Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

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It’s always a wonderful thing to discover a wonderful new hotel, and this year our editors have been hard at work, scouring the country for hidden jewels.  From country inns to Georgian manors, each of these hotels has something unique to offer, be it all fresh local ingredients in the restaurant, a warm friendly environment, or spectacular design and attention to detail. These are the Good Hotel Guide’s top 10 hotel discoveries this year.

2020 Discoveries

Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

1
Special offer
The Devonshire Arms

The Devonshire Arms - Three Nights for the Price of Two Special Offer

Skipton

Works of art from the collection at Chatsworth hang on the walls of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s Dales country house hotel, which joins sister property The Cavendish in the Guide, with special praise from our inspector for the chef and sommelier.
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • gourmet
  • wifi
  • child_friendly
  • dog_friendly
  • historic
  • spa
  • hot_tub_jacuzzi
  • walking
  • weddings
  • garden
  • cycling
  • country_house
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • indoor_pool
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • bird_watching
  • disabled_facilities
  • veganfriendly
  • for_winelovers
  • fishing
  • electric_charging_point
  • gym
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • foodie
  • romantic
  • parking
2
The Great House

The Great House

LAVENHAM

Plus ça change. . . New proprietor Dominique Tropeano has retained the cherished French ambience created by former owners the Crépys. Behind its Georgian facade this ancient, timber- framed building lives on as a fine restaurant-with-rooms.
  • child_friendly
  • wifi
  • wine
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • historic
  • outdoor_dining
  • babyfriendly
  • foodie
  • boutique
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • walking
  • wildlife_watching
  • for_winelovers
  • parking
3
The Lord Poulett Arms

The Lord Poulett Arms

Hinton St George

West Country fixtures The Beckford Arms and The Talbot have a new sister here, a historic thatched village pub with stylish bedrooms, high-class cooking, lovely courtyard gardens, and – such novelty! – a Basque pelota wall and a pétanque piste.
From £65 per night
  • value
  • garden
  • child_friendly
  • pub_with_rooms
  • wifi
  • good_value
  • dog_friendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • veganfriendly
  • walking
  • outdoor_dining
  • boutique
4
The Ship Inn

The Ship Inn

Elie

Rachel and Graham Bucknall continue to innovate at this seaside pub with its own beach cricket team, promoted to a full entry after our inspectors pronounced it a corker. A new sea-view private dining room doubles as a pavilion.
  • child_friendly
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • seaside
  • walking
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • golf
  • wildlife_watching
  • good_value
  • pub_with_rooms
  • weddings
  • outdoor_dining
  • wheelchair_accessible
5
The Old Manor House

The Old Manor House

Shipston-on-Stour

Serendipity led trusted readers to Jane and William Pusey’s 16th-century manor house B&B. They found a winning combination of attention to detail, a perfect balance of historic character and modern convenience, and a friendly ambience.
  • wifi
  • dog_friendly
  • garden
  • tennis
  • walking
  • parking
  • cycling
  • fishing
  • good_value
  • historic
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • vegetarian_friendly
6
The Pig at Bridge Place

The Pig at Bridge Place

Canterbury

A Jacobean manor house has become the latest in the Pig family. Every part of this Piggy was quite all right with our inspectors, from the shabby chic aesthetic to the kitchen-garden menus. We’re fans of the Pig brand. Honk if you support us.
  • child_friendly
  • for_winelovers
  • garden
  • historic
  • romantic
  • wifi
  • spa
  • great_breakfast
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • foodie
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • walking
  • disabled_facilities
7
23 Mayfield

23 Mayfield

Edinburgh

A rave report from an inspector for Ross Burnie’s family-run B&B gains it full Guide status. From rosemary water and home-made fudge in the bedroom to a candlelit breakfast, everything at this Victorian merchant’s house is splendid.
  • garden
  • bandb
  • wifi
  • parking
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • great_breakfast
  • boutique
  • cycling
  • historic
  • walking
  • rooms_with_a_view
8
The Coach House

