The most private hotels in the UK

Forever a top pick in our most-loved hotel lists, whether for its stunning spa, its romantic setting or its five-star qualities, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa is in a league of its own.

Resting amid 130 acres of idyllic Hampshire countryside, this 18th-century country house hotel fringes the beautiful New Forest and is close to the sea, allowing you to get lost in the magic of England’s peaceful south coast.

The gorgeous, self-contained Treehouse accommodations are hidden amid the woodland canopies set further away from the hotel itself, offering extra seclusion with their own parking, daily breakfast hampers, and varied room service menu for total privacy.

The Treehouse Hideaway Suites are particularly suited to couples seeking an intimate backdrop for a romantic getaway with covered entranceways, homely log burners, sumptuous marble bathrooms, large terraces with comfortable seating, day beds and a private outdoor hot tub that overlooks the forest.

As far as hotels with private hot tubs go, Chewton Glen is at the apex of its class.

With a focus on home-grown and locally sourced ingredients, the hotel delivers two excellent restaurant options including British and cosmopolitan fine dining at The Dining Room alongside celebrity chef James Martin’s The Kitchen, which offers a casual setting and dishes such as gourmet burgers and succulent seafood.

The Spa at Chewton Glen is one of the UK’s premier hotel spas, with a wide array of treatments and world-class facilities, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the seclusion of the British countryside with your loved ones. Planning a special occasion? Chewton Glenn has a wonderful private dining area for you and your significate other to enjoy the perfect meal together. Discover more on the most private dining rooms in the UK here.

Positioned on the tranquil shores of beautiful Ullswater in the Lake District, Another Place, The Lake marries its striking natural surroundings with contemporary, family-friendly accommodation for a casual yet luxurious off-the-beaten-track vibe. 

The majority of its 40 rooms and suites enjoy captivating lake views, a mix of modern and heritage touches as well as luxurious roll-top baths and other cosy features. However, it is the newer ‘outside rooms’ that really pack a punch and transport guests right into the wilderness. 

The Shepherd Huts – either for two or for families of up to four people – are nestled within a glade of rhododendrons and look out towards the glittering lake. Each features a copper tub, cosy living area with log burner and gorgeous stargazing skylight directly above the bed, as well as a peaceful decked outdoor area for sitting and absorbing the fresh country air.

For even more seclusion check out the gorgeous two-bedroomed Treehouses, which boast enviable mountain and lake views from their floor-to-ceiling windows as well as outdoor bathtubs and log burners, all while resting blissfully amid the trees.

The hotel features three great restaurants, each with a distinct and intimate atmosphere: Rampsbeck Restaurant for fine dining, The Living Space for casual dining and the Glasshouse for five-days-a-week wood-fired pizzas.

Swim Club is the hotel’s simplistic take on an intimate spa, with an indoor pool bordered by two glass walls, which distorts the lines between the pool and the lake, a sheltered (yet outdoor) Swedish-style hot tub and a no-fuss sauna.

Two treatment rooms and a treatment snug complete the spa facilities here, offering gorgeously private spaces for a little pampering and R&R.

Activity seekers will love getting stuck into nature with loads of blissful on-the-water experiences like swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking, plus land-based fun such as archery, horse trekking and cycling.

The sister hotel to Another Place, The Lake, the stunning Watergate Bay Hotel is set within almost touching distance of the ocean and gives the impression of being at the very edge of the earth.

There's nothing but the sea and a two-mile beach in front, cliffs on either side and rolling green hills to the rear, it takes luxury oceanfront accommodation to a new level.

Its 73 rooms and suites are modern with a stylish, beach ambiance, providing the perfect relaxing space to loosen up after a day exploring the majestic coastal backdrop.

Suites have roll-top baths that jut out in the floor-to-ceiling glass bay windows, which overlook the surfers and beachgoers in front while you relax and unwind inconspicuously among your suds. 

Perhaps the most inviting of these are the Beach Lofts, set even closer to the sands – if possible – there are only seven of these spacious suites boast a ski-chalet vibe and each features private access to the beach via a staircase, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, Japanese baths and even a wetsuit drying room, beach locker and showers.

Four amazing restaurants at Watergate Bay include Zacry’s all-day British dining venue, The Beach Hut for laid-back beach dining, The Living Space for casual fare like salads, sandwiches and coffee, and Emily Scott for a six-course seafood fine dining experience.

A real gem in the Lake District – and for good reason – Gilpin Hotel offers impeccable service, superb accommodation, and a highly intimate setting for a secluded getaway.

With only 28 bedrooms, 6 Suites and 5 Spa Lodges, Gilpin is a wondrous hideaway that effortlessly mixes its warm and homely atmosphere with five-star luxuries such as Michelin-star dining and a dedicated Champagne Bar. 

Room choices are rather special here and you’ve got two options, either stay in the glorious Gilpin Hotel or the ultra-private Gilpin Lake House. The former is set within 21 acres and includes a range of classic-style bedrooms as well as beautiful Garden Suites, Spa Lodges and Spa Suites for an extra splash of luxury.

Think open plan living with feature fireplaces, king-size bedrooms, walk-in showers, and decked patios with private cedarwood hot tubs. 

Also, the five spectacular Spa Lodges include your very own private ensuite spa with mood lighting and state-of-the-art music system alongside a convertible treatment area with steam room, outdoor sauna, monsoon-style shower, oval stone bath and hydrotherapy hot tub enclosed within a small walled garden with outstanding views over the moors.

A mile away from the main hotel is the six-bedroomed Gilpin Lake House, a haven amid 100 acres of private grounds specially reserved for only 12 guests at a time.

It features its own lake, boat house, hot tubs and saunas as well as a swimming pool, offering its residents a secluded and comfortable sanctuary with the feel of a boutique hotel. Gilpin House is considered one of the top private hotels UK and a perfect choice for a taste of ultimate seclusion.

A long-time favourite amid the UK’s most private hotels scene, The Beckford Arms is a prime countryside destination. Set within the Fonthill Estate near Salisbury, which was the backdrop of the 2000 film Chocolat, the hotel retains a traditional yet stylish vibe amid the lush Wiltshire parklands and is conveniently within two hours of London.

With only eight bedrooms to its name – located in the pub – The Beckford Arms offers a homely and comforting stay with Siberian goose down bedding, locally-made bathroom amenities and cosy touches, but the two magnificent lodges are something to really shout about.

Set about fifteen minutes’ walk away from the pub itself, these luxurious and immensely private lodges were originally accommodations reserved for the guests of Fonthill Splendens mansion, frequented by notable guests such as poet Lord Byron and Romantic painter, William Turner.

With a mezzanine-level bedroom, roll-top bath and beautiful views across Fonthill Lake, the lodges combine pure seclusion and luxury with a dash of quintessential British history.