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 cake. Breakfast, around a communal table, is a lavish affair with smoked salmon on toast and pancakes with syrup among the numerous choices.

This venerable hostelry makes a convenient and atmospheric base for exploring the area. The premises incorporate the Great West Gate, dating from 1473, accessible via an ancient stone staircase. The rooms are small and may present difficulties for the mobility-impaired, but some have four-poster beds and wonderful views across to the cathedral. 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; other rooms have a more modern decor, and there's a good selection of dishes in the Woburn Restaurant. Despite its dated feel, the hotel revels in its old-world identity, and its nostalgic tone chimes well with Tavistock's timbre.

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. 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. Self-catering lodges are also available.

With a superb location next to the city's medieval cathedral, this is the more palatial of Bristol's two links in this large chain. The reborn Victorian hotel has imposing public rooms, a Miller & Carter steak house on the premises, and top-notch health and business facilities. Some of the well-equipped guest rooms are on the small side, though the 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, this 16th-century inn sits next to Lydford Castle. Rose trellises frame its pink facade, and the public rooms 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 the 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. Recent modernization has injected new life, and the overall tone is a successful melding of vintage character and contemporary pizzazz. The relaxed dining room, which opens onto a terrace, is open to non-residents.

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

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's a two-night minimum stay on Friday and Saturday, and children (that's anyone under age 18) 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.

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, a fitness room, 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.

Under the auspices of hotelier Olga Polizzi, the Endsleigh has risen to be 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. 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 and in peak season. 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 sunny whites, blues, and yellows, with terra-cotta pots on the terrace, the Tresanton seems distinctly Mediterranean, and the yacht available in summer to guests reinforces the jet-set spirit. In the restaurant, the Italian-inspired menu includes local scallops, crab, risotto, and Cornish lamb.

Paneled rooms, stone fireplaces, leaded-glass windows, and handsome gardens outfit this spacious 1620 manor house on the northwestern edge of Dartmoor. Victorian hymn writer Sabine Baring Gould was responsible for the eclectic mix of architectural styles here. Prints, chintzes, and upholstered furniture create comfort in the individually decorated guest rooms. The fixed-price restaurant, with its big log fire and family portraits, serves a mix of traditional and modern fare such as wild bass and smoked halibut cannelloni or Creedy Carver duck breast with squash purée and feta cheese. Serious foodies might prefer the Purple Carrot, a sumptuous private dining room.

It's worth the winding drive on some of Cornwall's narrowest roads to get to this waterfront hideaway in a tiny fishing village. Three 17th-century cottages have been transformed in an eclectic modern style with bleached Portuguese wood and subdued hues in the small bedrooms. Self-catering lodgings are also available. Seafood is a good choice at the excellent restaurant overlooking the diminutive harbor. There's a terrace for drinks and sunbathing, and on either side of the hotel the rugged coastline tempts you with exhilarating walks. The Lugger is 8 miles east of St. Mawes and 12 miles southeast of Truro.

In style and atmosphere, this classic inn harmonizes perfectly with Dunster village and castle; it was used as a guesthouse by the abbots of Cleeve in the 14th century. Opt for a superior or four-poster room for more space and views over the Yarn Market or the small garden. Bar meals and good ales are served in the log-fire-warmed bar, and there's a more formal restaurant.

Formerly a convent, this Georgian B&B sits directly opposite the Abbey grounds, with views over the walls. The light and airy rooms are spotless and well equipped, and breakfast is served in a large kitchen, where you share one large table with other guests (choices include an energizing granola and yogurt compote). The three-story building has a chairlift for the mobility impaired; the house is a shoe-free environment (slippers are provided).

Superbly situated at the base of Glastonbury Tor, this elegant B&B on the edge of town is surrounded by lush gardens with far-reaching views over the Vale of Avalon. The bright and spacious guest rooms come with well-equipped bathrooms supplied with luxury toiletries and the fluffiest of towels, and offer views up to the Tor, over the lawned gardens, or across the Vale. Breakfast served in the slate-floored kitchen-diner includes housemade bread and home-produced eggs. Modern self-catering accommodation is also available, with garden access. The house lies less than a 15-minute walk from the town center, and you can start your ascent of Glastonbury Tor directly from the garden gate.

The best views in Mousehole can be enjoyed from the bedrooms of this lodging; some rooms have balconies or terraces, all have modern bathrooms, and all 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.

Blending the elegance of an Edwardian villa with clean-lined modern style, this friendly hotel close to Porthminster Beach has the best of both worlds. Guest rooms are bright and contemporary, and the 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.

A 10-minute walk from the center, this quirky B&B in a quiet neighborhood makes an ideal base for a night or two in town. The owner, who was previously an antique dealer, has adorned 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.

You can soak up the tranquility of Clovelly after the day-trippers have gone at the 18th-century Red Lion, located right on the harbor in this coastal village. Guest rooms are decorated with a nautical theme; all have sea or harbor views and modern bathrooms. The climb up through Clovelly is perilously steep, but you can drive here via a back road. The restaurant specializes in seafood dishes.

Looking onto a placid sward of lawn in the newly fashionable Royal William Yard district of Plymouth—formerly the navy's victualing quarter—this classic Georgian building once housed naval officers and now offers well-appointed guest accommodations with a touch of class. The rooms are bright and tastefully furnished and come with modern bathrooms. It's a brief walk to a selection of dockside eateries, or a stroll across the square to Bistrot Pierre, which has a range of French-inspired meals at reasonable prices (and is where guests must check in).

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.

Conveniently located at the bottom of the main street, this centuries-old coaching inn has counted Daniel Defoe and Edward VII among its former guests. A modern makeover has transformed the interior without sacrificing its period features and created well-equipped bedrooms that are clean and elegant (some have four-poster beds and spa baths). It's worth upgrading to a Premier or De Luxe room for more space. Hot and cold snacks are available in either of the two bars. Note that there is no elevator and the stairs are a bit steep.