25 Unusual UK Hotels (2025)

Wake up in a windmill overlooking the crashing waves, check into a former newspaper office turned boutique hotel, or spend a night behind the bars of a converted prison. Our expert’s pick of unusual UK stays covers all that and more, from quirky coastal spots to remote glamping hideaways and even an extraordinary London address. Each property on our handpicked list promises something memorable, with charm, character, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

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For an Island Escape

• Burgh Island in Devon is a 1930s time capsule of Art Deco elegance, Agatha Christie intrigue, and golden-age glamour. Guests arrive by amphibious vehicle, dress up for dinner, sip pre-war cocktails, and once the tide rises, remain marooned in unforgettable vintage style. Close to lovely surf beaches and coastal walks.
• Star Castle Hotel, on St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly is ideal for those looking to hide away. This star-shaped fortress-turned-retreat offers 38 charming rooms, two superb restaurants, and owner Robert Francis’s twin passions: freshly caught lobster and an impressive wine cellar.
• The Bracken Hide Hotel is a gorgeous escape near Portree on Skye. Expect spectacular views from sleek cabins with underfloor heating, air conditioning and contemporary furnishings. There's a restaurant and a whisky bar, too. Admire breathtaking views of the island's rugged landscape whilst cocooned in your romantic hideaway.

For a Converted Windmill

• Cley Windmill in Norfolk tops the list of unusual seaside stays: a restored 18th-century windmill turned boutique B&B. Stay in whimsical tower rooms with sweeping views, or opt for the converted stables and boathouse, with self-catering facilities. The restaurant (open Thursday to Sunday) serves fine dining dishes crafted by the excellent chef. Great for couples.
• The Windmill Suffolk has two guest rooms, plus a well-equipped curved kitchen and sitting room with rural views. Just five minutes from Lavenham, this owner-run windmill conversion is super-stylish and comfortable — a brilliant country spot.

For Coastal Charm

• Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth offer distinctly memorable stays. Portmeirion charms with colourful, whimsical architecture and garden paths, while Castell Deudraeth impresses with grand period interiors and serene estuary views. Both promise character-filled escapes, delightful dining, and unforgettable coastal scenery on Snowdonia’s Dwyryd Estuary.
• The Scarlet, Cornwall blends eco-luxury with jaw-dropping sea views from its perch above Mawgan Porth. Think cliff-top hot tubs, an Ayurvedic spa, reed pool swims, and seasonal dining. Romantic, design-led, and utterly serene — this adults-only escape is Cornwall at its most soulful.
• The Northbank Hotel, an Isle of Wight institution, has been run by three generations of the Shaw-Yates family since 1959. There are 18 individually designed guest rooms — some with shared bathrooms — plus superb sea views, and sizzling breakfasts cooked on the Aga. A sociable, easygoing spot with lashings of eccentric charm.

For a Nature-Focused Retreat

• Dittisham Hideaway Treehouses & Shepherds Lodges offers a collection of five shepherd's lodges, five treehouses and an original American Airstream just minutes from the River Dart. Lodges are scattered across a wildflower meadow, some are dog-friendly; treehouses boast cedar wood-fired hot tubs, and the decor is cosy and colourful. Bunk beds and stacks of games make this ideal for family holidays. 
• Marston Park promises comfortable bohemian tents with sink-into beds, Moroccan-style rugs and log burners. Hidden on the banks of a lake in the Somerset countryside, this nature-focused spot is ideal for families or groups of friends, who can tuck in to sourdough pizzas, sip local ciders and ales at the bar, or join in creative craft workshops.
• Duck Lodge B&B is a single luxury log cabin located in the South Downs National Park. Interiors have a Scandi-chic feel with pale wood and simple modern furniture. Complete with a hot tub and indulgent breakfasts provided, this is a charming choice for couples looking to reconnect with nature. 

