How Many Hotels Do Handpicked Hotels Have? A Real Look at Country House Escapes

Ever scrolled through hotel websites, eyeing those dreamy country house getaways, and wondered just how many places actually fit the bill as 'handpicked'? You're not alone. When it comes to Handpicked Hotels—the actual brand, not just any old carefully chosen spot—it’s not a mystery once you dig a little.

If you're in the UK or planning a trip, knowing the real number of these hotels helps you plan better. No one likes clicking through marketing jargon that promises ‘exclusivity’ but delivers a cookie-cutter chain vibe. Here’s the straight-up answer: as of right now, Handpicked Hotels runs 21 unique properties, mostly in the UK with a couple across the Channel in the Channel Islands. Each is set in a country house or historic building, so no bland business hotel energy here—think winding driveways, gardens, and creaky wood floors that tell stories.

This isn’t just trivia. The number matters because each spot is different, and availability can be a real issue during peak times. So if you’re dreaming of a weekend escape, booking ahead for the right place can make or break your break (I learned this the hard way with my family of four showing up last minute—no room at the inn, literally). Let’s get into the details that will actually help you plan your next stay, and dodge the usual ‘wait, what do you mean you’re fully booked?’ headache.

• The Real Number: How Many Handpicked Hotels Are There?
• Where You’ll Find Them: Locations That Matter
• What Makes a Country House Hotel ‘Handpicked’?
• Perks and Extras: Why Travelers Choose Them
• Booking Tips: How to Snag the Best Room
• Things You Didn’t Know About Handpicked Hotels

The Real Number: How Many Handpicked Hotels Are There?

If you want the straight facts, here they are: Handpicked Hotels has a total of 21 hotels to its name right now. This isn’t just a rough guess or outdated info; check their official site and recent updates, and 21 is the magic number. That’s pretty tight compared to big hotel groups, and honestly, that’s part of their appeal.

Out of those 21, most sit across the UK—think country piles in places like Kent, Surrey, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Scotland. Two of them are set in the Channel Islands (that’s Guernsey and Jersey), so you do get a slice of island charm thrown into the mix. None hiding in London or big cities—these are country house hotels through and through, where you show up for peace, old trees, and actual birdsong.

Something to know: Handpicked doesn’t buy up random hotels and slap their logo on. Each property has to fit the country house vibe—historic, good bones, with space for gardens or even a spa. So when you see ‘handpicked’ in the name, it means every location is carefully chosen and gets regular checks to stay up to the mark.

Here’s why the number matters: every single one is different. Some have indoor pools, some feel more like private estates, some are perfect for weddings, and others are family-friendly escapes. They’re not popping up on every corner, so you’re genuinely booking somewhere a bit special (but that also means rooms can book up fast, especially in spring and autumn when everyone seems to be after a countryside recharge).

In short: there are 21 Handpicked Hotels, all offering that real country house hotel experience without drifting into ‘posh but bland’ territory. Knowing that number gives you a better shot at picking a location that really works for what you want—whether it’s peace, adventure, or just a kid-friendly break where you can actually relax.

Where You’ll Find Them: Locations That Matter

Let’s cut through the noise and talk about where these Handpicked Hotels are actually located. If you’re looking for a real country house escape, you’ll be happy to know they scatter their properties across some of the UK’s best-loved regions—and not just big cities. You’ll find everything from old manor houses hidden in the English countryside to historic hotels near Scottish lochs.

Here’s the rundown. England hosts the majority of properties – think places like Surrey, Kent, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. Scotland has a handful of gems too. And if you want a weekend that feels far from the mainland but is still easily reached, check the Channel Islands. There’s even one in the glorious Bailiwick of Guernsey. Each location is chosen for its scenery, history, and that satisfying country house vibe—so you’re not just booking a bed, you’re getting a slice of local character.

To make it simple, here’s a snapshot of where you’ll find most Handpicked Hotels as of May 2025:

If you’re keen on staying somewhere in the heart of wine country, try Nutfield Priory in Surrey. Want a lakeside or castle atmosphere? Norton House near Edinburgh gets rave reviews. For family trips (trust me, with kids like Romy and Lennox in tow, I spotlight somewhere with big lawns and less ‘shhh’ at dinner), L’Horizon Beach Hotel on Jersey is a solid bet for sandcastle days and not worrying about muddy shoes in the lobby.

Looking at the map, you’ll see that these hotels aren’t all crammed into one county or region—they’re meant for exploring. Their locations get you close to hiking trails, stately gardens, even local markets or museums. So booking a Handpicked Hotel means you’re setting up camp somewhere special, not just anywhere off the motorway. If getting the Handpicked Hotels experience is the point, picking your region is where the fun starts.

What Makes a Country House Hotel ‘Handpicked’?

So what really sets a Handpicked Hotel apart from a random countryside inn? First up, this isn’t just a cozy B&B with a nice garden. Handpicked Hotels are a specific collection—not just a vibe, but an actual group—made up of 21 country house hotels with a certain pedigree.

Every property in the Handpicked portfolio is chosen for its history, beautiful setting, and those little extras that make people want to come back. Many are former mansions from the 18th or 19th centuries, and a good chunk are listed buildings, which means they’re protected for their heritage and character.

Here's what you'll actually find at a Handpicked Hotels spot—not just glossy website promises:

• Spacious grounds – often 20+ acres of gardens and parkland (perfect for kids or a morning run)
• Original architectural features (think large fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and sometimes even a secret staircase or two)
• A restaurant with a focus on local produce—both for the wow factor and the fresh flavors
• Spa or wellness centers—about half the properties have full spas or swimming pools
• On-site experiences like afternoon tea, nature walks, or even wine cellars you can actually tour, not just peer at through the glass

Still not sure what makes them stand out in numbers? Here’s a quick data table to show what’s actually offered at these hotels:

Every hotel goes through a selection process that checks for things like guest reviews, upkeep, food quality, and even the friendliness of the staff. It isn’t just about ticking boxes—Handpicked Hotels maintains regular mystery guest visits and performance reviews to keep up their standards.

