Now lockdown has lifted, there’s is a mad rush for getaway breaks in the UK’s most beautiful locations with all of the most incredible boutique hotels filling up in an instant. Many members are asking us to book for summer and beyond, and our in-house Travel team is busy securing priority bookings and exclusive perks at the hottest hotels.
Check out the 20 current favourites below, most of which are part of our curated Global Hotel Collection, which includes more than 2,900 top hotels and resorts worldwide. When booking through our Travel team, members enjoy a range of benefits not available to the general public.
Our members’ top 20 boutique hotels in the UK for a getaway break
Best for the great outdoors: Bovey Castle, Devon
Surrounded by the beauty of Dartmoor National Park, Bovey offers a luxurious opportunity to get back to nature. Choose from 60 rooms housed within the magnificent manor house and mews, or the 22 three-storey country estate lodges on the castle grounds.
An array of outdoor activities is available, including shooting, fishing, archery, horse riding, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, and tours of the deer park at feeding time.
Best for afternoon tea: Claridge’s, London
The famed art deco building dates back to 1898 and has been a popular bolthole for socialites, celebrities and royalty ever since. Its grand foyer and sweeping staircase make a memorable first impression and the guestrooms and suites are among the largest in London, individually designed in shades of white, gold, pastel blue and silver.
The legendary afternoon tea in the lobby is a luxurious but laid-back affair and every evening should begin with cocktails in the candlelit Fumoir bar.
Best for wellness: Dormy House
Sitting above the chocolate box village of Broadway, this 17th-century farmhouse comes with traditional flagstone floors, large stone fireplaces and exposed beams, infused with a clean, Scandi-inspired style.
An outing to the adjoining Broadway golf course is best followed by a visit to one of the Cotswolds’ most indulgent spas, which houses a lavender sauna, salt-infusion steam room, 16-metre infinity pool and offers a wide range of soothing treatments provided by cutting-edge brands Temple Spa, Natura Bissé and Pure Massage.
Best for stepping back in time: Cliveden House, Berkshire
This 350-year-old estate has played host to virtually every British monarch since George I and was once owned by William Waldorf Astor, who was at one point America’s richest man.
Today it’s a five-star hotel and spa, set amid swathes of formal gardens and woodland that belie its proximity to central London. Fine food plays a major role in any stay here and as opulent dining rooms go, it’d be hard to outdo the glistening chandeliers, heavy draped curtains and sublime garden views of the main restaurant.
Best for equestrian adventures: Coworth Park, Surrey
On passing through the gates and cutting through a meadow carpeted with wild spring flowers, you’ll quickly forget about life beyond this 100-hectare estate. The main house is grand and opulent, but it’s all about the outdoor spaces, which are best explored on horseback.
The stable and equestrian centre is unparalleled, and you might even catch a polo match or two. Soothe any saddle sores at the spa, and afterwards be sure to take a dip in the heated indoor pool with underwater music.
Best for outdoor pursuits: Foxhill Manor, Worcestershire
The owners of Foxhill Manor have worked tirelessly to create a home-from-home in the Cotswolds – and they haven’t failed. Bedrooms are quirky yet fit for a queen, with his-and-hers roll-top baths next to four-poster beds and oversized windows allowing natural light to flood in.
After a day of clay-pigeon shooting on the estate or punting at Magdalen Bridge, pour yourself a drink and relax by an open fire.
Best for couples: Lime Wood, Hampshire
You’ll find this grand Georgian manor sitting at the end of a long, winding driveway among acres of landscaped grounds. The interior is just as impressive, with classic columns and arches, intricate mosaic tiling, and an enviable art collection on the walls.
Country strolls are best concluded with an excellent meal at the relaxed Hartnett Holder & Co, and a trip to the spa for hydrotherapy or a Sarah Chapman facial.
Best for adventurous eaters: Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire
Royalty, members of Parliament and celebrities have long frequented Grantley Hall, a 17th-century Palladian country house set in the Yorkshire Dales, with a host of tales to tell. Rooms are decked out in calming creams and greys, while those on the ground floor open out on to lush lawns.
If the sun shines, there’s no better spot than the spa’s outdoor hydro-therapy pool, where staff are on hand to pour drinks. They will also help you choose a restaurant for dinner, if you’re indecisive about the six on-site options.
Best for a romantic weekend break: Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire
Anyone familiar with the string of Soho House properties in London, New York, Barcelona and beyond will quickly understand the vibe at the group’s country retreat. Set in 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, the site comprises of 40 Nantucket style cabins, a four-bedrooms cottage and a seven-bedroom farmhouse.
Life here can be as active or lazy as you wish. If you want to make the most of the rural surroundings, there’s horse riding, crazy golf, tennis courts, a boating lake and exclusive use of your own bicycle for the duration of your stay.
Best for trying something different: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Located six miles from Bath, this elegant five-star hotel set in parkland has managed to retain the character and charm of a classic country house.
