It is fair to say I can be fussy when it comes to choosing a hotel. Which does mean if we have stayed somewhere we liked, then it comes recommended! Way back in 2015 there was a travel link-up theme about places we can’t get out of our head. In 2015 I picked 6 amazing hotels and happily, they are still places I look back fondly on now! Whilst we’ve got better at finding value for money, our tastes are definitely in the same camp: boutique and unique.
It feels a little crass of me to write a post recommending hotels when just a couple of months ago I was focussed on experiences over things. But there is a place for both. As careful travellers, planners and spenders (I’m an accountant, what can I say), these are the places I would recommend based on our experiences. We have found some hidden gems, down the road from the obvious. I don’t purposefully go looking for them, but I get grumpy if I can’t find something unique!
You are in safe hands with the directory below. I would recommend these to my parents, in-laws, bosses, colleagues, friends! Basically, if I didn’t like it, it doesn’t make the cut!
UK and Ireland
Chewton Glen Treehouses – Dorset
One of the most unique and special places we have stayed. A childhood dream of treehouses comes true in one of the best luxury hotels in the country. A timeless country hotel, the great dame of UK country manors.
Luxury, boutique
The Lugger Portloe – Cornwall
A sleeping fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall it’s like stepping back to Poldark and smuggling times. Stay in the ‘Look Out’, a separate building on the coastal path, snug and comfortable with incredible views.
Rustic, boutique
Timbrells’s Yard – Somerset
Fancy a city break but a country stay. This rustic and modern restaurant with rooms near Bath is just the ticket. Clearly put together by someone that likes staying somewhere relaxing!
Rustic, boutique, modern
Cliveden House – Berkshire
Part of UK history, events here almost collapsed the government. Dripping in tapestry and artwork the opulence here is incredible. Rooms are stunningly and uniquely put together, a pinch me kind of place to wake up in!
Luxury, historic, boutique
Aghadoe Heights – Ireland
Whilst the building isn’t pretty, the view over lake and mountain from the rooms is magnificent. The height of luxury one wants for nothing here. And certainly don’t shut the curtains as it is the most incredible view to wake up to!
Modern, luxury, resort
Lygon Arms – Cotswolds
Lovingly restored relaxing luxury in the heart of the Cotswolds. From the same people that bring you Chewton Glen and Cliveden House, this is a charming place to spend a couple of nights.
Luxury, historic, rustic
Europe
Eliel – Paris
A discrete guest house hidden away in a grand Paris residence. Eliel is bright and airy. It’s also spacious, especially for Paris. Breakfast is a real feast and the hostess completely charming.
Modern, guest house
Quinta da Casa Branca – Madeira
Located in the city of Funchal but this family run hotel set in tropical gardens feels like a country retreat. Stunning grounds and accommodation and two lovely pools.
Historic, luxury, boutique
The Kinsterna – Mainland Greece
The reason I fell in love with Greece. A lovingly restored Byzantine manor nestled deep in the Peloponnese. Stunning gardens and views. Gorgeous rooms and delicious food.
Historic, luxury, rustic, boutique
Palacio Ramalhete – Lisbon
In a city it is often hard to find somewhere small and boutique. The Palacio is stunning, literally dripping with history. Rooms are an excellent size and peaceful. There’s even a pool!
Historic, unique, boutique, guest house
Villa Cascais – Portugal
Quirky Portuguese style in this lovely seaside town. The penthouse apartment has 360 views, is total hygge and the bath is amazing. Rather a lovely wine bar too!
Modern, boutique, guest house
Vilacampina – Algarve
The villa you wished you or a family member owned, but operated as a discreet small hotel. Buried in the countryside in amongst orange groves it really is the perfect place to relax and unwind!
Boutique, rural, modern
Bela Vista – Algarve
This historical beach side resort is stunning. Beautiful rooms, incredible decor, sea views, gorgeous pool and Michelin * dining. A real treat for a special occasion.
Boutique, luxury, resort
Cap de Castel – near Toulouse
Hidden away on the edge of a small town in the Languedoc, Cap de Castel is rustic and relaxed. Pretty rooms, excellent food and a sweet garden and pool area.
Rustic, boutique
J Hotel – Stockholm
A city break but a countryside stay. It’s just a short ferry ride to the city. The J is Newport nautical chic with stunning views across the water back towards the city. Look the other way and you’re on the edge of the archipelago.
