Dreamy Destinations for a UK Summer Staycation

Alana — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:18:46 +0000

Words by Priya Faith

While I’m a lover of international travel, the pandemic forced me to explore the sights of England in pursuit of a dreamy getaway. From glamping to luxe beachfront apartments, here are just six of my top picks for a summer staycation.

Kudhva, Tintagel, Cornwall

If you’re searching for an off-grid hideout by the coast, look no further than Kudhva of North Cornwall’s coast. Home to unique architectural cabins, tree tents, Shanti tipis and a Danish cabin for larger groups, you’ll truly be at one with nature at Kudhva. Zen vibes, guaranteed.

Prices start at £160 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kudhva/

Storrs Hall, Lake District

Located on a prime spot along Windermere, Storrs Hall is a charming Grade II* listed English country house boasting all the modern-day amenities for an indulgent stay. Thanks to top-class dining, excellent service, and plenty of things to do, you’ll never want to leave.

Prices start at £234 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/storrs_hall/

The Chalet Saunton, Saunton Sands, North Devon

Overlooking the beautiful beaches of Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows is the luxurious apart-hotel Chalet Saunton. Home to six luxury three-bedroom apartments and a two-bed penthouse with a private balcony, The Chalet will quickly become your home from home.

Prices start at £500 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chaletsaunton/

The Edinburgh Grand, Edinburgh

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, you’ll find a luxury all-apartment residence, The Edinburgh Grand. From open-plan apartments ideal for solo travellers and couples to a seriously impressive three-bed penthouse, The Edinburgh Grand is city living luxury at its best.

Prices start at £326 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chevalcollection/

The Headland Hotel, Newquay

Cornwall’s Headland Hotel should be on your radar if you’re looking for the ultimate Southwest spa break. Overlooking the picturesque Fistral beach, The Headland is a clifftop escape like no other. The best bit? Thanks to a £10 million renovation, you’ll have six pools to choose from before soothing your senses at the second-to-none spa.

Prices start at £390 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theheadlandcornwall/

The Bird, Bath

If a city break is a bit of you, Bath’s boutique hotel, The Bird, is sure to tick some boxes. At the historic mansion, you’ll find bright, avian-themed décor, highly recommended restaurant, Plate, and unique dining domes, dubbed ‘the place to be in Bath.’

Prices start at £119 per night, book here.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdbath_/

While the weather can be hit and miss, the UK is most definitely home to some dreamy destinations for your next staycation. The best bit? No airport chaos.

Hotel Review: Port Hotel in Eastbourne

Alana — Fri, 27 May 2022 13:34:08 +0000

We recently paid a visit to Port Hotel, a beautifully chic seaside bolthole in Eastbourne, and we’re ready to give you the low-down on what to expect from a stay at this beachfront hotel.

Location

We’re calling it now – Eastbourne is severely underrated. After our visit, we were left wondering where it’s getting its bad rep from, with its laid-back, almost tropical vibe making us feel like we were in Spain at some points. The beachfront and surrounding areas are decked out with vibrant greenery and flowers that look like they belong on a sandy sun-drenched island, and there are quaint ice cream stalls and parlours dotted about that give off major beach holiday vibes. In the town, there are plenty of food and drink gems, with independent wine bars, relaxed brunch spots, bustling cocktail bars and à la carte restaurants. There are also a ton of different activities you can try out in Eastbourne, from walking tours of the South Downs to contemporary art gallery visits to giving adventurous watersports a go. You’re certainly not going to run out of spots to try out or things to do if you’re there for a few days.

Overall vibe

Port’s vibe is super-calming, with its pebble-palette interiors leaving you feeling laid back whether you’re relaxing in your room, in the lounge or on the terrace. The hotel’s attention to detail both with design and amenities makes you feel seriously pampered, and lets you feel completely at peace knowing you’ve got every little thing you could need. We left feeling completely rejuvenated as if we’d had the best massage of our lives. Port most definitely passes the vibe check.

Bedrooms

Port’s bedrooms are the stuff of dreams. Thanks to our sea-facing views, the rooms were always beautifully light, helping to emphasise the tranquility of the pastel-painted walls and furniture. The bathrooms were as well-lit as the bedroom and the shower alone made the visit to Port incredible, with its waterfall head making you feel as though you’re in a Herbal Essences advert, plus we need to find out where they got their matte stone sinks from because having one of our own is now an absolute must. Back in the bedroom, the beds were so ridiculously comfortable, and the duvet so wonderfully soft that getting out of them in the morning was an incredibly difficult job. The best thing about Port’s bedrooms were all the little touches, from eye masks and earplugs next to the beds, to binoculars by the window, to coffee pods and camomile tea, every addition made us feel seriously well looked after.

Food & drink

Port’s food menu is designed to celebrate local produce and changes with the seasons. Each dish features freshly sourced ingredients that showcase the best of the surrounding areas, with as much as possible being sourced within a 30-mile radius of Port. It’s safe to say we’re still dreaming of their brunch dishes, which we enjoyed whilst basking in the sun out on the terrace. Every ingredient was bursting with flavour and was perfectly cooked and seasoned, making us vow to return so that we can try out more of their menu. We also couldn’t get enough of Port’s drinks menu. Thanks to their happy hour, which offers 2-4-1 cocktails 4-7pm Sunday-Thursday and 4-6pm Friday and Saturday, we got to try out four of their delicious concoctions – but even picking that many was difficult with every cocktail on the menu sounding incredible. As well as cocktails, the Luna bar offers a huge variety of local spirits, beer and wine, and is an area of the hotel you can easily spend hours in, sipping on a glass of something whilst watching the world go by.

The verdict

Port should absolutely be a destination on your weekend-away list. With a location that allows you to make the most of nature, a town that boasts tons of great hidden gems, and a space that doesn’t skip on a single detail, it’s a place you’ll never want to leave and will always want to come back to.

Visit Port’s website at https://www.porthotel.co.uk/ and check out their Instagram at @stayatport.

hotel – The Dream Magazine