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It's OldMaIHN's 80th birthday on NYE. In other times we'd have had some kind of a do with the extended family (OldPaIHN, me, my three sisters, various partners and children), but that ain't happening. She says she doesn't mind, but she does really.
Anyway, we've decided that we're going to get her a voucher for a nice hotel so when things get better next year she can go away with my dad for a couple of nights. So, I'd appreciate any ideas the STW massiv can suggest. We'd like to get two nights, with dinner on at least one of them, for two people, and can probably go to something like £600-£800. Somewhere a bit 'special' too, obvs.
Any ideas?
St Moritz in polzeath is nice
Carbis Bay Hotel.
Never stayed there but it looks nice and is in one of my favourite places in the whole wide world.
https://www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk/
Was going to say Burgh Island. Pretty special, with a price to match.
Hell Bay Hotel, Bryher
https://www.hellbay.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInPL84eCv7QIVjbrtCh0dtg7hEAAYASAAEgIzf_D_BwE
Not stayed there but had a meal there looked very nice and the setting is fantastic and an ‘adventure’ getting there
Burgh Island looks amazing
Portmeirion good shout too
Keep 'em coming...
Burgh Island is an excellent place, with attendant pricing!
If we're doing South Devon, how about somewhere nearby, The Thurlestone.
https://www.thurlestone.co.uk/
(Nice walk to the Sloop at Bantham for a few beers while you're at it!)
Whereabouts are they based though? Travel time, etc might play a part in further suggestions.
Not the sea, but The Lakes.
Another Place at Ulswater is lovely.
Another Place is owned buy the same management as Watergate Bay, our favourite hotel on the beach in Cornwall.
Hopefully get up to Ullswater next year to compare the two. Carbis bay is also on the list.
Burgh been on my todo list for a while (I expect it'll remain there)
Watergate bay hotel is five mins from Newquay airport.
Been to Burgh Island for a special Wedding anniversary. The wife was going to divorce me when she found out how much it was costing. She was grumpy all the way there. Within two minutes of being there she feel in love with it. A very special place. If you can - do it!
Cliveden. Its not by the sea but its on the banks of the Thames with some nice walks down to the river. I got engaged there many moons ago and loved the place.
Another Place is excellent. Was there for my folks 50th wedding anniversary last year and they staff are superb. Lots for kids to keep entertained too. Casual and formal dining options as well. Not by the sea but other than that it would be my recommendation.
Edit. Midland hotel in Morecambe is apparently very nice too. My brother, who’s a fussy sod, has been back a few times and he’s not the sort to do that without it being decent.
The Pig at Studland Bay. We’d definitely go again.
THe Quay Hotel Deganwy, overlooks Conwy Castle. We stayed in a Penthouse suite. Massive suite, with fab views, and the restaurant was excellent, as was the Spa. The normal rooms are cheaper, but for a couple of nights the bigger rooms are great.
Carbis Bay Hotel.
Never stayed there but it looks nice and is in one of my favourite places in the whole wide world.
https://www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk/
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The Grand hotel in Brighton is still very special. Otherwise Burgh Island.
href="https://www.gararock.com
Good mobility needed as it’s rugged and steep to get to the beach cove and coastal path. But if they just want to kick back and relax, this place is worth it for the views alone (and a feeling of being on location in a Bond movie).
I've always fancied The Midland at Morecambe, a restored 1930s at Deco hotel. Friends stayed and said it was lovely
https://englishlakes.co.uk/the-midland/
Mate of mine stayed here.
Rated highly by him and he has had a long life of spending money (often other people’s) on good hotels.
https://solentforts.com/spitbank-fort/
The Swan Hotel in Southwold
I have elderly relatives that like the Victoria and Belmont at Sidmouth, but I have no idea about actual quality or cost.
Second the Pig at Studland. Especially the food
Cheers all, I'll have a look at some of these
To answer CFH's question, they're in Cheltenham, so within two/three hours drive of there really
First choice would be Scotland there are lots of 'off grid' high quality hotels.
Otherwise Talland Bay Hotel in Cornwall.
Cheltenham? Gotta be Burgh. It's not by the sea, its in the sea but not quite as in the sea as Spitbank.
Second the Pig at Studland. Especially the food
I'll third that. In fact the other Pig hotels look nice too.
