Boutique hotels across the UK offer not only stunning rooms, service and views, but also exceptional food and drink. The Top 50 Boutique Hotels list is lucky enough to include several Michelin star restaurants, but are their drinks offerings as good? We’ve highlighted some of our favourite spots for a boutique beverage.
Wilhelmina’s Lounge, The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, London
A boutique stay in London’s Clerkenwell boasting 13 deluxe bedrooms with the hotel eccentrically decorated with a jumble of souvenirs and design styles. Wilhelmina’s Lounge is no exception with wall-to-wall bric-a-brac and a unique menu of drinks.
Browse a list that pays homage to the area’s distilling heritage. Old recipes for tinctures, bitters and herbal remedies have inspired the mixology and head bartender Anas El Bahhaj can serve you up some unique concoctions.
Each signature cocktail has been lovingly put together by the team with flavour profiles you might not have considered, like the Curry Leaf Daquiri with curry leaf rum, ras el hanout bitters, garam masala and lime. Of course, you can order off menu too, but why would you want to?
Ugly Butterfly, Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, Cornwall
Michelin Star chef, Adam Handling’s 'Ugly Butterfly', has taken residence on the top floor of the Ocean Venue at this hotel’s estate, offering British food and drink inspired by Cornwall. The bar offers spectacular views across the beautiful coast of Carbis Bay through its ceiling to floor windows.
The team work with local and seasonal produce to create unique drinks that reflect the seasons. Sustainability is at the heart of this venue so expect foraged ingredients and zero-waste syrups and garnishes.
The spring menu includes drinks such as North to South which blends Hendrick’s gin, nettle and gorse tea, Cornish kaffir & yuzu leaf acid, topped with white peach & jasmine soda. Almost all drinks are available as a non-alcoholic option as well.
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Lilith’s Lounge, House of Gods, Edinburgh
From its rooms to cocktail bars, this Scottish hotspot will amaze and astound from the moment you step through the doors, welcome to an unapologetic world of extravagance. There are two bars on offer, but we want to take a closer look at Lilith’s Lounge.
The bar is named after the fallen queen of the dammed and is self-proclaimed as ‘a debauched underworld where Lilith decides the fate of your night’. Drinks are rock n’ roll themed with libations such as Papa Don’t Peach which mixes Don Papa rum, peach liqueur, balsamic vinegar, honey and House of Gods bitters.
If you’re spoilt for choice, then why not leave it in the hands of Lilith herself with the help of the bar’s specially designed tarot cards. Wines, beers and spirits are also available with everything surprisingly and reasonably priced.
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Bar & Restaurant EightyEight, Grantley Hall, Yorkshire
A hidden jewel in the Yorkshire Dales, this boutique country house is paradise for the indulgent seeking nothing but utter luxury in all its forms. Equipped with a Michelin star restaurant, spa and three bars.
EightEight is a place where East meets West and energetic city dining meets the picturesque Yorkshire countryside. The drinks menu is inspired by the bold and exciting flavours of Asian cuisine using quality of produce Yorkshire.
Signature cocktails are £16 each and compliment the Asian influenced dishes they are served alongside. The drinks are summed up by a simple quote from the bartender that created them, like Haradishi, created by Alex described as ‘a cheeky sweet and creamy cocktail with a smoky surprise.’.
The Malt Lounge & Bar, The Prince Akatoki, London
The Japanese inspired bar is located on the ground floor of this Marylebone hotel putting a twist on your traditional London bar. The backbar boasts an extensive and impressive collection of whiskies which are served alongside signature cocktails and a variety of Japanese homegrown sake.
Each cocktail on the menu represents one of the prefectures of Japan and has been built with ingredients from that specific area. Take Chiba, for example, said to be the birthplace of Japanese dairy farming the drink blends the flavours of milk Nikka coffey gin, peanut essence and Nashi pear sparkling juice to create a wonderfully refreshing highball.
Work your way through the menu and get a real taste of Japan through each unique and expertly crafted drink or enjoy a flight of whiskies from across the globe whilst tucking into some delicious bar snacks like lotus root crisps, yuzu miso salmon bites or even some robata skewers.
