Looking for an overnight stay in a luxury hotel with amazing food? Look no further! Boringdon Hall Hotel has a spa by Gaia and Àclèaf, the best Michelin-starred restaurant in the south west.
Known as the enchanted place on the hill in Devon, Boringdon Hall sits on the edge of Dartmoor surrounded by ancient woodland and rolling Devon countryside, yet this is no sleepy country house hotel trading purely on its setting and location.
The 16th-century manor house is steeped in history with stone archways, worn floorboards, heavy doors and vast leaded windows that remind you of the building’s age, yet the atmosphere never tips into stiffness or old-fashioned formality. Peach lemonade arrives at check-in, luggage disappears upstairs, and within half an hour, you find yourself slowing down and relaxing. And just a note, if you're planning to be ill and have flu at any hotel, this is the hotel to be staying at! The staff were genuinely caring and nothing was too much trouble.
Bedrooms range from traditional suites in the manor house to contemporary spa suites beside Gaia Spa. We stayed in the Lady Jane Suite, complete with a separate sitting room, generous tea and coffee facilities and plenty of bottled water. Upstairs, the bathroom was gloriously oversized with twin basins, a large walk-in shower, thick towels and, thankfully, proper flannels. The large freestanding bath beside the window is the perfect way to finish off the evening.
Gaia Spa has become one of the South West’s most talked-about hotel spas and deservedly so. Unlike many hotel spas, where the wellness side feels secondary to the bedrooms, this is a place designed for spending time. The indoor pool is large enough for proper lengths, the gym is excellent and there are enough relaxation spaces to avoid the slightly conveyor-belt atmosphere that creeps into many luxury spas by mid-afternoon.
The GAIA Awakening Journey was the standout treatment. It begins with a full-body salt-and-oil scrub before moving into a massage tailored to tension, fatigue, and energy levels. The heated treatment bed alone deserves praise - it's very wide too. Jasmin, my therapist, was calm, experienced and wonderfully intuitive throughout - no robotic routine here. Afterwards, herbal tea in the relaxation room felt like part of the treatment rather than a token final touch, though you may just want to head up to your room and have a nap.
Dinner at Michelin-star restaurant Àclèaf was another highlight and worth booking a stay around in its own right. Head Chef Scott Paton’s cooking is precise, and the menu leans heavily into seasonal, often organic, local produce. Delicious homemade warm pain de campagne and oat-and-honey bread arrived in an oak-leaf basket alongside cultured butter and goat’s butter, topped with honey and grated chestnut.
The white crab from Brixham Harbour, shaped to resemble a sea urchin, beautifully balanced delicacy and freshness. A black pudding beignet with spiced apple gel brought richness and sharpness together perfectly, while langoustine jelly with tomato consommé showed real technical confidence. Service in the dining room matched the kitchen; knowledgeable, polished and genuinely engaged with the food and wine being served. Each course is paired with an expertly selected wine, creating a harmonious balance of taste and aroma that enhances every bite. However, if you don't drink, there are plenty of options, including a delicious, organic, sparkling green tea.
Boringdon Hall gets the essentials right (it's amazing how many luxury hotels don't have flannels in the bathroom!). Bedrooms with beds that are deeply comfortable, large bathrooms with plenty of towels and flannels, Gaia Spa is a genuine destination, and dinner at Àclèaf easily rivals some of the country’s finest hotel restaurants. Yet what gives Boringdon Hall its staying power is the atmosphere running through it, provided by the exceptional team of staff.
