From pretty, historic villages, to grand centres; windswept coastlines to dramatic moorland, Somerset has it all. That, and proximity to London, and other major centres, has brought the region investment in accommodation — specifically boutique hotels, chic inns, country house hotels, and stylish guesthouses. So there’s plenty of options to consider when it comes to choosing the best boutique hotels in Somerset, from Georgian Townhouse conversions in the centre of Bath, to countryside retreats and establishments with restaurants that will thrill any foodie worth their salt!
For the Album
- If you guessed that At The Chapel has been converted from a chapel then congratulations, but this property is very far from stained glass and pews! The main body of the building has been cleared to make way for a fantastically light and airy cafe and bar, with a super stylish feel. The eight rooms are crisp and contemporary, with plenty of white, wood, and large French doors leading outside. Some of the rooms are idea for families too.
For a Special Occasion

- The Queensberry occupies part of an elegant, Georgian terrace in central Bath, and offers 29 individually decorated rooms and suites, with as much grandeur and contemporary comfort as you favour. Each room has all the mod cons of course, plus sash windows and huge bathrooms, Roberts radios and elegant lighting. All have stylish wallpapers and plush soft furnishings, but some have gone further towards the top in ‘over the top’! The hotel has a lovely little garden — which might come as a surprise — a fabulous Michelin starred restaurant (the only one in Bath) also known for its interesting wine list, and several small drawing rooms. The concierge service is excellent.
For Families

- No 15 Great Pulteney is an elegantly converted Georgian townhouse on one of Bath’s grandest streets, so it’s extremely elegant inside and out. In true boutique hotel style each of its 37 rooms and suites are individually designed and decorated, in a range of styles from fun and family-friendly, with tipis, bedtime books and doll’s houses, to dripping with romance. The restaurant and bar are small, but perfectly formed, with limited, but excellent menus; they also offer a picnic service. Babysitting and spa therapies can be easily arranged too.
For Romantics

- The Ayrlington is an impressive, and rather imposting, townhouse in an excellent spot across the river from the historic centre of Bath. Now converted into a 16 room boutique hotel, we know it for its bold decor — which varies a lot from room to room — for its stunning views, and for its gorgeous gardens. There’s no restaurant, but they offer an indulgent Full English breakfast, and you’re within a stroll of numerous bars and restaurants.
For a Countryside Retreat

- The Newt is a proper country house hotel, in that it’s been converted from a beautiful, 17th century stately home set in its own charming gardens and grounds. As a hotel it offers 23 rooms and suites, all individually decorated to make the most of the original features, be that attic beams, panelled walls, marble fireplaces or fancy plasterwork — but with the addition of minimalist design pieces in amongst the antiques. The grounds will charm you too, and there’s an extensive kitchen garden which provides a lot of what’s served in the stylishly minimal restaurant. There’s also a spa in the old cow barn, a farm shop, a cider press for local apples, and a History of Gardening Museum.
For a Coastal Retreat

- Swain House is a creatively converted 18th century shop and townhouse in the seaside town of Watchet — which is where Coleridge wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It has four rooms, which feature National Gallery oil painting murals, king-sized beds and stand-alone bathtubs. A Full English is served daily in the dining room, and there’s a stylish lounge for guests too.
For all the Bells and Whistles

- Homewood is a 21 room country house hotel converted from a charming mansion made from Bath stone, and set on ten acres. This is the sort of hotel you don’t need to leave, with an impressive spa, and pool terrace with hot tubs, a standout British restaurant, and pampering packages that play to the whole family. The rooms and suites are big, with individual designs and decor — some have living space and private terraces with a hot tub. Families have plenty of choice, with a number of suites and interconnecting rooms being suitable. You can bring your pets too. 15 minutes from Bath, and 20 minutes from Longleat.
For Foodies

- The Wheatsheaf is a country pub with a fantastic menu and three rustic chic bedrooms, just ten minutes from Bath. The food definitely gets top billing, but the country atmosphere — especially on a sunny day with the garden in full bloom — is blissfully relaxed, and the luxurious details in the rooms might surprise you. If you need even more than huge beds, covered in Egyptian linens and down duvets, then you can arrange an in-room massage or beauty treatment.
- Number One Bruton is in the pretty village of Bruton, a twelve room boutique hotel, and farm-to-fork restaurant created in collaboration with Michelin starred chef, Merlin Labron-Johnson. Beyond the incredible food, much of it grown locally by the team, are charmingly decorated rooms, with period accents and a country house feel.
For a Mini-Break

