Autumn has the capacity to be one of the most romantic times of the year – the glowing light, the golden leaves, the cosy fires and the crisp fresh air. Against that enchanting backdrop, hotels across the UK welcome couples for elegant weekends of tranquillity, beautiful food and quality time together. It’s the perfect setting for the Good Hotel Guide to announce its top recommended romantic hotels to visit in 2023 as part of the brand new edition of the Guide.
The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland
Given the time of year, it’s fitting that the emblem for The Coach and Horses is a pumpkin, offering a fairy-tale nod to Cinderella and her famous carriage. In the village of Bolton-by-Bowland, this award-winning country inn is small but perfectly formed, with seven bedrooms, each of which has been individually designed.
A favourite for romantic stays is the Rose bedroom, complete with an open fire, chandelier and in-room copper bath. Views stretch across the Ribble Valley, making it a relaxing space to prepare for a candlelit dinner of local fare.
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Prestonfield, Edinburgh
The majesty of Edinburgh has been at the forefront of our minds in recent weeks and this five-star hotel embodies the best of past and present. A glamorous retreat just five minutes from Edinburgh city centre, Prestonfield House is a 17th century Baroque mansion surrounded by 20 acres of gardens and located next to the magnificent Arthur’s Seat.
The hotel offers theatrical interiors and a deep sense of indulgence. A particularly special suite has its own private turret staircase, a dedicated porter and concierge – perfect for special occasions. You can choose to dine in the main restaurant or just the two of you in the salon privé, with your waiter arriving at the ring of a bell.
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Judges, Yarm
A recurring favourite of the Good Hotel Guide reviewers, Judges is a charming country house set amidst wooded grounds and the North Yorkshire moors. The hotel receives consistent praise from the Michelin Guide for its award-winning restaurant, complete with beguiling garden views and enticing dishes. They also have a neat selection of Armagnacs dating back to 1933. Feature rooms include luxurious details such as four poster beds and spa baths. Meanwhile, romantic getaways on a Friday or Saturday night come complete with a set price dinner including a champagne cocktail.
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Tudor Farmhouse, Clearwell
In the Forest of Dean, Tudor Farmhouse describes itself as a ‘rural retreat and culinary oasis’, and we would have to agree. Set in the Wye Valley, the boutique hotel has a rustic but elegant style in a converted farmhouse, barn and cider house.
Our favourite rooms have a roll-top bath and monsoon shower alongside stylish finishes including exposed ancient beams and cosy blankets. Wake to birds singing and spend evenings on stargazing safaris with glimpses of wild boar and roe deer to capture the imagination.
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The Cookie Jar, Alnwick
In an impressive building that was once the Convent of Mercy, The Cookie Jar is a unique destination with 11 luxurious rooms and suites. In the historic town of Alnwick in Northumberland, The Cookie Jar is both inspiring and intriguing. Alongside plush furnishings and heritage hues, its intriguing name is derived from its creator, Debbie Cook and the idea that it is the ultimate treat – which it is.
For romantic weekends consider the Chapel Suite, complete with a copper bath under a stained glass window, then dine alfresco on the terrace by the fire pit.
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Lime Wood, Lyndhurst
This five-star hotel in the New Forest has a reputation that precedes it. The perfect combination of natural beauty, heritage architecture, modern style and a superb spa set the scene for the most joyful of romantic getaways. The country house hotel is the ultimate retreat, just a 90-minute drive from London it is surrounded by ancient woodland and is well known for its seasonal dishes from chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder.
For couples, there’s a range of rooms and suites to choose from, although secluded forest hideaways, pavilions and a lakeside cabin with triple-aspect windows, balconies and an outdoor tub are all favourite options.
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Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
Bringing Mediterranean seaside style to Cornwall, Boskerris Hotel in St Ives is a small but stylish coastal retreat. With 15 bedrooms, almost all of which enjoy views across St Ives Bay from Godrevy Lighthouse to St Ives harbour, it’s a beautiful place to relax and watch the world go by.
The hotel dates back to 1931, but has been sympathetically updated for contemporary hospitality. In classic style, spend time tucking into cream teas on the terrace and strolling on the sands of Carbis Bay before retiring to a Celebration room complete with a sunken bath built for two.
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The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath
In arguably one of the most romantic towns in the UK, Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa sits inside an iconic honeyed stone Georgian townhouse. Very much a luxury experience, the five-star hotel offers historic architecture, timeless style, and a superb afternoon tea to be taken in the oasis garden or Champagne Lounge.
The Spa and Bath House is a must while you’re here, built into the impressive architecture with finesse and including a relaxation pool, massage jets, saunas, and steam rooms as well as treatments from British brand Elemental Herbology. Stay in a master suite for the ultimate experience, complete with artworks and antiques.
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Belle Tout Lighthouse, Eastbourne
An entirely unique destination, Belle Tout Lighthouse, as you might expect, is a former lighthouse located at Beachy Head. Built in 1832 and decommissioned in 1902, it was lovingly restored after WW2 and the effects of erosion. Today, it stands proud on the clifftop, taking in 360-degree views of the English Channel, the South Downs and the enigmatic Seven Sisters.
Stay in a choice of themed rooms ranging from the Captain’s Cabin to Old England or Keeper’s Loft, enjoy dramatic sunsets, picnic suppers in the lounge and then ascend to the lantern to view the star-spangled sky.
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Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton
The 15th-century manor house where Raymond Blanc has held two Michelin stars since 1984, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is the epitome of good taste. Surrounded by magnificent gardens where many of the ingredients for meals are grown, the hotel is a magnificent honey-stone building framed by lavender-lined paths.
The grounds are enchanting while the rooms are opulent with select features including four-poster beds and silk wallpapers. The Sexy Opium suite is a particular favourite, complete with wood panelling, an original Ming stone carving and a private garden – if you’re planning a proposal, few places could be better.
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