There are two types of people in this world: those who book their holidays at the height of summer with everyone else fighting for the same sun lounger, and those clever souls who’ve figured out that autumn is when hotels actually get interesting. You’ll find the latter category happily ensconced in one of these six stunners, probably by a roaring fire, definitely with a whisky in hand.
Indeed, while everyone else is either staring vacantly into their SAD lamps or frantically planning their 2026 summer holiday already, the savvy few know that September through November is when the magic really happens here in the UK. The summer crowds have scarpered, the prices have finally stopped being so outrageous, and nature’s putting on its annual fireworks display in burnt orange and gold.
Moreover, it’s one of the best times of year to book a fancy hotel – when you actually stay inside more to appreciate it – where after a long crisp autumn walk, you can curl up in front of a fire and appreciate the autumnal light streaming into that no doubt gorgeous bedroom, highlighting all its features. You’ll actually make use of that beautiful tub, too – no one wants to use their hotel bath in summer, after all.
And as if that’s not enough, the UK sees some of its very best produce in autumn, with hotel chefs turning that seasonal autumnal bounty into Michelin-worthy dishes.Oh and you’ll actually want to indulge in the hotel’s full english breakfast offering – because who wants a fry up in summer?
With all that in mind, we’ve rounded up six hotels in the UK and Ireland that don’t just tolerate autumn – they positively revel in it. Fire up those log burners, we’re going in.
Ellenborough Park, Cotswolds
Ideal for pretending you live in a Cotswolds manor and enjoying perfect country walks…
Starting with Ellenborough Park just feels right. Because if you’re going to do the whole ‘autumn in the Cotswolds’ thing, then you might as well do it properly. This five-star property delivers everything you want from a country house hotel: stately rooms, a grand hall transformed into a cosy fireside lounge, and nature literally on your doorstep.
But it’s the location that really shines. Positioned near Cheltenham racecourse, the hotel comes alive in autumn with events like The November Meeting – a three-day racing festival in mid-November that adds a buzz of excitement to the season and area.
Sitting opposite Cleeve Hill on the Cotswolds’ edge, it’s perfectly placed for exploring without disappearing into the depths of tourist territory. At Ellenborough Park, you’re not just welcomed with your muddy walking boots, you’re actively encouraged to wear them, and can even borrow boots and wellingtons alongside Dubarry coats from their boot room.
Now looking the part, the Cotswold Way passes practically by the front door, letting you cherry-pick the finest stretches without tackling the full 102-mile marathon (unless you want to, of course; that option is very much available, too). For something leisurely but enough to build up a head of steam, take the gentle three-mile amble to Winchcombe. Want something shorter? The village of Southam is a leisurely 45-minute round trip via Southam Lane. Feeling ambitious? Scale Cleeve Hill, the Cotswolds’ highest point, for sweeping views across seven counties. Breathing in that cool, crisp air and taking in the beautiful golden sunlight over the Cotswold’s rolling hills – this is autumn at its most invigorating.
For ramblers, the hotel’s brasserie The Horse Box understands exactly what you crave after a windswept walk – a local pint and something hearty and satisfying like beer-battered haddock with proper chips or a well-crafted burger. Over at The Restaurant (brilliantly confident name), they serve ‘laid-back luxury suppers’ that are refreshingly unstuffy yet sophisticated. Think seasonal cep risotto with king oyster mushrooms, chestnuts and parmesan, or roasted cod paired with butternut squash, wild mushrooms and brown shrimps – modern British autumnal cooking at its most appealing.
The rooms are dotted all around the estate and boast plenty of space, some including four-poster beds and finished with antiques – fitting of its history and heritage. Perhaps our favourite space in the hotel is the Tudor Great Hall (the property itself dates back to Tudor times with original features still intact), which is home to a stylish lounge with a roaring fireplace overlooked by a minstrel’s gallery, adding to the room’s medieval majesty.
Ideal’s Top Tip: If you stay here it’s worth booking the Spa Garden Retreat ahead of time. Picture yourself sinking into a private hot tub as autumn mist swirls around you, with an ice bath nearby for the brave or foolhardy. It’s exclusively yours – no awkward small talk whilst you’re trying to unwind.
Rooms from £269 per night B&B. Yes, it’s a splurge, but cheaper than therapy.
