Luxe for less: 10 budget UK hotels with the wow factor

Fancy a night in a posh hotel but don’t want to splash the cash? Love your luxury toiletries, locally-sourced breakfasts and claw-footed bath tubs but don’t want to break the bank?

Tamara Hinson has done some digging to find 10 of the UK’s most luxurious hotels with a price tag of £100 or less.

Carden Park, Chester, Cheshire

Price: From £99 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis

This beautiful 196-room hotel recently underwent a £4 million refurbishment, but the prices have remained purse-friendly. It’s one of Cheshire’s most luxurious hotels, with two award-winning restaurants, two championship golf courses and its very own vineyard.

We recommend sampling the hotel’s Carden Park Gold wine in the comfort of Jack’s Bar, where guests can soak up spectacular views over the rolling Cheshire countryside.

Book a stay at Carden Park

The Europa Hotel, Belfast

Price: From £85 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis

We’re struggling to work out what the catch is at Belfast’s most famous hotel, because from just £85 per night guests can expect rooms filled with Ralph Lauren fabrics, a herb-filled roof garden and booklets which explain exactly how their food was sourced.

As it’s close to the city’s opera house, the hotel regularly hosts some of the world’s top performers, and Hillary and Bill Clinton are regulars. For some presidential dining, head to the Brasserie – a conservatory-style space with twinkling chandeliers and a wine list that is regarded as Belfast’s finest.

Book a stay at the Europa Hotel Belfast

Ascot House, Torquay, Devon

Price: From £80 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis

This former Victorian villa dates back to 1840 but a recent refurbishment transformed it into one of Devon’s most sought-after boutique hotels. Amazingly, it’s a suite-only property (there are just five, so you’re unlikely to be disturbed by noisy neighbours), and it’s located just a short walk to the seafront, marina and Princess theatre.

The French owners have designed the suites to reflect England and France, and have scoured both countries for the suites’ period furniture, which includes gorgeous claw-footed bath tubs.

Book a stay at Ascot House

Z Shoreditch, London

Price: From £92.50 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

This achingly cool hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travellers – it’s just a short walk away from the brand new Old Street Bower business quarter, and has family rooms which come with double bunk beds.

Every night, between 5pm and 8pm, guests can enjoy complimentary red, white and rose wine and a selection of locally-sourced cheeses. To add to the luxury, within the rooms are 48-inch televisions and the ultra-comfortable beds, mattresses and linen are all bespoke, commissioned especially for the hotel by the owners.

Book a stay at Z Shoreditch

ibis Styles Glasgow, Scotland

Price: From £99 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

This brand new hotel opened in late September, and it’s already being touted as the city’s most stylish crash pad. It’s a million miles away from your identikit chain hotel, and has various features which reflect its location.

The lobby’s industrial vibe is a tribute to Glasgow’s shipyards, while the headboards in the rooms bear other iconic images of the city. Quirky stencils of cranes are designed to give the impression that the televisions are suspended from the ceiling, and guests will find Irn Bru and Tunnock’s Teacakes in their rooms. As an added bonus, George Square is on the doorstep.

Book a stay at ibis Styles Glasgow

Cardigan Castle, Cardigan, Wales

Price: From £90 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

Fulfil your lord (or lady) of the manor fantasies with a stay at this sprawling hotel. Best described as high-end meets heritage, Cardigan Castle’s highlights include the traditional (and enormous) Welsh breakfasts and the luxury organic toiletries.

The property reopened this year after a massive £12 million refurbishment, although the castle dates back to 1110. Bedrooms have been beautifully decorated, with exposed wooden beams, antique furniture and Welsh woollen throws.

Book a stay at Cardigan Castle

Ashmount Country House Hotel, Haworth, Yorkshire

Price: From £79 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

This country house retreat was the former home of Dr Amos Ingham, physician to Charlotte and Patrick Brontë. There are just 12 bedrooms and inside there are whirlpool baths, hot tubs and four-poster beds.

We love the gorgeous stained-glass windows and the afternoon tea rivals the ones offered by the finest hotels in London. Served in the drawing room, guests can feast on a sumptuous selection of scones, cakes and sandwiches while looking out over the manicured gardens.

Nab Dr McCracken’s Room if you can – it’s got a fireplace, Persian rugs and a four-poster bed.

Book a stay at Ashmount Country House Hotel

Eynsham Hall, Witney, Oxfordshire 

Price: From £90 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

There can’t be many Jacobean mansion hotels in the Cotswolds which cost less than £100 per night. Inside are Hypnos mattresses, White Company toiletries and a coffee service provided by Cafe du Monde.

If you can drag yourself away, there are 3,000 acres of rolling parkland to explore, while beautiful chunks of rural wilderness (Downton Abbey’s exterior scenes were filmed nearby) and the shopping mecca of Bicester Village are all within a few miles.

We recommend the afternoon tea, which comes with delicious homemade fudge.

Book a stay at Eynsham Hall

ABode Manchester, Manchester

From £90 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

It takes just five minutes to walk from the hotel to Manchester’s Piccadilly train station, the trendy Northern Quarter and Market Street’s shops, which makes the room rate even more impressive. It’s a wonderfully quirky hotel; room categories include Comfortable, Desirable and Enviable, and the hotel’s suites have all been inspired by famous musicians.

With double rooms starting from less than £100, we reckon that leaves plenty of change for a glass of bubbly at the champagne bar, but if you really fancy splashing out, treat yourself to dinner at the Michael Caines restaurant. We suggest opting for the tasting menu, which the Michelin-starred chef created especially for guests at the hotel.

Book a stay at Abode Manchester

The Club Hotel & Spa, St Helier, Jersey

Price: From £99 per night on a bed and breakfast basis

We love this 38-room, five-star hotel for its location (smack bang in the middle of St Helier but just a short walk to Jersey’s most beautiful beaches) and the fantastic spa, which has a thermal suite, salt water pool and herbal steam room.

The Michelin-starred Bohemia restaurant has been ranked as Good Food Guide’s best restaurant in the Channel Islands for next year’s issue. Our top tip? Always say yes to the turndown service – you’ll get delicious shortbread placed on your pillow.

Book a stay at The Club Hotel & Spa

Please note: All prices were correct at the time of writing and may fluctuate.

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