The best boutique hotels in the UK revealed
The Top 50 Boutique Hotels in the UK were unveiled 22 November 2022. The much-anticipated list is curated and voted by leading industry experts, hoteliers, travel writers and influencers.
London represented with five hotels in the Top 50; Artist Residence (7th), The Mandrake (19th), L’Oscar London (26th), The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell (37th), and Henrietta Hotel (43rd).
This year’s number one is Lime Wood Hotel, set in the heart of the spectacular New Forest national park. Jumping up 18 places from last year’s list, Lime Wood Hotel features cosy eaves rooms as well as indulgent forest lodges. This secluded hideaway is home to the Herb House Spa, complete with indoor and outdoor pools with stunning forest views. With luxurious landscaped groups, Lime Wood Hotel is only 90 minutes from London and 20 minutes from the coast.
The Southwest of England dominated this year’s list with its stylish staycations taking 14 of the Top 50 spots, as well as the Lime Wood Hotel. Heckfield Place, in Hampshire took third place, weaving modern sustainability into the luxury boutique hotel experience seamlessly.
The North of England is well represented with seven in the list from Cumbria and the Lake District, including Another Place and Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms. Scotland, with four from the list, including The Fife Arms and Foyers Lodge.
This year’s Highest New Entrant is Lympstone Manor at number five on the list. Based in Devon, this country house is set on 28 acres of grounds, including their 10-acre vineyard, elegant estuary suites and cosy shepherd huts by the water. Chef Michael Caines MBE heads up the Michelin-starred kitchen and focuses on seasonality and local produce.
This year’s award winner for Food & Beverage, Number One Bruton, in the heart of Somerset. Most Unique Experience was claimed by Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Cumbria, and the Best Service award taken by Gravetye Manor, nestled in the Sussex countryside. Beaverbrook is this year’s Highest Climber, moving up from 45th to 32nd on the list is another Southeast success, based in the Surrey Hills.
Chris Lowe, Group Director, Hospitality and Manufacturing at William Reed says “We’re delighted to be revealing this fantastic new list and see such strong movement in this year’s Top 50 Boutique Hotels. Our number one has jumped up 18 places from last year and the highest new entry is number 5 which is testament to those teams’ stellar efforts. With staycations continuing to be a focus for Britons, it is encouraging to see such strong regional presence this year and such a wide range of unique hotel experiences to enjoy.”
The Boutique Hotel list follows on from the success of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars, as well as the long running and ever-popular Top 50 Gastropubs. Now, consumers have the complete and definitive guide of where to eat, drink, and sleep throughout the UK.
