You can spend hours trawling the web looking for these little gems or you can make use of a marketing consortium called Pride of Britain Hotels.  This unique group of 50 luxury hotels scattered around the United Kingdom have clubbed together to share resources and marketing.  Membership is policed by fellow members and new properties are added following an anonymous inspection and a vote.

For example, take Maison Talbooth in Essex which was chosen the Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year for 2010.  This Victorian country house hotel set in the Stour Valley was recently refurbished and now offers 12 bedrooms overlooking the Dedham Vale.  The facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, stoop deck with log-burning fire and a tennis court.  The Maison’s day spa offers a wide variety of treatments to sooth body and soul.  Talbooth has been run by the Milsom family since 1952 and has always enjoyed a fine reputation for excellent food and service.

Maison Talbooth is just one property in the impressive list of luxury hotels on the Pride of Britain Hotels covering Scotland, England, Wales and Jersey.

Follow Pride of Britain Hotels on Twitter.

The TLL Team

This legendary London hotel celebrated it’s centenary with a £70 Million restoration and re-opened secure in it’s reputation as one of the worlds most coveted and luxurious destinations.

The hotel’s public areas are elegant with clean tailored lines, the emphasis on modern, comfortable spaces with custom designed furniture and fabrics.

Rooms
The design of the quest rooms and suites was undertaken by Guy Oliver, the Mayfair-based Interior Designer. Oliver has retained, preserved and enhanced the original features of the building, creating an authentic english environment balanced with contemporary design. The resulting rooms are plush and comfortable. Attention to detail is evident, from the solid mahogany doors, to the immaculately made beds. Each room or suite beckons, enticing with the promise of 21st century luxury in grand and sumptuous surroundings.

The Connaught even boasts it’s own 21st century Butler service ensuring that all guests are offered uncompromising service throughout the hotel.

Dining
The Connaught is home to one of France’s most distinguished chefs – Hélène Darroze. The restaurant received it’s first Michelin star within 6 months of opening and promises dining of the finest order. Darroze oversees all culinary aspects of the hotel including the informal Espelette.

The Connaught Bar, entered through Mount Street is a stylish and trendy space, perfect for cocktails.

The Coburg is a tradional London Bar which retains the spirit of the old Connaught, but has been given a modern spin by renowned Parisian designer India Mahdavi. In it’s new livery, The Coburg is an intimate venue set between 2 elegant fireplaces. Mahdavi’s signature furniture pieces are complemented by contemporary artwork.

Location
Carlos Place
Mayfair
London. W1K 2AL
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)20 7499 7070

Now owned by Orient-Express Hotels,”The Nellie” as it is affectionately known by Capetonians takes pride in a sense of provenance and elegance. Renowned for setting exceptional service standards and cutting edge facilities The Mount Nelson provides guests with a venue, perfectly positioned, from which to experience the city’s vibrant cultural centre, the bustling V&A Waterfront, the beautiful Winelands and some of the best beaches in the world.

Rooms:
The Mount Nelson has 201 Rooms and Suites housed within 6 individual accommodation wings – each with a unique character, private gardens and the latest in 21st century conveniences. There are 2 purpose built Luxury Rooms to meet the needs of physically disabled guests as well as Junior Suites for guests requiring more spacious accommodation.

Facilities:
The Mount Nelson is home to The Librisa Spa, one of Cape Town’s leading Day Spas. Facilities include Sauna and Steam Baths, sensations showers and heated marble slabs. There are 8 treatment rooms and a conservatory for guests to relax in the sunshine and indulge in heatlhy snacks.

Dining:
The Cape Colony Restaurant serves both classic and contemporary dishes in an elegantly vaulted space. The decor is opulent, the service, impeccable. The extensive wine list was recently awarded the Diners Club Award of Excellence.

The Oasis Restaurant, situated on the poolside terrace overlooking the hotels beautiful gardens provides an informal setting for breakfast and alfresco lunches.