The Coach House

Brecon

With Georgian elegance, modern comforts, plus pikelets and rarebits for breakfast, Kayt and Hugh
Cooper’s Georgian coach house turned contemporary town house B&B ticks all the boxes for trusted readers. A Brecon beacon of warm hospitality.
  • walking
  • garden
  • bandb
  • wifi
  • exceptional_value
  • golf
  • fishing
  • good_value
  • ecofriendly
  • parking
  • great_breakfast
  • adultsonly
  • cycling
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • wildlife_watching
10
The Duncombe Arms

The Duncombe Arms

Ashbourne

A heartening tale of a village inn saved from ruin by locals. . . Johnny and Laura Greenall have done a bang-up job, transforming a Victorian boozer into a stylish pub with annexe rooms and first- rate cooking, earning the nod from our inspectors.
  • parking
  • pub_with_rooms
  • electric_charging_point
  • wifi
  • outdoor_dining
  • walking
  • cycling
  • disabled_facilities
  • dog_friendly
  • child_friendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • garden
  • horse_riding

2019 Discoveries

Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

1
Special offer
Blue Hayes

Blue Hayes - 10% Discount August Special Offer

St Ives

Unabashedly luxurious, this 1920s retreat on the hill above Porthminster Beach impressed our inspector in every detail, from the hospitality tray’s fresh milk
and bone china teapot, to the chef’s way with local seafood, to breakfast’s devilled kidneys.
  • garden
  • guesthouse
  • wifi
  • parking
  • seaside
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • view
  • walking
  • romantic
  • surfing
  • outdoor_dining
  • great_breakfast
  • boutique
  • vegetarian_friendly
2
Summer Lodge

Summer Lodge

Evershot

Thomas Hardy, with his architect’s hat on, had a hand in extending this former dower house, today an exceptionally well-run hotel. Rooms have such pleasing touches as fresh flowers, fruit and shortbread. There is high-quality cooking, too.
From £60 per night
  • weddings
  • swimming
  • garden
  • spa
  • wifi
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • for_winelovers
  • child_friendly
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • indoor_pool
  • disabled_facilities
  • romantic
  • tennis
  • great_breakfast
  • dog_friendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • parking
  • country_house
  • cycling
  • electric_charging_point
  • historic
  • hot_tub_jacuzzi
  • veganfriendly
  • walking
  • fishing
  • golf
  • horse_riding
  • honeymoon
  • foodie
3
The Punch Bowl Inn

The Punch Bowl Inn

Kendal

Rooms at this popular gastropub in a pretty Lakeland village are named after past vicars of the adjacent church. The young chef works with Cumbrian produce to create dishes that pack a punch. Comfy sofas, a log burner, beamed ceilings, bags of atmosphere.
  • weddings
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • wifi
  • parking
  • pub_with_rooms
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • outdoor_dining
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • foodie
  • electric_charging_point
  • babyfriendly
  • boutique
  • for_winelovers
4
The Gunton Arms

The Gunton Arms

Thorpe Market

Damien Hirst in the ladies’ loo, David Bailey in the gents’, a deer park strewn with sculptures… This pub delights art-lovers and novelty-seekers. Under the dining room’s arched wooden ceiling, an open fire serves for grilling and smoking.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • pub_with_rooms
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • historic
  • view
  • disabled_facilities
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • romantic
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • babyfriendly
  • country_house
  • wildlife_watching
  • bird_watching
  • foodie
  • parking
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • veganfriendly
5
The Wellington Arms

The Wellington Arms

Baughurst

A former hunting lodge today delights as a comfy country pub. Bedrooms have espresso machine and minibar. There are
honey bees, laying hens, home-grown and local produce – and Wellington teapots with a knitted cosy to buy as a souvenir.
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • parking
  • good_value
  • walking
  • ecofriendly
  • great_breakfast
  • pub_with_rooms
  • foodie
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • outdoor_dining
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • child_friendly
6
Twr y Felin Hotel

