Although the word boutique normally implies something smaller in stature, that is not always the case when finding a hotel of this classification. Boutique hotels may traditionally have fewer rooms, and less expansive grounds and facilities, but, crucially, the quality of these establishments is often of the highest order.
There are many boutique hotels throughout the UK, but a few stand head and shoulders above the rest and have all the hallmarks of a five-star experience guests might expect to find in either a resort or city hotel. From the rugged coastline of Wales to the high fells of the Lake District, the following selections are amongst the very best boutique hotels the UK has to offer.
Lime Wood, Hampshire
Although there are no remains of the former 13th-century hunting lodge, which acted as a gateway into the New Forest’s bountiful woods for local and visiting nobility, Lime Wood’s magnificent Georgian manor house remains very much intact. The forest retreat underwent a major remodelling process after falling into decline in the early 2000s and has returned to prominence as one of Hampshire’s most respected boutique hotels. The decorative, Regency style interiors have been lovingly restored to status, with bespoke furnishings which ensure the aesthetic matches its heritage, but retains a modern touch.
Speaking of modern touches, the Herb House Spa is a delightful addition to the property, with its rooftop meditation area, indoor and outdoor heated pools, and relaxing float tank ensuring Lime Wood guests experience the pinnacle of wellness. With a fabulous restaurant courtesy of Chef Angela Hartnett delivering the flavours of the forest through fine dining, and plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding parkland, Lime Wood offers a boutique hotel experience that helps bring its guests closer to their abundant natural surroundings.
The Fife Arms, Scotland
From the Medieval period up until the end of the Regency era, coachhouses were inviting, warm, and filled with hospitality in abundance to offer weary travellers respite from the hard journeys around the country by horse and carriage. The Fife Arms, nestled within the charming yet rugged landscape of Scotland’s Highlands, carries on that tradition. A converted coach house that has been transformed by the curated taste of its art dealing owners, the Fife Arms exhibits over 16,000 curated pieces including works by Picasso and Lucien Freud, with each bedroom boasting a unique design and furnishings among artwork.
Undoubtedly an art lover's paradise, the hotel boasts a beautiful dining room and a cocktail and whiskey-tasting bar. One of the real cornerstones of the property is its beautiful library, complete with another carefully curated collection of rare books. The Fife Arms is a perfect destination for walkers, located in the Cairngorms, with exclusive access to local estates for deer stalking, as well as bordering the royal estate of Balmoral. With the King known to enjoy taking walks around his family’s estate, visitors to The Fife Arms never know who they may bump into when out trekking around the beautiful highlands.
The Gilpin, Cumbria
Amid its high fells and moors, Cumbria might not be the first part of the UK one would imagine finding a Scandinavian-style hotel, but that is precisely what The Gilpin offers. Close to Lake Windermere in the heart of the Lake District, The Gilpin family’s private residence has been transformed into a scion of Nordic decor. Freestanding bathtubs, saunas, and fire pits meet period English bedrooms and private spa lodges complete with personal hydrotherapy pools.
Against the stunning scenic backdrop, the theme fits perfectly, with guests able to retreat into the wilderness and embrace cold water swimming, hiking, and boating on the many lakes surrounding the property. The Michelin guide recommends SOURCE, the on-site restaurant offering delicious pan-Asian dishes with locally sourced ingredients. The Gilpin is one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience that many dream of.
Newforge House, Northern Ireland
There aren’t many hotels that offer honesty bars as part of their package left in the world. Maybe it’s a hallmark of Irish culture, but the Newforge House provides an intimate and enriching experience for guests that feels very much in keeping with the warmth of the people of Northern Ireland. This Georgian period manor house may only have six beautiful bedrooms, but its exclusivity and fine furnishings are all a guest needs to feel right at home.
Set in the luscious green countryside of County Armagh near the banks of the River Lagan, guests enjoy long scenic walks through the county’s picturesque landscape, perhaps indulging in a visit to a local whiskey distillery to learn more about the craft behind Ireland’s national spirit. The country’s capital city of Belfast is a short drive away, as is the majestic waters of Lough Neagh – ideal for day-trippers who wish to maximise time spent exploring during their stay.
The Rectory Hotel, Wiltshire
The Cotswolds Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the most celebrated of all countryside areas in the UK, filled with endless walking trails, charming villages, and of course, exceptional boutique hotels. One such example is The Rectory, in the quaint village of Crudwell in the heart of the Cotswolds. Built in the 18th century, The Rectory has been substantially renovated but still retains much of its original Georgian character with hand-painted wallpaper, velvet armchairs, and similar tasteful furnishings that offer comfort without moving away from the property’s heritage.
The Rectory provides a heated outdoor pool for guests to use throughout the year and a stylish hotel bar to tap into delicious cocktails either before or after sampling the restaurant’s wonderful farm-to-table dishes. With so much to explore in the area, the hotel serves as a warm and welcoming retreat for visitors to retire to at the end of a long day exploring the delights the Cotswolds has to offer. Alternatively, it is a wonderful quiet, and peaceful part of the world, for a welcome break and proper relaxation.
The Grove of Narberth, Wales
Pembrokeshire, the majestic Atlantic coastline of South Wales is revered for its dramatic cliffs, an abundance of walking trails, and charming, stone-built cottages dotted throughout the area. This is where inland visitors will find the Grove of Narbeth, a delightful country retreat built from an old Georgian longhouse. Lovingly uplifted, with restored brickwork and exposed beams, each bedroom has been individually designed and tastefully furnished with a mix of modern and antique items.
At the Grove, visitors can enjoy fire-side sitting rooms to lounge in by day or night, private gardens to explore, and the choice of two restaurants. The Fernery offers award-winning fine dining whilst its sister restaurant, The Artisan Rooms, serves up seasonal dishes made with locally sourced produce. Guests will relish the wonderful countryside and follow the myriad of walking trails to either the sea or, follow the river from nearby Blackpool along the banks of the Cleddau Ddu. The area is one of the most beautiful to explore in all of Wales and The Grove serves as a wonderful base from which to venture out.
