From London to Liverpool, The South of France and Bruges i’ve enjoyed almost a month’s worth of hotel nights, staying in fifteen different hotels this year. Whilst not every night has been classed as a luxury hotel i’ve certainly enjoyed some unforgettable stays. In this article I take a look back and share my top 5 favourite luxury hotels of 2024, highlight a a couple of ‘contenders’ and look ahead to more stays in 2025.
I’m always open to recommendations for the finer stays in life and welcome your comments below with recommendations or suggestions.
My 5 Favourite Luxury Hotels of 2024
The Belmond Cadogan Hotel, London
The luxury Belmond Cadogan Hotel (‘The Cadogan’) has been our luxury home from home in London this year. Nestled beautifully on Sloane Street within easy reach of Colbert on Sloane Square, Knightsbridge and Victoria, this luxury hotel has it [almost] all. The overall feeling of this hotel is relaxed and peaceful. Stepping into the gorgeous reception is like stepping into the front room of a private house – in the winter the fire is crackling encouraging you to slow down and relax.
The service remains impeccable with personal attention from the front of house team, the bar and restaurant staff and the concierge is ready to help with whatever you need.
Upstairs the rooms are peaceful and quiet, the beds are supremely comfortable and the amenities are world class. We’ve stayed in most room types including Deluxe, Superior and Junior Suite and they are all sumptuous.
You can read more of my Cadogan Hotel review on this article from earlier in the year.
We’ve stayed here more nights than any other so I crown it my favourite luxury hotel of 2024.
Hôtel Château de La Chèvre d’Or, Eze South of France
Our second time properly staying at La Chévre d’Or was just as special as the first. We checked in for three nights in the Nietzsche Suite this July to enjoy unrivalled views, exemplary service in this most luxurious of hotels, plus a special dinner at one of my favourite restaurants.
Clinging to the edge of the mountain, with views for [literally] miles this gorgeous hotel is a peaceful haven situated metres from the ancient tourist filled village. Spread thinly this hotel includes a gorgeous terrace garden with unique art and sculptures, fine bedrooms one café terrace, a brilliant al fresco restaurant and a Michelin Starred fine dining restaurant.
I’ve enjoyed the view from their Les Remparts restaurant many times over the past thirty years but waking up to a view like this remains unique.
You have no idea how many pictures and videos I have taken of this view. In fact, as I type it is my computer wallpaper!
Choosing to stay in one of their luxury suites may not be a cheap option, but my goodness the space and luxury you get is incredible.
Our Nietzsche Suite had a huge bed, slightly raised so you could see the view from bed, a massive gold leaf bathroom, plus ample dressing room space and a massive living room for entertaining.
The terrace and pool were smaller than our previous stay in the Panoramic Suite, but still plenty of space to sunbathe and read.
Breakfast and dinner at Les Remparts is mere steps away.
Les Remparts remains one of my favourite restaurants in the world. Not only is the view stunning – both in the morning or as the sun goes down over a glass of Rosé, but the food is all locally sourced and delicious. The service is first class but not intrusive allowing you to relax and soak in the atmosphere. To call the food here ‘plain’ would be unfair but it’s a lot less fancy than the Michelin starred tasting menus you can enjoy upstairs. We’ve come to the conclusion that these more structured and formal dinners are not for us, which is cool, so we love being down here.
Oh, and the deserts are next level. So beautiful you almost don’t want to eat them. Almost!
The great thing about this hotel is you can pop out to see the old town when it’s quiet, or pop down to the market in the morning and scurry back to this peaceful haven before the coach loads of tourists arrive!
If you haven’t visited before you can always check in for dinner and see if you like, before taking the plunge and staying the night. It’s about a 30 minute taxi from Nice or from Monaco.
Hotel De Orangerie, Bruges Belgium
In November we took off for a long weekend in Bruges, stay at this small romantic hotel right on the canal De Dijver, in the centre of the city. The Orangerie, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World earns a place as in my favourites for it’s warmth, comfort, service and location.
Walking off a small cobbled site street, two large candles welcomed us into this charming boutique luxury hotel. What used to be a 15th-century Carthusian monastery is now a welcome place for high end travellers.
The warm, swift and personal check in was followed by a guided tour of this small charming hotel – a small bar and dining room on the ground floor was complemented by a wood floored library that was perfect for afternoon tea, or a pre dinner drink, but we’ll come back to that.
Our room was up some wooden stairs (there is a lift) with a large bed, double glazed windows and a generous bathroom. A small tea station, and large TV completed the room with large thick cuirtans and a deep comfortable bed.
Our daughter joined us on the second and third night, staying in an equally gorgeous bedroom across the road (which is about 7 steps from the front door) complete with a gorgeous gas fire and views of the church spires.
