Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa : The Devon Hotel That’s Worth the Journey for Its Spa & MICHELIN-Starred Dining
Some country house hotels are defined by their setting, others by their spa or restaurant. Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa is one of the few that excels at all three. Set within a Grade I-listed manor house on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, just 20 minutes from Plymouth, this 16th-century estate combines centuries-old architecture with an award-winning spa. Its MICHELIN-starred restaurant, Àclèaf, has become a destination in its own right.
History is woven into every corner of the estate. Queen Elizabeth I stayed at the manor in 1588 while travelling through the West Country, while Sir Francis Drake was honoured with a banquet in the Great Hall just a year earlier. Original Tudor fireplaces, stone archways and oak-panelled rooms serve as reminders that this was once one of Devon’s grandest private homes long before it became one of the county’s finest luxury hotels.
Award-Winning Spa Is Worth Planning a Stay Around
Spread across three tranquil floors, Gaia Spa is the kind of place where an afternoon can easily turn into an entire day. Designed as a genuine wellness destination rather than simply somewhere to fit in a treatment before dinner, the facilities begin with a 30°C indoor swimming pool and a hydrotherapy pool that extends outdoors through a swim-through, opening onto views across the surrounding Devon countryside.
The thermal experience is equally impressive, with a Finnish sauna, crystal salt steam room, Laconium herbal sauna, traditional steam room and experience showers forming a complete heat circuit. The Deep Relaxation Room overlooks a natural, grounding space, while a separate private relaxation room can be reserved for a more exclusive experience.
Outside, alfresco hot tubs are available to hire on the terrace, and the fully air-conditioned gym features Peloton bikes alongside free weights, resistance machines and cardio equipment. There’s even the light-filled Spatisserie for a leisurely lunch or coffee between treatments.
Take it further, and book one of the two Wellness Suites, Apollo and Hypnos, named for the gods of healing and sleep. Each comes with its own private outdoor spa bath on the balcony, a free-standing indoor tub and rain shower, plus complimentary Gaia Spa access throughout your stay and a 10% discount on treatments. |
Luxury Suites With A Timeless, Manor House Charm
Every room at Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa feels individual, with original architectural features ensuring no two stays are quite alike. Named after notable figures from the estate’s past, the rooms and suites feel like a natural extension of the manor’s history.
The Royal Suite: The Royal Suite is Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa’s signature suite, and it’s easy to see why. Set across three levels, it opens onto a private rooftop terrace where a heated outdoor hot tub sits within the original turret of the Elizabethan manor, offering sweeping views across Dartmoor. Inside, a separate lounge with a private dining area, a freestanding Duvalli eggshell bath and twin showers create a suite that balances the grandeur of the historic house with every modern luxury.
The Wellness Suites: The Wellness Suites feel like a natural extension of the Spa rather than simply another room category. Named Apollo and Hypnos after the Greek gods of healing and sleep, the hotel’s two Wellness Suites sit in the newest wing with the closest access to the spa. Private outdoor spa baths, freestanding tubs, luxurious rain showers, yoga mats and mindful literature all reinforce the same idea.
The Lady Jane Suite: Named after Lady Jane Grey, whose father, Henry Grey, purchased Boringdon Manor in 1549, the Lady Jane Suite leans into its Tudor heritage with a softer touch. Set across multiple levels, it features a freestanding bath beneath a crystal chandelier and a cosy window seat overlooking the grounds.
The Saltram Suite: Named after Saltram House, the Parker family’s grand residence, this suite is set on the fourth floor of the manor. It pairs a Hypnos super king bed with a skylight above for stargazing, alongside a double-ended bath overlooking the gardens and a separate lounge. It’s one of the hotel’s quieter suites, where contemporary comfort takes centre stage while the history quietly lingers in the background.
The Heritage Rooms : The Heritage Rooms is where history comes alive. Named after figures including Sir Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, Catherine and Isabella, each room draws on a different chapter of the manor’s past. Expect original architectural features paired with contemporary comforts, including Hypnos beds, spacious wet rooms and, in selected rooms, elegant freestanding baths.
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Àclèaf, One of Devon’s Standout MICHELIN-Starred Dining Experiences
Chef Paton leads the kitchen at Àclèaf, and the accolades speak for themselves, a MICHELIN Star first awarded in 2023, and retained every year since, including the 2026 MICHELIN Guide, alongside 4 AA Rosettes. Plenty of restaurants earn attention for a season but far fewer maintain that level of consistency year after year. That’s what has established Àclèaf as one of Devon’s defining dining destinations.
Àclèaf looks over Boringdon Hall’s historic Great Hall. The dining room is intimate without feeling formal, built around seasonally led menus that celebrate Devon’s exceptional produce. Signature tasting menus are complemented by carefully matched wine flights.
For something more informal, the 2 AA Rosette Mayflower Brasserie offers classic British dishes throughout the day, while the Great Hall remains one of the hotel’s most atmospheric spaces for afternoon tea or evening cocktails beneath its soaring stone walls and impressive Elizabethan fireplace.
Few country house hotels combine a five-star Elizabethan manor, an award-winning spa and a MICHELIN-starred restaurant with quite the same confidence. Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa brings all three together just 20 minutes from Plymouth, pairing centuries of history with genuinely modern luxury.
Whether it is a weekend at the Spa, dinner at Àclèaf or simply the chance to stay in one of Devon’s most characterful manor houses, Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa comfortably earns its place among the county’s standout country house hotels.
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