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The Ultimate in ‘Social Distancing’ Hotel Stays
A staycation boom is expected as housebound Britons escape to the beauty spots around the country. For families looking to travel to their own isolated slice of heaven, a rush is on to book the very best in full-service private dwellings within the grounds of luxury hotels. Hoteliers are reporting a well-needed surge in inquiries, especially for ultra private stays, and for longer time periods. “Having been caught up at home, people are looking for something a little bit different; and whereas we would usually have requests for two or three night stays, its not uncommon now to get calls for 10 night stays or longer,” says Marc Dorney of Farncombe Estate. “It’s all starting to quickly pick up, especially for the more quirkier stays where people feel they are cocooned in their own space.”
See our selection of the 12 Top ‘Social Distancing’ UK Hotel Stays (that can also be seen in ThisHotel.com site) – from luxury huts, treehouses, cottages and grand homes – to hatch your 2020 holidays plans:
The Fish Hotel, Farncombe Estate, Broadway WR12 7LH
Expected reopening date: July 13, 2020
What it offers: The Fish is a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate. More relaxed than its two sister properties, Foxhill Manor and Dormy House, The Fish is a back-to-nature bolt-hole with a little touch of luxury, very much considered as a gateway to a world of relaxation and outdoor adventure. With its series of accommodation, 13 are standalone. There are 5 Hilly Huts that cater for two adults and offer private hot tubs on the outdoor deck; 5 Hideaway Huts (headline image), again for two adults which offers a private bath on the desk; or for families there are three magical treehouses that sleep two adults and two children, and each offers two outdoor heated baths on the deck.
What the Estate offers: Farncombe Estate is on a large 400 acre Cotswold Estate of sprawling forests, fields, riddled with rambling trails and cycle routes, and includes two hotels to choose from: the stylish rural retreat of Dormy House and the quirky unique The Fish. Two dining options at Dormy House (fine dining in The Garden Room and laid-back style of The Potting Shed) and one at The Fish (Hook by Martin Burge for head-turning gastronomy). There is also a luxurious spa facility at Dormy House.
Costs: Hilly Huts from £220 per night; Hideaway Huts from £270 per night and Treehouses from £370 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
The Dower House at Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5 7SE
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: A stay at Coworth Park is always prized, but the jewel in the crown has to be The Dower House – a private stand-alone cottage built in 1775. A grade II listed building, The Dower House has been carefully restored by interior designers Fox Linton Associates who stayed true to the property’s Georgian origins while introducing contemporary pieces to create a stylish but cosy English country escape. The ultimate in privacy, luxury and tranquility, it has a private driveway, spacious galleried entrance hall, three en-suite bedrooms, snug/study, living room, dining room and kitchen where guests can cook for themselves or have a dedicated chef and butler cater on request. Guests staying at The Dower House also have access to their own private gardens with an outdoor dining area, and with uninterrupted views across a lake to the estate’s polo fields. Alternatively, for couples, we recommend The Bothy, a detached Stable Deluxe Room; or The Loft, a cottage junior suite – again, both exceptional.
What the hotel offers: This is the Dorchester Collection’s only luxury country house hotel and spa in their worldwide portfolio. And it’s seriously nice. The Mansion House offers Michelin-starred fine dining in Restaurant Coworth Park as well as a luxurious bar and lounges. There is also casual dining in The Barn at Coworth Park and in The Spatisserie in its award-winning spa facility. For leisure, as well as the spa, there’s a gym, tennis court, equestrian facilities, polo fields, kids club and 240 acres to explore – and not forgetting it’s right beside Windsor Great Park.
Costs: The Dower House from £5,500 per night; The Loft from £1,000 per night and The Bothy – Deluxe King Room from £500 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, Climping Street, Climping , West Sussex, BN17 5RW
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa has five individual cottages within its 30 acres of private parkland leading to Climping beach. Ideal for families, you can choose from three, four or five bedroom accommodation. Sophie Tanner, from HS Hotels says, “These cottages are proving very popular with families and groups wanting to get away together this summer without travelling too far; giving them a private space to stay close, to reunite and to create memories within the comfort of a luxury hotel.”
What Bailiffscourt offers: Bailiffscourt is a medieval-style house with a series of thatched houses and cottages, a 13th century chapel, an inner rose-clad courtyard and underground passageway. A rose garden, a spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, croquet lawn, tennis courts, 30 acres of private parkland, leading to a beach. Their stunning restaurant is due to reopen from July 4th too, serving breakfast, mid morning coffees, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Costs: Cottages from £1,380 for a 4 bedroom cottage for one night/midweek based on 8 guests including full English breakfast – they offer discounts for extended stays of two nights or more. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Chewton Glen, Christchurch Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6QS
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: Chewton Glen has always been one of Britain’s foremost seaside staycation. But its elite appeal reached new heights when it went up in the trees – with 14 Treehouses Suites to be precise. Each of the lofty suites range in size – the grand dame is The Yews (pictured), the biggest treehouse that sleeps up to 12 guests, is suspended 35 ft above the ground and is completely private and secluded.