This means you’re far more likely to get the classic country house hotel feeling—quirky history mixed with modern comforts—than you would rolling the dice on an unknown spot with no track record. For families (like mine) it’s also handy to know which properties are used to kids in muddy boots running through the halls or dogs curling on the lounge rug.

Perks and Extras: Why Travelers Choose Them

There’s more to Handpicked Hotels than just a pretty building. People book these spots because the extras actually make your stay better in real, noticeable ways. I’m talking about details you can count on, not just some bowl of apples in the lobby.

• Breakfast that fills you up, not just croissants and jam. “Full English” means the real deal—think eggs, sausage, bread baked that morning—without extra charges tacked on last minute.
• Free and easy parking. Most of these hotels offer big, no-hassle parking, which makes arriving with kids or a lot of stuff much less stressful than a city stay.
• Spa access you don’t have to fight for. A lot of locations have proper indoor pools, hot tubs, even little touches like bathrobes in your room. Some have Elemis spa treatments and yoga sessions you can actually book when you need them.
• Seriously good Wi-Fi. You can stream your favourite show without it stalling in every corner (for the parents and teens, you know why this matters).
• Pet-friendly rooms (if you ask ahead). Dogs can stay at many spots, but not every room. Always worth calling before you show up with a Labrador in tow.

I’ve been surprised by how often the smallest touches make a difference. Last Christmas, they had mulled wine at check-in, and during summer weekends, you might stumble on a backyard BBQ or local gin tasting without extra fuss about “private events.”

For folks looking for a treat, here’s what research says about the most popular perks guests rank as must-haves at these types of hotels:

It’s the kind of place where you can celebrate an anniversary or just sack out after a long walk, and nobody fusses if your shoes are muddy. If you want more than just a bed for the night, these extras are why travelers (myself included, honestly) keep coming back.

Booking Tips: How to Snag the Best Room

Nabbing the perfect room at a Handpicked Hotels location takes a little bit of strategy. These places aren’t massive chains, so rooms with special views or features (like those famous freestanding tubs) go fast—sometimes months ahead, especially for school holidays and weekends.

Here’s what works if you want the best experience:

• Book directly on their website: You’re much more likely to see the full range of rooms and up-to-date availability. Direct bookings usually fetch perks—a bottle of fizz in the room, later checkout, or a complimentary breakfast. Third-party sites don’t always show all the options.
• Check for midweek deals: If you can escape midweek, prices often drop by 20-30%. Sunday nights, in particular, can be a steal.
• Sign up for the Club Hand Picked: It’s free, and they email exclusive member-only rates or flash sales, which aren’t always advertised anywhere else.
• Call and ask: Sometimes the front desk knows about cancellations, upgrades, or packages before they hit the web. I've scored family suites at half price just by asking if they ever have 'last-minute' deals.
• Special requests pay off: Tell them if you’re celebrating. Let them know if you want a ground-floor room, need extra beds, or have a thing for bathtubs. They care about reviews, so they go the extra mile when you ask nicely.

Want a clearer idea of how prices and availability actually play out? Here’s a sample from 2025 taken straight from their online booking system:

Quick tip: Once you’ve booked, call or email them with your preferences. Don’t just hope ‘deluxe’ means a lovely view—ask for it! If you’re traveling with kids, like Romy and Lennox, double-check what cots, beds, or baby kit they can provide. Saves a lot of frantic unpacking on arrival.

And if you’re traveling on a date that’s set in stone (like a big birthday or anniversary), booking 4-6 months ahead for popular spots is smart. If your plans are flexible, sign up for late availability emails—they often drop prices last minute to fill rooms.

Things You Didn’t Know About Handpicked Hotels

You might think a Handpicked Hotels stay is just about a pretty country house and a fancy breakfast, but there’s a lot more going on behind those ivy-covered walls. Here’s some stuff that doesn’t usually make it onto Instagram.

• Every hotel is actually listed as a Grade II building or higher, which means you’re sleeping in a slice of British heritage. Some even have stories dating back to the 13th century (Rookery Hall in Cheshire is a literal one—previous guests include royalty and pop stars, so yes, your room probably does have a good story to tell).
• None of their sites are purpose-built hotels. Each place started out as a private home or manor, and you can feel it—no two rooms are the same, even within one hotel. If you love quirky floor plans or that ‘this used to be the library’ vibe, you’re in luck.
• Handpicked Hotels is one of the only UK hotel groups that treats local food sourcing like a competition. Over 80% of their produce is sourced within 50 miles of each property, and some spots even have working kitchen gardens (Stapleford Park’s tomatoes taste nothing like the ones from the supermarket—my daughter Romy still talks about them).
• They’re pet-friendly, but not in a ‘stick your dog in a tiny kennel’ way. Many of their grounds stretch for acres, so four-legged friends can run wild or join you for afternoon walks.
• Several properties hide quirky extras like original art, croquet lawns, and even secret bars tucked away where only guests know to look. If you stay at Bailbrook House in Bath, ask about the hidden downstairs whisky corner—it’s not just for show.

If you’re into details, check this quick breakdown. Check out how unique each hotel is, not just by architecture, but by history and their focus on local perks:

Here’s my tip: always ask about the history and onsite extras when you check in. Staff love sharing fun facts and will often offer tours of the parts most guests miss. My spouse, Fletcher, swears we only stumble on the best lounges and little museums because we talk to the people who work there. So, skip the stiff front desk chat and get some real stories out of your stay.