Tortoise Hotel
BERKSHIRE
The UK’s Original & Leading Tortoise Hotel for Boarding, Hibernation & Specialist Care
Trusted by tortoise owners across the UK for safe, expert boarding and carefully managed hibernation programmes.
Nestled in the picturesque heart of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, we have everything your tortoise needs to enjoy a 5-star stay. Think of us as a second home for your beloved pet.
Hodor the baby Horsfield Tortoise
We’ve been caring for tortoises here in Berkshire since 1996, offering expert boarding and hibernation in a calm, clean and secure setting. Whether your tortoise is staying for a weekend or the winter, they’ll be treated like one of our own — with warmth, knowledge, and proper care.
We’re based in Maidenhead and welcome tortoises from across the UK. If you’re looking for somewhere trusted, experienced and full of love for tortoises, you’ve found it.
Take a look around and get in touch to book a stay or ask any questions. We’re always happy to help. Contact us today
Basil the tortoise, boarding at the tortoise hotel
Daisy resident at the Tortoise Hotel, tortoise boarding.
Bertie guest tortoise, boarding uk at the the tortoisehotel
Tortoise Boarding in the UK – Safe, Specialist & Tailored Care
At Tortoise Hotel, our tortoise boarding in the UK is built around the real needs of tortoises, not convenience. As the UK’s original tortoise hotel, we provide safe, specialist care within a fully bio-secure environment, something that is essential for reptile health and often overlooked elsewhere.
Tortoises are outdoor animals by nature, so we prioritise space, fresh air, and natural behaviour. Our large outdoor enclosures allow tortoises to explore, graze, climb, and bask just as they would in the wild. Each enclosure includes warm, dry shelters that stay dry, allowing your tortoise to regulate its own comfort throughout the day.
Fresh water is always available, even though many owners rarely see their tortoise drink. Here at the hotel, every guest has the opportunity to drink, bathe, and behave exactly as nature intended.
When the British weather turns, our indoor tortoise hotel provides a warm, secure retreat. Carefully controlled temperatures and lighting ensure your tortoise remains active, healthy, and stress-free, even during colder periods. Every tortoise is placed in a clean, species-appropriate environment, indoors or outdoors, depending on their individual needs and the conditions on the day.
We offer flexible tortoise boarding options across the UK, including short-term stays for holidays, long-term boarding for house moves or renovations, and full hibernation support with carefully managed brumation and wake-up programmes.
Our facilities are fully bio-secure, and we follow strict hygiene protocols at all times. We never mix tortoises from different households, and we never mix species, even if they come from the same home. Health, safety, and correct husbandry always come first.
We provide professional tortoise boarding UK services designed around the natural behaviour and well-being of every tortoise in our care.
Over 30 Years of Hands-On Tortoise Experience
With over 30 years of experience in tortoise boarding in the UK, we have cared for hundreds of tortoises, including regular visitors travelling from London and as far as Scotland. We also offer a complimentary collection service from Maidenhead train station, making it easier and less stressful for owners travelling by rail.
Every tortoise that stays with us is treated as an individual. Some are active explorers, others prefer a quiet basking spot, and we adapt our care to suit each personality. Owners are always welcome to check in during their tortoise’s stay, and we are happy to provide updates and reassurance whenever needed.
From well-known regular guests to tiny hatchlings just starting out, every tortoise is cared for with genuine attention, respect, and enthusiasm.
This is not just boarding.
It is a safe, calm, and carefully managed environment where your tortoise can settle, thrive, and be properly understood.
A true home from home.
Safe Tortoise Hibernation UK – Expertly Managed from Start to Finish
At Tortoise Hotel, tortoise hibernation in the UK is not something we take lightly. It is one of the most critical periods in a tortoise’s life, and when done incorrectly, it can lead to serious health issues. That is why our tortoise hibernation service in the UK is carefully controlled, closely monitored, and built on over 30 years of hands-on experience.
Every tortoise is individually assessed before hibernation begins. We check weight, overall condition, and overall suitability to ensure hibernation is safe for that specific tortoise. Not every tortoise should hibernate, and we will always prioritise health over routine.
Safe Hibernation UK Wind Down
Before hibernation, we carefully manage the wind-down period, which typically takes between two and four weeks. During this time, we monitor the tortoise and ensure it is properly prepared for hibernation in a safe, controlled manner.
Once ready, each tortoise is placed into a stable, temperature-controlled environment where conditions remain consistent throughout the entire hibernation period. This removes the risks associated with fluctuating outdoor temperatures or unsuitable home setups. Hibernation itself typically lasts between 4 and 12-14 weeks, depending on the individual tortoise.
Throughout hibernation, we conduct regular weight checks and provide close monitoring. Even small changes can be significant, and our experience allows us to spot early warning signs and act quickly if needed. This level of care is very difficult to achieve at home.
Safe Hibernation UK Wake - Up
When the hibernation period ends, we carefully manage the wake-up process. Tortoises are gradually brought back up to temperature, rehydrated correctly, and monitored closely to ensure they return to normal activity safely and in good health.
Our tortoise hibernation service is designed to remove worry and uncertainty for owners while providing the safest possible conditions for tortoises to rest during the colder months.
Whether your tortoise is staying for a short hibernation period or as part of a longer boarding arrangement, they will be cared for as an individual every step of the way. This is not guesswork.
This is carefully managed hibernation, done properly. A tortoise doesn’t just “go to sleep”…
They are gently guided down, carefully watched while resting, and then slowly brought back to life in spring.
Done properly, it is a process. Done poorly, it is a risk.
We are proud to be a trusted choice for tortoise hibernation UK, providing safe, controlled environments and expert care throughout the entire process.
Tortoise Care & Breeding Knowledge in the UK
We also support responsible tortoise care and breeding knowledge in the UK, ensuring correct environments, nutrition, and long-term health.
Why Choose The Tortoise Hotel
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Over 30 years of tortoise experience
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Specialist tortoise boarding and hibernation in the UK
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Fully bio-secure environment
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No mixing of species or households
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Individually tailored care
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Trusted by tortoise owners across the UK
Sue Lloyd, UK
Debbie provided exceptional care for our tortoise, Broccoli, during her three-week holiday in Maidenhead, September 2024. The facilities Debbie provides are exceptional, which coupled with her expert knowledge and husbandry standards left us in no doubt that our tortoise would receive the very highest care during her stay. We would have no hesitation in recommending The Tortoise Hotel to tortoise owners going on vacation.
Catherine Saker
The Tortoise Hotel is a wonderful idea and a wonderful place. Our Big Geoff has been hibernating and having holiday stays with Debbie for years now and I would never consider sending him anywhere else. The enclosures are well designed with lots of space to roam and shelter. Lots of fresh weeds every day but most valuable of all is feeling secure in the knowledge that Big Geoff is well cared for and watched over by somebody whose knowledge of tortoises and their needs is second to none! Quite simply the Tortoise Hotel is first class.
Jonothon Bellamy
The best place to take your tortoise while you are on holiday. Debbie is incredibly knowledgeable and the service she provides is incredible. Our 6 year old Hermann Tortoise Nasha has been there quite a few times. The hotel provides correct care for your Tortoise and makes sure you know you have given your Tortoise to someone who can be trusted. Nasha is part of our family, not just a pet. She means everything to all of us. When Tortoise Hotel is given Nasha, it is reassuring that she is being given to someone who genuinely loves tortoises as much as we do. Thanks Debbie.