17 Best Hotels in The West Country, England

A classic Georgian building has been converted with flair and wit to create a contemporary guesthouse—the first link in what is now a small chain whose boutique properties all have a strong artistic bent. Each of the bright rooms has been individually designed by a different artist using a bold mixture of retro curios, old-style furnishings, and colorful murals, although bathrooms are reassuringly modern and well equipped. If possible, ask to see your room first (some are quite small). A self-catering cottage is available, too. The bar, restaurant, and terrace garden are also well worth exploring.

The best views in Mousehole can be enjoyed from this lodging's guest rooms, some of which have balconies or terraces, and all of which have modern bathrooms and come with Cornish tea and proper coffee with fresh milk. You can also soak up the sea views on the sheltered deck overlooking the subtropical garden, at the bottom of which the coast path gives direct access to the harbor, a three- or four-minute walk away. There's good food to be had in the open-plan bar and restaurant, which is adorned with local art.

Part of Dartmouth's historic waterfront (and consequently a hub of activity), this hotel has truly earned the name "Royal"—several monarchs have slept here. It was built in the 17th century, reputedly of timber from wrecks of the Spanish Armada, and fireplaces and beamed ceilings are traditional features that remain. Rooms come in different sizes and styles, but all are thoughtfully and richly furnished, with a liberal sprinkling of antiques. Number 6 has its own "priest hole," a secret room used to hide Roman Catholic priests. Most of the pricier rooms facing the river have hot tubs. The food in the restaurant and bars is consistently good, and breakfasts are a royal feast. The hotel has no private parking—ask at reception about the local park and ride deals.

This grand, castellated hotel in the center of town harks back to its Victorian heyday, with lounge areas furnished with comfy armchairs, warmed by open fires, and dotted with old artifacts and local photos. Choose one of the four rooms with four-poster beds if you hanker for the traditional style, as other rooms have a more modern decor. Despite its dated feel, the hotel revels in its old-world identity, and its nostalgic tone chimes well with Tavistock's timbre. There's a good selection of dishes in the restaurant, and parking is free if you book directly with the hotel.

Squeezed into a narrow space at the bottom of a steep lane just outside Torquay, this secluded coastal spot lies just feet from the rocky shore and the waters of Babbacombe Bay, where dolphins and seals are occasional visitors. There's a view-laden lounge, a cozy pub-restaurant with open fires in winter, and plenty of outside seating. Guest rooms are spacious and there are also luxury beach huts and self-catering cottages away from the main building. If you're not tempted by Babbacombe Beach, you can indulge in the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and treatment rooms instead. Valet parking takes the stress away from negotiating the steep approach road.

In the heart of Lydford village and next to Lydford Castle, this 16th-century inn has rose trellises framing its pink facade and public rooms that are snug, lamp-lighted, and full of period clutter. Guest rooms vary in size, and include singles and larger rooms with four-poster beds. One has its own rooftop balcony, and four are in a cottage across the road. A range of bar snacks and full meals is available.

Everything in St. Ives seems squeezed into the tiniest of spaces, and this cottage lodging in the quiet Downalong quarter is no exception. Though small, the light, tastefully converted rooms are pleasingly simple in design, with modern decor and good bathrooms, and the more expensive ones have sea views. Most rooms are named after characters in Daphne du Maurier's novels (she regularly stayed here in the 1940s). Breakfast is not offered, but there are plenty of options in the immediate neighborhood, and rooms are equipped with fridges, fresh milk, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. A minimum two-night stay usually applies.

A showy Victorian edifice, all turrets and elaborate plasterwork, this hotel with 5 acres of gardens, a spa, and a pool was the original inspiration for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows. It's a great place for families—most rooms are spacious enough for several people, and there are excellent facilities for the kids. Modernizations have successfully melded vintage character with contemporary pizzazz. The relaxed dining room, which opens onto a terrace, is open to nonguests.

