Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Independent Hotel Guides
Established in 1986, we pioneered independent hotel guides focusing on charm, character, and personal service. Our expert team, led by Fiona Duncan, provides meticulously researched reviews without commercial influence. With decades of combined experience, we curate small, family-run accommodations globally, offering unique travel insights through printed guides and digital platforms. Our methodology prioritises authenticity, with each entry featuring detailed descriptions and photography. Trusted by discerning travellers for over 40 years, we maintain editorial independence and collaborate with freelance inspectors to ensure quality.Our publications include regional guides, city walking maps, and innovative 'In a Box' travel solutions. Customer-centric since inception, we facilitate direct contact with accommodations and continuously refine our offerings based on user feedback. Recognised internationally for our authoritative content, we remain committed to enhancing travel experiences through expert curation.
Services
Hotel Guides
Travel Publications
City Walking Maps
Online Accommodation Listings
Direct Booking Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of independent hotel curation without commercial influence
- Our expert team personally inspects every listed accommodation
- We specialise in small, family-run properties with unique character
- Each guide includes detailed photography and honest evaluations
- We facilitate direct contact with accommodation providers
What people say
Excellent guides
Superb guides
Independent reviews
Quality shines through
Inspirational travel
Services
Charming Small Hotel Guides
Our curated hotel guides showcase characterful accommodations worldwide. Expert inspectors evaluate each property for unique charm, service quality, and regional authenticity. Ideal for discerning travellers seeking memorable stays beyond chain hotels, our guides combine practical information with evocative descriptions to inspire authentic travel experiences.
On Foot City Guides
Detailed walking guides explore major cities through curated routes. Each guide features aerial-view maps, local insights, and practical tips for discovering urban highlights. Designed for independent travellers wanting immersive city exploration beyond typical tourist paths, with clear directions and cultural context for enriched experiences.
In a Box Series
Innovative travel guides presented on waterproof cards for easy portability. Contains walking and cycling routes with detailed instructions, maps, and photography. Perfect for active travellers seeking flexible exploration options without carrying traditional guidebooks, featuring regional highlights and practical logistical information.
Online Accommodation Listings
Digital platform featuring hand-picked accommodations with direct contact options. Maintains same rigorous selection criteria as printed guides, ensuring quality and character. Enables immediate booking assistance while preserving our independent review ethos, with comprehensive property details and location information.
Custom Travel Recommendations
Personalised travel advice based on decades of accommodation expertise. Helps match specific travel requirements with suitable properties through our curated database. Combines regional knowledge with practical insights to create tailored itineraries focused on authentic experiences and quality stays.
People
Fiona Duncan
Chief Editor
Award-winning travel writer and former Telegraph hotel critic with 30+ years' experience curating independent hotel guides. Leads editorial team ensuring rigorous quality standards across all publications.
Andrew Duncan
Publisher
Co-founder of Charming Small Hotel Guides with four decades' experience in travel publishing. Oversees business operations while maintaining editorial independence and quality control across all guide editions.
Questions
How do you select hotels for inclusion?
We personally inspect all properties using strict criteria focusing on charm, character, and service quality without commercial influence.
Do guides include international destinations?
Our guides cover Europe extensively with editions for Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Alpine regions.
Can I purchase guides outside the UK?
While direct UK sales include free postage, international customers can access digital versions or contact us for shipping options.
Are digital versions available?
We offer online access to accommodation listings with printed guides remaining our primary format for detailed travel planning.
How often are guides updated?
Update frequency varies by region but maintains regular revisions to ensure current information, with some editions updated annually.
Reviews (1)
Md Humayun Kabir
Jun 02, 2016
Report
Quality illustrated books for the international co-edition market. Specialists in travel guides, including the Charming Small Hotel Guides.
