These hotels give you value for money without compromising on standards. Our editors have selected cheap boutique hotels and B&Bs across the UK that ooze luxury, but don’t cost the earth. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when the bill comes.
Best Value Hotels
Argyll Hotel - Early Autumn Special Offer
Isle of Iona
‘Being here makes even a committed atheist feel holy,’ wrote a reader after a visit to Iona and a stay at this hotel, occupying a row of crofters’ cottages.
La Sablonnerie - Suite Upgrade Special Offer
Little Sark
‘Wonderful as ever,’ writes a reader this year, a regular returnee to Elizabeth Perrée’s 16th-century, whitewashed stone farmhouse in a beautiful part of this car-free island.
The Black Swan - Black Swan Hotel Voucher 20% Extra Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
‘Our very special place, where we love to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside,’ writes a reader this year, signing off with a smiley emoji.
Romney Bay House - Escape to the Coast Flexible Special Offer
New Romney
‘After a journey along the bumpy road, we were welcomed at the door by Lisa and Clinton, who took our cases up the rather steep stairs to a lovely room.’
Castleman - Midweek Special Offer
Blandford Forum
If you’re in search of ‘a comfortable and homely experience’, look no further than Barbara Garnsworthy’s former dower house in an ‘unspoilt’ estate village within the former royal hunting ground of Cranborne Chase.
The Green Park - Free Theatre Ticket Special Offer
Pitlochry
Bright gardens, dotted with sculptures, and a sweep of lawns tumble down to a private lochside terrace from this Victorian country house, where many thoughtful touches ‘set the hotel apart’.
The Sun Inn
Colchester
An eye-catching hand-painted pub sign marks your arrival at Piers Baker’s ancient butter-yellow inn, on the Essex-Suffolk border, just down the road from rowing boats bobbing on the River Stour.
The Traddock - Winter Fireside Warmer Special Offer
Austwick
‘We have stayed many times, and it remains a favourite,’ writes a trusted reader after this year's visit to the Reynolds family’s popular, dog-friendly Dales hotel.
Stoberry House - Winter Four for Three Night Special Offer
Wells
‘Fabulous views’ over the cathedral and the Vale of Avalon to Glastonbury Tor await at Frances and Tim Meeres Young’s 18th-century coach house, run as a ‘faultless’ B&B.
Brownber Hall - 10% Discount Midweek Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
‘As soon as we entered, we knew this was going to be special.’ Readers offered high praise in 2019 after visiting Amanda and Peter Jaques-Walker’s Victorian country house.
Aynsome Manor
Grange-over-Sands
‘In a lovely location in quiet countryside’, Christopher and Andrea Varley’s 400-year-old manor house stands in wooded grounds with views across the Vale of Cartmel.
Lake Isle
Uppingham
‘The real break we had hoped for.’ ‘We haven't had a bad meal here in over 30 years.’ High praise from readers in 2019, suggesting this small restaurant-with-rooms was right to name itself after Yeats’s ode to tranquillity and relaxation.
Cnapan
Newport
‘Hospitality of the highest quality lies behind the front door of this outstanding B&B.’ A Guide inspector had ‘a most rewarding stay’ at this pink-washed, Grade II listed Georgian house.
The Ceilidh Place
Ullapool
‘As ever, very enjoyable, and three minutes from the ferry terminal.’ The Urquhart family’s ‘busy, buzzy' café/bar, bookshop, hotel and cultural hub hits all the right notes.
The Lynch Country House
Somerton
Lynne Vincent is the perfect hostess and a mine of information at Roy Copeland’s Grade II listed Georgian country house B&B on the edge of a market town, the former capital of Wessex.
Biggin Hall
Buxton
‘The garden was entertaining at mealtimes. There seemed to be more hens on the lawn this time.’ A trusted reader on a third visit captures the spirit of James Moffett’s manor house hotel in a 'delightful Peak District location'.
Ees Wyke Country House
Ambleside
‘Strongly endorsed by readers this year: ‘The exceptional ambience of this very fine English country house hotel reflects Richard Lee’s personal, multi-talented approach.’
Penbontbren
Glynarthen
Leave the West Wales coast road, head down a country lane, and you’ve suddenly arrived at this ‘superb’ B&B, a former Victorian farm among ‘delightful grounds’ in ‘complete silence’.
Bridgend Hotel
Bridgend
There is whisky galore on this Inner Hebrides island; bonhomie in the bar of this friendly hotel.
The Pierhouse
Port Appin
‘In the most beautiful position, with sea, islands and mountains in full view,’ this former Victorian piermaster’s house stands ‘right on the shores of Loch Linnhe’.
