For the cultivated traveler, a hotel is more than just a place to sleep; it is a gateway to the landscape. While some book hotels for the spa or the Michelin stars, we book them for the gardens.
From the rolling hills of Somerset to the sun-drenched terraces of Mallorca, we have curated five European hotels where the horticulture is just as impressive as the hospitality. Pack your bags—and your sketchbook.
1. The Newt in Somerset (United Kingdom)
If there is a current “Mecca” for garden lovers, this is it. The Newt is a working country estate that has reimagined the English garden for the 21st century.
- The Garden: A parabola-shaped walled garden featuring 460 apple trees, a Victorian fragrance garden, and a cutting-edge immersive gardening museum.
- Why Visit: You can sign up for their “Great Garden Escape,” a first-class train journey from London that whisks you straight to the estate for a day of tours and cider tasting.
2. Belmond La Residencia (Mallorca, Spain)
Perched in the artist village of Deià, La Residencia is a masterclass in Mediterranean landscape design.
- The Garden: Ancient olive groves tumble down the Tramuntana mountains toward the sea. The scent of citrus, jasmine, and cypress is omnipresent.
- Why Visit: Join the hotel’s resident sculptor for a class in the gardens, or simply sit under an olive tree that has been standing since the Moorish occupation.
3. Babylonstoren (Franschhoek, South Africa)
Okay, strictly speaking, this isn’t Europe—but it’s a favorite winter escape for European gardeners.
- The Garden: Modeled on the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, this is an edible sanctuary. Every single plant in the 3.5-hectare garden is edible or medicinal.
- Why Visit: Walk through the chamomile lawn (yes, you walk on it) and pick your own salad for lunch at the greenhouse restaurant, “Babel.”
4. Heckfield Place (Hampshire, United Kingdom)
Heckfield Place takes “Farm to Table” literally. It is a biodynamic farm that happens to have a luxury hotel attached.
- The Garden: Under the guidance of Fern Verrow, the bio-intensive market garden produces almost everything you eat during your stay.
- Why Visit: The “Assembly” program offers workshops on everything from flower arranging to soil health. It is luxury with dirt under its fingernails.
5. Le Barn (France)
Located just outside Paris in the Rambouillet forest, Le Barn is the antidote to city life. It creates a seamless blend between the hotel and the wild forest.
- The Garden: Instead of manicured borders, you have a permaculture garden and wild paddocks for horses.
- Why Visit: It’s unpretentious and wild. Grab a bike, ride through the forest, and return for a soak in the outdoor Nordic baths overlooking the paddock.
Whether you prefer the structured elegance of Somerset or the wild beauty of Mallorca, these hotels prove that the best amenities aren’t found in the bathroom—they’re found in the garden.