Boutique, modern
The Telegraaf – Estonia
A charming hotel with historic features aplenty. The pool and hot tub area are beautiful with a living wall. Rooms can either be in the modern or traditional part of the hotel. The restaurant is superb.
Boutique, historic
La Favia Four Rooms – Milan
In a quiet suburb of Milan is this tiny guest house. It’s chic and modern with quirky features. It’s piece de resistance is the garden and patio area that allow guest to relax in the sun, in privacy.
Modern, guest house
Novecento – Venice
Hidden down a side street in Venice this is somewhere that stays well hidden and away from the hubbub. Simple rooms, comfortable lounges and a small courtyard garden. Special little touches like a trust bar.
Rustic, guest house
America and the Caribbean
The Inn at Cuckold’s Light – Maine
A private island a mile of so offshore where one lives in a lighthouse. A childhood fantasy! The ultimate escape, the place to relax, reconnect and recuperate from a busy life. In luxury!
Luxury, boutique, unique, private island
Vanderbilt Grace – Newport
Part of Newport and US history the Vanderbilt is a grand place to stay. Simple and sumptuous decor. Charming staff and discreet check-in. Lovely summer garden as well as excellent city views from the roof terrace.
Luxury, boutique
Strawberry Hill – Jamaica
The views across Kingston are breathtaking. Enjoy them from your private terrace, the infinity cliff edge pool or the stunning gardens. A real piece of Bob Marley history. The steep drive into the mountains is worth it!
Luxury, boutique
Round Hill – Jamaica
Very American preppy style – many of the rooms designed by Ralph Lauren. Excellent space, ocean front rooms, excellent pool and spa. There are extensive grounds with private pool villas dotted through them.
Luxury, resort
Africa, India, the Middle East and Asia
The Twelve Apostles – South Africa
The first fancy place Mr P and I stayed. The ocean front rooms are spacious and the terrace area ideal for watching the whales swim by. Enjoy the pool or the rock garden. Food is excellent and the terrace bar is the perfect place for a sundowner.
Luxury, resort
Sycamore Avenue – South Africa
Simple accommodation but totally unique. The treehouses afford incredible views of the Drakensburg. They are each one of a kind, hand-crafted by the owner. Cosy and homely, with a hot tub on the top floor. Supper and breakfast are group dining and there’s an excellent trust bar.
Rustic, guest house, unique
Jobner Bagh – India
A former merchants house which has been lovingly converted into a guest house. Rooms are elegant and this boutique hotel wants for nothing. A roof terrace to catch the sun, shady areas in the garden, a small shop. Supper is prepared in-house and is Indian home-cooking at its finest.
Boutique, rustic
Oberoi Rajvillas – India
If one is to camp then this is the place. Dotted across extensive peaceful grounds that peacocks wander through the tents are the height of luxury and spaciousness. The pool area is quiet and relaxing. Whilst resort size, private space allows you to forget this.
Luxury, resort
Alila Diwa – India
Hidden away in south Goa, the Alila is laid back and enjoyable. The separate club wing rooms are large and want for nothing, there’s even a quiet pool, happy hour and all day breakfasting. The main pool has a stunning infinity edge view across the rice paddies. Spa treatments here are incredible.
Resort, boutique
Qasr al Sarab – UAE
Truly a one off location, 3 hours deep into the Empty Quarter desert. A terrace room affords such space and privacy from which to be mesmerised by the constant moving of the sand dunes. Sunset in the desert is like nowhere else. The height of luxury and remoteness.
Luxury, resort
The Chedi – Oman
Swimming pools at The Chedi set the standard. One is 104 metres long, another is set right next to the beach. There is such a feeling of zen to this hotel. Rooms want for nothing and the standard of service and attention was impressive.
Luxury, resort
The Norman – Israel
When we visited Tel Aviv there was only one place I wanted to stay. Be it the rooftop pool, stunning Bauhaus architecture or the elegance of the rooms. It really is a special boutique hotel, which captures the essence of Israeli cooking in its incredible breakfasts.
Boutique, luxury
Naumi – Singapore
Finding a small hotel in Singapore isn’t easy. Especially one with a rooftop pool. Naumi delivers on both fronts. Rooms are spacious, modern and practical. Views from the roof are incredible. There’s a cool and relaxed vibe to enjoy.
Boutique, modern
Now I have started, there will be directories of self-catering places (that’s our preferred staycation approach in the UK) and London business hotels to follow!