Blackmore Farm
Cannington
On the family farm on the edge of the Quantock hills, Ann and Ian Dyer run this 15th-century manor house with chapel as a ‘warm, welcoming’ B&B.
Underleigh House
Hope Valley
‘Near the end of a quiet cul-de-sac lane’, within the Peak District national park, Vivienne and Philip Taylor welcome guests to their farmhouse B&B, ‘overlooking the beauty of Hope valley’.
Beechwood Hotel
North Walsham
There is no mystery to the appeal of Emma and Hugh Asher’s ‘comfortable, ‘most welcoming’, country hotel with strong Agatha Christie associations.
The Old Store
Chichester
There are treats in store for guests behind the chequerboard facade of this B&B, in a ‘pretty’ South Downs village close to Chichester.
The Howard Arms
Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare was at work up the road in Stratford when this inn was built, overlooking the green in a ‘lovely' Cotswolds village.
Hotels not in the Guide that you may want to consider
Best Value Hotels
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells
Close to the station, a hotel and restaurant inside a Grade II-listed 18th-century sandstone mansion. Intimate and clubby, there is an open fire in the bar, and Gallic-influenced dishes in the informal restaurant; alfresco dining on the terrace. Modern bedrooms (some overlooking Calverley Park) have plenty of perks: a capsule coffee machine, fluffy bathrobes, chic toiletries for indulgent bathing. Within walking distance of the Pantiles.
Chatford House
Shrewsbury
Christine and Rupert Farmer offer guests a slice of the good life at their B&B on a small organic farm – and greet them with a piece of home-baked cake. Close to the Shropshire Way, the 18th-century farmhouse has cottage-style bedrooms full of spoiling touches: fresh flowers, magazines, and a regularly topped-up hospitality tray. In each, views of the pretty garden or towards the Wrekin.
Laurel Villa Townhouse
Magherafelt
A shrine to Seamus Heaney, behind the bright red door of Eugene and Gerardine Kielt’s elegant villa, B&B guests will find an intriguing collection of books and memorabilia. Eugene Kielt, a Blue Badge guide, gives award-winning tours of the area, and reveals the landscapes and community that inspired the late Nobel prize-winning poet and playwright. Gerardine’s breakfasts (fresh fruit salad, a full Ulster, gourmet scones) are served in the wood-panelled dining room, beneath Heaney poems on scrolls.
The Bull and Swan at Burghley
Stamford
In the late 17th century, the Honourable Order of Little Bedlam (an aristocratic drinking club) rampaged through this coaching inn – today an altogether more upstanding crowd come for the modern pub grub, cinema nights and the garden’s ‘pizza potting shed’ (open on warm-weather weekends). Characterful bedrooms mix vintage furnishings and modern conveniences. Some have exposed stones or feature wallpaper, perhaps an original fireplace, mullioned window.
Pairc an t-Srath
Isle of Harris
On the west coast of Harris, Lena and Richard MacLennan’s small guest house overlooks Borve’s golden sand beach, and has views over the sound of Taransay. Simply and unfussily done, without compromising comfort. Harris tweed blankets drape the bed in the neat, wood-floored bedrooms; fresh flowers and shelves of books bring interest to a sitting room warmed by a peat fire. A surprising touch: a sauna in which to ease tired muscles after a day exploring the island.
The Belmont
Leicester
On leafy New Walk, this welcoming family-owned town hotel is formed from a row of Victorian residences. It is within easy reach of the city and station, the King Richard III Visitor Centre and the University.
Grendon
Buxton
Wonderful views, luxury extras and home-baked treats – on a quiet road within walking distance of the town centre, this B&B in an Edwardian property has an immaculate modern interior and welcoming hosts.
The Bijou
Harrogate
Within easy walking distance of the town centre and railway station, this small B&B in a Victorian villa tempts with an honesty bar, pleasant front garden; private parking is an added bonus.
Hotels in North Yorkshire
Hotels near the RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Hotels near Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
Yorkshire hotels with pools
Hotels in YorkshireJOIN THE GHG CLUB
Get our free monthly newsletter, latest special offers, advice & competitions. Join more than 5,500 other members.
Read more about it here
BUY THE 2020 GUIDE
BUY THE 2020 GUIDEBuy the 2020 Guide to read reviews of all 830 hotels. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six 25% discount vouchers, worth in total about £150.
Buy the guide
Win A Free Night for Two!
Win a prize of dinner, bed and breakfast for two at THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE, CANTERBURY, by SENDING A REVIEW of your favourite hotel or B&B in Britain or Ireland. See COMPETITION PAGE.
Submit a review