position in Old Hunstanton, with grounds extending directly to one of Norfolk's finest sandy beaches - a relatively rare feature on England's east coast, where most hotels are set back from the shore. The hotel is half a mile from Hunstanton Golf Club and within driving distance of major Norfolk heritage sites including Sandringham (HM the King's country residence), Holkham Hall, and Houghton Hall. RSPB Titchwell Marsh, one of the UK's top birdwatching reserves, is just 5 miles away - a specific draw for wildlife-focused guests. Evening dining is available in the Oak Bar or the adjacent Ancient Mariner village pub, serving real ales and hearty food until 20:45.

• Direct beachfront access to one of Norfolk's finest sandy beaches
• Half a mile from Hunstanton Golf Club
• 5 miles from RSPB Titchwell Marsh - top UK birdwatching site

Greenwoods Hotel & Spa is a restored 17th-century manor house set in large Essex gardens, combining heritage architecture with a modern spa featuring a 20-metre indoor pool, gym, steam rooms, saunas, and a treatment menu. It sits a few miles from both Chelmsford and Billericay, and just 45 minutes from Stansted Airport - making it one of England's most airport-accessible countryside spa resorts. Bedrooms blend traditional styling with marble bathrooms and luxurious soft furnishings, maintaining the manor house aesthetic without sacrificing modern comfort. Ellis's Restaurant serves English dishes with a Mediterranean influence, and the bar features open fires - a practical and atmospheric combination for autumn and winter spa breaks.

• 20-metre indoor spa pool within a restored 17th-century manor house
• 45 minutes from Stansted Airport - accessible for international guests
• Marble bathrooms and Ellis's Restaurant with Mediterranean-influenced menu

The Essex Golf & Country Club Hotel provides a comprehensive golf and leisure resort experience 4 miles from Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum and 20 minutes by car from Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town. The club operates an 18-hole championship golf course, a 9-hole garden course, and a driving range, giving golfers of all levels structured on-site play options. The Aura Spa includes an indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room, and a state-of-the-art Technogym, with swimming times for children managed separately to maintain adult-focused periods. Colchester Zoo and the historic Colchester Castle are accessible within a 20-minute drive, broadening the appeal for families or mixed-interest groups.

• 18-hole championship course plus 9-hole garden course and driving range
• Indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room, and Technogym fitness suite
• 20 minutes from Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town - for heritage day trips

The White Horse Blakeney is set in the Norfolk village of Blakeney, 3.1 km from Blakeney Point - a National Nature Reserve and one of England's most important coastal habitats for grey seals and migratory birds. Holkham Hall is 17 km away, Blickling Hall 27 km, and Cromer Pier 24 km, placing the hotel centrally within the North Norfolk Heritage Coast circuit. Rooms are fitted with flat-screen TVs and free WiFi, and the on-site restaurant and bar offer buffet, à la carte, and continental breakfast options. Norwich International Airport is 42 km away, making this a manageable fly-drive destination for international guests exploring rural Norfolk.

• 3.1 km from Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve - grey seal and birdwatching access
• Central position for the North Norfolk Heritage Coast (Holkham, Blickling, Cromer)
• On-site restaurant with buffet, à la carte, and continental breakfast options

East Sussex National Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa is one of England's most substantial golf resort properties, set across 1,100 acres of Sussex countryside with two championship golf courses offering stunning fairway views from guest rooms and balconies. The AA 4-star rating is supported by rooms featuring LCD satellite TVs, walk-in power showers, separate baths, and optional balconies - a specification that sets it apart from many rural golf hotels. Horsted Spa includes a 20-metre pool, sauna, aromatherapy rooms, spa bath, and Technogym equipment, with indulgent treatment menus available. At 50 minutes from Gatwick Airport, 30 minutes from Brighton, and 15 minutes from Lewes and Glyndebourne, it serves both international fly-in guests and domestic short-break visitors with equal efficiency.

• Two championship golf courses set within 1,100 acres of Sussex countryside
• 20-metre Horsted Spa pool with aromatherapy rooms and Technogym
• 50 minutes from Gatwick, 30 minutes from Brighton - dual airport and city access