Once again I’m linking up my post. The topic for April is one we enjoyed in 2015 – and we fancied it again – ‘places we can’t get out of our heads’. Just pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st – 7th April 2018), add it to the link up widget found on Adventures of a London Kiwi, SilverSpoon London, Follow Your Sunshine from the 1st. As ever there are no real rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; tweet a few of the posts out to your followers that you think they will love and make a few comments here and there. It really is a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging joy!
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I’d love to go to ALL of those hotels! They are all different but so beautiful 🙂
Cristina – Memories of the Pacific recently posted…What to do in Madrid this Spring
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There’s a complete mixture here – all relaxing and special! Glad you liked the choices!
What a useful resource! I’ll definitely be referring to this in the future!
Angie Silver recently posted…My Travel Bucket List
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Thanks Angie, I often don’t write a separate review so I decided this was a useful place to collect up the places we’ve been and loved!
Wow so many amazing hotels! All so different in there own way but all look incredible!
Author
Each is definitely unique and charming !!
you’ve stayed at some pretty amazing hotels:)
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels recently posted…Sunday Photo: Rome
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A couple a year over a lot of years!! Couldn’t pick one favourite though!
Well, I know what post I’ll be returning to next time I plan a trip…. 😛
This is a wonderful resource, and I like it as an alternative to a long hotel review! Sometimes those get a bit boring tbh, so this is the perfect solution!
Author
Glad to be of service! Yes, agree, ten to thirty words and one photo should be enough to sell a place that’s truly good!
I feel like you’ve just taken me around the world with all those lovely stays! I’ve definitely put the J Hotel in Stockholm on my list as we’ll be there this summer. I love the idea of taking a ferry to the city!
alison abbott recently posted…New England Staycation Celebrates Spring
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It was a bit like that writing it, going back ticking and crossing places off the list! J Hotel was a great price and space compared to stuff in the city centre, very New England for you too!
What an incredible variety of destination and types of accommodation – and each one perfectly summarised in a golden nugget of information 🙂 I was especially pleased to see the Baltics represented here, I don’t see much written about hotels there when compared to the rest of Europe.
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Thanks Sara. Tallinn was hard to research for that reason, but then when we were there the hotels were fab, it all was!!
What a great selection! I do a lot of self-catering stays but when I do stay in a hotel I always look for something interesting and individual with a bit of character and some lovely suggestions to add to my list here.
Author
Excellent, hope you have luck with the list when you need it. We spend more time in s/c in UK, I need to pull together that list too now!!
You two have been to really nice places. I would love Ireland I think because it reminds me on my country.
Tadej recently posted…Cold Weather Camping Clothes For Winter Camping
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Ireland is so rural and green and the coastline incredible. A good place to explore
I’ve long since noticed your nack for finding special places. Quite a few I recognise from your list but the only one I’ve been to though is the Alila Diwa, India – a truly beautiful hotel that I too would recommend.
Kathryn Burrington recently posted…Easy octopus salad recipe from the island of Rodrigues
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Thank you! We loved the Alila, the coast has so many big name hotels and it was hard to find somewhere boutique! You too with your hotels – I often see somewhere and know if one day we end up in a place you’ve been that you’ll have picked my hotel for me!
I want to go and visit them all! They all look so beautiful and relaxing. Plus the stunning views!
Author
I would love to go back to them all, really beautiful places
What a amazing rooms lighting with a beautiful sightseeing . I just love it.
If i go hampshire i definitely check in this Hotel. if u come Spain, Please contact me without any kind of hesitation.
Thank u so much for sharing this article.
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Thank you – there’s some amazing hotels we have found on this list
Wow, I am really happy to see the CHEWTON GLEN TREEHOUSES in your list. It’s one of my most favorite hotels and we had an awesome experience in that hotel. My husband and I brought my mum there for her birthday party recently. The service and the treatment that we received from the staff is incredible. All of our family is the biggest fan of James Martin and when we were there, we generally asked can we have a photo with Mr. Martin and the staff said, you all are lucky, Mr. Martin is the hotel. We all had a Photo taken with Mr. Martin and he is such a lovely and kind person. We never ever forget that moment.
Kayte Grace recently posted…Ebury – Evolution of Digital Banking
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I couldn’t have written the listed without the CG on it, we have had many happy times there!!
Excellent article thanks for sharing this information
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Hope it helps