Boutique hotels are a popular thing these days, but not every region is as strict about their ‘boutique’ labels, and our Gurus have decided that ‘boutique’ is more of a sliding scale than a finite description. We love the Peak District, and against this gorgeous backdrop perfect for adventure, exertion or romance, we classify a boutique hotel as one that’s small and stylish, with individually decorated rooms, personalised service, great facilities and a more than decent restaurant. If that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for our list of 11 of the best boutique hotels in the Peak District is for you. We’ve also included some fantastic little boutique inns too, and some hybrid boutique/country house hotels, because we don’t want you to discount great places to stay in the Peak District just because they don’t have the right labels.
The Most Romantic Boutique Hotels
- Once upon a time the Peacock at Rowsley was the Dower House for Haddon Hall, the seat of the Dukes of Rutland, and you can still see some of the Rutland furnishings today, mixed with contemporary pieces to create a stylish, luxurious feeling collection of 15 boutique-feeling rooms and suites. This is the kind of hotel where you’ll be greeted with afternoon tea, and offered camomile tea before bed, there will always be a fire roaring if cosiness is required and the restaurant boasts 3 AA Rosettes. You’re surrounded by miles and miles of countryside to explore and the hotel will help you out there too, offering a ‘walk of the day’ recommendation every day at breakfast.
- Fischer's Baslow Hall is a neatly symmetrical manor house in a fantastic location and with a fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant, which is certainly the centrepiece of the hotel. It’s visually very chintzy, with floral drapes, fabrics and wallpapers, open fireplaces, antique furnishings and plenty of tassels, but the cuisine is very contemporary British, and quite innovative. There are just 11 rooms. And you’re very close to Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall.
- The Biggin Hall Hotel is a converted 17th century manor house mid-way between Ashbourne and Buxton, in a fantastic Peak District location. Its direct access to the dales makes it good for walkers, and it’s affordable, but we also think this is a really romantic hotel, with an elegant lounge and library, as well as 21 rooms, many of them with canopied beds — all of them different. The building is Grade II listed, with an impressive collection of architectural influences, and there are many original features to spot in the rooms and the public areas. The hotel is also surrounded by gardens and lawns, and there’s an excellent restaurant.
- The 24 room Cavendish Hotel isn’t exactly boutique, but it’s certainly small and luxurious, and offers lots of personalised touches, and it’s also stylishly traditional, with decor that’s elegant, if not exactly what you’d expect from a boutique hotel. You'll find open fires, exposed oak beams and antiques, wonderful views and plenty of estate to explore surrounding the hotel. The restaurant is award-winning, specialising in seasonal and local, with a rural twist.
The Best Boutique Inns
- The Cow is a boutique country inn just outside the borders of the Peak District National Park in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The decor is a really charming mix of the inn’s original features, like beamed and wood ceilings, with some really contemporary ideas: think hewn stone sinks and polished concrete tiles. There are 12 rooms, all light and airy, decorated in a range of soft colours, and an atmospheric restaurant which serves modern British food and an excellent selection of ales.
- The Lamb Inn might not be quite as boutique as you might find in a large city, but for the Peak District we think it qualifies. This fantastically historic little pub has three surprisingly contemporary, light and airy bedrooms. And underneath them is the pub, with its traditional stone fireplaces, cosy beamed ceilings and numerous intimate rooms where you can eat and drink heartily. Perfect for walkers too!
- The Old Hall Inn is a really charming pub with 11 rooms and studios. Some of the rooms are within the pub and some in neighbouring Whitehough Hall, they range from country house hotel style guest rooms to contemporary-styled studio apartments. The property has been a coaching inn since the early 1800s, and there are some fantastic old features to appreciate while you also enjoy one of their excellent local beers or ales. There’s a restaurant too, cosy and romantic.
- The George Hotel is similar to The Lamb Inn: boutique enough to consider. Plus, it’s a 500 year old country inn, reputed to be the original building behind ‘The Feathers’ in ‘Jane Eyre. It does have four-poster beds and a good collection of antiques and comfortable contemporary furnishings. And it also has an award-winning restaurant, one of the best in the area, with 2 AA Rosettes. And you’re within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park.
Boutique Hotels for Walkers
- The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley qualifies in the above category too, or the category below, but it’s just such a great choice for walkers, with trails leading right out the door and all over the Chatsworth estate and surrounds. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire own the inn, having it transformed it from one of the estate pubs into something a bit more special. The Duchess has chosen the decorations in the seven rooms, and opted for bright, cheerful colour accents against white and neutral colours, natural materials and really excellent bathrooms. The food is excellent too, by Alan Hill, the Chef Patron of the estate, and much of it is sourced straight off the estate too.
- The Duncombe Arms also qualifies twice, it’s a great inn, with chic decor and it’s very popular with walkers. In Ellastone, Staffordshire, the Duncombe Arms isn’t within the park, but the spot is certainly beautiful and rural, and there are plenty of local country walks, as well as it being just a short distance into the park proper. There’s a cosy feeling to these ten rooms, and to the gastro pub, with the sort of country chic you’d see in home decor magazines.
Best Value Boutique Hotels in the Peak District
- Not quite in the Peak District, but very close, in Mackworth, Derby, The Farmhouse at Mackworth is an 18th century farmhouse recently turned into a small hotel with a lively bar and colourful, design-decorated restaurant. There are ten rooms, all different, but all with a great rural-chic-fun to them, with exposed brick walls, well re-upholsted antiques, indulgent bathrooms and contemporary art. The restaurant serves modern British fare, and surprise! there’s a chic cocktail bar.
Still not sure which to book?
