At i-escape, we specialise in one-of-a-kind boutique stays that fly under the radar. Here are 12 of our favourite hotels you won’t find on booking.com…
We love discovering a hidden gem. That’s why our curated collection of boutique stays is chock-full of them – sweet, characterful places with style, authenticity and a real sense of place. And, while you might think that sites like Booking.com have it all, some of the very best hotels don’t want (or need) to be listed there.
Does it make a difference? It certainly can. These boutique hotels are often smaller, family-run, and (like us) offer a more personal, unique experience as a result. The owners take great pride in their properties, and by making it that little bit harder to find, they tend to get the guests who ‘get it’.
We’ve picked 12 favourites from our secret hotels collection, from charming chateaux to swoony riads. We’ll just warn you that once you stay, you’ll want to return again and again.
1 La Maison Papillons, France
With a saltwater pool and heart-melting views of the Cevennes countryside, La Maison Papillons is ideal for couples or close friends. Its wonderfully creative owners, Olivier and Caroline, provide six great-value bedrooms, each individually designed. Wander the lavender-scented landscapes, cool off in the pool, then more of the same, s’il vous plait.
Best for escapes for couples or close friends
Prices from £143 per night
2 Chapel House PZ, United Kingdom
A stylish sanctuary with a dinner-party vibe in arty Penzance, this listed Georgian house with six bedrooms is bright and airy, yet marvellously cosy. Chapel House PZ has got everything you could want from a Cornwall stay: sea views, hot tub, crackling fire for chilly evenings. Plus, kids are welcome, dogs get spoiled, the service is second to none, and everyone loves owner Susan’s breakfasts.
Best for family getaways and outdoorsy friends
Prices from £225 per night
3 Riad L’Orangeraie, Morocco
Riad L’Orangeraie is a stunningly eye-catching seven-room townhouse tucked away inside Marrakech’s bustling medina. The food is incredible, the bedrooms divine, and there’s a mosaic swimming pool for cooling down. Topping it off – literally – is a dazzling roof terrace with cinematic views of the High Atlas.
Best for city break exploring in style
Prices from £160 per night
4 At the Chapel, UK
With fantastic food, contemporary art and quintessential countryside, pretty little Bruton is the trendiest town in Somerset for a reason, and At The Chapel is the perfect place to stay. Brimming with classy comforts, delicious fare and stylish bonhomie, its eight gorgeous rooms are made to hole up in. And their on-site bakery means buttery rich smells and fresh croissants delivered to your door every morning.
Best for a delightful weekend getaway
Prices from £145 per night
5 Borgo Tranquillo, Italy
Perched on a hill between the sun-drenched Adriatic coast and mighty Apennine mountains, Borgo Tranquillo boasts the most breathtaking views and bucolic tranquillity. There are four romantic apartments and a family villa, all self-catering, with sprawling gardens, a spa, the heated pool, and the Italian countryside at your fingertips.
Best for low-key retreat for young families or couples
Prices from £192 per night
6 Chateau d’Uzer, France
If you want a laid-back holiday in the leafy green of the Ardeche, this fairytale chateau is a magical spot. Chateau d’Uzer has five opulent suites, a romantic wooden cabin and gypsy caravans hidden among tropical gardens. Not to mention delicious breakfasts and convivial dinners brimming with local produce. It’s a great spot for tired parents to unwind while little ones splash around in the freshwater pool.
Best for adventurous couples and families with active teens
Prices from £113 per night
7 The Rou Estate, Greece
Who would guess that on bustling Corfu, there is such a secret hideaway to be found? High in the leafy hills, The Rou Estate gazes seductively over a vivid scene of olive groves, distant Albanian hills and a sliver of azure Ionian sea. Spread across the hillside, there are 14 self-catering villas, some with private pools, a larger shared pool, a spa, gym and restaurant serving typical Greek fare.
Best for peaceful family holidays
Prices from £170 per night
8 Convento, Portugal
Go up a narrow street, past the crowds, past the noise, to a little white door in a stone archway, which opens into a historic townhouse straight off the silver screen. Convento has 9 romantic bedrooms, a tranquil courtyard with hand-painted tiles, and a split-level terrace with views of whitewashed roofs. And you’re right in the beating heart of Olhao: our favourite town in the Algarve.
Best for budget friendly beach retreat
Prices from £126 per night
9 My Little Place on the Hill, Greece
We absolutely adore this beautiful little bohemian jewel in Kefalonia. Close to the airport yet far from crowds, My Little Place on the Hill‘s 17 stylish self-catering suites come with soaring views, a gorgeous pool and very attractive prices. Owners Vicky and Alex are dream hosts who spoil their guests, and kids are warmly welcomed.
Best for relaxed family hideaway, with options to explore
Prices from £130 per night
10 Modus Vivendi, Cyprus
Talk about a dream find. This hidden gem in a sleepy hamlet just three km from the coast is hands down our favourite budget hideaway in Cyprus. Modus Vivendi offers self-catering cottage suites clustered around a sun-drenched pool terrace, each a treasure trove of charmingly mismatched furniture. And lovely husband and wife team Yiannos and Christiana will take good care of you.
Best for couples or families after a simple, secluded stay
Prices from £92 per night
11 Thirtyseven Gozo, Malta
The little island of Gozo off Malta is an enchanting landscape of rural hills, rocky coves and sleepy villages. There are plenty of reasons to visit – one of which is Thirtyseven Gozo. Hidden behind great limestone walls in the village of Munxar, this boutique hotel has ten rooms, two swimming pools, and two lovely and knowledgeable hosts.
Best for a calm, serene getaway for adults
Prices from £151 per night
12 Baoussala, Morocco
A guesthouse with a big heart, Baoussala is that much-talked about but rarely seen thing — the real Morocco. Peeping behind a eucalyptus grove near Essaouira, and close to surfing beaches, its 7 delightful bedrooms are wrapped around a secluded courtyard, and beautifully decorated by owner Dominique. Eat wholesome food, walk barefoot through dunes, or dream away by the pool.
Best for families ready to explore and relax
Prices from £126 per night
Date published: 21 May 2025
Last updated: 10 Jul 2025