If your favourite’s fully booked, try these out
All being well, many British hotels will finally be able to fling open their doors on May 17. But with some favourites already booked and others still without a confirmed return date, travellers keen to get away will be looking for alternatives. Here are five top spots to secure right now to ring in the return of hotels in style. CORNISH BREAK
If you like... The Pig at Harlyn Bay
Try... Artist Residence Penzance The Cornwall Pig (and its seven siblings, for that matter), is jam-packed for much of the summer. But that doesn’t mean you have to ditch your South West escape. At the Artist Residence Penzance, you may be swapping beach for town, but sweeping stretches of sand are only a short drive away. Besides, the location means cosy old fishermen’s pubs and the delightfully restored Jubilee Pool are all on your doorstep. Inside, expect the similar laidback feel of the Pigs and luxe touches such as free-standing copper tubs.
There’s a foodie focus too, with the largely al fresco Clubhouse restaurant turning out prawn tacos and whole charred sea bass.
Doubles from £195; artistresidence.co.uk
CAPITAL DIGS If you like... The Beaumont, Mayfair Try... Ham Yard Hotel, Soho
There are few better places to be in London than the bar at the 1920s-themed Beaumont, preferably while sipping a dry martini. Unfortunately, the hotel is not taking bookings until June 1, but stroll just 20 minutes east to Soho and you’ll find Firmdale’s Ham Yard Hotel. Though more modern in style, it shares the attention to detail and artistic flair that mark out truly great hotels. Playful touches abound, from the hypnotic giant digital clock installation in the lobby to the felt walls and American-imported bowling alley. Order that martini to the guestsonly rooftop terrace and rejoice that London is back.
Doubles from £420; firmdalehotels.com
COUNTRY RETREAT
If you like... Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Try... Thyme, the Cotswolds Hampshire’s forward-thinking estate Heckfield Place has limited space in the third week of May, so try fellow swish country pile Thyme, in the Cotswolds, instead. There’s plenty to explore in the
self-styled “village within a village”, which includes a manor house, pub, restaurant and cookery school along with extensive grounds. This summer, the hotel will be handing out picnic blankets so guests can enjoy a glass of rosé in the orchard before sitting down to supper. The heated springwater pool will be back in action, as will the Meadow Spa’s five treatment rooms. If you simply can’t wait until then, the estate has a crop of self-catering cottages, which are scheduled to reopen on April 12.
Doubles from £245; thyme.co.uk COASTAL COOL If you like... The Rose at Deal Try... The Gallivant, Camber
There’s no doubt that the trendy down -from-London crowd (among others) will descend on England’s south-east coast when it’s warmer. The Rose at Deal, a chic seaside inn, is full during the “first week of freedom” (look later in the summer for availability), but if you’re quick, you can get into the Hamptons-style beach retreat The Gallivant down the coast at Camber, which has a few rooms remaining. This in-demand adults-only spot is peppered with framed vintage swimming costumes on the wall and lit candles in storm lanterns. Generous room rates include tea or coffee in bed, breakfast, all-day snacks, early evening English wine, dinner in the beach-hut style restaurant, plus four “experience” classes, which involve anything from yoga to wine tasting. Doubles from £347; thegallivant.co.uk FOODIE SLEEPOVER If you like… The Mash Inn, Buckinghamshire Try... The Alice Hawthorn, N Yorks
The excellent Mash Inn is not yet taking room bookings for late May, but you can still enjoy a long lunch on its terrace this spring. For another pub with rooms that serves top-notch locally sourced food, try the Alice Hawthorn, a much-loved village inn that has been revived by local owner Kate Harpin. Explore the postcard-pretty surroundings before tucking into the likes of slow braised beef cheeks with rich aligot. Opt for one of the new eight barn-style bedrooms, with timber-clad walls and sliding glass doors that lead to a garden where woodfired pizzas are served in the summer. Doubles from £120; thealicehawthorn.com