Montagu Arms
UK England South East England Hampshire Beaulieu
01590 612 324 Beaulieu New Forest Hampshire SO42 7ZL
33 Guest Rooms
- Boutique Country Hotel
A lovely New Forest country retreat with a very special restaurant
Part of the same group that owns the excellent nearby Careys Manor spa hotel, the Montagu Arms is a bit of a favourite of ours, 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 that feels a bit special while still being suitably relaxed and informal. And it has an excellent restaurant, so if you're feeling lazy, 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 two-mile walk along the river to Buckler's Hard on an easy gravelled path is a popular one – and collapsing into the arms of the hotel in the evening, where the cosy hotel bar and very highly-rated Terrace Restaurant will take care of your needs before you stagger up to your well-appointed room. The rooms are good sizes and all very comfortable, traditional but not fussy in style; a couple have four-posters, and all have spacious en-suite bathrooms with robes and toiletries and flatscreen TVs.
Gallery
Details
Suitable For
We are pet-friendly across the hotel, with the exception of the Terrace Restaurant. 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 £224 a night. Dinner bed and breakfast from £374 a night.
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
Location
Contact Website 01590 612 324 Montagu Arms, Beaulieu New Forest Hampshire SO42 7ZL
Facilities
Related Guides
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 23 reviews
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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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