Tripadvisor's best UK hotels revealed – including a huge ship, old train station, safari park and a prison

Scottish Sun

29-04-2025

Plus, the UK hotel with worker bees that was crowned sixth best in the world
TOP TIER Tripadvisor's best UK hotels revealed – including a huge ship, old train station, safari park and a prison
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THE best hotels in the world as well as the weird and wonderful have been revealed by Tripadvisor.
There are lots of quirky stays around the country including one on a boat, a converted train station and a wildlife park that will make you feel like you're on safari in the UK.
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Port Lympne is home to over 900 animals and a beautiful hotel
Credit: Port Lympne
Fingal Hotel in Edinburgh topped the list when it came to Tripadvisor's 'One of a Kind' category.
The ship that's permanently docked in Edinburgh's Leith neighbourhood has been transformed into a five-star floating hotel.
It's described as being in the style of a superyacht, but with an old-world elegance.
Guests can choose to stay in the classic cabin, luxurious suites, a penthouse, or a duplex cabin which is spread out across two floors.
Onboard is The Lighthouse Restaurants & Bar that's been awards 2 AA Rosettes.
Over in Kent is the Port Lympne Hotel where you're likely to spot lions, tigers and rhinos.
The hotel doubles as a wildlife reserve so you'll be on safari - but in the middle of the English countryside.
The park has over 900 animals, including the largest herd of black rhino in the UK, as well as gorillas, giraffes, leopards and bears.
The hotel itself is four-stars and rooms vary from the Tiger Lodge - where you can wake up with a tiger at your window.
You will also get your own golf buggy and can race off to the safari park at your leisure.
New English hotel named among best in the world despite being open less than a year - with incredible secret spy bar
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The former station turned hotel is in Petworth
Credit: The Old Railway Station
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There are 11 rooms to choose from in The Old Railway Station - and all are en suite
Credit: The Old Railway Station
Guests can also choose from the Treehouses to Forest Hideaway cabins and Leopard Creek - where you can sleep metres away from the rare cats.
One reviewer wrote: "We stayed in Leopard Creek and were lucky enough to see the leopards up close on the first evening.
"The bottle of Prosecco and range of teas and Nespresso coffees meant that we were looked after as well as the animals."
Another unique stay in the UK is The Old Railway Station in Petworth.
Petworth Railway Station was originally built in 1892 and closed to passengers in 1955 and has been open as a guest house since 1995.
There are 11 rooms to choose from, all of which are en-suite
You can enjoy breakfast in the former train station's original waiting room which has a 20ft high vaulted ceiling.
In the summer, you can eat out on the platform in front of the exotic garden.
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St. Ermin's is Tripadvisor's sixth best hotel in the world
Credit: St. Ermin's Hotel
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St. Ermin's Hotel in St James is the sixth best hotel in the world according to Tripadvisor
Credit: St. Ermin's Hotel
Meanwhile, St. Ermin's Hotel in London has been crowned as the sixth best hotel in the world, it has children's concierge, and is home to thousands of worker bees.
Tripadvisor has put together a list of the 'Best of the Best Hotels' all based on customer reviews and ratings.
St. Ermin's Hotel was revealed to be the sixth best in the world, and the second best hotel in Europe.
It's part of Marriott's Autograph Collection and is found in the heart of St. James.
What travellers love the most about the hotel is the butler service, restaurant and bar.
What visitors might be most surprised to find at St. Ermin's Hotel is that it's home to 35,000 bees.
They are up on the third floor in what they call the 'bee hotel' where they go about their business of making honey - which is used in the hotel kitchen.
Guests can observe them safely from behind glass.
The hotel also has a Kids Concierge service which is dedicated to keeping children entertained.
This includes activities like being a spy for the day and using codes to crack clues around the hotel - at the end they get a mocktail in Caxton Bar.
St. Ermin's is also dog friendly and has some hotel rooms that allow them.
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The worker bees are found on the rooftop on the third floor
Credit: St. Ermin's Hotel
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You can enjoy lots of drinks up on The Terrace
Credit: St. Ermin's Hotel
In the hotel are is a restaurant called the Caxton Grill where you can enjoy the buffet breakfast or in the evening, enjoy a three course meal for £45.
The Terrace offers small plates like cheese and charcuterie boards along with a huge selection of champagne, wine, beer and cocktails.
As well as the Caxton Bar, there's also a Tea Lounge where afternoon tea is served daily between 12 noon and 5.30pm.
The rooms vary from a superior double to suites which have separate sitting areas and a marble bathroom.
Lots of the reviews on Tripadvisor say the concierge gives 'first-class' service, from getting theatre tickets to giving local recommendations and travel tips.
Another wrote: "Truly one of the best hotels we ever stayed in London."
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At the top of the best hotels in the world is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Credit: Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
The hotel that topped the list and is Tripadvisor's 'Best of the Best Hotels' in the world is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico.
The hotel also secured the number one spot in two other categories: All-Inclusive and Treat Yourself.
The resort is perched on the edge of the Caribbean sea, and has earned complimented by reviewers for its impressive spa and wellness centre and selection of pools.
Here Are The Top 10 Hotels In The World According To Tipadvisor
The hotels have been chosen by reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor... Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang, Vietnam Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach, India Romance Istanbul Hotel, Turkey Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba, Caribbean St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection, UK Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Caribbean French Quarter Inn, USA Chandys Windy Woods, India Siyam World Maldives, Maldives