Six of the best: luxury boutique hotels

When it comes to a sumptuous stay, there’s nothing quite like the intimacy of a luxury boutique hotel, where every detail has been considered for the comfort of guests. Check-in to one of the following for supreme comfort and impeccable service.

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons Oxfordshire, south-east England

This boutique property has 32 rooms and deluxe suites and lies just eight miles outside of historic Oxford. The restaurant at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons received two Michelin stars in 1984, the first year of its opening, and has held them ever since. Enjoy private gardens and an open terrace, seating areas, marble bathrooms and even a garden water feature if staying in a garden one-bedroom suite: choose from L'Orangerie, Provence, Opium or Blanc de Blanc.

Combermere Abbey, Shropshire, north-west England

The luxury Combermere Abbey has recently opened the doors of its newly-restored, award-winning North Wing. Housing just two bedrooms and a series of reception rooms, the intimate wing offers sumptuous surroundings jewelled with lavish accents. The rooms feature a king-sized bed, an oversized freestanding bath, and homemade bath and body products by Mitchell and Peach, produced on the family's Foxbury farm. The abbey is within easy driving distance of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.

Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William, Scotland

Nestled among the glens, lochs and mountains of the west Highlands of Scotland, Inverlochy Castle has 17 individually-designed rooms and suites, and a private self-contained gate house. Dining at the castle is an experience in itself – renowned father and son chefs Albert and Michel Roux Jr are at the helm, and the in-house restaurant serves modern British cuisine with French influences.

Llangoed Hall, Wales

Opened in 1990, Llangoed Hall is an elegant Edwardian country house located in the heart of the Welsh countryside near to the Brecon Beacons National Park. It houses 23 bedrooms, all of which are individually designed. Outstanding views of the Black Mountains can be enjoyed from the Master Suite, which has its own lounge area, room service, and a four-poster king sized bed, where you can relax as you sip your complimentary sherry. The hotel is just over an hour’s drive from the Welsh capital Cardiff.

Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, south-east England

Since opening in 1837, Brown's Hotel has welcomed esteemed guests from royals and presidents to world-famous authors. With a bold statement of being 'splendidly English, thoroughly cosmopolitan, quintessentially Mayfair' the classic hotel offers first-class modern facilities in grand surroundings. Try the Kipling Suite, named for author Rudyard Kipling – he penned The Jungle Book while staying in the hotel. Expect a huge marble bathroom, a grand sitting room, king-size bed, and individually-chosen pieces of furniture and décor. The hotel will collect you from the airport, have your luggage unpacked, and introduce you to gallery and shop managers, if wanted.  

The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

Established in 1924, Gleneagles Hotel was quickly acclaimed as 'the palace of the glens' – today, it boasts two Michelin star dining, a three championship golf course, and a spa, and offers 232 luxury bedrooms, including 26 sumptuous suites. The Royal Lochnagar Suite has a welcoming hallway that opens up onto a comfortable sitting room; from there you can make your way to the guest bathroom and master bedroom which is followed by a relaxation area, walk-in dressing room and master bathroom. Overlooking the main entrance is the Blue Tower Suite: split over two levels, it offers two bedrooms and a steam shower.  The hotel is just over an hour’s drive from Edinburgh – it also has its own helipad.