Cool Places
100
The Montagu Arms
South East England Hampshire Beaulieu
- From £200 a night
- 33 Guest Rooms
- Country House Hotel
A lovely New Forest country retreat with several eating areas serving first-rate British plates
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Part of the same group that owns the nearby Careys Manor spa, the Montagu Arms is a bit of a Cool Places favourite of ours, mainly because it ticks all the boxes we usually look for in a good country hotel. It’s in a fabulous location, right in Beaulieu village and so in the heart of the New Forest. It occupies a nice old building with lovely gardens and feels a bit special while still being suitably relaxed and informal. And they serve an extensive 'House Menu' featuring the very best of British dining, so you don’t have to stray very far in search of sustenance.
In fact, the nice thing about the Montagu Arms is that you can leave your car keys in your pocket while you’re here, venturing out into the forest on long walks and cycle rides during the day – the walk along the river to Buckler's Hard is a popular one – and collapsing into the arms of the hotel in the evening, where the cosy bar and very highly-rated Terrace Restaurant will take care of you. The hotel’s 22 rooms in the main house are good sizes and all very comfortable, traditional but not fussy in style; some rooms are dog-friendly, a couple have four-posters and all have spacious en-suite bathrooms with robes and White Company toiletries and Smart TVs. There are also 2 Hayloft Suites and 9 Garden Rooms fringing the garden which are if anything more luxurious, some of them with free-standing baths as well as a rainfall shower. All rooms also come with a complimentary decanter of gin!
Food-wise, you can enjoy the House Menu wherever you feel most comfortable: Monty’s, the on-site country pub, alfresco in the pretty country garden, or The Terrace, the wood-panelled dining space. Choose from nibbles like tempura cauliflower with saffron mustard mayo, sharers such as 24-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye with Koffmann’s fries and salad, or large plates ranging from pie of the day to grilled market fish. The focus is on tasty, seasonal food showcasing local ingredients like Chalk Stream trout and Hardy’s cheese.
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Details
Suitable For
We are pet-friendly across the hotel, with the exception of The Terrace dining area. We welcome pets across a range of rooms within the main house and garden.Our House Suites and Courtyard rooms are able to accommodate up to 2 children.
Open
Open all year.
Pricing
Double rooms with breakfast from £200 a night. Dinner bed and breakfast from £280 a night.
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The Owner Says
Design Feature:
The beautiful fountain that forms the focal point of the gardens at The Montagu Arms was designed by sculptor, David Wynn OBE – famous for designing the central motif on the Queen Elizabeth gate at Hyde Park and his celebrated dolphin pieces such as ‘Boy with a Dolphin’ which resides on the Chelsea Embankment, London.
Famous Guests:
The Montagu Arms Hotel has played host to discerning clientele including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, most noted for his fictional stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes; British actor Henry Irving; writer, Sir H. Rider Haggard and former French president, General Charles de Gaulle.
Interesting History:
In 1943 the Montagu Arms Hotel was one of a number of public buildings used by the home-guard as a firing position in the event of invasion during World War II. A scrapbook of top secret orders, letters and hand drawn maps by war-time Home Guard commander, Sir Morgan Crofton, revealed a rare insight into the real ‘Dad’s Army’ of the New Forest.
Offers & Deals
See the best current deals at The Montagu Arms. Please mention Cool Places when you book.
Wild New Forest 2-Night Break!
Includes:
- Your choice of room for your 2-night stay
- Private continental breakfast on your first morning, hosted by Wild New Forest with an illustrated Nature Talk
- Guided Nature Walk at Culverley, in the heart of the New Forest National Park
- Dinner at The Terrace Restaurant or Monty's on Friday at your leisure with an allowance of £60 per person to spend towards food and drink
- Continental breakfast at leisure on your last morning, including a selection of delicious pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt and fruity compotes (hot breakfast items, such as eggs, bacon or a Full English, are available at a supplement)
- Use of the relaxing hotel spaces, including the cosy lounge and conservatory, characterful bar area, and beautiful terrace and gardens
- More scenic walks in the New Forest National Park from the very doorstep, to explore at leisure
From £538 per room.