What Chewton Glen offers: Its the New Forest five star hotel hotspot with a far-reaching reputation for offering facilities that excel in all fields – a renowned spa with health, fitness and wellbeing facilities, fine dining restaurant and casual dining, 1,900 wines, and a cookery school. Notably, they also have one of the best calendar of events for any hotel in the UK.
Costs: Rates £1,150 for a Studio Suite, the smallest Treehouse, and £3,500 for The Yews, the largest Treehouse. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
The Garden Villa at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS
Expected opening date: TBC, expected mid July
What it offers: The glorious Garden Villa gives guests their own private residence at the Royal Crescent Hotel. It can accommodate 8 people and has two luxury suites and two deluxe bedrooms, private access to its own tranquil south facing Walled Garden, fire-pits for an atmospheric evening gathering, and is pet friendly.
What the hotel offers: Set within the world famous, showstopping Georgian crescent. A five star hotel, in 1 acre of grounds in central Bath, five minute stroll to central high street Bath, award-winning Dower House restaurant, contemporary styled bar, award winning The Spa & Bath House.
Costs: From £1,940 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Foxhill Manor part of Farncombe Estate, Broadway WR12 7LJ
Expected opening date: July 13, 2020
What it offers: Foxhill Manor is where you get your own private manor house hotel in the Cotswolds overlooking the village of Broadway. It’s an intimate Grade II listed Arts and Crafts country home refreshed and revitalised for the 21st century with all the character and charm of a boutique-hotel hideaway – but where you are the lord of your own manor. It has 8 luxurious bedrooms, including three suites, accommodating up to 16 people, comfortable lounge with great views and roaring open fire, a ballroom with space for up to 70 guests – ideal for big parties and sit-down dinners – a cosy and stylish state-of-the-art screening room with games console and massive tv, 400 acres of grounds to explore, full use of the House Spa at Dormy House, and importantly a host team (chef, house manager and staff) on hand to look after you and your guests throughout your stay. Rates are for bed and breakfast but the chef is yours so you just pay for the food if he is doing lunch or dinner for your party.
What the Estate offers: Farncombe Estate is on a large 400 acre Cotswold Estate of sprawling forests, fields, riddled with rambling trails and cycle routes, and includes two hotels to choose from: the stylish rural retreat of Dormy House and the quirky unique The Fish. Two dining options at Dormy House (fine dining in The Garden Room and laid-back style of The Potting Shed) and one at The Fish (Hook by Martin Burge for head-turning gastronomy). There is also a luxurious spa facility at Dormy House.
Costs: From £4,500 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Keepers Cottage at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham SN14 8AZ
Expected opening date: July 13, 2020
What it offers: Lucknam Park, one of the finest hotels in the country, has two beautiful stone built cottages within its grounds that are perfect for the low-key, high-end escape. The Squire’s Cottage which sleeps up to 8 guests, and the Keeper’s Cottage accommodates up to 6 guests. Both offer all the mod-cons you would expect to keep them in demand by a coterie of well-heeled guests seeking the quiet country life including the obligatory log burning stove and enclosed garden and terrace.
What the hotel offers: Michelin starred Restaurant Hywel Jones, award-winning brasserie, stunning lounges in the main house, kids club, equestrian centre, 500 acres of parkland, award-winning spa (winner Best Hotel with Spa at the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards Spa Hotel 2019), yoga studio, outdoor gym as well as indoor, tennis courts, five-a-side football pitch, and cookery school.
Costs: from £1,100 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Spring Cottage at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JF
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: Remote setting in the National Trust grounds of the magnificent Cliveden House on the banks of the River Thames. Spring Cottage was built in 1813 as the Countess of Orkney’s summerhouse in 1813, with a rich and infamous history all to itself. Serving many purposes over the years it was used as a banqueting house; fishing villa; a retreat for the then owner of Cliveden; the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland to entertain Queen Victoria; and during the Astor years of ownership it was leased out to London Osteopath Stephen Ward as a weekend retreat which inevitably brought about the Profumo Affair. It is a three bedroom cottage that can sleep 6 in 2 double bedrooms (1 en-suite) and a children’s room (with 2 single beds), large bathroom complete with walk-in shower, bath and splash TV, two lounges with open fireplaces, a small office area, country kitchen with AGA and dining area, rear garden with the original ‘Spring’ and small lake, and a private River Thames boat launch mooring.
What the hotel offers: Luxury spa and fitness facility with indoor pool and outdoor pool, fine dining restaurant in the main house and a brasserie in the former stable block, tranquil water garden, fitness trail, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, vintage flotilla, children’s play area, National Trust gardens, woodlands and maze.
Costs: from £2,055 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Colonel’s House at Greywalls Hotel, Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian, EH31 2EG
Expected reopening date: July 13, 2020
What it offers: Part of the legendary Greywalls Hotel, the Colonel’s House was built just beyond the Greywalls Gates, in the late 1960’s. Light and spacious it accommodates up to 8 people. It has a charming drawing room with French windows opening onto a private garden and terrace, a full kitchen, small cosy study where the housekeeper can set out a drinks tray, four good-sized bedrooms, each with its own bathroom – two of the bedrooms are en-suite and two have their bathroom located just outside the bedroom. There are two further single rooms annexed off one of the double rooms, and these require shared bathroom facilities. The house provides comfortable and relaxing accommodation just a short 500 yards from Greywalls, where you can enjoy the hotel amenities and relax for breakfast each morning. Ideal for golfing groups or a family party.