Situated in the village of Marazion and very close to St. Michael's Mount, this dapper Georgian hotel has large windows for drinking in the mesmerizing views of the turreted castle, the foreshore, and the ever-changing waters of Mount's Bay. The bright, spacious feel extends to the modern guest rooms and the bar–restaurant, where breakfast is also taken and which has outdoor seating in fine weather.

This former hospital has been reimagined as a modish hotel with a zippy, happening vibe and add-ons that include a heated indoor-outdoor pool and spa treatments. Any residual institutional feel has been dispelled by the contemporary decor of the guest rooms, the walled garden, and a pavilion-like bistro-restaurant that offers a superb range of Mediterranean-style dishes. The location isn't auspicious (it's on the edge of the old town by an intersection), but it's only a few minutes' walk from the center. Hotel parking should be booked ahead.

It's worth the winding drive on some of Cornwall's narrowest roads to reach the tiny fishing village that's home to this waterfront hideaway, where three 17th-century cottages have been given eclectic modern style with bleached Portuguese wood and subdued hues in the small bedrooms. Self-catering lodgings are also available. Seafood is a good choice at the excellent restaurant overlooking the diminutive harbor. There's a terrace for drinks and sunbathing, and on either side of the hotel the rugged coastline tempts you with exhilarating walks. The Lugger is 8 miles east of St. Mawes and 12 miles southeast of Truro.

Conveniently located at the bottom of the main street, this centuries-old coaching inn has counted Daniel Defoe and Edward VII among its former guests. A modern makeover has transformed the interior without sacrificing its period features and created well-equipped bedrooms that are clean and elegant (some have four-poster beds and spa baths). It's worth upgrading to a Premium or De Luxe room for more space. Hot and cold meals are available in either of the two bars. Note that there is no elevator and some stairs are a bit steep.

A cool, contemporary ambience pervades this seaside hotel overlooking Falmouth Bay and fronted by a lush, subtropical garden. The public areas are sleek and nautically themed, and the young staff is especially welcoming to families. Alongside the well-equipped guest rooms are four luxury spa garden lodges, and self-catering beach apartments are also available. The modern, panoramic Brasserie on the Bay offers an adventurous menu, while Nourish serves excellent freshly made tapas and salads all day as well as pizzas in the evening, with no need to book. The pool and gym will give you the opportunity for a good work-out, perhaps followed by a pampering spa treatment.

Facing the cathedral, this former coaching inn built in the 15th century has guest rooms furnished with antiques and done in subtle, restful colors. Check out the rooms first, as some are better than others. A few have four-poster beds, and some have to-die-for views (including Nos. 40, 41, and 42, and the aptly named Cathedral Suite). An adjacent courtyard holds three apartments with contemporary decor. The restaurant serves pub classics and traditional meat and fish dishes.

Facing the churchyard in the heart of Chagford village, this inn dating from the 13th century retains its venerable character, from its part-thatched roof, granite facade, and mullioned windows to the grand inglenook fireplaces. Modern facilities are artfully integrated, most conspicuously in the smart restaurant located within a glass atrium in the courtyard. Although the guest rooms have remained essentially unchanged for several centuries, here too you'll find contemporary comforts including well-designed bathrooms. Everything from pub classics to evening specials is available in the restaurant, and the low-beamed bars exude warmth and conviviality, with St. Austell and craft ales on tap.

In two mellow Victorian buildings overlooking one of Clifton's leafiest squares, this somewhat functional hotel makes a useful base for exploring this part of Bristol. Rooms are decorated in neutral colors and are mostly spacious; rooms 229 and 247 open directly onto a small walled garden. Hotel parking is limited but street parking is available with a permit (both options incur an extra charge). Bus 8 from Temple Meads station stops right outside.

Originally a 16th-century coaching inn, but given a Victorian makeover, this gray, rather austere, turreted pile close to Boscastle's harbor makes a welcome place to return to after an energetic ramble along the coast. The turret rooms are good choices if they are available, but most of the guest rooms are spacious with plenty of quirky historic character. The traditional restaurant and bar serve tasty pub food and Cornish ales, and there are lovely gardens to the rear. Three cozy self-catering apartments are also available.