Malmesbury, United Kingdom
The Old Bell Hotel
Maximalist medieval inn
Maximalist medieval inn
The 800-year-old inn layers bold British patterns and eccentric antiques over its medieval stone structure.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Thirteenth-century abbey guest house origins preserve an original stone hooded fireplace from 1220.
Notable
Maximalist English wallpapers, eclectic antiques, and eight thousand hand-painted gold ceiling stars.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The 800-year Old Bell Hotel, in the Cotswold town of Malmesbury, might be the oldest inn in England.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Malmesbury Abbey stands directly next door, and the historic high street sits a short stroll through quiet market lanes.
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The rooms
Each bedroom carries distinct British wallpapers and antiques, with bold patterns that sometimes extend right across the ceiling.
At the table
Abbey Row serves inventive modern British dishes, and Tyger Bar pours drinks beneath the heated courtyard pergola.
How it began
Texan owners Kim and Whit Hanks bought the hotel in 2021, discovering ancestral roots in Malmesbury that reach back to 1180.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.