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Meet the Independent Hotel of the Year 2026 finalists: Over 50 Rooms
The Independent Hotel Show Awards celebrate the hotels, individuals and design projects raising standards across the UK’s independent hospitality sector. This year, the Independent Hotel of the Year award has been divided into two categories, recognising the different strengths and achievements of hotels over and under 50 rooms.
Here, we introduce the five properties shortlisted for Independent Hotel of the Year – Over 50 Rooms, each demonstrating its own distinctive approach to independent hospitality.
Another Place, The Lake
Set within 18 acres of grounds on the shores of Ullswater, Another Place, The Lake combines the restorative qualities of its Lake District setting with a distinctly active approach to hospitality. Guests can take to the water for wild swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding, relax in the Swim Club or fellside sauna, and stay in accommodation ranging from contemporary hotel rooms and family suites to shepherd huts and a secluded treehouse. Its restaurants showcase local and seasonal ingredients, while the hotel’s wider sustainability programme encompasses renewable electricity, biomass heating, reduced single-use plastics and support for local conservation and community projects. The result is a hotel that encourages guests to connect with the landscape rather than simply admire it.
Horwood House
Horwood House brings together historic character, contemporary hospitality and a strong connection to its Buckinghamshire surroundings. Set among 38 acres of landscaped grounds and woodland, the hotel offers thoughtfully designed bedrooms, H Spa, Harry’s Bar & Kitchen and the more intimate 1911 Restaurant, alongside extensive spaces for weddings, celebrations and business events. Its commitment to responsible hospitality can be seen throughout the estate, from restoring its orchard and supporting local suppliers to introducing reusable bedroom bottles, EV charging points and initiatives that benefit Crisis. For every night a guest chooses to skip a room service, the hotel donates a hot meal to the homelessness charity, while its dedicated Crisis Charity Coffee Lounge provides another imaginative link between the guest experience and wider social impact.
The Grand, York
Housed within the former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway Company, The Grand, York has transformed an Edwardian landmark into the city’s only five-star hotel. Its sense of place extends across the guest experience, from locally inspired dining and its Cookery School to the recently launched SubRosa spa, created within the building’s historic vaults. The hotel also places its people and community at the heart of the business, investing in training, internal progression, accessibility and partnerships that create routes into hospitality employment. Environmental measures include refillable amenities, reduced single-use plastics, rooftop beehives and an employee-led Green Team. Through its combination of heritage, wellness, food, community engagement and warm Yorkshire hospitality, The Grand has created a destination that reaches well beyond the traditional city hotel experience.
The Newman
Located in the heart of Fitzrovia, The Newman represents a new generation of independent London hospitality: design-led, culturally connected and rooted in its neighbourhood. Its 81 rooms, suites and apartments take inspiration from the character of the surrounding area, while Brasserie Angelica, Gambit Bar and its wellness spaces make the hotel a destination for local Londoners as well as overnight guests. Partnerships, cultural programming and recommendations highlighting Fitzrovia’s independent businesses help guests experience the neighbourhood from a more local perspective. Behind the scenes, team members are encouraged to bring their own personalities and judgement to their roles, creating service that feels natural rather than scripted. Stylish without being showy and luxurious without losing its warmth, The Newman offers a confident and contemporary interpretation of independent hospitality.
The Tempus
Set on the Charlton Hall Estate in Northumberland, The Tempus has transformed former cattle sheds into a bold and playful countryside hotel. Individually designed bedrooms and suites are complemented by luxury yurts and lakeside cabins, while a varied programme of live music, stargazing evenings, wellness retreats and family experiences gives guests new ways to engage with the estate. Its food and drink offering celebrates Northumberland producers, with regional ingredients and partnerships helping to give the hotel a clear sense of place. Sustainability is supported through measures including biomass heating, electric kitchens, refillable amenities and reduced single-use plastics. Having been named Small Hotel of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, The Tempus demonstrates how an independent hotel can combine creative design, local collaboration and an informal approach to luxury.
The winner of Independent Hotel of the Year – Over 50 Rooms will be revealed at the Independent Hotel Show Awards on 5 October 2026. The ceremony takes place from 17:00 at Olympia London, following the first day of the Independent Hotel Show.
The Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, takes place on 5–6 October 2026 at Olympia London. Register for your free trade ticket here.
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