What the hotel offers: Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, Chez Roux dining, lounges, and a golfer’s paradise – there are ten golf courses, including four championship courses, within 5 miles of Greywalls. The region’s microclimate ensures more playable days than elsewhere in Scotland. Most of East Lothian’s golf courses are traditional Scottish links style with undulating fairways, hidden bunkers, gorse and heather lining the fairways.
To truly elevate the experience, avid golfers can enhance their game with premium merchandise from NiagaraGolfWarehouse, a trusted name for top-tier golfing gear. Whether you’re seeking the latest in high-performance equipment or stylish apparel that reflects the heritage of the game, Niagara Golf Warehouse provides everything you need to make your time on the course even more memorable. Just as the courses at East Lothian offer an unmatched golfing experience, the right gear ensures you’re fully equipped to enjoy every moment, from the first tee to the final putt.
Costs: £1,500 per night April till October and £1,200 November till March. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
The Pavilion at Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon TQ13 8HH
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: The Pavilion is a self-contained thatched cottage in the grounds of Gidleigh Park overlooking the croquet lawn. It can accommodate 4 guests and comprises of a two bedroom interconnecting suite, each bedroom with its own bathroom, an open plan panelled sitting room with kitchen/diner and a private veranda. Also has a stocked pantry with tea, coffee and homemade biscuits. It is dog friendly.
What the hotel offers: Gidleigh Park is a moorland manor house in 107 acres of beautiful gardens with unique water garden, bluebell woods and bespoke kitchen garden. It is a walkers paradise too, sitting on the foothills of Dartmoor. Back at Gidleigh, the main house offers fine dining with renowned a wine cellar holding over 1,300 bins and 13,000 bottles. Also has a tennis court, fly-fishing (fishing license must be obtained), 18 hole putting course, croquet lawn and in-room beauty treatments.
Bay Cottage at The Cary Arms, Babbacombe Beach, Torquay TQ1 3LX
Expected reopening date: July 4, 2020
What it offers: The Cary Arms has four cottages, all 3 or 4 bedrooms within 5 minutes walk to the hotel, all sea-facing with their own outdoor terraces, gardens and BBQ’s. Also an additional cottage next door to the hotel. Our favourite is Bay Cottage, built in the 1800’s, which exudes plenty of coastal charm with a fusion of countryside character and Mediterranean feel. The sea views are breathtakingly beautiful from inside and out. The cottage sleeps up to four guests with a luxury King Double and King Twin/zip, both with contemporary en-suite bathroom. Also has a cosy sitting room with a wood burner, characterful country style fully-fitted kitchen with dining area, relaxing snug area, separate shower room, large private terrace with panoramic sea views and garden, car park. Not suitable for children under 12 years old, or for pets.
What the hotel offers: Known as “The Inn on the Beach”, the Cary Arms is one of the finest boutique hotels in Devon, brimming with coastal charm and combining all the values of a classic English Inn with the style and comfort of the best luxury hotels in Devon. The outstanding setting and views are breathtakingly beautiful all year round. A great restaurant with the freshest of seasonal produce and a glass faceted sea-facing spa includes a waterfall hydrotherapy pool, relaxation area, steam room, sauna, exotic experience shower, gym, three treatment rooms – one being a couples treatment room – and changing facilities. Owned by world famous hoteliers Peter and Lana de Savary.
Costs: From £425 per night (two night minimum requirement). Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate, Gloucestershire GL7 3NX
Expected reopening date: TBC, expected mid-July
What it offers: Thyme has two stunning stone cottages for those who prefer to be more independent: The Tallet (pictured) is a luxurious, deceptively large property which sleeps up to eight in four bedrooms (two of which can be made as twins) with three bathrooms; or Old Walls, which is a two bedroom cottage in the middle of village. Both are dog friendly. Here we detail The Tallet which has a large entertaining & living space with wood-burning stove & underfloor heating for the winter months, a beautifully appointed kitchen open to both the living & dining areas, secluded courtyard for al fresco dining when the weather is warm. You can dine in the Tithe Barn, The Swan at Southrop, or have your meals delivered to your cottage.
What the Estate offers: Located on the Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire border, Thyme is a haven for restorative calm. Nestled in the heart of the Cotswold village of Southrop, this quintessentially English country destination is an enclosed collection
of restored 17th century farm buildings, houses and cottages. Collectively, they form a peaceful hamlet environment and evoke a ‘village within a village’ spirit that epitomises the natural beauty of the surrounding area. It has a 31 bedroom Georgian rectory hotel, The BAA (bar), Ox Barn (a 56 seater destination restaurant), Meadow Spa with pure water swimming pool and hot spring tub, yoga and pilates, tennis, working farm, a range of country pursuits and local walk and cycle routes.
Costs: The Tallet costs from £1,140 per night, and Old Walls from £495 per night. Luxury Restaurant Club offers available when dining, download free app here.
