The 11 Best Boutique Hotels in Devon, England [2023]

The idyllic county of Devon can be found in the southwest of England. Known for the area dubbed the English Riviera, Devon is full of quaint medieval towns and lush moorland national parks.

One of the best ways to enjoy Devon is to stay at one of the many luxurious boutique hotels the county has to offer.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Devon

Cary Arms

Price: From $305 per night

Cary Arms can be found along the coastline of South Devon, in Babbacombe Bay, offering incredible views in a unique setting dating back to Victorian times. Influenced by New England design, this boutique destination treats guests to an immersive coastal stay with nautical accents.

The on-site restaurant focuses on local ingredients and seasonal produce, with specials that reflect the Devon way of life. The impressive spa features a range of wellness treatments, including access to a waterfall hydrotherapy pool with sea views, along with a steam room, sauna, and exotic experience shower.

Every room and suite at Cary Arms is sea-facing and full of modern comfort. The 2 suites can be found in traditional 19th-century cottages and have been redesigned to offer a sumptuous accommodation experience.

City Gate Hotel

Price: From $104 per night

City Gate Hotel can be found in central Exeter, only a short walk away from the cathedral and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. With great public transport connections on its doorstep, this boutique experience gives guests easy access to the rest of the city.

Featuring its own pub, City Gate Hotel treats guests to a seasonal British menu focused on local fresh produce and ingredients. Guests can enjoy a meal on the impressive terrace garden or in the opulent conservatory, depending on the whims of the weather.

This urban getaway features a complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of private event space.

Accommodation options at the City Gate Hotel include a cozy boutique double, a boutique twin, and a boutique double. Each individually-designed room features a comfortable writing desk, air conditioning, a Nespresso coffee maker, and a flat-screen TV.

Gara Rock

Price: From $432 per night

Crowning a clifftop in South Devon, the charming Gara Rock is a boutique hotel near the sprawling fields of Salcombe. This hidden gem treats guests to an exclusive getaway in the region, where they can disconnect while enjoying the stunning nature surrounding the hotel.

The hotel offers several on-site eateries, including a fine dining restaurant featuring seasonal meals, as well as an alfresco dining experience with grilled delicacies. A lounge bar for informal drinks and light bites is also available.

There are 2 pools — a heated indoor one and a seasonal outdoor option. The on-site spa offers reinvigorating treatments and a Jacuzzi. A private cinema room treats guests to exclusive viewings.

The luxurious rooms and suites at Gara Rock include underfloor heating, a Nespresso coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, and a king-size bed. In addition, most of them have a private balcony to better enjoy the sea views.

Highcliffe House

Price: From $169 per night

Located in an elegant Victorian building, Highcliffe House can be found in Exmoor National Park, overlooking Lynton and Lynmouth. Boasting enviable panoramic views of the North Devon coastline, this exclusive boutique destination is a huge draw for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the county’s beauty.

Guests can enjoy breakfast in the conservatory, among the delights of the orangerie. The comfortable drawing room provides a perfect setting to unwind with a drink. This luxurious, quiet setting is great for relaxation and for socializing in an intimate setting.

Each luxurious room at Highcliffe House features an individual design that blends the beauty of tradition with the comfort of modernity. In-room amenities include designer toiletries, premium linens, an indulgent hospitality tray, and a hot water bottle. Guests can enjoy impressive views from every room, as well as a flat-screen TV with premium streaming access.

Lympstone Manor

Price: From $594 per night

Located in Exmouth, Lympstone Manor is a heritage Georgian country house full of opulent details. This charming boutique experience can be found close to Lympstone Village, set along the Exe Estuary on a sprawling estate.

This dog-friendly option offers a variety of rooms, from classic choices at the front of the house to private shepherd huts offering apartment-style living in the woodland. Each elegant room features an individual design with refined en-suite bathrooms.

In-room amenities at Lympstone Manor include a complimentary gin tray, a smart TV, free Wi-Fi, signature designer toiletries, cozy bathrobes and slippers, and a safe. Guests can dine in style at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Exmouth, where British classics are given a modern twist.

There is a poolside restaurant and bar with amazing views overlooking the outdoor heated pool and the vineyard.

Rose & Crown

Price: From $119 per night

The charming Rose & Crown can be found in the South Hams region of Devon, in the quaint village of Yealmpton. The rooms can be found next door to a traditional gastropub focusing on local flavors and ingredients.

