21 Best Hotels in East Anglia, England

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.

In a market town 5 miles southeast of Blakeney, Byfords epitomizes the increasing trendiness of North Norfolk. The self-styled "posh B&B" rooms are stylish and comfortable, with Egyptian cotton linens, modern sound systems, and fresh flowers. Seven rooms are in an annex, and the rest are in the main building. The busy café is transformed into a restaurant serving Mediterranean and English fare in the evening. 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; those exposed beam roofs you're sleeping under date from the 12th century. Hosts Christina and Paul have renovated the place themselves, and that care and attention shines through in the small but stylish guest rooms. 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 B&Bs 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.

Tucked away behind the Fitzwilliam Museum on the banks of the River Cam, the Graduate Cambridge is in the perfect location for exploring the city. Beyond the idyllic setting, where punters drift by in a steady stream, the hotel's charms extend to its refined public spaces, including the excellent Garden House restaurant. A spectacular array of restored punts are nailed to the walls around the lobby and staircase, offering the finest example of the hotel's unapologetic desire to remind guests of the glories of Cambridge. Comfortable rooms hark to the city's studious leanings, designed to conjure romantic notions of nostalgia with their wood paneling, writers' bureaus, and Voysey-esque headboards.   

You can live like nobility in the east wing of the Italianate Ickworth House, set on 1,800 acres. The splendid public rooms have stylish mid-20th century furniture and striking modern art. This look extends to most bedrooms, though some still have luxe antique furnishings. The rows of tiny Wellies in the porch attest to the hotel's emphasis on being family-friendly. Children are catered to with a free day-care room (for kids under eight), a game center, and a cinema room, where kids' meals are served between 5 and 6 daily. Adults can dine in the upscale Frederick's restaurant or the more casual Conservatory. Kids also get special menus, and the kitchen even provides freshly made baby food. There's also a small spa, although you may need to book treatments ahead at busy times.

Constable painted the rich meadowlands in which this luxurious Victorian country-house hotel is set. Period antiques, print fabrics, and upholstered furniture decorate each of the elegant, spacious suites (each named after Britain's most famous poets), with 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 management. Breakfast is served in your bedroom. Check the website for special offers, including discount deals.

This Victorian-era hotel combines an old-fashioned feel with a modern style. The design is understated, with heavy natural fabrics and black-and-white photos. 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.

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; 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 (and still return), 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.

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.

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 stylish, bright, and comfortable; larger rooms have king-size beds. The wonderful restaurant serves traditional British fare: Brancaster rock oysters, followed by roast cod, or maybe beef short ribs with mashed potatoes.

In a city that celebrates such rich academic tradition, it feels only right to name and theme a hotel around the storied alumni of its world-famous university. Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, the Fellows House is a sleek aparthotel that offers both short and long-term stays in its combination of generous rooms and spacious suites, all named after Cambridge Fellows including Charles Darwin, Rudyard Kipling, and William Blake. Rooms and suites feature a uniform contemporary look, styled in neutral greys and whites, and come with the added convenience of compact kitchenettes that include stovetops and microwaves, although don't let that 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.     

A charming and eccentric lodging in the middle of Norwich, the Maid's Head claims to be the oldest hotel in England. That may be stretching it a bit (there was no such thing as a "hotel" in the Middle Ages), but it is true that previous guests included Elizabeth I and Catherine of Aragon. Today the comforts are much more modern, including free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and digital radios. 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 delightful old inn near the Bury St. Edmunds train station has a handful of bedrooms in its converted Victorian brewhouse. The accommodations aren't lavish, but rooms are comfortable and modern, with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. The pub serves tasty, predominantly British food (with a few international twists, such as Turkish kebabs and Czech goulash). True to the name the Old Brewery still makes its own beer—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?

This stylish boutique hotel with an adjoining spa has wide windows that flood the place with light. Bedrooms are chic and contemporary, while suites have plenty of room to unwind in and 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 stress-relieving massage sets you back around £50.

Decorated with a chic, contemporary flair that contributes to its rich historical status as Cambridge's oldest hotel, the University Arms is a welcome luxurious option on the city's hotel scene. Rooms and suites are decorated in warm, colorful tones with stylish patterned fabrics and some are even outfitted with their own private book collections as a nod to Cambridge's academic legacy. Public spaces include a handsome library and the suave Parker's Tavern brasserie for weekend roasts, afternoon tea, and cocktails.

A colorful, whimsical hideaway, this hotel on the Holkham Hall estate is more laid-back and family-friendly than the austere Victorian exterior suggests, and inside, the shabby-chic design contrasts with a hip and sophisticated vibe. 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.