Considering a staycation this year? The Good Hotel Guide shares the best UK hotels that should be on your bucket list
If we have learned anything in the post-pandemic era, it’s that the UK has some incredible places to visit. For those who already knew about the beauty of a staycation, discovering new destinations just keeps giving us more reasons to explore. For those who are newer to a holiday without overseas travel, the UK is a treasure trove of city, coast and country getaways, beautiful hotels, enchanting inns, welcoming B&Bs and superb restaurants-with-rooms.
Following the launch of their 2023 guide, the Good Hotel Guide shares their Cesar Winners, 12 of the best hotels to visit in 2023.
Morston Hall, Holt
A birdwatcher’s paradise, and a firm favourite amongst those who enjoy the finer things in life, Morston Hall is a Michelin-starred restaurant-with-rooms in a flint farmhouse, with Blakeney nature reserve on the doorstep. Despite its culinary credentials, it is friendly and relaxed, offering a contemporary, country house look in the bedrooms.
“A birdwatcher’s paradise and a firm favourite amongst those who enjoy the finer things in life”
As you might expect, dinner is quite the occasion, serving up a seven-course tasting menu of locally sourced or home-grown produce. In the morning you’re treated to locally smoked fish or a full English with boudin noir and kidneys.
Eddrachilles Hotel, Scourie
An 18th-century manse turned small, friendly hotel, Eddrachilles Hotel sits on a hillside looking out across Badcall Bay. Located on the North Coast 500 road, most of the rooms have views of moor and mountains across the water to Assynt.
In the evenings nurse one of their 60-odd malt whiskies in the lounge/bar, observing works by local artists and enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
The Falcon, Northampton
Dates back to 1594 and sits in the Northamptonshire countryside. They offer activities such as a guided walking tour of the deer park, yoga classes, gong baths, nature trails in the castle grounds and swimming in a lake designed by Capability Brown.
Despite its illustrious heritage, it’s relaxed and relaxing, decorated in style with earthy, mossy tones to reflect the surrounding landscape.
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, Ballingarry
The pretty property in the heart of County Limerick offers old world charm and views across manicured lawns, an orchard and a working kitchen garden. Inside it is eclectic but elegant, decorated in fabrics and wallpaper by Zoffany, Jane Churchill, Cole & Son. They pay attention to the details, with things like Handmade Soap Co toiletries in your room.
The food is one of the most popular elements of the hotel—chef Angel Pirev’s dishes burst with the freshness and favourites include things like squash risotto with asparagus and caramelised baby red onions or guineafowl, nameko mushrooms, leek, mushroom ketchup, fried sage.
The Henley, Bigbury-on-Sea
An unpretentious getaway in the glorious South Hams in Devon. The beach that it looks out over is famous because the sea comes in from both sides, creating quite the spectacle.
“The beach is famous because the sea comes in from both sides, creating quite the spectacle”
Taking full advantage of the region’s wealth of produce, they are well known for their inventive, tasty and well-cooked food. Rooms are homely and uplifting, and there’s always a pair of binoculars on hand to help you enjoy those views.
The Pig in the Forest, Brockenhurst
So named because pigs have foraged in forest since the Norman Conquest, The Pig in the Forest joined Robin Hutson’s collection of piglets in 2011 and it’s become tellingly popular ever since. There’s a variety of rooms to stay in, from hideaway suites in the stable yard, to lodges and a forest hut clad in reclaimed timber at the bottom of the garden.
Food is a feast for the senses using ingredients from the kitchen garden or grown and reared close by. Dishes might include wild garlic tagliatelle, goat’s cheese and walnuts, or venison loin with artichokes and smoked yoghurt.
Westmorland Hotel, Penrith
Quiet rooms with fell views and tasty Cumbrian food await at Westmorland Hotel—the ultimate reinvention of a motorway service station. Formerly Tebay Services Hotel, this Lake District hotel on the M6 was created by the resourceful Dunning family after the M6 carved up their hill farm.
Today it is a wonderful surprise for travellers, offering quiet rooms with fell views, tasty Cumbrian food and excellent value for money. Guests comment on the sense of peace and well-being during their stay at this understated getaway. There’s even a farm shop on site.
No 15 by GuestHouse, Bath
Set in three Grade I listed townhouses on a classic Georgian terrace in Bath, No 15 by GuestHouse is a boutique hotel and spa owned by the Guest brothers. Dog friendly and chic, it’s the perfect balance between heritage style and modern hospitality.
The decor features whimsical touches, such as a ceiling with exotic bird wallpaper inspired by the pergola in Henrietta Park outside. Each room has its own unique characteristics (for example, those in the coach house have a lounge area, a working fireplace, stand-alone bath and rain shower). The basement spa is intimate and well designed—for example, it has a circular copper bath for two. Meanwhile, food and drink is adventurous and delicious.
The Double Red Duke, Bampton
The Double Red Duke is a new addition to the Good Hotel Guide this year, and what a delicious find it is. This Oxfordshire retreat, owned by Georgie and Sam Pearman, is a 17th century Cotswold stone inn that’s received rave reviews. Changing the game for pubs with rooms, the Duke combines heritage architecture with country-chic style.
Carefully designed rooms feature luxurious fabrics, hand-blocked wallpaper and wooden furniture. Food is not your average pub grub—they grill meat and fish over charcoal, cherry and apple wood to add that little extra flourish.
Cambridge House, Reeth
Wake to sweeping views over Swaledale at Cambridge House. Located in Reeth, this large stone villa is a place for total escapism—spacious rooms, home-made cake, breathtaking walks, and charming interiors. Balancing luxury and warmth, Cambridge House enables you to relax into the best of Yorkshire.
“This large stone villa is a place for total escapism”
Enjoy the pretty cottage garden, the cosy bathrobes, and comfy beds complete with plaid throws. In the morning, tuck into a morning feast of pancakes, smoked haddock, local eggs, croissants and the owner’s award-winning marmalade.
Penally Abbey, Tenby
A pretty Gothic house dating back to the 18th century, Penally Abbey is a family run 12-bedroom boutique hotel run by Lucas and Melanie Boissevain. Melanie’s background as an interior designer becomes abundantly clear when you walk through the doors to find immaculately styled rooms, complete with antiques, French market finds, opulent wallpapers and Persian rugs.
The hotel is on the coast a five-minute drive from Tenby, it’s a 10-minute walk from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and it looks out across acres of woodland and gardens. Much like the rest of the hotel, food is designed to soothe the soul. Tuck into local fare ranging from fresh fish from Tenby Harbour to hand-picked strawberries from the farm down the road, while taking in views over the bay to the Gower peninsula.
Forest Side, Grasmere
An enchanting hotel in a gothic mansion in the Lake District, Forest Side is known for its aesthetic beauty, enchanting location and Michelin-starred cuisine. The location was famously loved by Wordsworth thanks to its natural beauty, and the hotel has been charming guests for more than 100 years.
Chef Paul Leonard sources 90 per cent of produce from a 10-mile radius, with much from their own kitchen garden. Interiors honour the history of the property alongside modern luxury—you will find Zoffany fabrics, Herdwick wool carpets and Bramley toiletries. Meanwhile, days are best spent on walks in the surrounding countryside and exploring the gardens, complete with rare purple dusted lilies and an array of Rhododendrons.
source: readersdigest