Valid Thursday and Friday each week till the end of March, excluding 21st/22nd November, 12th/13th December and 26th/27th December. Prices are based on two people sharing a room.
Dog on leads are welcome.
Subject to availability, and T&Cs apply.
To book, click the button below.
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Kids Stay Free!
Bring the family together in the New Forest in a Family Suite or Courtyard Room from £310 per room, with children staying for free! Offer includes a continental breakfast, complimentary morning tea and coffee served daily to your room, and a free welcome hamper for children.
Prices are based on two adults sharing a room with up to 2 children. Kids stay free offer includes overnight accommodation and continental breakfast only. All other meals are chargeable. Children must be aged 8 years and over to dine in The Terrace Restaurant. Single rooms are available upon request and may carry a supplement. Some Saturdays are subject to a minimum 2-night stay depending on dates.
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Location
Contact Website 01590 612 324 The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu New Forest Hampshire SO42 7ZLFeatures
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Reviews
Let us know what you think of your stay.
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 34 reviews
A very welcoming hotel
We stayed at the hotel to celebrate my birthday and it was a great experience. Upon arrival, my daughter found a card with her name on it and she was so happy to receive the bubble bath bottle and a donkey-shaped gingerbread. This is definitely a hotel that takes customer care seriously. The hotel manager was lovely and so were the staff. We’d like to revisit the hotel in the summer.
Family break
We love the Montagu Arms Hotel, and have been frequent visitors for afternoon tea and the odd stopover. On this occasion, my wife and I stayed with our twin girls, accommodated in one of the newly refurbished courtyard suites. These are beautifully done and very spacious. Rates were very reasonable due to a “children stay free” promotion in January. Food in Monty’s was good pub grub and the supper in the Terrace restaurant was exceptional. As always, the staff were friendly and professional. We will certainly be back!
A place to relax in front of a log fire
The aim was to stay somewhere with log fires and enjoy total relaxation for one night. This hotel didn't disappoint. The staff were excellent. My room located in the main hotel, was large, clean and comfortable with views across the garden. Enjoyed room service on the Friday evening after attending a talk elsewhere in the New Forest. Lovely area with so much to see and being winter, quiet. I ate in the main restaurant on the Saturday before heading home. Cannot fault the stay. Coming back in March for afternoon tea with my daughter. Thank you for a lovely stay. Highly recommend.
An unforgettable night
It’s my wife’s birthday and we stayed at The Montagu Arms Hotel room 4 and 3. The rooms are classic and elegant decor which was exactly what we expected. The services are great and my daughter even got a special gift from the hotel. The Terrace restaurant was so friendly with tasty food. The restaurant staff remembered it was my wife’s birthday and presented to her a birthday plate with candle. This hotel is very well managed and all staff are extremely friendly. We highly recommend it to everyone looking for a luxurious experience in the New Forest.
The only place to stay if you want to make a trip to the New Forest memorable
The room was beautiful, a courtyard suite. Perfect for having our dog and a real taste of luxury. Food was excellent and the staff were extremely welcoming with just the right amount of friendliness.
A memorable experience…
What an amazing hotel, truly magical, with superb service throughout. This place is full of character, we all had a really memorable time, the dog enjoyed it too. As you can imagine, being in the middle of the New Forest this place just loves our furry friends. Thanks to all the team for spoiling her.
Afternoon tea
Went for afternoon tea for my wife's birthday. Staff were very professional. Attentive but not annoyingly so. Food exceptional and certainly value for money. Unfortunately it was raining so unable to look round the gardens but they certainly look very nice. Will certainly return.
Perfect stay
Still not quite over just how lovely our stay was, after 2 weeks. Throughout arrival to departure EVERY single member of staff we came across was fabulous, utterly attentive and kind, from front of house to gardening. We ate in both restaurants during our 2-night stay, both served incredible food with service to match. The biggest takeaway, aside from the team for me was the room. We had a Courtyard Suite and it was our first holiday with our puppy, it was perfectly set up for us and her, it meant that she had outside space to use (puppy owners appreciate how important this is!) and the room itself was so beautiful. Comfortable, luxurious and I have now found my dream bathroom. Thank you so very much to amazing Andrew and his team, we are hoping to be back - as is Lily!
