Thinking of treating your loved one to an Easter weekend away? The weather should be starting to improve by then. It’s a great time of year to get away for a few days and make the most of the longest bank holiday of the year. How about heading to one of the UK’s wonderful cities or towns? Whether it’s a cosy B&B with above-and-beyond service or a luxury hotel with an award-winning restaurant, we’ve got a great place to stay for you. Here are some of our top picks for your city sightseeing base this Easter.
Salthouse Harbour Hotel
Suffolk's Salthouse Harbour Hotel sits in the heart of Ipswich's Waterfront district, a
slick boutique hotel housed in a converted warehouse. Each room is
individually designed, with thoughtful touches throughout – some have
free-standing copper baths just calling you in for a soak. Don't miss
their popular restaurant 'Eaterie', which serves beautifully presented
plates of food using fresh local produce. If you're after something a
little more traditional, try sister hotel The Angel, in Bury St Edmunds.
House of Agnes
For a quirky boutique B&B experience, look no further than House of Agnes in Canterbury, Kent. You'll enjoy individually decorated bedrooms (there’s the traditional British ‘Canterbury’ room and the exotic ‘Mumbai’), excellent breakfasts, and a lounge area to relax in with a pre-dinner drink – this place has a lot going for it.
Artist Residence London
You can’t help but love Artist Residence, decorated with an eclectic mix of furniture and a good selection of art (of course). Tucked away in Pimlico in central London, the 10-room boutique hotel has a unique style of its own. More than just a hotel, it houses an all-day restaurant and a basement cocktail bar. We’re big fans of this hotel group, which has sister properties in Brighton, Oxfordshire and Penzance and Bristol.
Brooks Hotel Edinburgh
Considering its West End location, this 46-room contemporary city-centre hotel boasts a modest price tag. Rooms are decorated with bold wallpaper and furnished with a mixture of modern and antique pieces. After a busy day seeing the Edinburgh sights, sit in the cosy lounge and sip on a few drinks from the honesty bar. This has the real-deal feel of a family-run hotel – oh, hang on a minute, it is! The same people also have boutique B&Bs in Bristol and Bath.
The Townhouse
Handily placed in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, this 400-year-old, Grade II-listed boutique hotel might be small, but it's got bags of character and 12 super-comfy contemporary rooms. Downstairs, there's a buzzy pub and restaurant dishing up great-value modern British food – you can expect the likes of slow braised lamb or oven-roasted duck breast.
Bristol Harbour Hotel
Fashioned out of two of Bristol’s landmark bank buildings, this is a luxurious and grand hotel. Located in a prime spot, it has 42 spacious and stylish rooms, each with views of the city. The hotel boasts amenities galore – spa, the Jetty restaurant, cocktail bar, pool, and gym, to mention just a handful.
Tune Hotel Liverpool
This Liverpool hotel might be a budget option, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in the style department. Compact comfortable rooms, high-quality beds, power showers, all in a super central location – just two minutes' walk from the fabled Cavern Quarter and very close to the iconic Liver Building and World Heritage Albert Dock. What more do you need?
The Cavalaire
The Cavalaire in Kemptown, Brighton is known for its great service, laid-back atmosphere and award-winning breakfasts (you can expect pancakes or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs). Its 10 individually styled rooms are comfortable and contemporary, and nothing is too much trouble for friendly owners Derek and Garry.
The Tower House
Right in the middle of Oxford, part of this B&B is built into the old city wall. Rooms in the townhouse are decorated in soothing colours, with a mixture of furniture – old, modern, re-purposed, handmade... What’s more, profits go to the Oxford Hub, making this the city's only social enterprise guesthouse.
Twr y Felin Hotel
You could be forgiven for wondering why Twr y Felin has made it onto a city break list – but St David's in southwest Wales is indeed a city, albeit the smallest in Britain (with a population of around 1,750). Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the hotel is elegant and chic, with a first-class restaurant that showcases Welsh produce, and character injected by the contemporary art that adorns the walls. Be sure to check out nearby sister hotels Roch Castle and Penrhiw Hotel.
Alma House
Alma House is a contemporary boutique B&B right in the centre of Windsor that's great value for money. There are five spacious guestrooms, and we love the little extra touches like robes and posh toiletries, not to mention the friendly welcome from the lovely owners. What more could you ask for from a Berkshire B&B?
For more inspiration, check out our blog.
