The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in the Cotswolds

A gorgeous Georgian townhouse hotel located in the heart of Cheltenham, No. 131 has everything you need on a romantic break. With lavish decor and modern-day facilities in each of the 11 individually designed bedrooms on offer – including a stand-alone tub, coffee maker and mini-bar stocked with treats from local farmers and producers – it’s the ideal place to indulge in a spot of luxury. There’s also a big emphasis on the restaurant, which serves both traditional and modern cuisine. So you can while away the hours with a hearty supper and signature cocktails before retiring. The following day, why not try out the restaurant’s brunch menu, washed down with a bloody mary or two?

Situated within the 162ha (400-acre) Farncombe Estate lies the 17th-century Dormy House, a luxury farmhouse with a home-away-from-home vibe – think cosy corners, log fires and sumptuous interiors. The standalone suite, the Rose Cottage, has been revamped and boasts floral furnishings, sentimental antique pieces and a private hot tub. Steal some private moments in this intimate Cotswolds hideaway for two.

The city of Bath, on the edge of the Cotswolds, screams romance from the get-go, and the Gainsborough Bath Spa is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend. You can immerse yourself in the natural thermal water, relax in the artfully decorated rooms – complete with subtle period features – or explore the city, which is packed full of history and beauty. End the day by sipping on a chilled glass of champagne at the hotel bar. Bliss!

With a distinctly modern take on traditional features, the Kings Head Hotel is a beautiful, boutique establishment with 46 bedrooms, each possessing a romantic ambiance and subtle charm. Elegant chandeliers, feature-wall art, fresh flowers and comfortable furniture set the tone – there’s even a touch of tweed involved. Steeped in history (King Charles II is said to have spent time here), you’ll feel at home as soon as you set foot in this chic hotel. Spend your time sampling the classically British menu, before taking a stroll around the picturesque countryside that sits directly outside the hotel doors.

Contemporary design meets traditional glamour at Oak House No. 1, a hip B&B in the heart of Tetbury. The interior is lavishly decorated, full of jewel-tone colours, fabulous artwork and chic furniture, creating a homely, welcoming vibe. A favourite of many a celeb, the discrete yet attentive personnel make this residence the perfect setting for a romantic break for two.

A 16th-century country hotel in the very centre of Tetbury, the Close has all the intimate seclusion of a rural hideaway – but with the town’s boutiques and restaurants only steps away. Mingle with lunching locals in the tasteful Garden Rooms restaurant – overlooking the peaceful walled garden, or curl up by the fire with toasted crumpets in the snug library. Upstairs, 20 plush bedrooms have Nespresso machines and Molton Brown amenities, while some have four-poster beds or showers made for two.

Checking into this magnificent Georgian guesthouse feels like arriving at the home of a seriously wealthy relative. Located in a quiet residential area of Cheltenham, the hotel heaves with one-off artwork, fresh flowers and plump sofas. The 13 bedrooms are equally welcoming, with roll-top baths, statement wallpaper, Nespresso machines and even hot water bottles with hand-knitted covers. Tear yourself away for an outstanding breakfast of freshly baked pastries and eggs benedict with honey-glazed ham.

Cotswolds chic comes with a side order of tongue-in-cheek fun at Cowley Manor. From the outside, the 31-bedroom hotel appears to be a regal 19th-century Italianate manor, but unique interiors create a surprisingly laid-back sanctuary. Think geometric carpets, brightly coloured walls, bright-purple billiard tables, leather-panelled rooms and papier-mâché sculptures. Grab a pair of Hunter wellies and a picnic to explore the lakeside grounds, and don’t miss the award-winning spa with two show-stopping heated pools.

Looking for postcard-perfect Cotswold elegance without dusty drapes and creaking floorboards? This 17th-century manor house in Gloucestershire has 18 airy contemporary rooms, a sleek garden spa offering Elemis treatments and even a private cinema. When fresh air calls, there are wellies and bikes to borrow, too. Explore 4.5ha (11 acres) of grounds including the Laburnum Walk and the restaurant’s impressive vegetable gardens, or head to the hotel’s own country pub across the road.

Once a fusty B&B, this 17th-century coaching inn in Stow-on-the-Wold has been lovingly restored and transformed into an upmarket boutique retreat. Original features including stone walls and low wooden beams mix beautifully with freestanding roll-top baths, velvet sofas and upcycled furniture in 16 delightful rooms. Kids in tow? They’ll love the family room with bunk beds and a games console, and the fish finger sandwiches and banana splits on the children’s menu.

Quirky details, including bowling hat decorations and candlestick telephones, make this elegant guest house feel more like a boutique hotel. Built in 1837 as a genteel gentleman’s residence, the property has nine homely rooms named after famous butlers from literature and history. There’s a communal lounge stocked with books and games, and a glass-walled terrace; while a hearty full English breakfast will set you up for a day in nearby Cheltenham.

If a weekend away isn’t complete without a quintessential cream tea, these Stow-on-the-Wold rooms will be your very own rural paradise. Downstairs in this Cotswold town cottage there are traditional tea rooms serving homemade scones piled high with jam and lashings of cream. Upstairs are four stylish rooms with statement artwork and modern tiled ensuite bathrooms, and every stay includes a full English breakfast – unless you want to start early on the scones, of course.