Full of warm decor details, Rose & Crown features a cozy shared lounge with a fireplace and opulent sofas. Weather allowing, guests can enjoy alfresco dining or award-winning drinks in the idyllic walled garden.

This countryside location is dog-friendly and offers on-site parking. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in every space at the hotel. Accommodation at Rose & Crown is spread across 3 floors.

Each room has been refurbished to provide a sophisticated modern lodging experience. Every room includes a king-size bed with a Vi-Spring mattress, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a curated selection of premium toiletries.

The Seagate

Price: From $124 per night

The Seagate can be found in the charming fishing village of Appledore, in a 17th-century building with views over the Torridge estuary. Originally a traditional pub, this boutique destination also offers luxurious accommodations.

Locals and tourists alike can indulge in fresh and local meals at the pub. Those staying at The Seagate can enjoy easy access to the South West Coastal Path. Alfresco dining is available on the sea-facing terrace in the summer.

This dog-friendly option treats guests to complimentary breakfast daily, with both continental and full English choices available on the menu. Complimentary Hendricks gin and Fever-Tree lemonade can be enjoyed during dinner service.

Each stylish coastal chic room at the Seagate features complimentary Wi-Fi, a Nespresso coffee maker, a salon-grade hair dryer, a flat-screen TV, an ultra-comfortable bed with Hypnos mattress, and a selection of homemade treats.

South Sands Hotel

Price: From $222 per night

The luxurious South Sands Hotel offers amazing views over the sea and the harbor and is located on the South Sands Beach in Salcombe. This boutique destination takes design inspiration from classic New England interiors, offering an alternative experience in Devon.

The on-site bar and restaurant treat guests to indulgent delicacies with a spectacular view. The hotel is close to Salcombe city center and easily accessible via the South Sands Ferry. On-site parking is available to guests and visitors.

Accommodation options at the South Sands Hotel include stylish rooms with nautical design accents, along with luxurious beachfront suites. Each room category is named after a famous sailing boat. Rooms include a super king-size bed, air conditioning, complimentary bottled water, and fresh milk. In addition, each wet room has 2 showers for extra convenience.

Southernhay House Hotel

Price: From $272 per night

Found in the heart of Exter, the Southernhay House Hotel is located in an elegant Georgian building full of modern luxurious amenities. This independently-owned hotel is only steps away from Barnfield Theater and the Exeter Cathedral.

The trendy on-site bar offers bespoke cocktails and seasonal lunchtime and evening menus for guests and locals to enjoy. The hotel kitchen focuses on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and meals inspired by the region.

The room categories at Southernhay House are named after the local trades that made Exeter a commercial hub. Each room, though individually designed, features a comfortable bed with premium plush linens, tea and coffee-making facilities, designer toiletries, and an opulent en suite bathroom with a large screened shower or freestanding bathtub.

Weeke Barton

Price: From $194 per night

At the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, travelers will find the 500-year-old Weeke Barton, a boutique hotel that was once a rural home. Nowadays, it treats guests to a modern design full of sophisticated amenities.

Many period features have been preserved inside the property, with wood beams along the ceiling and heavy oak doors. This secluded location allows guests to fully disconnect from the bustle of the routine while still enjoying plenty of modern comforts.

This family-owned boutique hotel focuses on sustainability and an eco-friendly approach to hospitality. Guests will find special local treats like signature toiletries sourced from the nearby St Kitts Herbery.

Each room at Weeke Barton has a spacious design with bold 600-count Egyptian cotton linens and 100% goose-down duvets. Plush towels and a comfortable cotton bathrobe are also provided in every room.

The Whitehouse

Price: From $175 per night

Found in South Devon, The Whitehouse is located in the charming coastal village of Chillington. This boutique bed and breakfast offers a luxurious escape for those seeking to fully unwind close to the beach.

Guests staying at The Whitehouse can enjoy many shops and restaurants within walking distance, with fresh local produce always on the menu. Some of the rooms at the hotel are dog friendly, and all of them can include a baby cot.

Each of the elegant rooms at The Whitehouse offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a wall-mounted smart TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar, and a shower or bathtub in the en-suite bathroom. Breakfast is complimentary and features both a variety of cold continental options and full English-cooked alternatives, depending on what each guest desires.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to visit the dramatic beauty of the coastline via the South West Coast Path or enjoy the harbor towns of Torquay or Brixham, Devon has much to offer to any type of traveler. Surfers, sailors, and fishing enthusiasts will find Devon accommodating to their passions, and the rich history of the county will provide an unforgettable stay.