49 Best Hotels in The West Country, England

With Clifton Suspension Bridge at the end of the street and the Avon Gorge directly below, this elegant Georgian B&B offers classic views of Bristol from its windows. The thickly carpeted rooms are spacious and embellished by antique furniture and works of art, and the comfy lounge offers access to a generous lawned garden. The staff welcome guests with a glass of sherry and a slice of homemade cake. Breakfast, around a communal table, is a lavish affair with smoked salmon on toast and pancakes with syrup among the numerous choices.

A classic Georgian building has been converted with flair and wit to create a contemporary guesthouse—the first link in what is now a small chain whose boutique properties all have a strong artistic bent. Each of the bright rooms has been individually designed by a different artist using a bold mixture of retro curios, old-style furnishings, and colorful murals, although bathrooms are reassuringly modern and well equipped. If possible, ask to see your room first (some are quite small). A self-catering cottage is available, too. The bar, restaurant, and terrace garden are also well worth exploring.

With the grandeur of a country estate and the amenities of a modern hotel, Bovey Castle, built in 1906 for Viscount Hambleden, has it all, including guest rooms and self-catering lodges. On its vast grounds are an outstanding golf course and 24 miles of riverbank that can be used for salmon fishing. There's a resident pianist, falconry displays, and a spa center, and children have a barn filled with activities. Enormous fireplaces and oak-panel rooms give a sense of early-20th-century pomp to the public rooms; bedrooms are luxurious, and even some of the bathrooms have great views across the valley.

As the name suggests, this luxury Victorian B&B in Lynton occupies a lofty position with spectacular vistas over the Bristol Channel. Each of the guest rooms has an individual design, but all feature comfortable beds—ranging from carved and ornate to Jacobean (one has a four-poster)—and benefit from the exquisite views. Breakfast is in the conservatory and includes choices like eggs royale (with smoked salmon on a toasted muffin) and pancakes with berries, as well as several gluten-free options. There are discounts for two or more nights, a two-night minimum stay on Friday and Saturday, and children (that's anyone under age 18) and pets are not allowed.

This hip chain has brought high-tech flair to six former sugar-refining warehouses, built in 1728 when the River Frome ran outside the front door. Rooms are spacious and crisply contemporary, but retain many original industrial features, while the bathrooms have monsoon showers and roll-top baths. The bistro-restaurant specializes in modern but robust French fare. The hotel is close to the docklands and the city center. If you have a car, reserve parking when booking as spaces are limited.

Under the auspices of hotelier Olga Polizzi, the Endsleigh has become one of the country's best-loved hotels, nestled in a fold of the Tamar Valley with the river itself rolling serenely by at the bottom of the garden, which has been cited as one of the world's most romantic. Built as a hunting lodge, with grounds designed by Humphry Repton, the atmosphere is secluded and select, with log fires in winter and acres of grounds to explore in summer. Guest rooms are palatial but cozy, with none of the drafty windows or creaking floors that often go with the country-house experience, and some feature antique, hand-painted wallpaper. There's a two-night minimum stay at weekends. The paneled restaurant draws enthusiasts from far and wide for its traditional but inventive cuisine. It's located 8 miles from Tavistock.

It's the Cornish Riviera, Italian style—this former yachtsman's club, owned by hotelier Olga Polizzi, makes for a luxuriously relaxed stay. Decorated in stately, muted tones, with terra-cotta pots on the terrace, the Tresanton is a meeting of classic English and warm Mediterranean styles, and the terraced Beach Club and the yacht available to guests in summer reinforces the jet-set spirit. In the restaurant, the Italian-inspired menu includes local oysters, lobster, gnocchi, and beef fillet.

The best views in Mousehole can be enjoyed from this lodging's guest rooms, some of which have balconies or terraces, and all of which have modern bathrooms and come with Cornish tea and proper coffee with fresh milk. You can also soak up the sea views on the sheltered deck overlooking the subtropical garden, at the bottom of which the coast path gives direct access to the harbor, a three- or four-minute walk away. There's good food to be had in the open-plan bar and restaurant, which is adorned with local art.

With the elegance of an Edwardian villa combined with clean-lined modern style, this friendly hotel close to Porthminster Beach offers the best of both worlds. Guest rooms are bright and contemporary, and spacious common areas include a large lounge that opens onto a veranda. Sea-facing rooms with balconies cost more. The beach is just steps away, and a pretty footpath connects the hotel with the center of town. Parking is available.