- The Bird is a quirkily colourful boutique hotel converted from a Victorian mansion, just a short stroll from Bath’s Great Pulteney Street. Each of the 31 rooms and suites, which are spread over four floors, has been individually designed and decorated, with a range of luxurious features that include fine art, vintage memorabilia, and a hot tub. The hotel has a charming lounge for taking afternoon tea, a restaurant known for its local produce, and a hip roof terrace bar.
- Also in Bath, Eight, Bath is a beautifully converted historic townhouse, with a stylish blend of original features and chic, contemporary comforts. Think original panelled walls, cornicing and fireplaces, but accompanied with a freestanding bathtub. There are just eight rooms and suites, some suitable for families, plus there’s a bar occupying the old basement kitchen, and a gourmet restaurant. The location is perfect for seeing all the sights of Bath.
- Archangel is a chic, sophisticated restaurant with rooms in the quaint market town of Frome. The restaurant is imaginative and local, with friendly staff and great attention to detail, and the ten hotel rooms above are minimally decorated, but feature quite a bit of bold purple — plus freestanding baths, and gold and velvet detailing. There’s a cosy bar and relaxed library for guests too.
Country Inns

- The Litton is a superbly done inn, with an excellent restaurant, an historic whisky bar and 12 stylishly decorated rooms and suites, in sleepy Litton, within the Mendip Hills AONB. Our Gurus like The Litton because their focus on doing the simple things well really pays off, starting with the original historic bar, dating from around 1420, which has a fantastic atmosphere. The restaurant focuses on local cuisine and old favourites, and the rooms show off the original features, but with plenty of chic, contemporary touches.
- The Swan is a great little pub/inn in the pretty town of Wedmore, close to the Mendip Hills AONB. The food is a big draw here, created by an acclaimed chef, and sourced locally, and the pub itself is friendly and unfussy. Upstairs, the seven rooms are larger and brighter than you might expect from the exterior, with white walls and unfussy, but luxurious looking decor.
- The Crooked Swan is an 18th century inn in Crewkerne, renovated to keep it fresh and stylish, but not enough so much so that the cosy charm of the original building has been lost. The bar and restaurant are popular with locals, and the eight bedrooms upstairs have been stripped back to make the most of their original features — but with industrial style en-suites.
For Great Value

- The Yard is a boutique and bijou hotel, stylishly converted from a former coaching inn in a great spot in Bath. There are just 14 rooms and suites, decorated individually with a range of vintage and mid-century design pieces, and priced based on size. There’s a great little courtyard bar, which feels private, and attracts non-guests in for wine, cheese and charcuterie, and there’s a fantastic little cafe where breakfast is served. Romantic and affordable.
- The Redan inn is a recently renovated old inn, in a small village, with a great restaurant and welcoming bar. The food and drink are the main event — think roaring fires and Somerset’s finest food and cider, and the seven rooms are comfortable and unfussy, with some fun retro decorations.
Welcoming B&Bs

- Grays is a 12 room B&B in Bath, converted from an elegant Victorian residence just above the centre of town. The atmosphere is very home-from-home, but also luxurious, with everything plush-feeling and just so. Each room is different, with its own collection of antiques and fabrics, but the decor has favoured grown-up pastels and furniture with elegantly turned legs. A made to order breakfast is served in the cheerful conservatory.
- Bathen House is a converted Edwardian villa in Bath with 13 glamorous rooms, decorated with classic style in pastel shades. It exudes old fashioned luxury, from the marble bathrooms to the chandeliers, and everything you touch seems to be properly made. Breakfasts are just as indulgent as the rest of the details.
- Mount Pleasant Farm is a charming B&B, converted from an old farmhouse and still surrounded by woods and fields, just outside an historic village. There are just four rooms, individually decorated with an eclectic array of antiques, vintage pieces, wallpaper, art and fabrics — the effect is cheerful and contemporary, with a country air. The host has the same excellent cheer, and makes a great breakfast.
Still not sure where to book?