For a Themed Hotel

• Aviator at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire is a striking design hotel where aviation heritage meets modern luxury. Expect dramatic architecture, glamorous interiors, sweeping runway views, and fine dining. An ultra-stylish stay that feels as polished and aerodynamic as the planes just beyond your window.
• Titanic Hotel, set in a vast converted warehouse, channels the grandeur of its namesake with soaring spaces and maritime style. Blending industrial heritage with luxury, it offers spacious rooms, a dramatic spa, and a bold nod to Liverpool's seafaring past.
• Hard Days Night Hotel is Liverpool’s ultimate Beatles-themed stay. Packed with memorabilia, playful design, and musical touches throughout, it combines four-star comfort with Fab Four nostalgia — offering fans and visitors alike a fun, stylish base in the heart of the city.
• The Old Railway Station captures the romance of a bygone era with ten guest rooms housed in Pullman carriages at a decommissioned railway station in West Sussex. Savour delicious breakfasts and afternoon teas in the former waiting room, catch the races at Goodwood, and explore the South Downs. A quirky choice for fans of trains!

For a Former Prison

• Malmaison Oxford, once a castle and later a prison, is now a striking boutique hotel in the centre of Oxford. Original cell doors and bars remain, but bedrooms are sleek and modern. With a dramatic atrium, stylish bar, and cool courtyard, it’s a unique blend of history and glamour.
• Bodmin Jail Hotel is a particularly fun choice for families. Set within the historic Bodmin Jail, interiors are sleek and contemporary but with plenty of period features. With spacious family rooms, casual dining that the kids will love, and the absolute novelty of the setting, this is a great option for a family getaway.

For Fabulous Eccentricity

• The Crazy Bear Hotel in Stadhampton re-imagines an old coaching inn with unapologetic eccentricity: a double-decker bus reception, champagne on tap, pink padded walls, and leopard-print carpets. Bold, decadent, and delightfully surreal, it’s one of the UK’s most flamboyant boutique stays.
• Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton's original boutique hotel, has a bold, rock'n'roll feel. Think bright colours, funky wallpapers and top-notch cocktails — perfect for memorable parties! The hotel's Vespas are a nice touch.

For a Floating Hotel

• Sunborn Yacht Hotel, a permanently moored super yacht just a short distance from Canary Wharf, has 135 smart, classically styled rooms, a restaurant and a spa. It’s just 15 minutes from London City airport too.
• Fingal, once a lighthouse tender, is now a luxury floating hotel moored in Leith, Edinburgh’s hip alternative hub. Expect sleek design, a glamorous ballroom perfect for parties, and a superb restaurant — making this destination hotel as stylish as it is unforgettable.

For Boutique Luxury

• The Collective at Woolsery is an unusual — and very special — collection of rooms and cottages, carefully converted by tech millionaire Michael Birch and his team. Michael's great-grandparents built the village shop, his grandmother was born above it, and he visited frequently as a child. Now, this boutique collective promises romantic guest rooms and a superb restaurant showcasing produce from the ‘edible forest’ and the 150-acre farm. 
• The Scotsman Hotel, once the bustling offices of the Scotsman newspaper, now offers a luxurious stay in the heart of Edinburgh. Characterised by grand architecture, rich history, and stylish rooms, it blends old-world character with modern comfort — perfect for a city escape with old-school charm.
• Leander Club, set on the banks of the Thames in Henley, captures the classic elegance of a members' club, with rowing paraphernalia in 11 blue, red and white guest rooms. Amble along the riverbanks, sip drinks at the bar, and unwind in sunlit gardens. 
• Fancy waking up with only a pane of glass between your family and a family of tigers, wolves, rhinos or giraffes? That’s a possibility at the Port Lympne Hotel, part of the Port Lympne reserve in Kent. Roughly 700 rare and endangered animals live here, but it’s not a zoo, it’s a breeding facility. As well as staying in rooms close to the animal enclosures, you can also stay in the country manor house hotel, or escape to one of the glamping tents.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search by location, and explore all the best places to stay in London,
• Check out our Ultimate Guide to the best Party Hotels,
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice and personalised advice.