The owner of this quirky B&B, set in a quiet neighborhood a 10-minute walk from the center, was previously an antiques dealer and has decorated the Victorian building with period furnishings, fascinating artwork (including a collection of prints by Bob Dylan), and a trove of objects that invite lingering. There's no sense of clutter, however; rooms are scrupulously clean and the breakfasts are superb.

Part of Dartmouth's historic waterfront (and consequently a hub of activity), this hotel has truly earned the name "Royal"—several monarchs have slept here. It was built in the 17th century, reputedly of timber from wrecks of the Spanish Armada, and fireplaces and beamed ceilings are traditional features that remain. Rooms come in different sizes and styles, but all are thoughtfully and richly furnished, with a liberal sprinkling of antiques. Number 6 has its own "priest hole," a secret room used to hide Roman Catholic priests. Most of the pricier rooms facing the river have hot tubs. The food in the restaurant and bars is consistently good, and breakfasts are a royal feast. The hotel has no private parking—ask at reception about the local park and ride deals.

The pampering begins the moment you enter this adults-only beachside hotel when you are greeted with a drink by the enthusiastic, highly professional staff and then given a tour of the facilities, which are arranged over five levels and feature bright, modern rooms with views over the sands and cliffs of Mawgan Porth beach—easily accessed via a path. The lounges, sheltered garden, and library offer comfortable nooks for relaxation, while the indoor and outdoor pools, spa treatments, and hot tub overlooking the sea will give you a bodily boost. The flair and positivity of the hotel's ethos extends to the restaurant, where each dish and wine offering is introduced with informed passion.

Close to the cathedral on the distinguished Southernhay, this graceful Georgian hotel with a secluded garden was once the home of an East India Company merchant, so its spacious, elegantly furnished guest rooms are named for wares (Silk, Cotton, Ivory, Spice, Opium, etc.) that made the company's fortune. Public areas have the atmosphere of an intimate club, and the whole hotel has an understated, boutiquey feel. There's a good selection of modern European dishes on the menu in the airy restaurant, and there are also snacks available in the bar along with an impressive list of cocktails. There's no on-site parking, but there are plenty of public spaces nearby.

Close to Tavistock's center, in restored Georgian town house that dates from 1822, this light and airy small hotel is a successful blend of classical  elegance and chic, modern style. Bedrooms are spotless and fully equipped, with gleaming contemporary bathrooms, while the top-notch breakfasts—ordered on the previous day—include homemade granola and yogurt, freshly baked pastries, croissants, and fresh fruit (cooked options are not offered). Private parking is available, but children under 14 and pets are not accommodated.

An impressive lodging, Thornbury has everything a genuine 16th-century Tudor castle needs—huge fireplaces, moody paintings, mullioned windows, and a large garden. There's also plenty of history as Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor all spent time here. The standards of comfort are famous, and the pampering touches in the "bedchambers" include complimentary decanters of sherry. Guests come from all over to dine in the restaurant, where you'll find sophisticated fare that makes use of local venison, duck, and halibut. The hotel is 12 miles north of Bristol.

In a quiet nook of Penzance, just steps from the Promenade and harbor, this Georgian house has bright, spacious, smartly decorated guest rooms with views over Mount's Bay from front-facing rooms. The hosts are always smiling, helpful, and full of information on what to see and where to eat. Breakfast is made to order with options including waffles, pancakes, eggs royale (with smoked salmon), and vegetarian. There's normally a two to three-night minimum stay in July and August, though there may be availability for last-minute bookings of one or two nights. 

Formerly a convent, this atmospheric lodging has a chapel that was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, architect of Truro Cathedral, as well as a main building with large, comfortable guest rooms equipped with modern fittings and luxurious bathrooms and a separate Courtyard annex with spacious suites. Quiet elegance permeates the public areas, and the semiformal restaurant offers a choice of seafood and meat dishes. The town center is a short downhill walk away.

This venerable hostelry, which incorporates the Great West Gate (circa 1473)—accessible via an ancient stone staircase—is an atmospheric base for exploring the area. Rooms are small and may present difficulties for those with mobility issues, but some have four-poster beds and wonderful views across to the cathedral, and one is in the gatehouse itself. Rugantino's serves Italian and English dishes, made largely from local produce.