Timeless quality and charm
My wife and I had a fabulous 2-night stay at the hotel and were fortunate to have good weather which made it even more memorable. The staff are extremely helpful and the dinners in both restaurants were superb.
Our room overlooked the lovely garden. We plan to make it a regular stay.
Stephen 5 star service!
We had a two-night stay with friends. The experience was as good as ever with all the staff being as helpful and friendly as ever.... Nothing is ever too much trouble.
The rooms were welcoming and homely. We ate in both the pub and the restaurant and in both cases the food was delicious. See you all next year and thank you to everyone at the Montagu Hotel - a wonderful experience.
Superb Stay
Had a few days at this stunning property. A very warm welcome from Vincent, who personally took us to our room, cosy log fires, relaxing seating areas and a real feel of luxury in our high-quality bedroom. Delicious breakfast of Eggs Benedict with perfectly poached eggs served by the lovely Martha and a superb meal one night in Monty's pub. This hotel is a must when visiting the beautiful New Forest.
Best ever hotel stay
The Montagu Arms is without doubt the best hotel I have ever experienced in England. Everything was absolute perfection from the moment we stepped into the front door until we reluctantly left three days later. All of the staff were welcoming, friendly, kind and efficient. The room was comfortable, well-furnished and equipped. The gardens and grounds were beautifully and lovingly attended. The food was excellent, breakfast sumptuous and dinners in both the pub and the dining room interesting, varied and exquisitely presented by enthusiastic staff. I cannot recommend this place more highly; it is a real renovator of the human spirit.
A wonderful three nights, made perfect by the staff
Three nights of dinners and breakfasts, followed by Sunday lunch means we came to know the Montagu Arms quite well in that relatively short time. So here's the list: food - every meal throughout the day was delicious in both the main restaurant and the shared pub, the result of hard work behind the scenes, stylish choices, top-quality ingredients and an artist's eye for presentation. Room - beautifully presented, immaculately clean, as were all the public rooms and also the result of a hard-working housekeeping team. Service - wonderfully attentive and intelligent, with the mostly young staff working well together as a team; for several, nothing was too much trouble, including reception, room service, breakfast service and of course the bar and evening meal service. Atmosphere: sophisticated in a fairly traditional way and no bad thing for that, they are not ashamed of the history of the wonderful old building and this includes being rightly proud of the really beautiful gardens, also the result of considerable hard work, to maintain them to such a high standard, rivalling the National Trust at its best! So we think this hard work behind the scenes has paid off and Montague Arms thoroughly deserves all the accolades it has been awarded.
Birthday Treat weekend
We had a 2-night weekend break staying in one of the Hayloft Suites. My husband booked it as a surprise birthday treat for me. We took our two dogs and when hotels say they are dog friendly, often that means they will tolerate them, but with the Montagu Arms, they really are dog friendly and we were all made to feel very welcomed by all the staff in the Hotel and in Monty's Bar next door. The gardens are beautifully kept. This really is a gem of a place in the heart of Beaulieu and within The New Forest. Amazing service, menus were lovely and all meals were excellent. Lovely touches like a handwritten birthday card and local chocolates, very fluffy bath robes, huge choice of teas and coffee pods in the room, large bottles of house waters, still and sparkling, current magazines............we left on Monday morning feeling well rested looked after and memories made. Thank you Montagu Arms, you are an amazing place to stay.
A lovely warm, welcoming hotel
We stayed here for 7 nights. Our room was spotlessly clean, comfortable and spacious enough for 2 open suitcases. Staff were helpful and they very kindly accommodated our 2 bikes. This was very much appreciated.
Breakfast had plenty of choices, all very well executed. Fresh fruit was very much appreciated. Staff were very friendly.
Warm reception awaits at The Montagu Arms Hotel
Lovely, large, well-appointed garden room which we occupied for our 4 night stay with our large Labradoodle.