Twr y Felin Hotel

St Davids

A former temperance hotel built around a working windmill has been transformed, at vast expense, into ‘Wales’s first contemporary art hotel’. A showcase for local, seasonal Welsh produce and for over 100 pieces of specially commissioned art.
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • walking
  • disabled_facilities
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • wifi
  • boutique
  • parking
  • seaside
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • weddings
  • garden
  • electric_charging_point
  • surfing
  • outdoor_dining
  • foodie
  • veganfriendly
7
Bayards Cove Inn

Bayards Cove Inn

Dartmouth

There is a warm welcome at this former merchant’s house turned pub-with- rooms, behind a half-timbered facade, near the waterfront. Winding stairs lead to bedrooms with low, beamed ceilings. Inspectors enjoyed local crab in a lovely, pub atmosphere.
  • child_friendly
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • pub_with_rooms
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • parking
  • good_value
  • historic
  • seaside
  • veganfriendly

2018 Discoveries

Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

1
Special offer
Shieldaig Lodge

Shieldaig Lodge - Food Lovers Package Special Offer

Gairloch

Field-sports fans and whisky aficionados beat a path to this Victorian hunting lodge, in a ‘glorious location’ on a vast wooded estate by Loch Gairloch.
  • weddings
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • fishing
  • wifi
  • parking
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • conference_meeting
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • country_house
  • romantic
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • for_winelovers
  • honeymoon
  • bird_watching
  • seaside
  • golf
  • horse_riding
  • cycling
  • wildlife_watching
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • boutique
  • babyfriendly
  • foodie
  • historic
  • dog_friendly
2
The Pig at Combe

The Pig at Combe

Honiton

The Gloriana of Robin Hutson’s Pig hotel collection (see index), this Grade I listed Elizabethan beauty stands in ‘wonderful grounds in a special location’ in the peaceful Otter valley.
  • weddings
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • fishing
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • parking
  • romantic
  • country_house
  • historic
  • conference_meeting
  • british
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • veganfriendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • wildlife_watching
  • outdoor_dining
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • foodie
  • great_breakfast
  • ecofriendly
  • honeymoon
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • electric_charging_point
  • spa
3
The Crab & Lobster

The Crab & Lobster

Sidlesham

Overlooking the reed beds and salt marsh of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, this ‘lovely little pub’ is not a local boozer but a very good restaurant-with-rooms.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • bird_watching
  • garden
  • wifi
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • golf
  • wildlife_watching
  • foodie
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • veganfriendly
5
The Inn at Loch Tummel

The Inn at Loch Tummel

Pitlochry

Spectacular views across Loch Tummel to the iconic peak of Schiehallion can be seen from this ‘characterful and quirky old coaching inn’ ten miles from Pitlochry in Perthshire’s big-tree country.
  • walking
  • bird_watching
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • weddings
  • garden
  • parking
  • outdoor_dining
  • golf
  • veganfriendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • boutique
  • child_friendly
  • cycling
  • wildlife_watching
  • pub_with_rooms
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • babyfriendly
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • disabled_facilities
6
No.15 by GuestHouse

No.15 by GuestHouse

Bath

The three Guest brothers made their first bold foray into hospitality with this boutique hotel and spa occupying three Grade I listed town houses on a splendid Georgian terrace.
  • child_friendly
  • garden
  • spa
  • dog_friendly
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • parking
  • conference_meeting
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • romantic
  • boutique
  • babyfriendly
7
Sign of the Angel

Sign of the Angel

Lacock

Think of a quintessential English coaching inn – half-timbered facade, big stone fireplaces, low-beamed rooms, leaded windows, panelled walls, wonky floors – and you could be describing this 15th Century village inn.
  • child_friendly
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • historic
  • british
  • good_value
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • outdoor_dining
  • foodie
  • babyfriendly
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • walking
  • wheelchair_accessible
8
Llanthony Priory Hotel

Llanthony Priory Hotel

Abergavenny

Peace, stillness and surroundings removed from the buzzing demands of the modern world are guaranteed at this hotel huddled under the Welsh Black mountains.
  • walking
  • exceptional_value
  • romantic
  • historic
  • good_value
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • cycling
  • parking
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • veganfriendly
  • pub_with_rooms
9
The Pipe and Glass Inn

