Two Cotswolds hotels have taken the top spots in the latest 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times.
BULL in Burford has won the 'best romantic hotel' category, winning praise for '16th-century tradition meets 21st-century trendiness at this ambitious reinvention of a coaching inn in the pretty town of Burford'.
While THE PIG in the Cotswolds has been named 'best countryside hotel' in the new guide.
Journalists describe the hotel, which opened in September 2024, as a 'country manor is made for loved-up weekends, from its floral bedrooms and laidback restaurant to a spa hidden in glorious gardens'.
The guide focuses on comfort, service and value, as well as personality and warmth when deciding on the rankings.
Head of travel of The Times and The Sunday Times, Claire Irvin, said: 'The judging process has been as rigorous as ever, as our criteria combines with the ever-increasing importance our readers place on value for money in travel to find a shortlist worthy of their visit.
'And with international destinations easier than ever before to reach, UK hotels have their work cut out to compete on all levels. Luckily for us, they are rising to the challenge as never before.'
Susan d’Arcy, hotel expert at The Times and The Sunday Times, said: 'One of the things that has impressed us most when travelling around the country this year is the welcome.
'Hotel teams appreciate there's a lot of choice out there and they're really going the extra mile to deliver friendly and knowledgeable service. It makes all the difference to a stay.'
The new guide, which is live from Monday 10 March 2025 via an online interactive map is split into 10 regions: London, south east, south west, central, east, north and northeast, north west, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
There are also winners in 13 different categories; affordable, beach, blow-the-budget, boutique, city, countryside, disruptor, family-friendly, foodie, one-to-watch, pub stay, romantic, and sports.
It will be published within The Sunday Times on Sunday 16 March 2025.
