The Best Family-Owned Hotels in the UK & Ireland

Rothay Manor – Lake District

Slap bang in the heart of the Lake District and a skip from Lake Windermere, this gem of a boutique hotel guarantees a sumptuous stay. Owners, Jenna and Jamie Shail, have designed the rooms to be as lavish and welcoming as possible. Bring walking boots, a book to read by the floor-to-ceiling window and your dog. rothaymanor.co.uk

The Kingham Plough – The Cotswolds

Matt and Katie Beamish took over The Kingham Plough, Oxfordshire in 2019. With six spacious bedrooms furnished with beautiful antiques, the restaurant is the star, featuring the best local produce for its delicious British-Mediterranean menu. thekinghamplough.co.uk

The Hari –  London

Owned by the Harilela family, this fabulous five-star retreat in the heart of Belgravia, opened in 2016 as the first hotel in the family’s group. It has an excellent Italian restaurant, a sunny terrace for an al fresco drink and a more laidback vibe than some of its neighbouring hotels. thehari.com

The Artist Residence – Bristol

Owned by Justin and Charlotte Salisbury, this eccentric Georgian townhouse (formerly a boot factory) has embraced its history, with room names such as the Workshop. It’s an all-day hang-out kind of place, with an ace café in the arty area of the city. The couple have four other hotels. artistresidence.co.uk

Hambleton Hall – Rutland

A hotel renowned for its impeccable service and elegant rooms under four decades of ownership by Tim and Stefa Hart. Drink in the views of Rutland Water with a glass of bubbly on the terrace, or take a wander in the 17 acres of gardens. hambletonhall.com

The White House – Norfolk

Owned by Mark and Alison Thompson, this relaxing retreat focuses on embracing its north Norfolk coastal countryside setting. Rooms feature large windows which let the light and fresh sea air pour in, and swanky Burnham Market is a short drive away. stayatthewhitehouse.co.uk

Lime Tree Hotel – London

This gorgeous boutique hotel is owned by Matthew and Charlotte Goodsall, who took over the Georgian townhouse in 2008. Located in Belgravia, its 26 bedrooms are the ultimate in comfort with open fireplaces and pure cotton linens. limetreehotel.co.uk

The Manor at Sway – The New Forest

The Edwardian house is owned by Timothy Holloway who has transformed it into a stylish country house hotel. Embracing its original period features, the design blends antique and modern features to create a cosy and warming environment. You can even enjoy an afternoon tea in the garden. themanoratsway.com

The Gunton Arms – Norfolk

Art dealer and patron of contemporary art, Ivor Braka has created a quirky place to stay in an historic park in Norfolk, filled with fabulous artworks including a Tracey Emin, as well as photographs of previous occupiers, Lilly Langtry and King Edward VII. theguntonarms.co.uk

The Horse & Groom – West Sussex

Blacksmith’s shop turned pub with rooms, the Horse & Groom, owned by husband-and-wife team John Ayton and Annoushka Ducas, is a stand-out space to stay. Its ten guest rooms ooze rustic charm and promise a quiet, restful night on the edge of the South Downs. thehorseandgroom.pub

Idle Rocks – Cornwall

Former F1 boss David Richards and his wife Karen Richards opened Idle Rocks in 2013 with the vision of creating a space where guests could feel completely at home by the Cornish seaside. Expect window seating overlooking the harbour, log fires, bookcases and a relaxed atmosphere. idlerocks.com

Batty Langley’s – London

Owners Douglas Blain and Peter McKay have worked hard to maintain this gorgeous building’s original character and period features. Inside, you’ll find 17th-century oak beds and vintage showers. The Earl of Bolingbroke suite includes a luggage lift that takes your bags straight to your room. battylangleys.com