Website: ellenboroughpark.com
Address: Ellenborough Park Hotel, Southam Ln, Cheltenham GL52 3NJ
Read: Where to eat in Cheltenham
The Woodland Experience At The Montenotte, Cork
Ideal for an urban autumnal log cabin escape in the heart of the city…
Autumnal log cabin escapes – it’s something many of us dream of. But if you don’t drive, you’re often out of luck. Enter The Montenotte, which has done something rather clever with their new Woodland Suites. Here’s the brilliant part: these log cabins are nestled at the foot of the hotel in Cork, not in the middle of nowhere. Urban convenience meets woodland retreat… What’s not to love here?
The design world is taking notice too, with the Montenotte winning the European award in the ‘Lodges, Cabins’ category at AHEAD Europe 2024. The judging panel called it “a great example of expanding an urban property to offer a luxurious secluded experience”, and we couldn’t agree more.
Come autumn, the landscape around these cabins transforms into a breathtaking spectacle. From your suite, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the River Lee, Cork Harbour, Cork City, and the surrounding woodlands – a perfect marriage of city and nature. The suites themselves are thoughtfully designed with Italian travertine and oak timber flooring, plus spacious bathrooms featuring free-standing baths positioned to make the most of those scenic autumn vistas.
The goal here is simple: reconnect guests with nature without them having to leave the city. The whole setup feels sophisticated yet grounded, and there’s an environmental conscience too; for every Woodland Suite stay, a tree is planted on Ireland’s west coast through their partnership with Hometree. The River Suites even feature living sedum roofs that create habitats for local wildlife.
One unexpected bonus of staying here in autumn? The food. Cork is widely considered Ireland’s gastronomic capital, with over a dozen restaurants listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
As temperatures drop, autumn delivers some of the year’s finest seafood. The chilled waters produce exceptionally firm, flavourful fish – from locally caught hake and haddock to delicate plaice, lemon sole, black sole, and meaty monkfish. To taste it at its best, head to our favourite seafood restaurant nearby, Max’s, for dinner, then return to the hotel’s Panorama bar (it’s all in the name) for drinks with sweeping city views. Or, just head back to your log cabin and take in the scenery with a glass of fizz in hand.
A final activity for those chilly autumnal evenings? There’s an on-site cinema, which is perfect for cosy nights in. Rather ideal, don’t you think?
From €680 (about £574) per night including breakfast and tree planting. Expensive? Sure. But you’re essentially sleeping in a design magazine that happens to have impeccable environmental credentials.
Website: themontenottehotel.com
Address: Middle Glanmire Rd, Montenotte, Cork, T23 E9DX, Ireland
Farlam Hall, Cumbria
Ideal for Michelin star collectors and stargazers too…
Dating back to 1428, Farlam Hall has more history than most of us have had hot dinners. Actually, after doing the math, that statement is true by an absurd margin…
Anyway, whilst that heritage certainly matters, it’s the latter you’ll want to come here for. This unlikely spot in the depths of Cumbria is probably exactly what Michelin had in mind when they created their guide – somewhere worth the long drive, where you might just blow a tyre on the way back because you’ve eaten too much.
This four-star hotel has recently nabbed some serious accolades. For the hotel; 4 AA Red Star Inspector’s Choice Award for the hotel, 1 Michelin Key Award, and the 50 Top Boutique Hotel Awards Food & Drink Hotel of the Year last year. And for the flagship restaurant, a Michelin Star and 4 AA Rosettes. Plus, of course, it’s IDEAL Magazine’s top autumn hotel pick. The list goes on, and it’s all down to Chef Hrishikesh Desai, who gained that coveted Michelin star in 2024 soon after taking over the kitchen here.
The hotel’s main restaurant The Cedar Tree is named after the ancient specimen that graces the grounds, and it delivers a fine dining experience where plates are as pretty as pictures. The tasting menu showcases Desai’s Indian-influenced approach, taking seasonal British produce (much of it dirt-fresh from the garden out back) and coaxing knock-your-socks-off flavour from humble ingredients, with a welcome added kick from spice. For something more relaxed, Bistro Enkel offers classic dishes bursting with flavour. The name means ‘simple’ in Old Nordic, which perfectly captures the honest, unfussy approach to cooking here. Here the focus is on taste, not pretence.
