Top 10 romantic hotels for Valentine’s Day
Whether it's a boutique hotel on a leafy London street or a country house hotel with views stretching towards the horizon, nothing says romance quite like a mini break. So as 14th February approaches, the Good Hotel Guide gives the inside scoop on 10 romantic hotels for Valentine's Day...
The Portobello, London
An antique four-poster bed so high you need steps to get into it, a Victorian steampunk bath, and beautiful communal gardens, The Portobello in London is an elegant, quirky hotel with an intriguing past, having once hosted the likes of the Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper (who kept snakes in the bath). These days it's owned by Peter and Jessica Frankopan of the Curious Group of Hotels, and the Notting Hill based abode continues to be THE hotel for those in the know from the world of music, show business and fashion, not to mention those looking to spoil their other half rotten.
http://www.portobellohotel.com/
Ardanaiseig, Scotland
Set against the theatrical backdrop of Loch Awe, Ardanaiseig is a Scottish baronial mansion, built in 1834, with turrets, chimneys and crow-stepped gables all coming together to produce an old fashioned air of grandeur befitting a country house hotel. It's the stuff that fairytales are made of, where dinner is served using the best silver, and when you're not out roaming the grounds hand in hand you can wander around the house admiring the antiques and oil paintings.
http://www.ardanaiseig.com/
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Regal at every turn, Cliveden House is a spectacular mansion on the River Thames, peppered with artwork, massive fireplaces, suits of armour and antiques, and brimming with history as well. Perhaps one of its most notorious moments in time was the role of its swimming pool in the Profumo Affair, part of the spa surrounded by an intimate walled garden. The hotel is no stranger to celebrities and is guaranteed to make you feel like royalty, especially with chef André Garrett's excellent modern meals.
http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/
Gliffaes, Wales
Standing proud on the River Usk, Gliffaes defines casual grandeur. The country house hotel has been in the same family for three generations, offering lazy lunches, beautiful walks and a pair of wellies to borrow if it's muddy underfoot. The rooms are all about period features, and if you really want to impress, then splash out on one with a balcony overlooking the lichen-printed stone terrace, the rushing river and the hills beyond.
http://www.gliffaeshotel.com/
Langar Hall, Nottinghamshire
Until her passing in 2016, Imogen Skirving was the proprietor of Langar Hall, and the faultlessly maintained manor house hotel is a testament to her eye for detail. The eccentric hotel in the Vale of Belvoir has been in the same family since 1860 and is an apricot confection surrounded by lush countryside. Guests are greeted like friends and rooms are individually decorated. Children play on the swings outside bringing a sense of rural bliss to the elegant setting. Few things could be more peaceful and more idyllic.
http://www.langarhall.com/
Burgh Island, Devon
An art deco tour de force that you can only access by sea tractor, Burgh Island Hotel is a completely unique experience. In 1930s style it is the epitome of romance with breathtaking views, impeccable food, and a black tie dinner that you have to dress up for. Agatha Christie's Poirot was filmed here and it has been the chosen escape for many a celebrity.
http://www.burghisland.com/
Ballyvolane House, Ireland
A warm welcome is the first thing you notice at Ballyvolane House, a magnificently furnished country house hotel with ornate furnishings, a marble fireplace with an eclectic selection of (mostly Irish) books. Dinner is a symphony of classics with a twist - rare sirloin steaks, lemon meringue pie, and all immaculately served in an informal setting.
http://ballyvolanehouse.ie/
The Old Railway Station, Sussex
For something really different, The Old Railway Station is exactly what it sounds like, a handsomely restored timber-built late Victorian station and four refurbished Pullman carriages that now operate as a unique B&B. You check in at the old parcels office, then have afternoon tea in the former waiting room, which is now a smart lounge with pink panelled walls peppered with vintage industrial lamps, intriguing objets d'art, leather armchairs, and black-and-white photographs of the train line's heyday.
http://www.old-station.co.uk/
Newforge House, Ireland
This creeper covered Georgian manor house has been beautifully decorated with tapestries, paintings, photographs and antiques, and when you arrive you are welcomed with home-made biscuits and freshly brewed tea or coffee in the drawing room. Food is an important part of the experience at Newforge House as well, making it an ideal place at which to relax, unwind and really take your time to fall in love over breakfast.
http://www.newforgehouse.com/index.html
The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath
In the centre of what is arguably one of the world's most picturesque crescents, The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa in Bath is a luxurious hotel with all the trimmings. From a spectacular location to impeccable design, a decadent spa to sumptuous dining, it is perfect for a romantic mini break in this postcard perfect part of the world.
