Hip boutique hotel in Manchester, England. "Velvet is a decadently camp boudoir-styled boutique hotel with a central setting on Manchester’s Canal Street. This old textile mill has a whole series of indulgent interiors – each room is individually designed with epic beds (including sleigh ones fit for Santa), graphic wallhangings (bordering on S&M, but settling for gently erotic) and statement chandeliers. They’ve taken a liking to exposed brickwork and wooden ceilings, and, in some rooms, huge square baths."  [Mr and Mrs Smith]

Tatler's "world class" spa pick for the UK, located in Surrey. In its January 2010 article Sanctuaries for Body & Soul, Harper's Bazaar names Grayshott, "best for a kick-start to good heath." "A lot of hotels have spas these days but Grayshott is the real deal, a proper health farm that's recently undergone a major facelift....Guests potter around in dressing gowns knowing this is the real deal." [Tatler] Excellent organic food and wine. Walks through 700 acres of beautiful parkland next door.

Other Tatler UK spa picks: Barnsley House, Chewton Glen, Holm House.

New luxury eco hotel on Cornwall's north coast, above the sandy beach near Newquay. Claire Wrathall writes for How to Spend it, "Each of [the Scarlet Hotel's] 37 rooms has dramatic sea views and its own balcony, terrace or secluded private garden.... [Witness] the hamman and the Ayurvedic spa, the free-standing tubs big enough for two and the agreeably high thread count of the linen." [Financial Times, August 2009] Under 18's are discouraged. In November 2009, The Scarlet Hotel was named one of Wallpaper's Fab 40 (UK).

Cool new country hotel near Tenby in Pembrokeshire.  Harper's Bazaar's UK pick, "best for a romantic escape." "A dreamy, eight bedroom Georgian hotel beside stunning beaches and the only protected coastal reserve in Europe, [The Grove] already draws and ardent fanbase of young professionals -- couples, mostly from London, desperate for peace and quiet."  "Wholesome"country food."

Harper's Bazaar writes,  "Lyme Regis is not just the lovely town, the beaches of the rural backdrop, it fulfils a universal hankering for seaside simplicity without the tackiness," [The World's Hippest Hangouts, July 2009] The Abbots House is cited in the magazine as a "seductive bolthole for dirty weekends."  Rooms from 120 pounds a night.

Harper's Bazaar's "ethical" hideaway, "Best for lake lovers." "In the heart of the Lake District, [eco friendly] Moss Grove Hotel Organic has all the trappings of a luxurious bolthole, yet nearly all of the food and drink .... is organic." [Bazaar]  Good value.

Hardcore fitness retreat [the best for quick results], set in a beautiful manor house in Somerset, England.  No 1 Bootcamp "strikes a delicate balance between pleasure and pain", comments Harper's Bazaar in its 2009 Fitness Guide.  Under the direction of a "gruelling" Royal Navy officer, the typical day [in a seven-day programme] begins at 5:45, "pushing a 4WD around country lanes as part of a mock-military operation; sweating it out during boxing circuits, strengthening abs in a fitness-ball class; and taking in the countryside on a three hour hike."  "Weight loss between 6 and 10 pounds is not uncommon", but the transformation into a "military-worthy sense of self discipline is equally profound." [Harper's Bazaar]

In its June 2008 feature article entitled "Perfect English, " Vogue raved about this new, "gorgeous," seven-room boutique hotel within a classic Georgian mansion in North Norfolk, "Chelsea-on-Sea." Antique furnishings are boldly mixed with contemporary pieces to "create a look that honors the past but feels entirely fresh."  While in the area, Vogue recommends a visit to the beautiful beach of Holkam ("the best beach worldwide for bracing walks," Bazaar), shopping in Burnham Market (TIP: check out House Bait 1 -- French interior furnishing by Miv Watts, Naomi's mother), a trip to the Palladian gem Houghton Hall, and dining at the ultimate gastro pub, the Victoria.   From 125 pounds a night, double, including breakfast, midweek.

In June 2008, DailyCandy wrote, "Nick Jones’s groovy hotel (in Somerset) opens to all after a stunning refurb." In September 2008, Harper's Bazaar announced the pending opening of Cowshed Relax, a child-free space consisting of three new spa suites in its formal walled garden.

Great find by Wallpaper. 18th century, four-bedroom B&B deep in Devon countryside, given a "fresh, contemporary" makeover by the former manager of London club Mosimann's and his French partner Serge Bouchet. "The food -- widely regarded as one of the best gastronomic treats in the area, includes hearty breakfasts, picnic baskets and three-course dinners. "   [Wallpaper]

Cutting-edge, new modernist villa for hire, located in a secluded setting on a lovely fishermen's creek in Cornwall. While it's outfitted with every conceivable design detail you can think of, it's also cosy and comfortable and blends well into the surrounding environment.  Kid-friendly with bunk beds and toys, fishing rods and a games room. From 2500 pounds a day (sleeps up to 16), including excursions on the owner's 40-foot boat, manager, chef, organic food and wine, fishing, riding, cycling and canoeing.

Liverpool's new boutique hotel, "Manhattan chic comes to Merseyside". " The bar looks set to become one of the city's top venues for cocktails, but it's the hotel's two suites that will put it on the map. [Wallpaper]  In March 2008, The Wall Street Journal covered Liverpool in a feature article proclaiming it, "The Next Barcelona, Gray skies and gritty reputation aside, Liverpool is trying to remake itself as a hip European destination" (click here to read the article). The Journal advises new visitors to check out the new restaurant Panoramic for "fine dining."