The Pipe and Glass Inn

South Dalton

In an enchantingly lovely village, this classic coaching inn continues to impress guests with Michelin-starred food, traditional pub features and indulgent bedrooms.
  • child_friendly
  • garden
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • gourmet
  • pub_with_rooms
  • babyfriendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • for_winelovers
  • veganfriendly
  • walking
  • outdoor_dining
  • electric_charging_point
  • bird_watching
  • foodie
  • wildlife_watching
  • boutique
  • great_breakfast
  • parking
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • rooms_with_a_view

2017 Discoveries

Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

1
Special offer
The Dial House

The Dial House - 'Free Bottle of Fizz' September Special Offer

Norwich

Highly idiosyncratic and seriously fun, Hannah Springham and Andrew Jones’s hotel features bedrooms themed on the Georgian Grand Tour and Victorian global gallivanting.
  • child_friendly
  • wifi
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • romantic
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • weddings
  • dog_friendly
  • boutique
  • historic
  • country_house
  • outdoor_dining
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • bird_watching
  • cycling
  • golf
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • parking
  • walking
  • foodie
  • great_breakfast
2
Penally Abbey

Penally Abbey

Tenby

You would need a heart of stone not to be charmed by the creeper-covered facade of this Strawberry Hill Gothic house, with its pretty ogee windows, decorative eaves and hilltop position above gardens tumbling to the sea.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • parking
  • romantic
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • conference_meeting
  • view
  • seaside
  • historic
  • boutique
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • country_house
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • outdoor_dining
  • weddings
3
The Gallivant

The Gallivant

Camber

The name says it all: a place to skip along Camber Sands, enjoy backgammon in the bar, chill in the garden or relax with yoga – and with no children to disturb the peace.
  • weddings
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • parking
  • seaside
  • golf
  • ecofriendly
  • walking
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • bird_watching
  • boutique
  • adultsonly
  • cycling
  • electric_charging_point
  • outdoor_dining
  • spa
  • wildlife_watching
  • foodie
  • great_breakfast
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • romantic
4
Goldstone Hall

Goldstone Hall

Market Drayton

Everything in the garden is lovely at John and Sue Cushing’s red brick Georgian manor house hotel in dairy-farming country five miles outside Market Drayton.
  • weddings
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • wifi
  • conference_meeting
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • parking
  • boutique
  • country_house
  • outdoor_dining
  • veganfriendly
  • electric_charging_point
  • great_breakfast
5
Chapel House

Chapel House

Penzance

There is a friendly, open-house ambience at Susan Stuart’s beautiful B&B with views over the harbour and Mount’s Bay: drop into the kitchen at any time for coffee, cake and a chat.
  • child_friendly
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • guesthouse
  • wifi
  • seaside
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • conference_meeting
  • view
  • romantic
  • babyfriendly
  • historic
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • great_breakfast
  • boutique
  • hot_tub_jacuzzi
  • outdoor_dining
  • veganfriendly
  • surfing
6
The Red Lion

The Red Lion

Babcary

There's bags of olde worlde character in Clare and Charlie Garrard's thatched gastropub, with flagstone floors and exposed beams and plenty of cosy corners and crannies.
  • child_friendly
  • garden
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • parking
  • pub_with_rooms
  • conference_meeting
  • disabled
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • veganfriendly
  • good_value
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • boutique
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • dog_friendly
  • outdoor_dining
7
The Devonshire Arms

The Devonshire Arms

Langport

Behind a handsome 18th-century blue-lias-stone facade, a former village inn overlooking the green is these days a contemporary drop-in bar and restaurant-with-rooms.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • bandb
  • wifi
  • exceptional_value
  • pub_with_rooms
  • babyfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • outdoor_dining
  • good_value
  • cycling
  • golf
  • restaurant_with_rooms
8
Forest Side