This grand, castellated hotel in the center of town harks back to its Victorian heyday, with lounge areas furnished with comfy armchairs, warmed by open fires, and dotted with old artifacts and local photos. Choose one of the four rooms with four-poster beds if you hanker for the traditional style, as other rooms have a more modern decor. Despite its dated feel, the hotel revels in its old-world identity, and its nostalgic tone chimes well with Tavistock's timbre. There's a good selection of dishes in the restaurant, and parking is free if you book directly with the hotel.

The more palatial of Bristol's two links in this large chain has a superb location next to the medieval cathedral. The reborn Victorian hotel has imposing public rooms, an on-site Miller & Carter steak house, and top-notch health and business facilities. Some of the well-equipped guest rooms are on the small side; suites are spacious and plush.

Squeezed into a narrow space at the bottom of a steep lane just outside Torquay, this secluded coastal spot lies just feet from the rocky shore and the waters of Babbacombe Bay, where dolphins and seals are occasional visitors. There's a view-laden lounge, a cozy pub-restaurant with open fires in winter, and plenty of outside seating. Guest rooms are spacious and there are also luxury beach huts and self-catering cottages away from the main building. If you're not tempted by Babbacombe Beach, you can indulge in the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and treatment rooms instead. Valet parking takes the stress away from negotiating the steep approach road.

In the heart of Lydford village and next to Lydford Castle, this 16th-century inn has rose trellises framing its pink facade and public rooms that are snug, lamp-lighted, and full of period clutter. Guest rooms vary in size, and include singles and larger rooms with four-poster beds. One has its own rooftop balcony, and four are in a cottage across the road. A range of bar snacks and full meals is available.

Everything in St. Ives seems squeezed into the tiniest of spaces, and this cottage lodging in the quiet Downalong quarter is no exception. Though small, the light, tastefully converted rooms are pleasingly simple in design, with modern decor and good bathrooms, and the more expensive ones have sea views. Most rooms are named after characters in Daphne du Maurier's novels (she regularly stayed here in the 1940s). Breakfast is not offered, but there are plenty of options in the immediate neighborhood, and rooms are equipped with fridges, fresh milk, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. A minimum two-night stay usually applies.

Grandly located in a tall block overlooking Plymouth Hoe, this modern chain hotel has a businesslike tone but doesn't skimp on comforts. Rooms are spacious and uncluttered, with brown or gray color schemes, and modern bathrooms. On the penthouse floor, the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill provides a panoramic dining area, which is also used for self-serve breakfasts. There's also a fitness center and a good-size indoor pool.

A showy Victorian edifice, all turrets and elaborate plasterwork, this hotel with 5 acres of gardens, a spa, and a pool was the original inspiration for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows. It's a great place for families—most rooms are spacious enough for several people, and there are excellent facilities for the kids. Modernizations have successfully melded vintage character with contemporary pizzazz. The relaxed dining room, which opens onto a terrace, is open to nonguests.

Pilgrims en route to Glastonbury Abbey stayed here in the 15th century, and although the stone-front hotel is now equipped with modern comforts, it retains its flagstone floors, wooden beams, and antique furnishings. Rooms come in different shapes and sizes (including for families), and the better ones are spacious and furnished with antiques; three rooms have four-poster beds. Rooms in the newer part of the building lack character but are cheaper.

Situated in the village of Marazion and very close to St. Michael's Mount, this dapper Georgian hotel has large windows for drinking in the mesmerizing views of the turreted castle, the foreshore, and the ever-changing waters of Mount's Bay. The bright, spacious feel extends to the modern guest rooms and the bar–restaurant, where breakfast is also taken and which has outdoor seating in fine weather.

On a quiet street opposite the abbey grounds and just steps from Glastonbury's High Street, this elegant guest house offers pastel-hued, well-maintained rooms with great views and separate kitchenettes equipped with everything you need to rustle up snacks. If available, opt for the Abbey Suite, covering the entire top floor and with views of the abbey ruins framed by Wearyall Hill behind it. Breakfast isn't served, but you can make your own or walk to one of the numerous cafés close by.

This former hospital has been reimagined as a modish hotel with a zippy, happening vibe and add-ons that include a heated indoor-outdoor pool and spa treatments. Any residual institutional feel has been dispelled by the contemporary decor of the guest rooms, the walled garden, and a pavilion-like bistro-restaurant that offers a superb range of Mediterranean-style dishes. The location isn't auspicious (it's on the edge of the old town by an intersection), but it's only a few minutes' walk from the center. Hotel parking should be booked ahead.