Staff were helpful and friendly. Very good country and costal walks within easy reach. Would recommend the hotel to anyone who needs to rest in comfort.
Wholesome staycation in a wonderful hotel
Our stay at The Montagu Arms was exceptional. The stand-out attributes would be the level of service provided and the quality of food & drink on site. We brought along our dog and was made to feel no different - they even have a "A la Bark" menu which was a lovely touch. It is clear that the staff enjoy working there; this is important and we could see this translated by how pleasant everyone was. There is a sense of dedication and attention to detail in every aspect of their work. You can see this level of commitment, evident not only in the bar/restaurant but also in the housekeeping, splendid gardens and the kitchen garden. Location is good - plenty of stunning walks in and out of the area, and the high street of Beaulieu is very cute. We would happily come back again, thank you for making our stay so wonderful.
Lovely staff, lovely hotel, lovely food
What a lovely hotel, nothing was too much trouble for the staff. The rooms were comfortable and welcoming. The staff were courteous and nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious and our whole visit was memorable, we will definitely be back.
Great hotel
Very friendly and helpful staff. Dog friendly. We stayed in one of the cottages it was immaculate. Breakfast in the room was a real treat. We'll be back. The hotel is well maintained and we will return.
A top rated hotel where we will return whenever in the New Forest area
This was our second visit to the hotel and like the previous time it didn't disappoint. We had an upgraded room, at a discounted rate, which was super and very comfortable. The staff in the hotel were excellent and very obliging. Breakfasts were varied and plentiful. Dinner on the first night was at Monty's next door which was okay but menu choice was less than our previous visit. Also, there were delays due to staffing problem. However, dinner in the hotel restaurant on the second night was fabulous and well worth the wait. Overall, this is a top-rated hotel and we will return in the future.
Gorgeous hotel in beautiful Beaulieu
We stayed at this hotel for a couple of days in September and had the most lovely time. We took one of the courtyard suites which was absolutely beautiful; it was incredibly clean and beautifully decorated and extremely comfortable for our break. We took a dog with us as the hotel had said it was dog-friendly - and they really were. There was everything from a hamper for the dog in the bedroom with a basket for him to sleep in and other bits, but they also had food options for the dog in the restaurant in the evening at Monty’s on an A La Bark menu and even in the morning at the courtyard, cooking him an extra sausage so he could have breakfast with us. They went above and beyond to make our stay, and his, absolutely perfect. The weather was beautiful when we were there, so we were really lucky to be able to spend the lunchtime sitting in the courtyard - which is just beautiful - having some really good food and drink. Then we went for a lovely walk in the evening and went to Monty’s for a pub dinner, which also was excellent. I would not hesitate to go back here either on our own or with the dog but if you are looking for a dog-friendly hotel, then I would definitely recommend this one. Oh and when we arrived, there was also a baby donkey outside on the doorstep - I mean it couldn’t get any more beautiful!
Highly recommend
We had a wonderful stay at the Montagu Arms, it’s a beautiful hotel, with comfy beds, great breakfast and amazing customer service. The spa was also lovely, we couldn’t fault it. We will definitely be back!
Long awaited revisit
We had Sunday Lunch and an overnight stay. The Roast was delicious. I had the pork and my husband had the sirloin of beef – both were delicious! All the staff were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble... Olaf, Paul and Paulo who we know from our previous visits were there which was great – always good to see familiar faces! We can definitely recommend the Montagu Arms Hotel – it’s a very special hotel in a beautiful setting. I'm sure you won’t be disappointed.
Friendliest Hotel I've stayed in. Highly Recommended
Lovely, charming and quaint hotel where the staff were possibly the nicest that I ever encountered at a hotel. One particular shout-out must go to Vince on reception who couldn't have been more helpful. As for the food, again one of the best meals we have eaten in a long time. First class, not pretentious. We even observed one of the gardeners popping in at breakfast to give a little girl a freshly picked flower and a small "Bug Hotel". It's these little "extras" that make all the difference. We even got a room upgrade to boot! Highly Recommended. Thank you for making our stay extra special.
Beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous! Beaulieu itself is so beautiful and the hotel is genuinely one of the nicest I've ever stayed In - welcoming staff, garden, lovely food and the room was to die for. Plus there were donkeys all over the high street.
Welcoming and memorable stay with delicious food at Montagu Arms
We happened to pass this hotel when in the area and stopped to have a look. We were so taken by its welcoming feel that we got home and immediately booked for a 2 nights stay including dinner. It lived up to our expectations totally. The staff were lovely and the facilities excellent. The food in the Terrace was nothing short of fantastic. The breakfast too, was delightful. Thank you for a memorable stay. James & Sandie
Another Lovely Visit
We have stayed at the Montagu Arms Hotel several times, our latest visit being for 3 days for our wedding anniversary. The hotel is lovely, the rooms are very comfortable, the staff are all very friendly and helpful and the food in Monty's and the main restaurant is excellent. We're looking forward to our next visit which we've already booked.
A special getaway and not far from London
This was my first solo trip. I was made very welcome from the outset, as was my dog Ben. I had reserved a garden room, which was extremely comfortable, and very well designed and decorated. The hotel is situated in the most tranquil of settings, with plenty to do within east reach.
Perfect stay
We had a wonderful time at the Montagu Arms. The breakfast was delicious and the staff, especially Martha, made it a perfect start to our day. After exploring Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard, we had a fantastic dinner at the hotel. The Manager Paulo as well as Jared and Olaf provided us with superb service and created a wonderful experience for us. We will return home with great memories of the Montagu Arms. Thank you!
Long awaited revisit
All the staff were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble... Olaf, Paul and Paulo who we know from our previous visits were there which was great - always good to see familiar faces! We can definitely recommend Montagu Arms Hotel - it's a very special hotel in a beautiful setting - I'm sure you won't be disappointed...
Could not recommend it highly enough
We stayed two nights in one of the courtyard rooms and really could not recommend it highly enough. The room was spotless with plenty of space and a really comfortable bed and a spacious luxury bathroom. Breakfast was delicious. But the main thing was how welcome every member of staff made us feel - it was a pleasure to stay in the hotel.
Wonderful stay in this magical place
Magical! We had our dog with us and enjoyed a fabulous 2-night stay. Such friendly attentive staff in the hotel, grounds and Monty’s pub (Cally wonderful). One of the lovely groundsmen picked some lavender and handed me and my neighbour a tied bunch whilst we were relaxing outside our room - so thoughtful. Rooms and hotel are immaculate. Can’t wait to return.
Exceptional
We extended our stay in the New Forest since we were enjoying it so much and managed to get a room for one night at the Montagu Arms Hotel. What a shame it couldn't have been longer. A real gem tucked away in a quiet corner of Hampshire. The patio at the back with its fountain and manicured borders is unbelievably peaceful, such a good place for tea, or drinks or breakfast. Staff were first class, without exception. And the gardeners had created such an interesting setting too. And to cap it all, very reasonably priced compared to some other places in the New Forest, and yet so much better. What's not to like!
Loved it
We stayed in the Hayloft Barn which was lovely - the bathroom was incredible and had a walk in shower area, separate massive freestanding bathtub and individual sinks. The mezzanine had sofas and a posh espresso machine. We had sofas and TV on each level! Great selection of books as well, such as Bronte's The Professor and a big book of British birds. The gardens were lovely and the food was amazing. I took my partner for his 40th and we had the tasting menu. The slight fly in the ointment was that they are apparently not doing the tasting menu anymore - they did do it for us as we had booked months ago, but it was generally not available although apparently they may bring it back once they get a new chef. I would really encourage its return and would definitely come back next year to do it again. The heritage beetroot salad was a highlight as was the monkfish. The courgettes from the garden were amazing and the beef was absolutely divine. We got two puddings and the strawberry cheesecake was my favourite. Breakfast also great - amazing butter, smoked salmon, eggs and waffles. The staff were all exceedingly charming as well. It's really close to the motor museum so a good place to stay if you're going there. All in all a fantastic experience.
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