10 Best Hotels for Summer Road Trips

Linthwaite House has the picturesque quaintness you'd expect from the Lake District on the outside and the stunning facilities you'd expect from a modern mansion on the inside. Set in 14 acres of beautiful gardens, which themselves are situated in the hills overlooking Lake Windermere, it makes for a spectacular stop on a drive around this magnificent part of the country.

The hotel was built in 1900 and has a suitably historical design to prove it. However, the facilities are certainly from this century, including a first-class restaurant, its own little boating lake, an excellent spa, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in each of the 30 rooms, among other modern amenities. Some of the larger suites even have their own hot tubs.

Edinburgh is an excellent hub for road trips around the stunning Scottish Lowlands, and The Glasshouse is a fantastic place to relax along the way. It provides some pretty remarkable scenery from the rooftop terrace, being at the eastern end of York Place and at the foot of Calton Hill, within a short walk of many of the Scottish capital's main highlights.

The hotel itself is mostly sleek and modern, especially on the inside. The 77 rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable, and the restaurant is excellent. There's also on-site car parking – a modest boast, but helpful on a road trip, especially in a busy historical city where spaces are hard to find.

St Michael’s Resort is a fantastic place to rest and recover from a day spent exploring the winding lanes of Cornwall. A few steps from Gyllyngvase Beach and a few more from Falmouth town centre, the resort has an amazing spa, with 10 treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, mud baths, and hot tubs. 

The resort has a focus on health and activities, with tennis courts, fitness facilities that rival many professional gyms, and a spectacular indoor pool. There are also 2 restaurants, with a complimentary English breakfast served every morning. The 92 rooms neatly combine style and comfort, with a little nautical theme throughout as a nod to Falmouth’s strong connection to the sea. 

The Culloden Estate & Spa is a castle – there’s really no better way to describe it. The oldest part of the property dates back to 1876 and enjoys gorgeous views across the approaches to Belfast Harbour. The palatial feel continues inside, and while the 100 rooms are relatively contemporary in style, the lobby looks like it would be at home welcoming guests to Buckingham Palace.

Aside from its striking appearance and great location for exploring Northern Ireland's rugged coastline, the hotel is also an excellent place to relax. As the name suggests, the spa is a big part of the property, which has 8 treatment rooms, 2 relaxation rooms, a couple's treatment room, a large indoor pool, well-equipped fitness rooms, a marble steam room, and more.

The Lygon Arms really embraces the history and charm of the Cotswolds, which is hardly surprising when the oldest parts of the building date back to 1532. You’ll find old-fashioned 4-poster beds, grand fireplaces, wood panelling, exposed ceiling beams, and Cotswold stone walls in the lobby. Even the indoor pool looks like it was designed by the Romans. 

Fortunately, the comforts of this 86-room hotel are undoubtedly modern, with an emphasis on cosy comfort. The bathrooms are very modern, as is the spa, which features a sauna, steam room, and fitness centre. There are 2 restaurants, one of which is by famous TV chef James Martin. Plus, of course, the whole place is located in Broadway, on the northern edge of one of England’s most beautiful rural escapes. 

Glenlo Abbey Hotel is almost like a village in its own right. It is situated in a 138-acre estate, which features a cinema, a 9-hole golf course, a fishing lake, and the namesake abbey. The abbey was built in 1790 but no longer hosts religious services. One could even argue that the estate has its own train station in the form of 2 original Orient Express Pullman carriages that serve as one of the 2 restaurants. The other restaurant offers great views of the River Corrib as it passes on its way into nearby Galway and the Atlantic Ocean.

Inside, the hotel's 50 rooms have an undeniable elegance while still feeling warm and welcoming, as do the 2 bars. The same could even be said of the staff, who are routinely praised for their outstanding service.

Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is an extremely glamorous resort on the rugged coastline west of Dubrovnik’s remarkable Old Town. It makes for a stunning stop while exploring the Dalmatian Coast thanks to its amazing views across the Adriatic Sea, over the chic terrace and outdoor pool. There’s also an indoor pool, if you’re visiting out of season, along with a great spa featuring a sauna, steam room, and Turkish baths. If that wasn't enough, you can stay active thanks to multiple sports facilities, and it even has a small casino. 

The 310 rooms are style incarnate; tastefully decorated without sacrificing comfort. Quite the opposite, in fact, with hypo-allergenic premium bedding, memory foam mattresses, and a pillow menu. There are also 3 restaurants and 2 bars. 

Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel, is a great spot to stop if you're exploring the stunning Dordogne Valley. The 130-room hotel is located on the outskirts of the city centre, not far from the river. As with the other city-centre properties on our list, it features on-site car parking, this time with valet parking available.

The hotel certainly lives up to the "grand" part of its name. Both the exterior and the interior look palatial – there's just no other word for it. Guests can enjoy a meal at one of the 2 restaurants, take a dip in the indoor pool, relax at the full-service spa, and enjoy the view across the city centre from the rooftop terrace.

Dream Hollywood brings all the glamour you would expect from a hotel positioned between the iconic Sunset Boulevard and the famous Hollywood Boulevard – right in the middle of the action. It's a very stylish property with a rooftop pool, three restaurants, and four lounges, offering a wide range of cuisines and atmospheres.

The 178 rooms are extremely stylish, each featuring floor-to-ceiling soundproofed windows so your sleep isn't interrupted despite being in a very lively part of Los Angeles. The bathrooms also come with rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries.