Trending Boutique Hotel Locations & Hidden Gem Stays in 2025
Travel in 2025 has been all about places with personality — smaller hotels, slower rhythms, and a stronger connection to local life. Forget the obvious names; this year, it’s about authenticity, design with soul, and destinations that still feel a little under the radar.
Here’s where the discerning traveller is heading now.
1. Puglia, Italy
Still on everyone’s wish list, but the magic hasn’t faded. The focus has shifted inland to whitewashed towns like Ceglie Messapica and Locorotondo, where new boutique boltholes sit among olive groves. Think restored masserias, home-grown food, and evenings that end with an Aperol under the stars.
Stay: Masseria Moroseta — minimal, sun-bleached perfection just outside Ostuni or for the ultimate in charm and luxury the privately owned Canne Bianche, one of my favourite hotels ever, not just from my travels this year.
2. Menorca, Balearic Islands
Mallorca’s quieter sister has come into her own. The island’s slow-living charm, wild coves and design-led fincas are drawing creative travellers and food lovers. Menorca feels like how the Med used to be — relaxed, local, and effortlessly stylish.
Stay: Experimental Menorca — chic, rural and full of character, surrounded by fields and sea air.
3. The Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds never go out of fashion, but 2025 brings a new generation of boutique stays — reimagined pubs, country manors with design flair, and small hotels with serious food. Interiors are softer, more organic, and deeply comfortable.
Thyme, Cotswolds
Stay: Thyme or The Wild Rabbit — both redefine English countryside style. Both privately owned Thyme by Caryn Hibbert and Wild Rabbit by Carol Bamford. Thyme is the more romantic of the two and less contrived with great service and beautiful rooms and attention to detail.
4. The Scottish Highlands
Remote luxury is having a moment. Travellers want fresh air, firesides and the quiet luxury of space. Boutique hotels in restored lodges and estates are leading the way, combining heritage with modern design.
Stay: The Fortingall in Glen Lyon — owned by Charlie Ramsay and recently redesigned by Anbôise, it’s country life with a Highland edge. Restaurant and pub, family-friendly. Country pursuits and house cocktails.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon continues to sparkle. Its boutique scene has matured beautifully — heritage buildings reborn as small hotels where marble, tiles and local art create a sense of place. Cafés spill onto the pavements, and the energy feels alive but authentic.
Pool at Tarabel
Stay: The Lumiares Hotel — a polished gem in Bairro Alto with views across the city’s terracotta rooftops. I recently stayed at the brand new Tarabel in Lisbon. With just nine suites it is luxurious as well as romantic. It has a terraced garden with pretty, heated pool and suites have views out across the rive Tagus. Sister hotel to Riad de Tarabel in Marrakech it has a similar style ie. large bathrooms with double basins and rolltop baths, orange blossom diffusers, monogrammed towels and charming, personal service.
6. Sri Lanka
Ulpotha, Sri Lanka
Back on the map for luxury travel, Sri Lanka’s boutique hotels are some of the most soulful in Asia. From tea plantations to coastal retreats, these properties combine design, wellness, and a deep respect for the landscape.
Stay: Ulpotha — a seasonal, off-grid Ayurvedic village that captures the essence of slow, conscious travel. The best yoga retreat in the world. Organic vegetarian food, Ayurvedic treatments and twice-daily yoga by some of the best yoga teachers out there.
7. Suffolk, England
A quiet contender that’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Suffolk’s mix of beaches, woodlands and historic towns is attracting creative Londoners looking for a rural reset. Boutique hotels, stylish pubs, and independent food producers are thriving.
Stay: Five Acre Barn or Church Farm B&B — both warm, personal, and full of character and arguably better than most boutique hotels in Suffolk as many of these are pretentious, particularly those near the coast.
8. Kyoto, Japan
Traditional meets contemporary in one of Asia’s most elegant cities. Boutique ryokans are interpreting Japanese heritage for the modern traveller — understated, precise, and beautiful.
Stay: The Shinmonzen — designed by Tadao Ando, it’s small, serene, and perfectly placed beside the river.
9. Oaxaca, Mexico
Design lovers and food travellers are heading south to Oaxaca this year. Small design hotels celebrate local craftsmanship and colour while championing sustainability. Mezcal tastings, textiles, and markets make it an intoxicating mix.
Stay: Casa Antonieta — a former colonial building turned intimate modern retreat.
10. Cornwall, England
Cornwall’s boutique hotel scene continues to evolve, with a new focus on sustainability and wellness by the sea. The style is natural and unpolished — think linen, driftwood, sea views, and warm hospitality.
Stay: The Scarlet — an adults-only eco-hotel perched above Mawgan Porth beach, blending luxury with a light touch.
In 2025, the best boutique hotels are those that reflect their surroundings — places where style and substance meet. Whether it’s a Puglian farmhouse, a Highland hideaway, or a converted townhouse in Lisbon, the focus is on feeling part of something real. That’s the true luxury now.
FAQs
What makes a hotel truly luxurious?
It depends what your definition of luxury is. For some luxury is a minibar, telephone and hairdryer in the room, for others it’s about an amazing location and great service. Boutique hotels, which are privately owned tend to give the best personal service, whilst larger luxury hotels allow you to be more anonymous. 5 star luxury hotels tend to be all singing all dancing with bar, restaurant and spa but don’t always give you the best experience.
How do boutique hotels differ from traditional luxury hotels? Boutique hotels are often privately owned with each room differing in design. Staff tend not to wear name badges and are passionate about their role and the hotel they work at. Boutique hotels are not about starts or ratings but about design, service and experiences.
What wellness amenities do top luxury hotels offer now (e.g. sleep tech, spa treatments, circadian lighting)? Some of the top luxury hotels now offer an array of high tech options from automatic dimmable lights, to in-room siri, circadian lighting, sleep masks, sleep sprays, sleep oils, sleep treatments and mood lighting.
Which hotels offer AI-personalised wellness experiences or smart rooms?
At Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii, you can experience treatments personalised through Thermal Body Mapping and advanced sensors that identify tension so your massage can be perfectly tailored.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and W Scottsdale by Marriott offer AI-powered robotic massages that use 3D imaging for precision, as well as fitness assessments that generate your “Wellness Age” and adapt your training while you stay.
At Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, Switzerland, you receive bespoke wellness programmes tailored to you through the integration of AI with genomic and biometric data for longevity and rejuvenation.
Mandarin Oriental’s AI-driven concierge anticipates your wellness and service preferences based on your past visits, adjusting spa bookings, dining recommendations, and room settings to suit your health needs in real time.
Hilton’s “Connected Room” technology lets you control lighting, temperature, entertainment, and blinds from your mobile or by voice, with the system automatically recreating your preferred environment on future stays.
In Zoku Amsterdam, you can use an AI-powered app to adjust your room’s ambience and services before arrival, with the system learning your routines and preferences over time for a truly customised stay.
Wynn Las Vegas features voice-activated smart suites that let you control room features and request services via Amazon Alexa, making your stay effortless and comfortable.
Emerging wellness retreats like Six Senses and SHA Wellness Clinic use AI-supported biofeedback, real-time mood tracking, and customised nutrition plans to offer fully integrated, personalised health journeys.
These hotels and resorts combine AI and smart technology to create wellness experiences uniquely adapted to you, ensuring that your comfort, fitness, and relaxation needs are met with precision and care.
Are pets welcome at most luxury hotels, and what special services do they offer for them?
Each hotel has their own pet policy. Many hotels welcome pets with dog-friendly rooms, dog beds and treats and some charge an additional amount per night.
What VIP or concierge experiences can you expect at a luxury hotel?
It depends what you are looking for. Luxury hotels offer different experiences. Car parking, theatre booking, cooking courses, truffle hunting if you’re in Tuscany, hot air ballooning, culture trips are just some of the services a concierge can provide.
Trip Planning & Booking
How can I find the best boutique hotels near me or in a specific city?
www.lulusluxurylifestyle.uk specialises in boutique hotel recommendations as she has worked in the hotel industry for the past 25 years, and her parents owned the first boutique hotel in Umbria.
Which hotels in Rome are best for a romantic weekend, spa retreat, or wellness break?
Rome is one of the most romantic cities in the world. They say that even if you return every year for 55 years you’ll still not have discovered everything. JK Place Roma, Rocco Forte’s Hotel de la Ville and Crossing Condotti are three romantic boutique hotels in Rome
When is the best time to book a luxury hotel for the best price or availability?
The best to book a luxury hotel is in the off peak season or when the flights are cheaper
Do boutique hotels offer flexible booking or cancellation options?
Many boutique hotels offer flexible booking and cancellation options, especially if you book direct with them
What should I look for when choosing between a 5-star and a boutique hotel?
A 5-star hotel is for a luxury holiday with a restaurant, bar and spa. A boutique hotel gives you a more personal, romantic experience and often is a hotel where you can really live like a local.
Sustainability & Lifestyle
Which luxury hotels are leading in sustainability or eco-friendly practices?
The Brando, French Polynesia – pioneers of seawater air-conditioning, which cuts cooling energy use by up to 90%. The island is a blueprint for sustainability, combining serious conservation work with true barefoot luxury.
Soneva (Fushi, Jani, Kiri) – this group has been setting the bar for decades. They fund coral restoration projects, recycle almost everything on-island and support marine conservation through their foundation.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire – proof that regenerative hospitality can work beautifully. Its biodynamic Home Farm supplies much of what’s served in the restaurants and rooms, with a sustainable ethos running through the whole estate.
1 Hotels – a brand built around sustainability from day one. Think plastic-free rooms, reusable key cards, and events designed to divert over 90% of waste from landfill.
Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland – community and conservation come first here. The inn’s profits go straight back into local initiatives, helping to sustain the island’s people and traditions.
What are the best eco-luxury hotels for wellness travellers?
Euphoria Retreat, Greece – a destination for those serious about wellness. Blending ancient Greek philosophy with modern science, Euphoria has created one of the world’s most respected holistic experiences.
Preidlhof, South Tyrol – an expert-led spa destination focused on true transformation, not trends. Sustainability is built into its daily practice, from energy systems to locally sourced food.
Kamalaya, Koh Samui – long known as one of Asia’s leading wellness escapes, Kamalaya pairs its holistic health approach with a strong environmental focus, from waste management to community education.
Ulpotha, Sri Lanka – an off-grid village and working organic farm that operates entirely in rhythm with nature. Ayurvedic healing, yoga, and simple, nourishing food make it a deeply grounding experience.
How are luxury hotels adapting to conscious travel trends in 2025?
From “green” to regenerative. The conversation has moved beyond being “eco-friendly” to giving back more than is taken. Country estates like Heckfield are proving that restoration and regeneration can be both luxurious and profitable.
Hardwiring efficiency. The smartest hotels are investing in renewable energy, water systems, and electrification to cut emissions while improving guest comfort.
Plastic-free, refill culture. Single-use plastics are fast disappearing. Filtered water, refillable glass bottles, and reusable amenities are now the norm in top-tier hotels.
Culinary responsibility. Kitchens are working directly with local farmers and focusing on zero-waste practices, allowing guests to experience food that’s fresh, seasonal, and thoughtful.
Wellness with evidence. Wellness programmes now blend science, diagnostics, and traditional wisdom. It’s no longer about pampering but about genuine, measurable wellbeing.
Community value and ownership. Travellers are looking for hotels that support local people, protect heritage, and share profits responsibly.
A shift in mindset. The real luxury of 2025 isn’t just about how a place looks—it’s about how it makes you feel and the positive mark it leaves behind.
Destination & Trend-Driven Queries
Where should I stay in 2025 for the best wellness escapes?
Ulpotha in Sri Lanka is a yoga retreat with Ayurveda and digital detox. It serves organic vegetarian food and is known as the best yoga retreat in the world.
What are the top luxury destinations for solo travellers?
Italy, Greece, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Japan, Costa Rica, Bali, the Cotswolds, and Mexico are among the top destinations for solo travellers in 2025. Each offers safety, beauty, and a welcoming atmosphere — from boutique hotels in Tuscany to wellness retreats in Sri Lanka and design-led stays in Lisbon or Kyoto. Solo travel today is about freedom, connection, and taking time for yourself in places that feel both inspiring and easy to navigate.
What are the best “local luxury” stays in the UK right now?
The best local luxury stays in the UK include the newly renovated Chewton Glen, Heckfield Place, Lime Wood Hotel for country house hotels and Country Creatures, including Double Red Duke in the Cotswolds, alongside luxury hotel Thyme.