21 Best Hotels in East Anglia, England

In a market town 5 miles southeast of Blakeney, this B&B—where guest rooms have Egyptian cotton linens, modern sound systems, and fresh flowers—epitomizes North Norfolk's increasing trendiness. Seven rooms are in an annex, and the rest are in the main building. In the evening, the busy café is transformed into a restaurant serving Mediterranean and English fare. There's also a superb delicatessen—excellent for preparing a picnic.

This B&B in the medieval quarter is just a three-minute walk from Lincoln Cathedral and almost as old—the exposed-beam roofs you'll be sleeping under date from the 12th century. Hosts Christina and Paul have renovated the place themselves, their care and attention to detail shines through in the small but stylish guest rooms, where beds have cast-iron or solid wood frames and are draped in contemporary fabrics. There are a few modern touches such as flat-screen TVs.

Artsy, laid-back, and genuinely friendly, this little gem occupies an 18th-century building in the village of Orford, 10 miles east of Woodbridge. Many rooms have bathrooms with sunflower-size showerheads, and the garden rooms are particularly spacious. The restaurant focuses on Modern British fare, including fresh fish and local Butley oysters. In warm weather, the outdoor terrace is a great place for grandstand views of nearby Orford Castle. No children under eight are allowed.

This beautifully converted town house (home of the Duke of Gloucester when he was a student) is forever cropping up in British newspaper articles about the best bed-and-breakfasts in the country. The guest rooms sure look like they've been copied from the pages of a lifestyle magazine—swaths of white and ivory, offset by subtle blues or floral accents, envelop the large and comfortable beds like a swanky cocoon. Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are thoughtful extras, and impeccably chosen local art hangs on the walls in the public areas. The house is a 10-minute walk from King's College.

At this hotel tucked behind the Fitzwilliam Museum on the banks of the River Cam, punters drift by in a steady stream, restored punts adorn the walls of the lobby and staircase, and rooms conjure romantic notions of nostalgia (think wood paneling, writers' bureaus, and Voysey-esque headboards). The on-site Garden House restaurant is excellent.

Constable painted the rich meadowlands that are the setting for this luxurious Victorian country-house hotel, where period antiques and print fabrics decorate suites (each named after Britain's most famous poets) that are elegant, spacious, and have sumptuous bathrooms. Some rooms have private access to outdoor hot tubs and a swimming pool. While you're here it'd be a shame bordering on effrontery not to eat at the Talbooth restaurant, a short walk or free ride down the lane and owned by the same company. Breakfast is served in your bedroom. Check the website for special offers, including discount deals.

This sweet Georgian town house and B&B in the northeastern corner of the city is a beautiful 20-minute walk along the river from central Cambridge. All three guest rooms are cozy and comfortable; the largest of them is bright and spacious, with a cavernous roll-top tub in the bathroom, while the other two are much smaller (one has twin beds). Christine, the charming owner, bakes her own bread to accompany the delicious breakfasts, which are prepared with plenty of fresh local produce.

With its good food, modest but elegant rooms, and sweeping views of the sea, Brudenell is the very definition of an English seaside hotel. The excellent restaurant specializes in fresh seafood (of course) and has a very good wine list. The bar has a lovely sun terrace overlooking the sea, but come early to get the best seats—you'll be competing for space with locals at busy times.

This half-timber Elizabethan building reveals its long history with stone-flagged floors, bowed and twisted oak beams, and heavy antique furniture. Creature comforts offset the smallish size of the bedrooms, which retain their original character—some are crooked, with sloping floors. The restaurant serves good, crowd-pleasing pub food. Pets are welcome in some rooms.

Centrally located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the Bushel is a classic inn with homey rooms above a lively pub. Run by the Greene King pub chain (the national company based in Bury St Edmunds), the pub is a traditional old boozer that serves solid pub grub in the bar.

Overlooking a tiny park in the middle of Wells-next-the-Sea, this cozy little hotel and restaurant is owned by New Zealand–born TV chef Chris Coubrough. Guest rooms are elegant, bright, and comfortable; larger rooms have king-size beds. The wonderful restaurant serves traditional British fare such as Brancaster rock oysters followed by roast cod or maybe beef short ribs with mashed potatoes.

