Our editors pick their favourite UK hotels to book for a last-minute staycation
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Sometimes a quick jaunt to the English countryside – or rather, a stay in a lavish city hotel – is all that’s required to shake off the monotony of the everyday routine, and while our editors are no strangers to travelling long distance, there are a special list of hotels in the UK that they hold close to their hearts. From rural retreats where guests are made to feel as welcome as if they’re in the home of a friend, restaurant menus spotlight local delicacies and spa treatments take place in tiny garden shepherd huts, to elaborate manor houses with fine dining and sprawling spas, these are the places we’d book time and time again for a last-minute escape and a staycation that promises a weekend of pure, uninterrupted joy. If you're undecided on where in the country to visit, consider our edit of the best UK staycations for 2025.
For more inspiration on where to stay in the UK, visit:
The best countryside hotels near London
The best hotels in the UK
The best family-friendly hotels in the UK
The best hotels in London
The best family-friendly hotels in London
The best pubs with rooms in the UK
hotelThe Fish Hotel, Cotswolds
A trip to the Cotswolds feels like more than a staycation – getting away from the big city to be among endless rolling fields, frolicking lambs, honey-hued cottages and some of England’s best pubs. High on the hills overlooking the storybook town of Broadway, The Fish Hotel is the ultimate countryside escape. Think cosy fires, farmhouse chic interiors and plenty of hiking routes to explore each day. Head into one of the nearby towns for lunch and a pint – the Crown and Trumpet is loved by locals, and the Fox Inn at Broadwell does an excellent roast. Olivia Morelli
Belmond le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
As a consummate Londoner, a staycation for me means swapping cityscapes for rolling hills, so pretty Oxfordshire with its slew of chocolate box towns and abundance of green spaces is a natural choice. So Raymond Blanc’s 15th-century vision Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, is an obvious place to check out for a weekend. The home itself is a picture, with climbing vines creeping over crumbly stone walls and comfy-chic country interiors. The gardens look just as lovely, with exquisitely manicured lawns, vegetable patches, bronze statues and ornamental Japanese gardens to meander through on an afternoon. But the restaurant holds the most appeal for me – it’s held onto two Michelin stars for over three decades, so it’s a dead cert for a good meal. What foodie could resist that? Charley Ward
Ed ReeveFort Road Hotel, Margate
I will never not advocate for a British seaside stay, and our beachside hotels have it all, whether you want long stretches of white sand or a nostalgic trip back in time. I’ve become a big fan of Margate’s vintage appeal in recent years, and to me a perfect trip to the Kent coast looks a little something like: fish and chips, a wander around Dreamland, a mooch through the shops and a stroll around the Turner Contemporary before heading back to the hotel for a nightcap. Fort Road Hotel puts you in the perfect position to do all of the above and more; with gorgeous sea views, a memorable restaurant and light, airy rooms, it’s a reminder of what’s so great about staying local. Abigail Malbon
Gara Rock, Cornwall
There’s nothing quite like a seaside staycation. The beauty of this country’s coastline feels like its best-kept secret – craggy cliffs, crystal clear waters, and chocolate-box villages dot each region of the UK. I’ve got a soft spot for Devon, it’s just far enough to feel like a proper getaway, but not too far that it deters you from a quick jaunt to the coast. I’ve been dreaming of visiting Gara Rock near Salcombe. The sweeping views of the south Devon coastline are what lured me in, while the sumptuous couches and cosy interiors are what sealed the deal. Not to mention, this part of the country is teeming with delicious restaurants and quaint farm shops. I can’t wait to get myself booked in for a last-minute staycation. Amber Port
hotelBeaverbrook, Surrey
Finding a hotel that’s as pleasing for children as it is for me and my specific aesthetic tastes is no mean feat, but Beaverbrook is a pioneer of elevated multi-gen accommodation, and my overarching memory of our weekend there was that everyone was happy. Cue adding it to my ‘return’ list immediately. During the summer, expect the much-coveted hot air balloon-themed dining in the gardens – a showcase that makes way for an outdoor ice rink as the festive season nears, lush gardens and an adventure play park hidden in the trees. Rooms in the house are well suited to couples, but the cottages and the ‘village’ are designed for groups of more than two. If you’re travelling with a family, make the most of the allocated pool slots, and the Sharkey and George activity club where children will be well taken care of if a treatment in the spa is on your to-do list. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