The Palladian mansion has been impeccably maintained and updated with a Michelin-starred restaurant, luxurious spa, cookery school and equestrian centre, as well as private cottages situated in the meticulously tended gardens. In the guest rooms, antiques, floral wallpaper schemes and marble bathrooms set the refined tone.
Best for old-world charm: Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa, Leatherhead
Once the home of newspaper magnate Lord Beaverbrook, this hulking Grade-II listed country house has been transformed into a resplendent 18-room hotel set in 400 acres in the Surrey Hills. Think walled gardens, fire-warmed bedrooms, cosy snugs and note perfect interiors by Susie Atkinson, of Soho House fame. The service is impeccable and the Japanese restaurant is overseen by an ex Nobu chef, adding a touch of worldly flair to an otherwise typically English scene.
Best for escaping the city: The Grove, Hertfordshire
Amid perfectly manicured gardens that bloom with a kaleidoscope of colour each spring, it’s hard to believe this 18th– century manor house is so close to a tube station. From long lunches in the orangery and treatments in the experiential spa, to afternoons on the championship golf course, it’s an idyllic rural retreat close to London.
Best for interiors: The Newt, Somerset
The owner of this reimagined retreat on an estate close to Castle Cary used to be the editor of South Africa’s Elle Decoration and the attention to detail on the simple but striking interior design is exceptional. In spring and summer, start the day with a dip in the wild pool in the wellness garden before a breakfast bursting with local produce.
Best for food: The Pig
Food, glorious food. Whether you’re checking into the recently converted manor house in north Cornwall or the flagship property in the New Forest, you’ll spend the vast majority of your stay at any of the six Pig hotels eating. Provenance is key, and the restaurant menus are all hyper local, with every ingredient plucked from the kitchen gardens or sourced from suppliers within a 25-mile radius. The result is super fresh, super seasonal cooking and a suitably rustic stay.
Best for a sustainable break: The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
For adults only, this eco-friendly escape is popular among couples looking for a relaxing stay. Sitting on cliff tops overlooking Magwan Porth’s golden stretches of sand, there’s no shortage of staggering views, and the meandering cliff paths surrounding the property are perfect for a picturesque stroll. The ayurvedic-inspired spa with its natural-reed filtered swimming pool and cliff-top, log-fired hot tubs seal the deal.
Best for learning something new: Thyme – Hotel, Spa, Farm & Cookery School
Dubbed a village within a village, this cluster of stone properties started out as a cookery school before expanding to a peaceful hamlet retreat with the Leach Valley right on its doorstep. Consisting of a former rectory, farmhouse and converted cottages and barns, this spot is entirely self-sufficient, housing the gorgeous Meadow Spa with heated spring water pool, Thyme’s acclaimed The Cookery School and its own village pub.
Best for making a splash: Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay
Skirting one of Cornwall’s best surfing beaches, this traditional bucket-and-spade hotel makes good use of its excellent location. Guests can chase an adrenaline rush thanks to the array of water sports such as paddle-boarding and kitesurfing, offered by the hotel’s Extreme Academy. Those looking for a moment of repose can try a spot of yoga or head for the Swim Club, a classy sea-view lounge with indulgent spa.
Best for regency splendour: The Royal Crescent, Bath
The Royal Crescent is a broad Georgian mansion bordered by an acre of glorious gardens. Despite a history spanning 253 years, the hotel has thrown the rule book out the window, with early check-ins and late checkouts allowing guests to savour every moment of their stay. There’s no blueprint in the bedrooms either, with each furnished and decorated to match its size and shape. Art lovers will find statement pieces in the cosy drawing room, while spa gurus can sip fizz in the Taittinger Spa Garden.
Best for golf: Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort, Ballymena
Set within 163 acres of parkland, with the River Maine flowing through the estate, the Galgorm boasts its own par 72 Castle Championship course plus a 6-hole pitch, while some of the best links courses in the world – Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Portstewart and Castle Rock – are all a short drive away. After time on the fairway, soak in a riverside hot tub, book in for a treatment in the beautiful spa or sips cocktails in the cosy snug bar.
Best for coastal wellness: The Bedruthan, Mawgan Porth
Skirting Mawgan Porth Beach and the idyllic Bedruthan Steps coastal trail, you won’t find a better location for a relaxing wellness break. Besides sweeping sea views and outdoor pools, the spa comes with a lavish lavender caldarium, eucalyptus steam rooms and cedar sauna, as well as an invigorating sensory spa garden. Busy-patterned and boldly coloured fabrics give the luxurious hotel a quirky edge and a sea-view room is a must.
It pays to be prepared, and with a Ten Private Membership you’ll be at the front of the queue thanks to our direct partnerships. Whether you need assistance booking any of the hotels above or want to find another boutique bolthole across the UK in case they’re fully booked, become a member today and let our specialists help you.
What’s more, our Dining and Lifestyle teams are here to help you plan and book lunch and dinner at the best local restaurant and plan detailed itineraries so you can make the most of your valuable time away from home.
To really make the most of freedom when lockdown ends, check out our 10 best restaurants in London to pay a visit to as soon as you can.
