There are tons of wonderful boutique hotels in the UK – the question is, which one to choose? From thoughtfully-designed sanctuaries in the countryside to affordable city-centre boltholes, we’ve got boutique hotels in the UK to suit all tastes. Here are some of our favourites…
Linthwaite House
Hikers, foodies and serenity-seekers will find much to enjoy at this charming boutique hotel in the Lake District. Perched upon a hilltop, it overlooks shimmering Windermere and sits in 14-acres of scenic gardens. The interiors are a seamless blend of original features and contemporary décor, while on-site restaurant Henrock showcases seasonal ingredients in an elegant setting – opened by Simon Rogan, and with Brian Limoges at the helm, expect the likes of confit trout with koshihikari rice, swiss chard and roasted shrimp sauce, and dry-aged lamb with beetroot, pickled berries and poppy seeds.
Explore Linthwaite House – rooms from £189 per night.
Cowley Manor
There’s a laid-back vibe to this country house, and a real focus on comfort; surrounded by over 50-acres of rolling Cotswolds parkland, it’s a place to really get away from it all. Spacious rooms boast striking bespoke furniture and fabrics, and on-site C-Side spa has both indoor and outdoor pools. The Restaurant features modern takes on classics, expertly delivered by Chef David Kelman. How does pan-fried Creedy Carver duck breast with creamed celeriac followed by banana panna cotta with toffee, shortbread crumble and vanilla madeleines sound?
Explore Cowley Manor – rooms from £180 per night.
Cliveden House
A superb boutique hotel in Berkshire visited in the past by Churchill, Lennon and Chaplin, the suites are named after guests who are part of the stately home’s colourful history. The spa provides a haven of tranquillity and offers an impressive choice of beauty therapies, and food-wise, head to the formal Dining Room for seasonal dishes (think paprika-cured monkfish with blood orange, sherry and oregano, or roasted cod loin with crab ‘lasagna’, fennel and apple). Astor Grill on the other hand is a more casual option, and first-rate Afternoon Tea is served in the Great Hall.
Explore Cliveden House – rooms from £445 per night.
The Fish
Quirky huts with hot tubs or a cool, countryside hotel? Both, and at an affordable price. Hidden within the 400-acre Farncombe estate, not far from sister hotels Foxhill Manor and Dormy House, this stylish, outdoorsy getaway in the heart of the Cotswolds is a unique find. Watch a film in their dinky 14-seater cinema room before checking out on-site restaurant Hook – stylish, laid-back, welcoming, and championing seafood, dishes on the menu range from smoked haddock Scotch egg with curry sauce, and whole sea bass stuffed with mussels and fennel, to battered whiting with soft-shell crab and seaweed fries.
Explore The Fish – rooms from £135 per night.
11 Cadogan Gardens
Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of the capital, this boutique property was built by Lord Chelsea in 1887. A brief stroll from the designer shops of Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, the enchanting retreat welcomes children too. Back at the hotel, Hans’ Bar & Grill offers an all-day menu in contemporary surroundings. Start with a pre-drink in the gold and charcoal-hued bar before sampling plates such as curried parsnip and apple soup with home-made shallot bread, ham hock, smoked chicken and leek terrine with spiced pear, and Dover sole meuniere with coastal herbs and brown shrimp salsa verde.
Explore 11 Cadogan Gardens – rooms from £204 per night.
Lygon Arms
This family-friendly property with roots back to Tudor times can be found on the High Street in Broadway. Sleep in the suite that Oliver Cromwell stayed in the night before the Battle of Worcester in 1651, or choose from one of the other characterful rooms – some are dog-friendly. Check out the Bar & Grill for dinner, where British produce is celebrated using local ingredients from local Cotswold suppliers. Bubble and squeak with poached egg and hollandaise, crispy squid with chipotle sauce, and Beef Wellington are just a few of the tasty offerings on the menu.
Explore Lygon Arms – rooms from £185 per night.
St Michaels Resort
The ultimate coastal haven, this beachside property in Falmouth offers nautical-themed accommodation (four-legged friends are allowed in some rooms), top spa facilities, a health club, and sub-tropical gardens with exceptional ocean views – its prime seafront location provides direct access to Blue Flag status Gyllyngvase. Brasserie On The Bay serves up catch-of-the-day fish and seafood alongside meat and vege dishes; expect the likes of crab risotto with preserved lemon, red mullet fillets with chorizo, or squash curry. And Mediterranean-inspired Garden Kitchen offers a relaxed option, with choices such as pizza, quiche and salad.
Explore St Michaels Resort – rooms from £71 per night.
No.15 Great Pulteney
An impressive Grade I listed Georgian townhouse in Bath, this visually appealing bolthole features an underground spa and characterful rooms. If you’re after an unrivalled sybaritic experience, we recommend plumping for the Hideout suite with its very own hot tub and steam room. To eat? The Dispensary dining room is lined on one side by an antique chemist’s unit complete with apothecary bottles, and serves beautifully executed dishes. Expect hearty plates such as suckling pig croquette and pressed belly of pork with apple and pine nut purée, and pan-seared scallops with roasted cauliflower, crispy kale and parsley oil.
Explore No.15 Great Pulteney – rooms from £115 per night.
Chewton Glen
Situated in Hampshire’s New Forest, this is the perfect escape for both couples and families; supervised activities are the order of the day at The Beehive children’s club, ranging from arts and crafts to treasure hunts. There are room types to suit all, from traditional and contemporary bedrooms to treehouses built on stilts. A talented bunch head up The Dining Room restaurant, and with many ingredients travelling less than 100 yards from the kitchen garden, food miles are kept to a minimum. Feast on plates such as slow-cooked daube of beef with smoked polenta and bordelaise sauce, and barbecued cauliflower, with smoked goat’s cheese, almonds and watercress.
Explore Chewton Glen – rooms from £325 per night.
Crazy Bear Stadhampton
The original of the group and delighting guests since 1993, this decadent hideaway is just 10 miles from Oxford. Surrounded by lush gardens in an 80-acre estate of working farmland, individually and lavishly designed rooms await – think gold, silver, crushed velvet, marble, and freestanding, in-room bathtubs. Food-wise, choose from British or Thai fare – Gloucestershire old spot pork and Welsh badger face lamb are reared at the farm and delivered daily to the kitchens. And at the heart of the hotel is a 16th-century pub, sympathetically restored with the addition of quirky extras.