hotelLucknam Park, Cotswolds
This grand country estate is the ultimate destination for rural weekender dreams. There are sprawling grounds for bracing stomps, horse riding, or tennis matches on the courts. The property itself is endlessly comfortable, with plush bedrooms, a glamorous library space for cocktails, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. I recommend visiting in late summer for gorgeous leaves just started to turn golden. Sarah James
Viktor KeryFairmont Windsor Park, Berkshire
My ideal staycation would have to involve a spa weekend, and Fairmont Windsor Park is one of the best for truly disconnecting from the city. Few hotel estates are positioned within an hour from Central London, yet so secluded in the countryside, and with a forty-acre front yard of lush woodland and manicured gardens, even the winding driveway is an enjoyable experience. Rooms are spacious, sophisticated, and embellished with pretty floral wallpaper which complements the garden views, but the spa is the main event here. Guests can enjoy 2,500 square meters of phenomenal facilities, with my highlight being the beautiful courtyard pool, surrounded by hanging blossoms and powered by hydrotherapy jets. There’s a wonderful selection of onsite dining, including a dainty tearoom, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, and al fresco terrace, but I’d recommend scouting out the local pubs too. The Loch & The Tyne is a personal favourite, a hearty bolthole serving refined takes on British classics, just five minutes away from the Fairmont by car. Layla Quaedvlieg
hotelPort Lympne Safari Park, Wild Animal Reserve & Hotel, Kent
I was lucky enough to take my family to Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent earlier this year, and it's a memory I'll hold close to my heart forever. Staying in a treehouse on 600 acres of parkland surrounded by wild animals was something special, and the closeness to London meant I was almost cross with myself for not finding out about it sooner. The children were in their absolute element as we zipped around on the electric buggy to visit enclosures, and climbed aboard an army green jeep to feed Gary the giraffe and his friends. It's absolutely on my list for a return visit, though matching the experience will be a challenge – the first time you're impressed like this is hard to replicate. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
hotelHeckfield Place, Hampshire
Have you ever walked into a hotel and you can actually feel your shoulders begin to sink? There is something instantly soothing about arriving at Heckfield; even the walk from the car park through the trees and perfectly manicured lawns, birds chirping overhead, is enough to instil a sense of calm. Inside strikes the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary, from the light-flooded, flagstoned entrance hall to the sizable and super comfortable bedrooms – complete with gorgeous furnishings and Wildsmith products. Food here is something really special, thanks to Skye Gyngall’s hyper-seasonal fare across the hotel’s two restaurants. And then there’s The Bothy – an impressive 17,000-square-foot spa where guests are encouraged to ditch their phones and soak up the nurturing approach to wellbeing, with an ionised infinity pool, steam and sauna rooms, an outdoor hot tub and therapeutic massages. There truly isn’t a better spot in the UK to hole up for a weekend. Sarah Allard
Jake EasthamThe Pig in the South Downs, West Sussex
The Pig Hotels have held a soft spot in my heart for as long as I can remember, and any time I’m asked for a recommendation on where to stay for a single night, they’re my go-to. The Kent and South Downs outposts are my favourites and they’re conveniently close(ish) to my house. In warmer months, I’d choose the drive to West Sussex to enjoy time on the terrace under the breezy, picture-perfect parasols at The Pig in the South Downs. When I visited previously, the on-site vineyards were too new to produce any grapes, so sampling the house wine would be a must, as well as the seasonal dishes on the 25-mile restaurant menu. Incredible fresh food, teamed with a long walk through the countryside (wearing a pair of Hunter wellies dedicated to guest strolls, of course) and a sleep in a bed double the size of my own, the premise is set for a complete refresh in as little as 24-hours. Sarah Leigh Bannerman