Forest Side

Grasmere

‘This hotel ranks amongst the very best that we have stayed in,’ says a reader about this Victorian Gothic mansion with its cool, relaxed style, vast kitchen garden and inspired culinary creations.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • parking
  • romantic
  • gourmet
  • country_house
  • wine
  • disabled
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • weddings
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • for_winelovers
  • wildlife_watching
  • great_breakfast
  • bird_watching
  • foodie
  • honeymoon
  • veganfriendly

2016 Discoveries

Editor’s Choice Hotel Discoveries

1
Special offer
Knockendarroch Hotel

Knockendarroch Hotel - Book 2 nights and get a 3rd half price Special Offer

Pitlochry

On the leafy edge of Pitlochry, with views to the Perthshire hills, Struan and Louise Lothian’s hotel has the feel of a Victorian country house in town.
  • golf
  • walking
  • garden
  • wifi
  • parking
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • view
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • romantic
  • cycling
  • electric_charging_point
  • veganfriendly
  • dog_friendly
  • boutique
2
Newbegin House

Newbegin House

Beverley

It is a rare treat to stay in a fine Georgian town house that is still very much a family home, with personal photographs and heirlooms complementing the handsome original features.
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • garden
  • good_value
  • wifi
  • parking
  • child_friendly
  • great_breakfast
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • cycling
  • electric_charging_point
  • historic
  • veganfriendly
  • walking
  • wildlife_watching
  • babyfriendly
3
The Seaside Boarding House

The Seaside Boarding House

Burton Bradstock

A playful mix of Edward Hopper’s Cape Cod and Edwardian seaside hotel, this white-painted villa above Chesil Beach has an easy-going stylishness, conducive to fun.
  • weddings
  • child_friendly
  • golf
  • walking
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • seaside
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • view
  • honeymoon
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • foodie
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • outdoor_dining
  • parking
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • fishing
  • electric_charging_point
4
Old Downton Lodge

Old Downton Lodge

Ludlow

Amid rolling hills, where Shropshire nudges Herefordshire, Pippa and Willem Vlok’s restaurant-with-rooms comprises a picturesque set piece of medieval and Georgian farm buildings.
  • weddings
  • walking
  • garden
  • wifi
  • romantic
  • gourmet
  • activities
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • parking
  • electric_charging_point
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • for_winelovers
  • bird_watching
  • boutique
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • cycling
  • historic
  • outdoor_dining
  • veganfriendly
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • foodie
  • dog_friendly
  • wildlife_watching
  • adultsonly
5
The Bridge Inn at Ratho

The Bridge Inn at Ratho

Ratho

Expect a ‘cheerful welcome’ at this gastropub-with-rooms, which stands by a bridge over the Union Canal in a conservation village.
  • garden
  • good_value
  • parking
  • pub_with_rooms
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • walking
  • weddings
  • wifi
  • cycling
  • babyfriendly
  • boutique
  • child_friendly
  • dog_friendly
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • veganfriendly
6
The Carpenters Arms

The Carpenters Arms

Thirsk

Overlooking the Vale of York, this deceptively large village inn blends traditional pub features with Scandi-style bedrooms, and classy food with a range of good ales.
  • child_friendly
  • walking
  • garden
  • fishing
  • dog_friendly
  • disabled_facilities
  • wifi
  • pub_with_rooms
  • conference_meeting
  • activities
  • disabled
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • rooms_with_a_view
  • vegetarian_friendly
  • outdoor_dining
7
Eckington Manor

Eckington Manor

Eckington

A cavorting Pan with an overflowing cornucopia promises all manner of good things at Judy Gardner’s restaurant-with-rooms and cookery school in 60 acres of water-meadow pasture.
  • weddings
  • walking
  • bird_watching
  • garden
  • dog_friendly
  • wifi
  • parking
  • gourmet
  • cooking_school
  • conference_meeting
  • disabled
  • with_cooking_school
  • conferencemeeting_friendly
  • for_winelovers
  • outdoor_pursuits_hunting
  • wheelchair_accessible
  • restaurant_with_rooms
  • foodie
  • vegetarian_friendly
Last updated: June 06, 2023