Only breakfast and afternoon are served in the hotel, which was fine as we had plenty of dinner plans, but the dining room and breakfast spread had to be one of the most beautiful I have seen in a long time. Whilst the spread looked small, it had everything you need from continental food, hot food, waffles and plenty of fresh fruit. Sitting with my back to the log fire and this view was something that will stay for a long time.
We skipped afternoon tea, but did enjoy a pre dinner drink by the fire.
The hotel Orangerie hotel was a perfect base for a weekend of walking around this small, charming city. Whilst it didn’t pack the amenities of larger hotels it was still a wonderful hotel to stay.
The location was excellent, the rooms comfortable and quiet, with efficient friendly staff. We’d happily check in here again soon.
Hawkstone Hall & Gardens, Shrewsbury England
Hawkstone Hall earns a place on the favourites list for looking after us royally as the only guests for a night. The service was above and beyond, the rooms were huge and comfortable whilst the food and drinks across the hotel were excellent.
I’ve written more about our hotel stay on this article, but the short version is massive hotel, wonderful service, great cocktails and dining.
The Angel Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds England
The Angel Hotel in the well to do town of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk has been a fixture in Suffolk for centuries. Looking out over the Abbey, this luxury hotel has been on my radar for a long time, but I’ve never had reason to stay.
A late November birthday gave us an excuse to check in and enjoy another luxury boutique hotel. The Angel makes our list for comfort, service and location.
Downstairs the hotel is a buzz with a busy bar and restaurant but a swift check in (and helpful valet car parking) gets upstairs in no time. The small suite we had was well appointed with a comfortable bed, plenty of hanging space and a small seating area. The room was comfortable and, importantly, quiet giving us a comfortable base from which to explore the town before dinner and dancing.
The large bathroom was full of mod cons including this gorgeous bath and shower with plenty of thick towels and hot water.
Whilst our stay here was brief, the hotel was excellent. It is the perfect base for a long weekend in Suffolk, and we look forward to staying again soon. https://www.theangel.co.uk
Other Hotels Worth Mentioning
As I mentioned at the top of the article, not every hotel was luxury, although some claimed they were. The Mercures of Edinburgh, Sheffield and Manchester were all perfectly serviceable and balanced cost and location for short stays and business trips, so too the Pullman Liverpool. Located on the Albert Dock this was a really convenient hotel for a visit to the Beatles Museum and Beatles Statue. The direct walkway to the Liverpool Arena was noted for future concert trips.
Back in Edinburgh, I fear the Caledonian Hotel (‘The Cally’ as we used to call it) has lost it’s way. Located at the West End of Princes Street this iconic hotel was the flagship luxury hotel in Edinburgh. But my stay this year was anything but luxury. Now rebranded as The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton it feels like the heart has been ripped out of this grand icon. With self service checkins and scant staff it felt a little sad, especially when comparing it to the warm welcome of the Balmoral Hotel at the other end of Princes Street.
A mere eight minutes drive from the Binley Mega Chippy, Coombe Abbey Hotel defines itself as, “hotel like no other”. this 12th Century, historic hotel is surrounded by 500 acres of Warwickshire countryside and sounds like an idyllic country house hotel.
As you drive up to the hotel past the car parks and signs for Go Ape you think it’s the wrong place but eventually you are greeted by a beautiful moated building.
Inside the warm service was let down by tired rooms and dark interiors. They had forgotten to tell us that our daughter’s room was right next to a Marquee that would have live bands on both nights until Midnight. They didn’t have a problem moving her to another room but it was next to the kitchens and the sound of the extractor fans made the room vibrate. Honestly, I Have stayed on quieter cruise ships.
The bar was OK and dinner was good with beautiful light in the conservatory.
The exterior shots on a beautiful summer’s day are instaworthy and we we weren’t uncomfortable but I wouldn’t race back.
Talking of blue skies, our stay at Langely Castle Hotel in Northumberland was truly memorable. Staying in a castle was very much ‘in the English Style’, after a great Eric Clapton concert in Newcastle. We slept whilst Aurora danced above the castle ramparts making it a truly memorable hotel stay. You can read my full review here.
Luxury Stays Planned for 2025
Plans are starting to take shape for ’25. A planned trip to Edinburgh will see us back in the Balmoral Hotel, whilst a trip to Berlin for a Bruce Springsteen concert gives us an excuse to stay at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Situated on Unter den Linden, next to the Brandenburg Gate I believe this was the hotel Western journalists occupied during WWII.
If I am lucky we’ll get back to the South of France for a night or two at Le Negresco, one of my favourite luxury hotels in the world plus we’d like to try Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, which looks amazing and features in the Ab Fab movie!
Do you have any luxury hotels booked for 2025? Do let me know in the comments!
