Boringdon Hall Hotel: History, Indulgence, and Devon’s Best-Kept Luxury Secret

Tucked away on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Boringdon Hall Hotel isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a full-blown luxury hotel experience. With roots stretching back to the Domesday Book and a reputation as “The Enchanted Place on the Hill,” this Elizabethan manor has mastered the art of blending old-world charm with exceptional hospitality.

A Storied Past

Step inside, and you’ll immediately feel it: this place has history. From medieval monks to royal guests, Boringdon Hall’s walls have seen centuries of intrigue. Its grand Great Hall, complete with ornate stone fireplaces and a hammer-beam ceiling, feels straight out of a period drama—but the service is anything but old-fashioned.

The hotel has been carefully restored and updated, balancing its heritage and history with modern luxury. It's not a museum piece; it's alive, welcoming, and quietly opulent.

Rooms with Serious Character

Each room and suite at Boringdon is individually styled. Expect four-poster beds, modern free-standing baths, luxury bed linens, and views across the moors or manicured grounds. The Gaia Suites and Wellness Rooms are contemporary, private, and purpose-built for spa access and total seclusion. They feature modern roll-top baths, plenty of Gaia products to try in the bathroom, and private outdoor sitting areas. Booked a treatment? No need to get dressed, just pop on your fluffy bathrobe and flip-flops and head down to the spa.

If you’re after maximum wow-factor, book the Royal Suite. You’ll find original features, rich textures, and a sense that you’re living like 16th-century nobility (did you know that Sir Francis Drake was a guest here?) —just with better plumbing and WiFi.

Gaia Spa: Award-Winning Wellness

The Gaia Spa isn’t just good—it’s repeatedly named one of the UK’s best. With its sleek indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, crystal salt steam room, and Finnish sauna, it’s designed for deep relaxation. There’s a gym too, with plenty of light and a class timetable which includes morning yoga and HIIT classes.

Signature treatments use Gaia’s own natural skincare range, and therapists here know what they’re doing. Whether it’s a massage, facial, or one of their immersive spa rituals, you leave lighter, looser, and a bit more like yourself again. For the full experience, book the GAIA Awakening Journey – a signature ritual that begins with a warm foot soak and gentle welcome ceremony, followed by a full-body GAIA Salt and Oil Scrub and a deeply relaxing Bespoke Massage tailored to your body and mood. The massage beds are large and luxuriously heated, and the therapists are warm, knowledgeable and completely unhurried. It’s the kind of treatment that leaves you glowing for days.

Fine Dining Without the Fuss

At the heart of Boringdon Hall’s culinary scene is Àclèaf, its intimate, Michelin-star restaurant. Head Chef Scott Paton delivers seasonal, artful tasting menus that are as grounded in Devon as they are refined. Think wild game, heritage vegetables, and immaculate plating—but without the stiff formality. Service is exceptional and I highly recommend the wine pairing with the tasting menu.

Prefer something more relaxed? The Brasserie and The Great Hall serve British classics in a relaxed setting, with crackling fires and local ales on tap. Afternoon Tea is a serious affair, served daily with a flourish and plenty of clotted cream (jam first and then cream? or the other way around?).

Perfectly Placed

Though you might never want to leave the hotel (I didn’t), Boringdon Hall is perfectly placed for exploring Devon. Dartmoor is right on your doorstep—ideal for walks, wild swimming, or just taking in the views. Plymouth’s historic Barbican is 15 minutes away, and the South Hams beaches are within easy reach.

Who It’s For

Food lovers, couples, spa lovers, history buffs, and anyone who needs a reset. It’s romantic, peaceful, and packed with atmosphere. Whether it’s a weekend escape, a wellness retreat, or a special occasion, Boringdon Hall delivers on every front. Boringdon Hall isn’t just a luxury country house hotel. It’s a place where centuries of history meet cutting-edge spa culture, all wrapped in the wild beauty of Devon. It’s grand, yes—but it knows how to relax. And once you’ve been, Boringdon Hall is the kind of place that lingers in your mind long after you’ve left.