Derbyshire hotel, restaurant and golf destination Morley Hayes has been named the 7th Best Hotel in the UK & Channel Islands in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026 - making it the highest-ranked hotel in the Midlands for the third consecutive year.
It is also one of only a handful of hotels within this year’s Top 25 list that remains family-owned and owner-managed, having been under the same family stewardship for almost 35 years.
The four-star, 32-bedroom hotel has climbed six places in TripAdvisor's annual rankings, rising from 13th position in 2025 to achieve its highest-ever ranking.
The TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards represent the highest level of excellence in global travel, recognising fewer than one per cent of TripAdvisor's more than eight million hotel listings worldwide. Winners are determined by the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings submitted by travellers over a 12-month period.
In the UK and Channel Islands alone, around 6,500 hotels are listed on TripAdvisor, making Morley Hayes’ position within the top 10 an exceptional achievement.
The hotel currently holds an exceptional 4.9-star TripAdvisor rating from more than 1,120 guest reviews, with more than 97.8 per cent of reviewers rating their stay as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’.
Morley Hayes joins a distinguished group of hotels across the UK. Of the Top 25 hotels, ten are in London. Royal Lancaster London claimed the top spot, with Hotel 41 in London ranking second.
Other notable entries in the Top 25 include Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen; Brown’s Hotel, London; Aviator Hampshire, Farnborough; Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire; 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh and Greenhills Country House Hotel, Jersey.
Guests consistently praise Morley Hayes hotel for its exceptional standards of cleanliness, spacious and well-appointed accommodation, with many highlighting ‘a real warmth to the service’ and attention to detail throughout their stay.
Visitors frequently describe their experience as ‘a genuine five-star experience from start to finish’. The hotel is renowned for its picturesque Derbyshire setting and relaxing atmosphere, with many guests saying they leave feeling ‘relaxed and refreshed’.
Commenting on the recognition, Andrew Allsop, joint managing director at Morley Hayes, said:
“To be recognised as the seventh best hotel in the UK and among the top one per cent of hotels worldwide is an incredible achievement and one we are immensely proud of.
“To break into the national top 10 for the first time and remain the highest-ranked hotel in the Midlands for a third consecutive year is particularly rewarding.
“This recognition reflects the hard work, commitment and professionalism of our entire team, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.
"My brother Robert and I would like to thank all our wonderful staff for their dedication, and our guests for their continued support and the fantastic reviews that have made this recognition possible."
Laurel Greatrix, Chief Communications Officer, TripAdvisor Group, added:
“Congratulations to The Morley Hayes Hotel on its TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award: Best of the Best win for 2026.
“Earning a place among the top percentage of listings globally is no small feat. It reflects the lasting impression made on travellers who took the time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience.
“Travellers look to TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best as a trusted guide to the world’s top destinations and experiences. We hope this recognition helps inspire even more visitors in 2026 and beyond!”
Set in the stunning Derbyshire countryside overlooking parkland golf courses, Morley Hayes is a premier hotel, dining and leisure destination, featuring 32 luxury bedrooms, three restaurants and extensive golf facilities.
Dining options include the two AA Rosette Dovecote Restaurant, alongside Roosters Bar & Restaurant and the Spike Bar. Golf facilities include the championship 18-hole Manor Course, the nine-hole Tower Course, a 26-bay floodlit driving range and a dedicated Golf Academy.
For the full list of the UK's Top 25 Hotels in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026, visit TripAdvisor Top 25 Hotels UK 2026.
For further information about Morley Hayes, www.morleyhayes.com
