weekend away recommendations?

kewty · Postby **kewty** » Sun May 15, 2011 7:55 pm

Hi

My parents have just offered to take our daughter for a weekend, so Hubby has suggested taking this opportunity and going away for a treat.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Parents are based near Basingstoke, so are looking to drop LO off and then go on from there with no more than 2hrs in the car from parents. We prefer small more personal hotels, but with 5* service and on this occasion no children!

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Kx

ready2pop · Postby **ready2pop** » Sun May 15, 2011 8:19 pm

We had an amazing time at the Bath Priory
http://www.thebathpriory.co.uk/

The hotel is very luxurious but small and intimate with fantastic service, delicious food and a lovely spa.

Bath is under 2 hours from Basingstoke and has enough to keep you busy for a weekend.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

Enjoy!

MrsAmanda · Postby **MrsAmanda** » Sun May 15, 2011 8:47 pm

If you don't have budgetary restrictions, Le Manoir! According to Google, Oxford is just over an hour from Basingstoke.

A friend of mine was taken to Cliveden and has been singing it's praises ever since!

I was going to suggest Coworth Park near Ascot. I've been (but not stayed) but several of the Tripadvisor reviews mention children, so if you're wanting adult-only, might not be the best place for you.

ready2pop · Postby **ready2pop** » Sun May 15, 2011 9:08 pm

Oh yes, Le Manoir is nice too but much more of a restaurant so hotel facilities a bit skimpy.

Cliveden is lovely - perfect if you are looking for a quiet retreat away from it all.

hjm · Postby **hjm** » Sun May 15, 2011 9:09 pm

If he really is treating you then you can't get better than Babington House. It is truly amazing an perfect for a romantic weekend away. It's not cheap though

Claire42 · Postby **Claire42** » Mon May 16, 2011 8:38 am

For something a little more low key but really relaxing, high quality, comfy beds, lovely garden, wonderful food (inc fab breakfast!) and a very good wine list then Ash House in Ash, Somerset. not sure how that works on the 2 hours from Basingstoke, but should just about be there. We escape here occasionally, and it's less fussy than the fancy places, yet real oasis. http://www.ashhousehotel.co.uk/

Wherever you go have a gorgeous time!

tillywith2boys · Postby **tillywith2boys** » Mon May 16, 2011 9:42 am

cowley manor is amazing. so is the george in rye, but that's going the other way (still just under 2 hours though). have a great time wherever you go!

thinkstyle · Postby **thinkstyle** » Mon May 16, 2011 9:59 am

Hi Katharine,

If you are still looking, I would recommend browsing www.specialplacestostay.co.uk - all the hotels I've stayed in from their site have been fantastic - they have to be reviewed and acessed to be on the site. They're all more independent, special places (as the name suggests) and you can search on the map which makes it really easy if you're looking for a specific area.

Wherever you go, I hope you have an amazing time!

Zoe

aa_mummy · Postby **aa_mummy** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:03 am

We too have grandparents looking after the children while we have a night away for our anniversary....we thought about going abroad, Venice, Paris, etc... then somewhere in England in the country (we have stayed here: http://www.calcotmanor.co.uk/ and it is lovely. They do have children in the hotel but think going at a none school break time should be fine and they have a luxury spa with heated pool that the children only have access to for 1 hr 15 mins a day. Would highly recommend) In the end though we decided to have a night in London! We never do it, very rarely venturing out of nappy valley so we thought we would cut out travel (grandparents are coming to our house to look after the children) and make the most of our great city! We are going to a lovely restaurant, staying in great hotel and just enjoying ourselves generally...

aa x

frenchlyric · Postby **frenchlyric** » Tue May 17, 2011 4:43 pm

Lucknam Park is AMAZING!

www.lucknampark.co.uk - there's a gorgeous spa, swimming pool area, horse-riding, super restaurant and the rooms are lovely too. Can't recommend highly enough!
Hope you have a lovely time !

gail0810 · Postby **gail0810** » Tue May 17, 2011 5:40 pm

Whatley Manor in Wiltshire is fab and very relaxing and not that far from Basingstoke. The hotel and grounds are really lovely, the staff make you feel really special and the food is fantastic - the main restaurant has two Michelin stars (was featured on Masterchef recently) and is very reasonably priced considering. There is also a lovely spa. It's not far from Tetbury, Glos if you fancy a trip and also near to Westonbirt Arboretum and even Bath is not too far away. The Mr and Mrs Smith website has loads of lovely places and often the best prices.