The United Kingdom has glorious attractions, ranging from the craggy landscapes of the Highlands to the city hotspots of London. Travelers seeking the pinnacle of luxury can find sumptuous hotels amid the most wonderful locations, including attractions dating back centuries.
A glorious country house in Argyll (Scotland), Ardanaiseig Hotel is just the ticket for a luxury retreat in serene surroundings. The hotel’s wooded gardens offer views of Loch Awe, with the rugged beauty of the countryside all around. Kilchurn Castle can be reached by an hour’s car journey or half an hour by boat directly across the loch. Those really wanting to stretch their legs can climb Ben Cruachan, a 1126m mountain. Guests can also relax with hiking or fishing, and the hotel offers guidance for both activities. When wandering the beautiful landscape, visitors at this exquisite hotel may be lucky enough to encounter charming wildlife including red foxes, red squirrels, roe and red deer, and the Scottish wildcat. Croquet and clay pigeon shooting are also available.
The library’s roaring log fire harks back to the cozy comforts of yesteryear, offering a timeless and warm welcome to new guests at Ardanaiseig Hotel. Scotland is famous for many things, and visitors with a penchant for whisky will be delighted by the wide variety available at the hotel for tasting. Artistic decor imbues a sense of class, and dining is a five course affair of sumptuous culinary delight. And even the location is eminently convenient, as guests can use the hotel as a base for exploring the general Highlands and Islands region, including Loch Ness and Loch Lomond.
While most luxury hotels in the UK do not offer casino entertainment, some spa and casino resorts provide an amazing experience for resetting and rejuvenation. There are plenty of premium UK spa and casino resorts that you can consider, regardless if you intended to pamper yourself or roll the dice. These venues are truly the most desired destinations, both for locals and tourists.
Escape hectic everyday life with a tranquil rest at Barnsley House in the Cotswolds of southern England. Each and every room is unique, and the suites have been created with one purpose in mind: to allow guests to sink into relaxation and comfort. Homemade ice cream, chocolates, and champagne are among the delicious morsels that can be enjoyed in one’s suite, alongside the latest in entertainment technology. Between plasma screens and the luxury bathrooms featuring twin tubs and Jacuzzis, relaxation is very much the order of the day.
The same holds true beyond the hotel door, as this establishment is located amid gardens (where some of the restaurant ingredients are picked for maximum freshness). Created by garden designer Rosemary Verey, today the greenery offers a pleasant walk for hotel guests, whether strolling along the romantic laburnum walk or the potager kitchen garden, while the rolling countryside offers a feast for the eyes. Further afield, guests of Barnsley House can get some gentle exercise wandering the four circular walks that delve into the Cotswolds, or amble along the Thames with a picnic hamper. Ancient villages are eminently accessible, with Bibury, Nailsworth and Snowshill all close at hand and featuring architecture including thatched roofs and golden Cotswold stone. Closer to the hotel, those with energy to burn can take advantage of the tennis court, and there are many nearby golf courses where guests can whittle down their handicap.
Luxury retreats are often associated with the isolated countryside, but that need not be the case. For an urban getaway, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is a fantastic option located in the heart of London (Mayfair). Among the 164 bedrooms are 12 suites, 18 townhouse apartments, and a rooftop suite. Combining an amicable yet discreet atmosphere, the idiosyncratic and lavish nature of the hotel exemplifies the best of British hospitality. The neighborhood is certainly high end, with Buckingham Palace mere steps from the hotel door. Within the hotel, guests can enjoy Art Deco design, and sink their teeth into contemporary British cuisine at 116 at The Athenaeum. Guests in the mood to mix decadence with tradition can do no better than Mayfair afternoon tea, featuring an assortment of treats both savory and sweet, accompanied by artisan tea. And as the night draws in The Bar is the perfect venue to unwind with award-winning cocktails, or to take one’s pick from more than 100 rare whiskies.
Right beneath the hotel, guests can find The Spa at The Athenaeum and let their stress fade away with various treatments (booking in advance is required). It also includes a 24 hour gym, ideal for burning off calories and staying in shape.
Naturally, a short trip to Buckingham Palace could hardly be easier, and the royal parks (which sometimes host open air theatrical performances) are almost as close. Fortnum & Mason has been in the city for over three centuries and is only half a mile from the hotel, and is the perfect place to pick up gourmet groceries and afternoon tea. The London location means guests can choose to rest in the opulent hotel surroundings or take in the world famous attractions of the city, including the Tower of London (founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror), the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey, which is even older than the Tower of London.
The UK’s rich heritage and charming countryside, complemented by the world class city of London, makes it the ideal place for a relaxing getaway.