Afternoon Tea at the Mount Nelson is a legendary experience, with those in the know describing it as the best in the world.

Grant Thatcher began the first guide in Bangkok, quickly moving onto Hong Kong where he still lives today.  Thatcher’s background as an actor and his distinctive take on what makes a fabulous destination shines through on every page. Both of these early guides were wildly successful (even with the residents!) and a few years on the LUXE team has grown and the number of cities has steadily increased.

The LUXE City Guides use space wisely, photographs and wordy flourishes are dropped in favour of clear concise descriptions and opinions.  In the fast-changing world of fashion, food and entertainment a city guide quickly goes out of date.  LUXE City Guides are updated every year and updates can be found on the www.luxecityguides.com website.  At £4.99 a time, there is no excuse to have the latest edition with you on the next trip to Madrid.

From the moment you enter the extraordinary Atrium, the glazed glass roof of which soars 5 storey’s above, you are guaranteed a personalised approach and a genuine concern for your peace and quiet in this oasis of tranquility and calm. It is this approach to hospitality that has ensured a 5 star rating for this most distinguished of hotels.

Not only was this the venue that Sotheby’s chose for it’s world famous auction of the jewels of the Duchess of Windsor, but it is also the home away from home for guests such as Catherine Deneuve, Alain Delon, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Madame Danielle Mitterand and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Rooms:
The Beau-Rivage has 73 rooms and 18 suites all decorated with exquisite taste and modern requirements.

Facilities:
There are 6 elegant function rooms, with the ability to cater for up to 1200 guests.

Dining:
The Beau-Rivage offers a comfortable bar, L’Atrium, Patara Fine Thai Cuisine and an internationally renowned gourmet restaurant, Le Chat Botté with the finest of wines from a cellar of over a hundred years old.

Location:
Quai du Mont-Blanc
13 – CH 1201
Geneva
Switzerland

The website allows a member to book any of the hotels featured in the guides, as well as giving access to the latest collections appearing all the time.  Why use the Smith service?  All the hotels listed undergo a rigorous test by the Mr & Mrs Smith review team.  You can make a booking safe in the knowledge that you will be pampered and due to your Smith membership there will be some “added extras”.

In addition to finding you the best hotel, the team will give information on where to dine and point out where the unmissable sights are.  They have put the extra effort into finding out what is going on in and around your hotel – watch out for “Worth getting out of bed for” tips for more information.

The NB Review was started in 2000 and from its offices in London and New York, its founders have built up a reputation for impartial advice on luxury destinations throughout the world.  It has quickly built up a loyal following among savvy subscribers (Mick, Puffy and Gwyneth among them) including high-end emporiums like Paris’ Colette.  Each edition is beautifully printed and bound with most photographs taken by the NB staff themselves.

Besides the printed guide the company offers personalized advice and detailed planning for its sophisticated membership through the website and their travel helpline.  The password protected website boasts a full listing of all their findings plus updates and client feedback.

Tastefully decorated bedrooms are elegantly furnished and equipped with a thoughtful range of facilities. Public areas include the elegant Palm Court bar, a popular venue for afternoon teas, a smart Roman-style health spa and two contrasting restaurants; the Michelin starred Number One Restaurant for fine dining and Hadrians, a cosmopolitan brasserie.

Rooms
The Balmoral has 168 rooms and 20 suites.  The decor borrows from Scottish heritage while retaining a contemporary elegance.

Facilities
There are eight conference suites available at the hotel.  The Balmoral Spa offers five treatment rooms, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gymnasium and exercise studio.

Dining
The Michelin starred number one is recognised internationally as one of Scotland’s best restaurants.  The restaurant won the “Fine Dining Experience” Award at the Scottish Restaurant Awards in 2008.  Hadrian’s offers delicious food in an informal, chic setting.  The stylish interior has distinct Art Deco influences.  The Palm Court is great for cocktails or traditional afternoon tea.

Address
The Balmoral
1 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Scotland

The TLL Team