Unique luxury cottages in the UK

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to live in the time of knights and princesses, then a visit to this castle that was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror is a must-visit. When it comes to the best boutique hotels in the United Kingdom, we simply have to include somewhere a little eccentric. 16-room Cow Hollow in the Northern Quarter of Manchester fits the bill thanks to its palm trees, lavish furnishings, and the almost jungle vibes that can be felt throughout. Once the home to a working textiles factory, nowadays the hotel is renowned for its elegant rooms and buzzing cocktail bar. Discover our full list of the best boutique hotels in London. We’re sharing others unique and available boutique retreats which are aligned to our style of accommodation.

holidayinspirations

Obsessed with design-led hotels and exploring new places, she created The Hotel Journal to share these unique accommodations and hyper-local travel experiences with you. Northern-born Chef Paul Johnson ensures that the F&B offering reflects the very best regional and seasonal delights and guests won’t want to miss a visit to the medieval vaulted pub onsite. Here, you’ll find our list of the best boutique hotels in the Lake District. Boutique & luxury hotel reviews and unque travel experiences curated by local journalists. We felt extremely lucky to be the first guests to stay in at The Ruby Retreat.

Described as a ‘Fairytale Gothic Mansion’, The Forest Side in Grasmere is the ultimate romantic fantasy, set in the midst of iconic natural wonders. Once a private home, the hotel offers a selection of rooms that have all been designed to feel like a quintessential cottage home. Originally built in the 1730s, this boutique hotel in Cardiff offers guests a historic stay in a Grade 2 listed building.

A creaky staircase leads to eight lively bedrooms that impress with bold colours — candyfloss pinks and sparky greens — and vintage finds from flea markets. Expect chunky retro bathtubs, vinyl players with quirky albums to choose from, and a nostalgia hit from Tunnock’s Teacakes. The restaurant serves modern British plates and excellent seafood. Add Deal’s galleries, shingle beach and vintage shops on the doorstep and you’ve got one of the south coast’s most characterful boutique stays. Boutique Luxury Retreats connects future guests directly to owners and is the go-to directory for those looking for unique and stylish escapes.

• There are plenty of photo opportunities to be had here with added activities happening over school holidays and Christmas time.
• We’re not an agency, we’re providing an exclusive directory of inspired holiday retreats with simple search functionality.
• Obsessed with design-led hotels and exploring new places, she created The Hotel Journal to share these unique accommodations and hyper-local travel experiences with you.
• Foodies will want to head straight to the restaurant where Executive Head Chef Andrew Baird celebrates the finest local produce Jersey has to offer.
• Food is cooked by the family onsite and made from local and seasonal ingredients.

Family Retreats

Our staff have first hand experience of many of our properties and would be happy to help you find your perfect holiday cottage. Stay connected with retreat magic and be the first to know about our new additions. We promise to only fill your inbox with the dreamiest staycation stories and luxury travel moments. Head to 1789 for a refined menu featuring the very best local produce, or indulge in your favourite tipple at stylish Darwin’s Bar. The property was beautifully decorated and exceptionally clean. The hosts had left milk, tea, coffee, sugar etc so no need to bring any of that and great that you can have a cuppa on arrival.

There’s a great selection of hotels to choose from in the Lake District these days, but for wow factor, it’s hard to top Another Place. This lakeside beauty on the shores of Ullswater combines the shell of an old country hotel with a striking modern extension, housing perhaps the most dramatic pool in the entire Lake District. But it’s the relaxed style and sense of fun that sells it — from midnight lake swims to paddleboarding sessions, it’s a place that positively encourages you to explore the great outdoors.

There are plenty of photo opportunities to be had here with added activities happening over school holidays and Christmas time. Join our community to receive our best offers and latest news. We can hold any property free for 24 hours while you check with the group. There are holidays, and then there are holidays with a pool. The kind where the kids stop asking what’s next.

The motel goes all modish at this stylish Sussex spot, in a handy location just behind Camber Sands, and only a quick drive away from Rye. A beachy vibe runs throughout, with slatted wood, stone, signs and a lovely garden filled with coastal shrubs and blossoms. The rooms vary in size from snug cabin-style ones to the Luxury Garden Rooms, private living space with its own key with French doors opening onto private decks.

The Tassimo machine and pods made delicious fresh coffees and Alexa was a nice extra. If you’re heading to bonnie Scotland, then you kind of have to stay in a castle, at least once anyway. With 29 rooms and suites that have been occupied by the likes of Queen Victoria and Oliver Cromwell during its 700-year history, Dalhousie Castle is the perfect place to indulge. Explore the historic passageways, take in a spot of falconry on the grounds, and be sure to enjoy dinner in the candlelit dungeon. The Kent coast may have led the boutique revival, but Boys Hall just outside Ashford is proof the Garden of England is catching up fast. This renovated 17th-century manor opened in 2023 and has since become a book-ahead favourite with those looking for a rural escape.

Off the beaten track: Hidden gems in Cornwall

It combines period character with relaxed, modern polish — roaring fires, slouchy sofas and low-lit lounges that encourage lingering. Upstairs, nine individually styled bedrooms mix antique furniture, rich fabrics and freestanding tubs, while a flask of Kentish apple brandy is a thoughtful touch. We absolutely loved our stay at Burns Yard Apartment. We would definitely stay there again next time we visit Whitby. The apartment was spotless when we arrived and is super stylish.

The hosts were really welcoming with messages in the property and on email. The courtyard area was great for the puppy and nice for getting fresh air. They also had all the things you need for pet owners too which was great. I would definitely stay again and recommend to friends.

Unsurprisingly, seafood features highly on the menu at Harry’s Restaurant; there are packages including dinner as well as B&B rates. Friendly, informal and relaxed, the Gallivant is all about breezy beach walks, kicking back with a good book and perhaps a sunrise yoga sesh if you’re feeling energetic. Part of The Pig hotel family that has outposts around Great Britain, The Pig at Combe is a fun place to check-in when heading to the south coast. With 27 rooms all designed with the perfect blend of homely and chic, you’ll fall in love with the vintage and plant-filled spaces here. Sample home-grown delights at the restaurant before heading to the Potting Shed for a blissful spa treatment.

Take in the sweeping views of the countryside and stay in guest rooms that promise country chic interiors with all the mod cons. Our handpicked collections offer a boutique and luxury alternative to the standard holiday cottage or hotel. Browse through our beautiful collections ranging from romantic adult only bolt holes, family and dog-friendly retreats, rural retreats to boutique wedding venues and country houses. No hotel in Cornwall can match the eye-popping location of the Scarlet, perched on the cliffs above the golden beach of Mawgan Porth.