The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Devon

One look at this 14th-century stone building and you’re transported into the world of real ale and fine hospitality. Priding itself on the provenance of its ingredients, mostly choosing produce from the southwest, the Mason Arms is a traditional English pub, complete with low-beamed ceilings and a cosy log fire. Their room offerings continue this trend; choose the showpiece Branscombe Room for never-ending countryside views and a four-poster bed, perfect for any special occasion. Will anything entice you away from this slice of Devon luxury? The 10-minute stroll to the beach might do it.

Originally a 19th-century private home, this ivy-covered building is now a four-star luxury boutique hotel in Devon with 16 individual rooms. Opt to stay in the house itself, decorated with traditional charm and complete with countryside views overlooking the Tamar Valley, or choose the swanky Coach House for your own balcony and comfortable living spaces. Experience the landscape you can see from your room with plenty of outdoor activities available in Dartmoor National Park, or head to either of Devon’s coasts for a day by the beach. An even more traditional experience, enjoy classic Devon cream tea from the hotel restaurant. Jam first, or cream first?

This family-run property, set in South Molton, boasts individually decorated rooms with their own quirks and furnishings – Room 3 offers a cosy bedroom with a stylish walk-in shower, while Room 2 even has its own dressing room and south-facing windows overlooking the gorgeous valley ahead. Devon is all about the outdoors, and Heasley House will point you in the right direction for everything from walking and cycling to surfing and clay shooting. If that doesn’t sound like your thing, rent an excellent electric bike right from your hotel to take the weight off a little, or settle down with a cask ale at the hotel restaurant.

Boutique hotels in Devon don’t get much better than Gara Rock. Set atop a cliff in East Portlemouth, just a short ferry ride from Salcombe, Gara Rock boasts views as far as Dartmoor on a clear day. Opt for the Signal House for your own private sun terrace and hot tub to take advantage of the warm Devon climate. Weather not on your side? Not to worry, the underfloor heating will have you cosy in no time as you plot what à la carte delights are in store for you from the on-site restaurant.

This quaint seaside town, largely untouched by the bustle of modern life, is the backdrop to South Sands Boutique Hotel. With 22 modern yet homely rooms and five luxury beach suites, there’s plenty of choice – take our advice and opt for a room with large windows that look over South Sands, you won’t be disappointed. The best bit? Your canine companion is not just welcome, but pampered; they’ll even get their own welcome basket with a blanket, bowl and luxury treats.

A gorgeous, privately owned Victorian townhouse, Tavistock House Hotel has been tastefully restored to retain some original features but with slick and smart individually designed rooms. Guests praise the consistently high quality and flawless attention to detail, from the comfy pocket-sprung mattresses with Egyptian cotton sheets to the under-floor heating in the bathroom. Every room comes with a 40in (102cm) TV, Netflix, high-speed wifi, tablets to surf the net with access to digital newspapers, Nespresso coffee machines and luxurious Noble Isle toiletries.

The architecture and design of Kaywana Hall are striking and contemporary, with sweeping clean lines and lots of glass to create a light and spacious look and feel. Originally one of four 1960s houses that had unusual roofs shaped like butterflies, owners Tony Pithers and Gordon Craig enlisted help from Brixham architect Stan Bolt to rebuild and redesign the luxury, modern hideaway that sits in stunning contrast to the surrounding 12 acres (5ha) of lush woodland. The four guest suites are detached from the main house, so you have space and privacy to retreat and both quality and attention to detail are top-notch. The rooms have gorgeous beds, quality linens, fluffy towels, Nespresso machines, wifi and wide-screen TVs.

Beautifully appointed on the edge of Exmoor National Park, award-winning Kentisbury Grange is a luxurious country manor house set in stunning landscaped gardens. The decor is contemporary classic elegance: modern, clean lines with opulent touches here and there, such as an exquisite fabric, a vivid colour or a vibrantly patterned cushion or wall panel. The restaurant serves food that’s high quality and inventive with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, prepared with first-class ingenuity and flair.

With a funky interior by esteemed designer and furniture maker Timothy Oulton, Glazebrook House is a smart, high-end boutique hotel in Devon that’s bold, sophisticated and fun, like a playground for grown-ups, with humour and a hint of kitsch. It won an award from Visit England, and another for Best Hotel Restaurant at the Food and Drink Devon Love the Flavour awards. There are nine rooms inspired by Alice in Wonderland(1865) with their own unique character, decadence and style. Each room has handcrafted furniture, 3D-effect marble, super-cool collectors’ trinkets plus lots of special details, such as the soft and fluffy white sheepskin bed in the White Rabbit room and the hard-to-spot dollhouses in the Mad Hatter room.

This renovated, medieval, granite house is a gorgeous blend of old countryside charm and modern, eco-friendly chic. The owners of Weeke Barton care deeply about the house and land, and it shows. Inside, the decor is inviting country cool with a fireplace, low sofas and a well-stocked honesty bar in the snug. The five bedrooms are light and calming with natural stone tiles, exposed oak beams, cosy window seats and sheepskin rugs with luxurious modern conveniences. There’s a biomass boiler that runs on sustainable sources of wood to cut out the need for oil and gas, plus eco cleaning products, light bulbs and toiletries are used throughout. Co-owner Jo Gossett is also an experienced chef, so evening meals are delicious British classics using locally sourced ingredients.