7 Best Hotels in The South, England

The 63 acres surrounding this elegant 17th-century country-house hotel retain many original features, including the walls of the kitchen garden (still in use), the apple trees in the former orchard, and a mile-long avenue of linden trees, the longest in the United Kingdom. The house itself is similarly rich in period details such as a baronial staircase, wood paneling with carvings by Grinling Gibbons in the bar, and two fireplaces surrounded by hand-painted Delft tiles (all the rage when the house was built during the reign of William and Mary). Rooms may have original wood shutters and ceiling molding, but the bathrooms have up-to-date electronics and underfloor heating. Smaller, less pricey rooms in one of five extensions are more modern and less distinguished. Don't miss the falconry displays featuring the resident owls and falcons. The hotel is 2½ miles northwest of Winchester.

Magnificently sited above the Cobb, this family-owned boutique hotel combines contemporary design with the genteel charm of yesteryear. Guest rooms in the 18th-century mansion range from light, airy, and elegant to the more functional. Most have views over either the garden or Lyme Bay. Light lunchtime sandwiches and platters, plus a selection of impressive afternoon cream teas, are served in the Conservatory Restaurant overlooking an expanse of lawn. The formal Alexandra Restaurant has an impressive wine list to complement its locally sourced Modern British menu. You can get aromatherapy massages and facials in the on-site treatment room, and there's a direct path to the beach.

This ivy-covered Regency manor house set on 27 acres has been converted into a relaxed country-house hotel that combines well-chosen antiques with modern amenities. There's an airy conservatory and a small but luxurious spa fed by its own borehole (a type of well) that features Elemis treatments and a heated outdoor pool. The guest rooms, decorated in country house shabby chic, overlook the grounds (which include two meadows and a stretch of river) or an interior courtyard. The restaurant serves Modern British gastropub favorites. Bishopstrow House is 1½ mile east of Warminster.

Staying at this snazzy modern five-star hotel directly on the marina is like staying on a cruise ship (or perhaps a super-yacht) without ever leaving land, a design theme reinforced by tiered balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. Among the amenities are an excellent spa, a penthouse bar with roof terrace, a heated indoor pool, a free shuttle to the cruise terminal, a cinema, and a seafood-oriented restaurant, The Jetty, that's considered one of the city's best. Rooms, some with balconies overlooking the marina, come with pampering touches like 400-thread count sheets and Nespresso coffee machines. 

Set beside a 20-acre tidal lake in the tiny town of Wootton Bridge, halfway between Cowes and Ryde, this hotel is perfectly situated for exploring the northern part of the island. Rooms are decorated in contemporary style, and many have lake views; bathrooms are clean and spacious. There's an indoor pool and small spa, and a restaurant and brasserie serve good Modern British cuisine.

Located on a cliff above Bournemouth's sandy beach (a rarity in pebbly Britain), this stylish conversion of an Edwardian grande dame takes its inspiration from the hip Art Deco hotels of Miami's South Beach, with lots of palm tree decor, original contemporary art in the public spaces, and airy white bedrooms. Seafront rooms—some with private sun decks, others with outdoor hot tubs—overlook the pool area and rolling lawns with the English Channel beyond. The restaurant continues the Floridian theme with dishes like lobster and crayfish linguine, crab cakes, and grilled salmon. OSKIA products are featured in the spa, and there are heated indoor and outdoor pools, a beachside bar, and a small-plates restaurant. A cinema offers nightly screenings.

On a quiet street across from Mayflower Park, this snug hotel in two converted town houses is set into the city's medieval walls and has a funky but chic aesthetic in guest rooms and public areas. Downstairs is the deli-bar, an Edwardian parlor with an open fire, leather armchairs, and wood tables topped with pots of live herbs, where you can get lunch or supper. An offshoot of the Pig, the noted nearby restaurant with rooms in the New Forest, the deli shares the mothership's commitment to locally sourced ingredients that change daily. A Continental or hot breakfast is available but costs extra.