Hallmark Welcombe Hotel and Spa – Stratford upon Avon: The stunning Welcombe Hotel is a former country mansion house near Stratford upon Avon, built in a grand Neo-Jacobean style for Manchester businessman Mark Philips who commissioned the building from designed by architect Henry Clutton. Completed in 1869, Philips died just four years later, leaving the estate […]
County Durham – Seaham Sea Glass and a Heritage Spa Hotel – Seaham Hall.
Seaham, County Durham – Byron, the Beach, a Spa and Sea Glass. Arrive at Seaham Hall at dusk to a stunning classic mansion fronted by a striking contemporary water feature. First impressions count – mine was one of fascination. I’m used to the juxtaposition of old and new, but the water feature at the approach to […]
Luxury Cocoa Spa Treatments at Le Kalon Spa, The Bentley Hotel, London
The Bentley Hotel, London – Luxurious Cocoa Spa Treatments One of my favourite indulgences is chocolate and I love a spa treatment so offered the chance to visit Le Kalon Spa at the Bentley Hotel, South Kensington for luxury cocoa spa treatments I was more than happy to accept and combine the two. The spa […]
Congham Hall Spa Hotel Norfolk
Country House Hotel in Norfolk – Congham Hall Hotel and Spa: An invite to Congham Hall Hotel and Spa, near King’s Lynn in Norfolk was one I would never have passed up. Norfolk, and in particular this part of North Norfolk, has special memories for me and I always love going back to what I […]
The Corinthia Hotel Prague
The Corinthia Hotel Prague and Vyšehrad: I’m something of a latecomer to the Czech Republic and Prague – I visited both for the first time a year ago and have been back three times since. It’s a love of history and of places that look as if they might just have escaped the pages of one […]
Tre-Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel and Spa
A perfect base for exploring North Wales The Isle of Anglesey lies off the North West Corner of Wales, a quick hop at the end of the A55. It’s perhaps most famously known as the home of the town with the longest name in the United Kingdom (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch), or as the departure point to Dublin […]
The Cotswold House Hotel and Spa – the perfect antidote to London
A Detox and Retox at the Cotswold House and Spa: Many tourists visiting England complete our version of the Golden Triangle; London, Oxford, and Stratford Upon Avon. Whilst each of these has a huge variety of stunning locations, hotels, restaurants, and sights, it’s rather a shame to hurtle through Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire without taking some […]
Living the Dream with The Royalton St Lucia
A Diamond Affair at The Royalton St Lucia: The concept of an all-inclusive resort like the recently opened Royalton on St Lucia is both amazing and terrifying for me. As an independent traveller for most of my life, I’m used to planning my itinerary, finding the best restaurants to visit, working out the tours and […]
Ye Olde Bell Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
A Nottingham Spa Hotel and Restaurant – a little bit of luxury: It’s amazing where you can get on the train in less than 90 minutes from London. Sitting midway between London and Edinburgh in the village of Barnby Moor, Ye Olde Bell Spa Hotel and Restaurant is just a short cab ride from Retford […]
Careys Manor and SenSpa, New Forest – Review
Recharging the Batteries at Careys Manor and SenSpa: What a fine idea, to take a short break just before Christmas at a Spa Hotel. I’ve been intrigued by SenSpa for some time – a Thai spa in the New Forest seems unlikely on paper so I was not entirely sure what to expect. But when […]