http://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/
This selection taken from the Good Hotel Guide's Romantic Hotels
The Portobello, London
An antique four-poster bed so high you need steps to get into it, a Victorian steampunk bath, and beautiful communal gardens, The Portobello in London is an elegant, quirky hotel with an intriguing past, having once hosted the likes of the Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper (who kept snakes in the bath). These days it's owned by Peter and Jessica Frankopan of the Curious Group of Hotels, and the Notting Hill based abode continues to be THE hotel for those in the know from the world of music, show business and fashion, not to mention those looking to spoil their other half rotten.
http://www.portobellohotel.com/
Ardanaiseig, Scotland
Set against the theatrical backdrop of Loch Awe, Ardanaiseig is a Scottish baronial mansion, built in 1834, with turrets, chimneys and crow-stepped gables all coming together to produce an old fashioned air of grandeur befitting a country house hotel. It's the stuff that fairytales are made of, where dinner is served using the best silver, and when you're not out roaming the grounds hand in hand you can wander around the house admiring the antiques and oil paintings.
http://www.ardanaiseig.com/
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Regal at every turn, Cliveden House is a spectacular mansion on the River Thames, peppered with artwork, massive fireplaces, suits of armour and antiques, and brimming with history as well. Perhaps one of its most notorious moments in time was the role of its swimming pool in the Profumo Affair, part of the spa surrounded by an intimate walled garden. The hotel is no stranger to celebrities and is guaranteed to make you feel like royalty, especially with chef André Garrett's excellent modern meals.
http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/
Gliffaes, Wales
Standing proud on the River Usk, Gliffaes defines casual grandeur. The country house hotel has been in the same family for three generations, offering lazy lunches, beautiful walks and a pair of wellies to borrow if it's muddy underfoot. The rooms are all about period features, and if you really want to impress, then splash out on one with a balcony overlooking the lichen-printed stone terrace, the rushing river and the hills beyond.
http://www.gliffaeshotel.com/
Langar Hall, Nottinghamshire
Until her passing in 2016, Imogen Skirving was the proprietor of Langar Hall, and the faultlessly maintained manor house hotel is a testament to her eye for detail. The eccentric hotel in the Vale of Belvoir has been in the same family since 1860 and is an apricot confection surrounded by lush countryside. Guests are greeted like friends and rooms are individually decorated. Children play on the swings outside bringing a sense of rural bliss to the elegant setting. Few things could be more peaceful and more idyllic.
http://www.langarhall.com/
Burgh Island, Devon
An art deco tour de force that you can only access by sea tractor, Burgh Island Hotel is a completely unique experience. In 1930s style it is the epitome of romance with breathtaking views, impeccable food, and a black tie dinner that you have to dress up for. Agatha Christie's Poirot was filmed here and it has been the chosen escape for many a celebrity.
http://www.burghisland.com/
Ballyvolane House, Ireland
A warm welcome is the first thing you notice at Ballyvolane House, a magnificently furnished country house hotel with ornate furnishings, a marble fireplace with an eclectic selection of (mostly Irish) books. Dinner is a symphony of classics with a twist - rare sirloin steaks, lemon meringue pie, and all immaculately served in an informal setting.
http://ballyvolanehouse.ie/
The Old Railway Station, Sussex
For something really different, The Old Railway Station is exactly what it sounds like, a handsomely restored timber-built late Victorian station and four refurbished Pullman carriages that now operate as a unique B&B. You check in at the old parcels office, then have afternoon tea in the former waiting room, which is now a smart lounge with pink panelled walls peppered with vintage industrial lamps, intriguing objets d'art, leather armchairs, and black-and-white photographs of the train line's heyday.
http://www.old-station.co.uk/
Newforge House, Ireland
This creeper covered Georgian manor house has been beautifully decorated with tapestries, paintings, photographs and antiques, and when you arrive you are welcomed with home-made biscuits and freshly brewed tea or coffee in the drawing room. Food is an important part of the experience at Newforge House as well, making it an ideal place at which to relax, unwind and really take your time to fall in love over breakfast.
http://www.newforgehouse.com/index.html
The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath
In the centre of what is arguably one of the world's most picturesque crescents, The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa in Bath is a luxurious hotel with all the trimmings. From a spectacular location to impeccable design, a decadent spa to sumptuous dining, it is perfect for a romantic mini break in this postcard perfect part of the world.
http://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/
This selection taken from the Good Hotel Guide's Romantic Hotels