The best Surrey hotels for a stylish stay in the country
Ten of the loveliest places to stay in Surrey, from boutique boltholes to magnificent stately houses
Home to rolling hills and valleys, Surrey is one of the south east’s loveliest counties. Its spectacular countryside and quintessential towns make it ideal for a UK holiday, especially if you’re looking to escape London for the weekend as it’s easy to get to by train or car.
Accommodation is easy to come by and varies greatly, from timber-framed Tudor gems like Langshott Manor and sprawling country manor houses, to beautiful lakeside boltholes and family winners such as Chessington Safari Hotel, where you can watch the animals roam. Some have incredible Michelin-starred restaurants, or spa facilities to boot. Pennyhill Park in Bagshot has both. Others might have more tennis courts and golf courses than you could shake a racket at. All have oodles of character and charm.
Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, a loved one or on your own, here’s our pick of the best Surrey hotels.
The Mitre, Hampton Court
No expense has been spared in transforming this Grade II-listed riverside landmark into a characterful boutique hotel with a country house feel. The Mitre was originally built in 1665 to accommodate King Charles II's courtiers, and its rich heritage is marked with antiques, tapestries, Tudor door signs and exquisite hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper ─ plus a few surprises like a retro jukebox hiding in the nooks and crannies.
It’s particularly popular with couples ─ a glass of English wine is served on arrival, and homemade biscuits and a bottle of delicious Kings Ginger liquor await in the bedrooms.
Pennyhill Park, Bagshot
In a grand 18th-century manor house surrounded by beautiful Surrey countryside, Pennyhill Park is particularly popular for its magnificent spa and exquisite Michelin-starred restaurant. There’s a range of pools to choose from; you can swim to the sound of underwater music in one, sip champagne under the stars in another.
Canadian hot tubs, private cabanas with complimentary refreshments and large copper tubs, plus ice fountains, drench showers and plunge pools complete the wellness picture. Spend the day spa-ing before heading to the Latymer restaurant for a superb culinary experience.
Nutfield Priory, Nutfield
Reached by verdant country lanes, this neo-Gothic country house hotel is perched at the top of Reigate's Nutfield Ridge, deep within the Surrey Hills. Nutfield Priory is ideal for those looking for relaxation away from the bustle of the city: it’s about an hour and a quarter’s drive from central London though trains from London Victoria will get you to Redhill Station, two miles from the property, in 30 minutes.
Anticipate characterful features at every turn, a deep sense of history, a two AA-rosette fine dining restaurant, four-poster beds and roll-top baths in some of the rooms, walks from the door, and a luxury spa and health club.
Hurtwood Hotel, Peaslake
In the quintessentially English village, Peaslake, Hurtwood Hotel makes a great base for exploring the Surrey Hills and watching the comings and goings of cyclists and horse riders, particularly at weekends. The 13 homely rooms in this charming boutique bolthole are furnished to a high standard; you might get a four-poster bed or original wooden beams that date back a hundred years.
There's no restaurant but a splendid cooked breakfast is served and the adjoining (but separate) Hurtwood Inn serves top-notch Italian cuisine ─ go for the tagliolini pasta (cylindrical tagliatelle) with Devon crab if you can.
Great Fosters, Egham
Grandeur and history oozes from every creaking corridor, secret staircase and perfectly carved piece of period furniture at this 16th-century former royal hunting lodge. King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were regular visitors to Great Fosters, and you’ll find traces of its royal pedigree in the ornate crests and coat of arms (1598).
Elsewhere, exquisite gilt furnishings, Flemish tapestries and Michelin-starred dining combine seamlessly with fanciful topiary and Saxon-moated gardens. Stay in one of the historic bedrooms with Italian Rococo and Renaissance furniture for the ultimate indulgence ─ you'll feel like you're in a palace.
Foxhills, Ottershaw
This 400-acre country club hotel is ideal for an active weekend away in the countryside and one of those places that keeps everyone happy, from groups of friends to couples and families. Reached via a long driveway that snakes around greens and fairways, Foxhills offers everything from golf (three courses; two championship) and tennis (11 courts) to fine dining and a tranquil spa.
Facilities in the spa are impressive, boasting a garden with natural pool, yoga cabin and thermal suites. Rooms and suites are warm and inviting with contemporary styling and sports-themed pictures.
Chessington Safari Hotel, Chessington
Safari-themed rooms, panoramic hotel windows providing views of real-life animals, evening access to the Wanyama Reserve and Treetop Adventure, and early morning priority on selected rides ramp up the action for guests of all ages at the fun-tastic Chessington Safari Hotel. Although it’s geared towards families with young children and teens, couples and groups also love it.
Families: go for one of the Tiger rooms ─ a padlocked cupboard contains collectible badges which children can access by solving clues. Adults: enjoy a cocktail on the terrace as you watch the zebras and giraffe roam, it's just like being on safari.
Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa, Frensham Great Pond
What sets this glorious retreat apart is its location on the banks of picturesque Frensham Great Pond, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa certainly makes the most of it: gaze at wildlife through floor-to-ceiling windows as you tuck into a decadent sticky toffee pudding at the Watermark restaurant; sit back into your lounger, spritzy cocktail in hand, as you watch the the dinghies with their sails billowing in the wind from the spa patio.
Characterful features abound, from the large marble elephants and a Buddha in the garden, to the beautiful glass artwork and prints commissioned for the hotel in the public areas.
Langshott Manor, Horley
The character this classic timber-framed Tudor gem beholds makes Langshott Manor very special indeed ─ think leaded windows, decorative fireplaces, beamed ceilings that hark back to its 16th-century origins, as well as innovative brasserie dining with modern artworks and bold, contemporary furnishings.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the landscaped gardens and pretty duck ponds which were once part of the moat (Moat Mews rooms come with pond views, a couple with wonderful over-water balconies) as you enjoy afternoon tea with scones still warm from the oven, or a spot of croquet on the lawn.
Wotton House, Dorking
The showstopper at 17th-century Wotton House is the wonderful Italian garden. Said to be England’s first, it was created by botanist John Evelyn and houses Roman temples illuminated at night, charming grottoes, mosaics, Italian fountains and 13 acres of landscaped gardens. Don’t panic if you’ve forgotten your Hunter wellies ─ there are some waiting for you by the front door.
The charm doesn’t stop there: inside, medieval archways grace the wedding chapel and the columned Gothic Old Library is exquisite. The leisure club offers a pool and hot tub, and formal fine dining is enjoyed at the 1877 Restaurant.
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