It gets even better: you can enjoy an entirely different type of star here. Farlam Hall sits on the edge of one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Parks. Download a star spotting app or print out a Dark Sky Calendar (old school!) and stand outside on a clear October night; you’ll have tons of fun. The location near Hadrian’s Wall its only 20 minutes drive from the hotel and here you’ll find some of the best-preserved parts of the wall. If you ask us , autumns cool crisp is the ideal time to walk the wall and take in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
The historic Cumbrian country house is also home to the Sycamore Retreat spa, which opened in 2025 and is likely named in honour of that special, felled tree – though we can’t confirm and may have missed the press release on that one. Anyway, the rooms themselves offer exactly the levels of comfort you’d expect from a classic country house hotel, complete with garden views that look particularly magical when autumn paints the landscape in russets and golds.
Midweek from £340, weekends from £390 B&B. Book midweek – your wallet will thank you.
Website: farlamhall.com
Address: A689, Hallbankgate, Brampton CA8 2NG
Penmaenuchaf, Dolgellau
Ideal for appreciating Snowdonia in all her autumnal glory …
First things first – it’s pronounced “pen-mine-ee-kav”. You’re welcome, and it certainly wasn’t our first attempt either. Now that we’ve got that sorted, let’s talk about why this elegant country house in Snowdonia is absolutely worth the tongue-twister.
Owners Zoe and Neil Kedward bought Penmaenuchaf Hotel back in the heady days of June 2022 and are currently putting the finishing touches on an ambitious three-year renovation that’s bringing serious style to the Welsh mountains. This final phase includes five individually designed bedrooms that reflect the surrounding landscapes, each drawing inspiration from Welsh folklore. They’re also adding a music room where guests can enjoy vinyl records by the fire – because nothing says autumn in Wales like spinning some records whilst the rain hammers in time outside. And no, it doesn’t have to be the greatest hits of Tom Jones…
In all seriousness, the hotel truly comes into its own during autumn. Perched high above the Mawddach Estuary at the foot of rugged Cadair Idris, it offers front-row seats to nature’s most spectacular show. The surrounding woodland and mountains transform into a breathtaking spectrum of copper and bronze, while mile upon mile of the golden-lit Mawddach Trail stretches out practically empty, waiting to be explored.
From here, you can follow the estuary’s edge on foot or bike, discover the medieval ruins of Cymer Abbey tucked into the valley, or tackle the famous Precipice Walk for sweeping views without the full mountain climb. Those seeking proper peaks can climb Cadair Idris (considered a harder climb than Snowdon itself) while a twenty-minute drive to Barmouth delivers the perfect antidote to all that mountain air – a bracing beach walk along the Irish Sea.
Need another compelling reason to visit? Snowdonia is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve and the area provides spectacular stargazing opportunities that are particularly stunning during autumn and winter months. The longer, darker nights bring clearer skies – perfect conditions for stargazing.
When it comes to food, Head Chef Dan Andree and his talented kitchen brigade focus on creating menus with high-quality, local ingredients that celebrate the region’s bounty. The menu is a snapshot of the hotel’s environs. Think Bala lamb (that’s Welsh mountain lamb) with lamb fat potato and ewe’s cheese – dishes that tell the story of the surrounding landscape on every plate.
The hotel features two distinct dining experiences: Afon (Welsh for river), a fine-dining restaurant inspired by the River Mawddach that emphasises seasonality and provenance, and Mynydd Bar (Welsh for mountain), which takes its cue from the hotel’s majestic position at the foot of Cadair Idris.
From £230 per night. Pack layers -Welsh weather has serious commitment issues.
Read: Where to eat on Anglesey
Grove Of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Ideal for autumn wreath-making and Pembrokeshire’s golden-light countryside….
Here’s what the aforementioned Kedwards from a few paragraphs previous at Penmaenuchaf understand that most hoteliers don’t: autumn in Wales isn’t about fighting the elements, it’s about embracing them. At the Grove of Narberth, they’ve mastered the art of making October and November feel like the best possible time to visit Pembrokeshire, which is saying something when you’re dealing with the wild Welsh weather.
The Grove takes autumn seriously in all the right ways. They run wreath-making workshops where you can create your own masterpiece with dried seasonal flowers and natural foliage – the kind of hands-on experience we love and one that feels genuinely seasonal rather than forced. Following the workshop, you can enjoy their special cream tea in the Grove lounges.
