Best Boutique Hotels in England

Idiosyncratic, whimsical and charming is what makes Oddfellow Boutique Hotel in Chester so unique. Located in the city centre within the city walls in a former Georgian Townhouse, the hotel offers boutique rooms, a fabulous cocktail bar and a gorgeous restaurant to dine in. Bedrooms are contemporary but warmlu in finish and filled with fun and curious accessories in keeping with the hotel’s name. Beds are luxuriously comfy, some rooms have roll top baths and loft rooms have exposed wood beam ceilings and if you want to go all out head to the Douglas Duplex Suite built in tribute to architect John Douglas who shaped much. The suite is split level, with sitting room, mezzanine bedroom with its own roll top bath in the bedroom. Formality is not the name of the game here so you eat anywhere in the hotel, from the glorious wood panelled cocktail bar to the hotel’s stunning restaurant or outside when the weather is nice.

Fleming’s is situated on Half Moon Street. Here, modern luxury blends with a historical legacy that offers a range of accommodation packages to the modern traveller. From deluxe singles to double suites, there is something for everyone. Each room is colour-coordinated and incorporates key features of a previous artistic style. The hotel has a gym which boasts the latest cardiovascular and weight-resistance equipment. Dine at Ormer Mayfair, take afternoon tea in the Drawing Room or have cocktails in the Manetta’s Bar. It is all there to enjoy.

The Hotel du Vin and Bistro is an impressive Grade II listed building which has been transformed from its darker days as a 19th-century orphanage, to a modern luxurious 44-bed boutique hotel. Situated on the edge of the city, it is close enough for a short trip to the racecourse or city centre, yet far enough away to provide that relaxing end to a busy day. With hand-sprung mattresses, sumptuous linen and beautiful bathrooms the suites have a cosy, relaxing appeal. A great little hotel for a business stopover, or celebratory short break.

Stay on a secluded private island once frequented by royalty, aristocrats notable writers, performers and artists. The 18th-century low-rise complex is made up of Grade I listed pavilions flanked by weeping willows, landscaped grounds and surrounded by the peaceful flowing water of the Thames. There are 40 guest rooms, the grandest being the Wedgewood Suite, designed by the award-winning New York-based Champalimaud Design. Private residences, a spa, brasserie and two bars are also found on the estate.

Located in the middle of London’s flashy Pimlico neighbourhood, in the district of Westminster. This small boutique hotel is set up in a recently re-established and modernised Georgian townhouse. The Artist Residence London consists of ten high-ceilinged rooms offering luxury accommodation, a stylish cocktail bar and an all-day restaurant. The décor includes contemporary artwork, bare brick walls and all sorts of elegant clutter – from tea crates, Kilner jars to bespoke milking stools remodelled into bedside tables.

Return to the splendour of the Georgian era at Batty Langley’s. 29 suites are inspired by 18th/19th-century life and notable characters of the ages. There are two lounges for guests’ use, one with an honesty bar (the epitome of fancy boutique London hospitality) providing a recipe book for cocktail making. Breakfast can be served in these, or in your room. This establishment is certainly a place to lounge in your room till late and order room service at any time of the day or night; Batty’s has a theatrical decadence about it, that’s made for minimooners.

Housed in a 19th-century building on Holbein Place, this Victorian mansion now exudes French sensibilities along with an eternal British charm. Hotelier Costes and designer François-Joseph Graf have created a discreet home-from-home with just 30 period bedrooms and suites, ranging from a “Mini” to a two-bedroom apartment. Enter via the Neo-Greek lobby and descend to the lower-ground floor speakeasy bar. Or climb to the top, where you can dine in the candlelit restaurant, surrounded by stained-glass windows, a mosaic floor and an antique collection of Anglo-Chinese vases. Vintage albums and a signature scene throughout create an immersive feel at One Sloane.

The antidote to London’s largeness, the bijou Boundary has but 17 rooms, ensuring a boutique ambience in the surroundings of a former Victorian warehouse. Each has been individually designed in the spirit of Shoreditch’s commitment to creativity, boasting funky, edgy and arty decor that’s entirely unique and very imaginative. And you’d expect nothing less when you discover that this hotel is owned by Sir Terence Conran, himself a design legend. At the top is its Rooftop Bar & Grill, within a glass extension that enables far-reaching views as you dine, whatever the weather.

Housed in an ivy-clad Georgian Mansion surrounded by wrought iron railings, Hotel du Vin enjoys a prime setting on the quaint Town Quay. The property is a former merchant’s house, turned chic modern boutique hotel. It provides a comfortable familiarity for those already au fait with the chain and is large enough to provide facilities such as a courtyard for alfresco drinks, a bar and a bistro (serving French and British-inspired cuisine), alongside a sense of exclusivity (there are just 38 individually styled bedrooms).

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the New Forest in Beaulieu, Grade II listed hotel The Montagu Arms offers a chic and stylish escape. With its elegant bedrooms and suites, three AA Rosette Terrace Restaurant led by new Head Chef Matthew Whitfield (previously of Eleven Madison Park), and stunning grounds and gardens; it’s the perfect getaway for those looking for a luxury, gastronomic experience.

Set in 67 acres of picturesque gardens 350 feet above Lake Windermere, this luxurious yet tranquil establishment is the perfect place to unwind in style. Waking up to the sight of deer roaming freely through the palatial grounds is an experience that guests are sure to love. This beautiful Georgian Gothic-Revival house opened its doors to guests in 2002 and has been extensively renovated to provide guests with plenty of lavish modern touches. There are twelve rooms in total to choose from, which boast pretty lake or garden views from their spacious balconies as well as marble bathrooms. Guests are invited to book a cocktail or wine-tasting master class, while walking tours of the area are regularly organised.

A Grade II* Listed Georgian mansion built in 1827, The Churchill Hotel has previously served as a school, a private home and a government office. Dewsnaps is the main restaurant; a modern British brasserie. The Wellington bar is the hotel’s watering hole and there’s a new beer garden, with igloos for private dining during the winter season and a fairytale bothy space. Quirky and classic rooms have Duck Island toiletries — for the utmost luxury, book The Prince of Wales suite, once patronised by His Majesty King Edward VII. It has high ceilings, arched windows, a king size four-poster bed and a free-standing copper roll-top bath.