The generous accommodations of this sleek aparthotel, which offers both short and long-term stays, are all named after different Cambridge fellows (Charles Darwin, Rudyard Kipling, William Blake), yet all of them have a uniform contemporary look—styled in neutral grays and whites—and compact kitchenettes with stovetops and microwaves. Don't let the ability to prepare your own meals stop you from visiting the ground-floor Folio restaurant. If you have a moment to spare, hit the lobby for a cocktail and a game on the billiard table.

Former guests at this charming, eccentric, very old lodging with modern creature comforts included Elizabeth I and Catherine of Aragon. The lobby, bar, and restaurant retain more in the way of historic charm, although bedrooms in the eaves have exposed beams and sloping ceilings (which means watch your head). The Wine Press restaurant serves good, Modern British meals, made with plenty of East Anglian ingredients—Norfolk quail ballotine with dauphinoise, for instance, or beef marinated in treacle.

This Victorian-era hotel combines an old-fashioned feel with a modern style that features pops of color and fabrics that have interesting patterns. The busy split-level restaurant specializes in updated versions of classic British fare, which you can enjoy at tables by the pond in the garden.

This delightful old inn near the train station has a handful of comfortable, modern rooms—with private baths and free Wi-Fi—in a converted Victorian brewhouse. The pub serves tasty, predominantly British pub classics. True to the name the Old Brewery still makes its own beer, which is a great rarity in these days of brewery-owned chain pubs. The beer also goes into the batter for their fish-and-chips. How's that for holding up tradition?

A rare small hotel in central Cambridge, this handsome Georgian town house has wooden sash windows that look out over a tree-lined park called Parker's Piece. The cozy bar has an open fire, making it a great place to relax. Bedrooms are a little anonymous but decorated in soothing pale tones.

The sense of history at this delightfully old-school hotel comes from more than just the magnificent Tudor architecture, as several pieces of furniture are castoffs from Buckingham Palace, and one of the beds was supposedly slept in by Elizabeth I. Rooms are large and comfortable, with modern bathrooms (some have whirlpool tubs). The restaurant, 1530, is a stylish but relaxed affair, serving dishes like British pork loin with kale and cider, and wild sea bass with garlic confit. The spa administers sumptuous relaxation treatments.

This half-timber 14th-century lodging has rambling public rooms, roaring fireplaces, and corridors so low that cushions are strategically placed on beams. Most of the individually styled bedrooms have rich oak cabinets and original wood paneling. Bathrooms have been fashioned around ancient timbers and hidden rooms. The popular bar is full of memorabilia from the days when this was a favorite pub of American airmen stationed here during World War II. One wall is entirely covered with autographs and messages from the vets who loved this place, while another is a memorial to those who didn't make it back. The moving display is worth dropping in to see if even if you're not staying here.

Decorated with a chic, contemporary flair, Cambridge's oldest hotel is a welcome luxury option, where public spaces include a handsome library and the suave Parker's Tavern brasserie for weekend roasts, afternoon tea, and cocktails. Rooms and suites are done in warm, colorful tones with stylish patterned fabrics. Some are even outfitted with their own private book collections as a nod to Cambridge's academic legacy.

This stylish boutique hotel with an adjoining spa has wide windows that flood the place with light, rooms that are chic and contemporary, and spacious suites with sofas from which to admire the city stretched beneath you. Inevitably, the more expensive rooms have the best views. The roof terrace is a lovely spot for an evening cocktail if the weather's fine, or you could unwind in the spa, where a 30-minute stress-relieving massage sets you back around £54.

A colorful, whimsical hideaway—where a shabby-chic design contrasts with a hip, sophisticated vibe—on the Holkham Hall estate is more laid-back and family-friendly than the austere Victorian exterior suggests. Bedrooms are on the small side, but comfortable, with elegant, handmade furniture and modern bathrooms. The hotel restaurant is one of the finest in the area, with an emphasis on modern European cuisine. The dune-backed Holkham Beach (where the desert island conclusion of Shakespeare in Love was filmed) is a few minutes away; show your room key to avoid the access fee of a couple of pounds. The hotel is dog-friendly, too.