Then, it’s time to explore. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sits practically next door, offering those legendary coastal walks without the summer crowds. In autumn, you might have entire stretches of the Wales Coast Path to yourself.
Back in the hotel, each bedroom tells a different story, spread between the main house and Welsh cottages dotted around the grounds. Some have wood-burning stoves, others feature those deep cast-iron baths that make perfect sense when it’s nippy outside. The Cottage suites come with private gardens where you can drink morning coffee whilst watching the countryside wake up.
When it comes to food, Executive Chef Douglas Balish has created seasonal tasting menus at the hotel’s main restaurant Fernery that celebrate Welsh produce. Walk around their kitchen garden in autumn and you’ll spot the herbs and vegetables that’ll appear on your plate that evening. The four AA Rosettes and Michelin-recognition are rightful validation of cooking that makes Welsh ingredients sing.
The more relaxed Artisan Rooms work perfectly for those evenings when you want excellent food without the full theatrical experience. Here, the brigade understands that comfort food can also be sophisticated food, turning out dishes like lamb suet pudding and locally caught sea bass alongside their signature Welsh cheese and ale fondue served with Pembrokeshire potatoes, crispy breads and cured meats. It’s ideal autumnal fodder that warms you from the inside out.
Rooms from around £320 per night including breakfast. Worth every penny for the kind of autumn break that reminds you why seasons exist in the first place.
Website: grovenarberth.co.uk
Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire
Ideal for people who think normal luxury hotels lack sufficient baronial splendour…
Misty and moody, we love autumn in Scotland. If you’re going to blow a significant portion of your annual holiday budget in this part of the world, Glenapp Castle represents the absolute pinnacle of ‘money well spent’.
Set across 110 acres of Ayrshire countryside where you may see the occasional deer rutting at this time of year, Glenapp operates on a different level of grandeur. The 17 bedroom suites are unique spaces where you might find yourself in a turret room with nine windows and enough seating for a small dinner party.
Glenapp’s 70-item-strong activity programme reads like someone’s fantasy of what wealthy Victorians might have done if they’d had access to modern safety equipment. Archery on the castle grounds, falconry displays, fishing with guides. Their Hebridean Sea Safari takes you island-hopping on their own boat. They offer wild swimming experiences too – there’s something deeply satisfying about plunging into cold Scottish water knowing that a warm castle room and roaring fire await your return.
You can also go foraging, but if you don’t fancy searching for your own dinner out there in the autumn air, then you’ll be pleased to hear the hotel has some great dining spaces, particularly The Azalea which is inside a Victorian glasshouse from 1832, surrounded by century-old vines and fig trees The restaurant occupies five different sections of this historic glasshouse; come autumn, dinner is served in the Bothy section of the restaurant, with cosy log-burning stoves and beautiful Azalea Pond views.
The main castle dining room with its 3 AA rosette restaurant offers a more traditional experience. Naturally, game makes an appearance on the menu and whisky often makes cameos, too. The seasonal menus from both restaurants draw heavily from their own kitchen gardens, where vegetables flourish. In autumn, with the gardens in their second growing season, every dish feels like a celebration. We’ll raise a dram to that!
Castle suites from £395 per night, with three-for-two offers available during autumn months. Expensive? Absolutely. But when you’re dining in a 200-year-old glasshouse whilst owls call outside and centuries-old vines rustle overhead, the price suddenly makes perfect sense.
Website: glenappcastle.com
Address: Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae, Girvan KA26 0NZ
The Bottom Line
These six hotels have figured out that when the leaves turn and the temperature drops, that’s when the real luxury begins. Log fires aren’t just decorative; they’re essential. That whisky nightcap isn’t indulgent; it’s medicinal.
So whilst everyone else is scrolling through photos of overcrowded beaches from last August or already stressing about next summer’s availability, you could be in a hot tub in the Cotswolds, tramping through Welsh mountains, or working your way through a Michelin-starred tasting menu in Cumbria.
Autumn: it’s ideal for people who’ve figured out that the best time to travel is when everyone else isn’t. Just sayin’…
Disclosure: Prices correct at time of writing. Any hotels mentioned may have contributed to our exceptional autumn weight gain.