I think I'm going to try and get the Burgh sorted, just need to see if I can get the sisters to stump up the cash. They better had, she's worth it.
The Suffolk Selection
The Brudenell, Aldeburgh literally on the beach prices from affordable to ludicrous.
The Crown and Castle, Orford. Used to be The Hotel Inspector's place overlook the Alde River and the Castle.
The Swan, Southwold. Refurbed in 2018 for the whole year, short walk from the sea nightmare town at peak times.
The Salthouse Harbour in Ipswich. On the waterfront prices for the upper floors are in the right ball park.
Norfolk
Titchwell Manor, have a room out the back as it's on the coast road but beach is just across this.
The White Horse at Blakeney
Avoid The Hoste at Burnham Market no longer as good as it was.
Was coming to recommend https://www.titchwellmanor.com/ but see I was beaten to it above. Went for Mum's 70th and liked it so much we went back a few years ago for her 80th!
Talland Bay is a top shout. My wife’s work paid for us to spend a weekend there as a bonus for her. Fantastic place with great walking nearby
They must have got Another Place on Ullswater sorted since we stayed there. Pokey, over priced (and overheated) rooms with windows that didn’t open far enough. Food ok, spa thing ok but rooms a right let down. 3 couples in our party - including one couple from Cornwall who love the Watergate Bay sister hotel. We all complained (independently) and got discounts. Wouldn’t rush back.
Might be worth avoiding buying vouchers in this economic climate in case they go bust. Better to actually book via a credit card with a flexible booking. Or make a nice promise note.
Another vote for Burgh Island took the wife for our 30th wedding anniversary, a truly special experience.
Second the Pig at Studland. Especially the food
I’ll third that. In fact the other Pig hotels look nice too.
We’ve done Studland, New Forest and Bath. Studland is the favourite. Great views, walks, pubs etc. We went in a November and they had hotel fat bikes so we rode the length of the bay to the Poole chain ferry and back. Got me thinking of a post Covid night away now!
Can I just make an observation on vouchers...
You might want to choose the hotel and home make the "voucher" to present and/or make sure that however you pay gives you protection via a charge back arrangement (eg credit card).
Hotels and hospitality have been through a very tough time this year and that may continue into 2021. It's more than probable there will be some casualties. If the hotel you choose goes pop (or downhill in quality) there's not much likelihood of getting your value back easily/at all.
If you're talking about £500+ and that hotel isn't there to spend it you don't want to have lost it.
My wife's still trying to get a spa weekend from early 2020 rebooked. The hotel's still there on this occasion but they've been quite keen to keep the cash over refunding it...even offering large incentives not to formally cancel. The amount involved is smaller and on a credit card so we are happy to can kick but you may not be for the larger amount.
Echoing the comments on vouchers above and don't pay by debit card. Travel is in a parlous state and unless you have a package booked (accommodation and another service) your money is not safe.
Make sure if you are booking a package that the recipient is going to protect your money (insurance is available for them).
Make sure if you are booking a package that the recipient is going to protect your money (insurance is available for them).
Good point - I'm pretty sure if you buy a holiday for someone e.g. multiple parties on a single booking, or as a gift, it's THEIR holiday and THEIR insurance that is used in the event of claim. I'm sure it's well documented though on MSE etc particularly in the current climate. Also need to define what constitutes a 'holiday' - pretty sure in my annual policy a UK holiday is anything two nights or more.
I'd definitely be keeping money in my pocket for now and just making a voucher / card as a present.
razorrazoo
Free Member
Second the Pig at Studland. Especially the foodI’ll third that. In fact the other Pig hotels look nice too.
We’ve done Studland, New Forest and Bath
The 'Bath' one is about 2 miles from my house and will probably be cycling past it tomorrow morning!
We've stayed at the pig in southampton. Lovely spot
https://www.titchwellmanor.com/ is good, Morston Hall very good for food and sea, Victoria at holkham
had our wedding breakfast at le strange arms. Lovely views of the sea from most rooms.
Just about to have a couple of nights in the seagate, appledore. Not posh, but lovely location (and cheap deals at the moment)
i have in-laws that go to the Brudenell every year for a couple of weekends. It's a lovely spot
agree about the Hoste (having seen it over the last 25 years, it's grown too big, and lost what made it good). Gone are the days you struggled to get in the bar; now there's tables available even at 7pm on a saturday night