The Newt in Bruton, Somerset, has received the top accolade as the number one Boutique hotel in the UK.
Back for the third consecutive year, the Top 50 Boutique Hotels 2023 list was announced earlier today (22 November 2023) on the brand’s Instagram page.
The much-anticipated list is curated and voted by leading industry experts, hoteliers, travel writers and influencers.
The Top 50 boutique Hotels 2023 span the full length and breadth of the UK from Cornwall, to Wales, to Scotland to Norfolk.
This year’s number one, The Newt, up from its number 2 placing in 2022, is nestled in the grounds of an alluring working estate that is home to acres of resplendent gardens, enchanting woodland and traditional cyder orchards. Both the accommodation and common rooms in the house and surrounding buildings have been sensitively designed to showcase the Newt’s history and there is also a relaxing spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms.
Last year’s winner the Lime Wood Hotel, situated in Lyndhurst, took second place, while the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere, took third place, racing up the list from last year’s number 14.
The Pig chain of hotels has received a major accolade this year as two of its hotels are in the Top 50 with The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent, at number 6 and The Pig on the Beach, Swanage coming in at 37.
This year’s Highest New Entrant is Boys Hall, nestled in the village of Willesborough near Ashford, which has come in at number 16. Boys Hall opened after a three-year painstaking restoration by new owners Kristie and Bradley Lomas who took over the Grade II-listed building in 2019. Dating all the way back to 1616, the historic Jacobean mansion has been carefully restructured into a 70-cover restaurant, pub and boutique hotel. With nine luxury hotel rooms, it also features a charming terrace and three acres of gardens.
The Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, is the Highest Climber, from 49 to 36 and is also winner of the Service Award this year. Hidden deep in the Pembrokeshire countryside, in the west of Wales, the Grove is a beautifully restored three-storey mansion, surrounded by meadows, woodland, and mature gardens.
This year’s award winner for Food & Drink is Le Manoir aux Quat’saisons, Oxford. Described as one of the most iconic gastronomic destinations in the UK this hotel and restaurant has Raymond Blanc OBE as its chef-patron.
Chris Lowe, Group Director, Hospitality and Manufacturing at William Reed, said: “We are delighted to be revealing this fantastic new list for 2023.
“This year’s number one The Newt is a worthy winner and the highest new entry Boys Hall shows the innovation taking place within the sector. It is so encouraging to see so many new entrants in the Top 50 this year as well as being able to showcase such a range of unique hotel experiences available across the UK.”
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.
The full list from 1 to 50, including special awards for food and drink and best service is available to view here https://www.top50boutiquehotels.com/
The Top 50 Boutique Hotels 2023 list is as follows:
1 The Newt, Somerset
2 Lime Wood, Lyndhurst
3 Gilpin Hotel and Lake House Windermere
4 Heckfield Place, Hook
5 Padstow Townhouse, Padstow
6 The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent
7 Lympstone Manor, Exmouth
8 Grantley Hall, Ripon
9 Beaverbrook, Leatherhead
10 Hambleton Hall, Oakham
11 Dormy House Hotel, Broadway
12 Hampton Manor, Hampton In Arden
13 Grove of Narberth, Narberth
14 The Idle Rocks, St Mawes
15 Another Place, Ullswater
16 Boys Hall, Ashford
17 Artist Residence Bristol, Bristol
18 The Mandrake, London
19 The Fife Arms, Braemer
20 Foyers Lodge, Scotland
21 Great Fosters, Egham
22 Middleton Lodge, Ripon
23 Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, Lancashire
24 The Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone London
25 Yorebridge House, York
26 The Gallivant, Rye
27 The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
28 Estelle Manor, North Leigh
29 Hotel Gotham, Manchester
30 Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
31 Palé Hall, Bala, Wales
32 Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall
33 Hotel Tresanton, Tresanton
34 Henrietta Hotel, London
35 Lochgreen House Hotel & Spa, Troon
36 The Harper, Holt
37 The Pig on the Beach, Swanage
38 Rothay Manor, Ambleside
39 Number One Bruton, Somerset
40 Nomad, London
41 The Mitre, Hampton Court
42 The Samling Hotel, Lake District
43 House of Gods, Edinburgh
44 The Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury
45 Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Brampton
46 Glebe House, Devon
47 Le Manoir aux Quat’saisons, Oxford
48 At the Chapel, Bruton
49 Henry’s Townhouse, Marylebone, London
50 Titchwell Manor, Brancaster
