Two luxury B&Bs in the West Country have been named among the best in the world according to Tripadvisor ratings. The review site has released its list of Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Hotels for 2023, celebrating accommodation that offers a "unique experience and stay to remember".
Its 'best of the best' rankings are broken down into categories, and many of the hotels featured are in exotic holiday destinations such as the Maldives or Mauritius. However, several UK hotels made the cut, including two within a two-hour drive of Bristol.
Highcliffe House in came in at number four of the 25 best B&Bs and inns, based in the beautiful Devon destination of Lynton. Its entry on the list enthuses: "Highcliffe House is a luxury AA-rated 5-star bed and breakfast in Lynton, overlooking Lynmouth and across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
Read more: Our guide to Lynton and Lynmouth and getting there from Bristol
"This elegant adults-only Victorian residence offers panoramic views of Exmoor and the North Devon coastline...Sit back and relax in the drawing room over a nice cool Prosecco, beer, or G&T in the gin bar.
"Later retire in one of the sumptuous bedroom suites and enjoy the silence of Exmoor. As a new day dawns, experience a locally sourced award-winning breakfast from the orangery conservatory with stunning sea views."
People who have stayed there have left more than 869 reviews, with an average score of five out of five. One regular visitor, Andy, said he had stayed several times over the years but "present owners Robert and Richard have taken taken this great house to a new level". Tripadvisor does not list the price without a date but over on the Booking.com calendar, stays seem to range from £145 to £190 per night.
Elsewhere on the list, another B&B in the South West also ranked highly - in at number six was Gloucester House in Weymouth, Dorset. Tripadvisor's entry states: "Gloucester House Boutique and Breakfast commands a prime position, with unbroken views over Weymouth Bay and the Jurassic coastline and forms part of Weymouth’s Georgian terraced seafront.
"This luxury boutique four-star Gold rated townhouse bed and breakfast oozes coastal chic, with its fusion of modern styling and authentic coastal character. Just minutes from the shops, vibrant harbour and pubs, restaurants and numerous cafes, of this charming English seaside town – as you take in the heritage and beauty of its unspoilt location."
Travellers have given it a full five-star rating out of more than 1,000 reviews. Tripadvisor lists the nightly rate as £155, although over on Booking.com the range seems to be between £125 and £288 depending on the timing and room type.
Both B&Bs now have a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award, meaning they rank in the top 1% of bed and breakfasts in the UK. View the full list of best B&Bs and other categories here.
The title of world's best B&B according to reviewers was also taken by an English winner - The Toulson Court in Scarborough. Elsewhere, Shangri-La The Shard in London came in fourth in the 'top hotels in the world' category and The Coal Exchange in Cardiff was listed at number 19 in the 'out of the ordinary hotels' category.
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