Tatler's top pick for a seaside escape.  "The Isles of Scilly have the kind of Enid Blyton innocence that parents dream of for their children...These 140 islands and islets off the Cornish coast are a throwback to the Fifties. No one locks their door.  There are no cars...It's all about deserted white beaches, fresh crabs, wild seals, stone cottages and boat trips." [Tatler]   Hell Bay, on the isle of Bryher,  is more "funky" than its sister hotel, Island Hotel on the isle of Tesco, but they are both traditional, yet modern (WiFi) and serve excellent food.  

Other Tatler picks by the seaside: Driftwood, Tresanton (see our post), Victoria, George, George Hotel. 

"Proper-grown up hotel that welcomes youngsters," says Tatler. Heated indoor pool for children, a pub-style restaurant with highchairs, special nanny care. "While the staff listens out (for your youngsters through a monitor system), you can tuck into sophisticated comfort food at the smarter, sexier restaurant. [Tatler]

Other kid-friendly hotels cited by Tatler: Ickworth, Babington House, Skibo Castle.

"Gloucestershire's most stylish place to stay," says Elle Decor about this hotel in the charming village of Painswick.   A handsome, neoclassical 19th century mansion has been given a hip transformation with 19 "surprisingly artful rooms." "Guests can expect in-room spa treatments and regional organic food," says W Magazine.  Read more of W Magazine's comments about Cotswolds88Hotel in the attached article.

"Cosy, eccentric self-catering options on the Holkam estate run by Victoria Hotel."   A pick by Raffaella Barker for Norfolk.

Old railway hotel "revamped with a sleek design and richly toned furnishings inspired by first-class train interiors," says Wallpaper.  Of the 75 individually decorated rooms, the magazine especially liked the Mallard suite, featuring a wooden bathtub next to the bed.   The restaurant features good local produce.

New, hip "boutique" country house at Somerleyton, 10 minutes from the Sulfolk Coast. 

Venerable country hotel recently spruced up by acclaimed interior designer Olga Polizzi. Designed in the early 19th century as a Regency cottage for Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford. Town and Country says "Endlsleigh is intimate, just sixteen bedrooms, and caters to a grown-up clientele--retired British gentlefolk and young professionals who come for the weekend." Great place to chill out, walk in the garden or go salmon fishing.

The eccentric Marques of Bath has reopened his 17th century house, not far from Stonehenge.  Designer Miv Watts livened up the place with bold fabrics and furnishings from Rajasthan, reports Elle Decor.  The FT mentioned the Bath Arms as being stylish and good value.

Good spot for a family vacation, says Bazaar.  Take high tea up an old oak tree.  From 165 pounds per room a night.

Good spot for a British family escape, says Bazaar.  "For age old games like croquet and mediaeval spring ball."  From 250 pounds a room a night B & B.

Vogue's spa pick for "the gardener."  12 Victorian cottages and surprise...lovely gardens.

Bazaar ran a multi-page article about Roger Saul's country hotel where he grows organic produce.  The creator of Mulberry, Saul left the fashion world to become a "conversation hero." 

Philip Marsden's hotel pick for the Cornish Coast. He advised to book the romantic honeymoon suite halfway down the cliffs for spectacular views.

"Luxe for less."  Bazaar writes, "Eschew carbon emissions and enjoy a unique British rural break.  Stay in cosy tented cottages on family homesteads with wood-burning stoves and oil lamps, and indulge your Enid Blyton fantasies while helping to sustain UK farms." Four nights, from 185 pounds a tent (sleeps up to six people).  Good value.

Harper's Bazaar says Hotel Tresanton is one of the best six boating hotels in the world because it owns Pinuccia, a 48 foot boat, once owned by Mussolini and built to represent Italy in the 1938 World Cup. Bazaar's deputy editor chartered the boat to take her wedding party from church to reception. From 285 pounds for a half day for exclusive use for up to six people.

New hotel, picked by Philip Marsden in Bazaar. 14 apartments in "chic beach-shack" style, a heated swimming pool, a children's play area and a small restaurant.

In Bazaar, Philip Marsden recommends seeing the Cornish coast on this 65 foot, mahogany-panelled cruiser.  With comfortable cabin space for 5 guests and powerful engines, it's perfect to sail down to the Scillies for a long weekend. 

A good value, stylish hotel whose chef, the FT says, "does some of the best heap-high bistro cuisine, anywhere on the British coast." In July 2009, Harper's Bazaar cited The Bull Hotel and its surrounding area,  Lyme Regis, in its article, The World's Hippest Hangouts.

A British countryside inn pick for foodies, located in Cornwall. Sophy Roberts writes for the FT,  "Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant in Padstow remains possibly the best fish restaurant west of Scott’s on London’s Mount Street. The celebrity chef certainly has the run of this small Cornish fishing village, where he also owns the six-suite St Edmunds House where restaurant diners can stay....  Even though it’s no bargain at £270 a night, St Edmunds is likeable, its small size making it feel private, with breakfast served at the busy main restaurant a two-minute walk down the hill (room service is available)."  For more info about this restaurant and other FT countryside inn picks, read the attached article.

Tatler's top British escape pick for "hearty pubs." "There is a gregarious dash of chaos to the whole place and the brochure sweetly promises a glass of Prosecco if the hot water runs out.  It's exactly this element of chance that makes it so charming. It does what matters most: the beds are comfortable: the service telepathic." [Tatler] Tatler adds, "Breakfast is the main event: smoked kippers to rival Wolseley..." 

Other getaway pubs selected by Tatler:  Bell at Skenfrith, Star Inn, Hoste Arms, Griffin Inn.

Tatler's top British escape pick for "serious grub." Impeccably turned-out country house, but Tatler says the real selling point is the hotel's "food, glorious food" by owner Tim Hart. 

Other Tatler foodie picks:  Le Manoir aux Quat' Saison, Great House, Gidleigh Park, Glenapp Castle, Three Chimneys (see our post in Scotland), Drawing Room.