EXPERIENCES

Hotel Stays with Extraordinary Experiences 

9 minute read
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Sophie Farrah

From coastlines to countryside, skies to sea, our hand-picked accommodation collection is chosen to perfectly mirror your needs – and these ten experiences define the essence of the UK through moments of beauty and exclusive access.

1: Wild Wellness

In the heart of Royal Deeside, The Fife Arms is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most compelling hotels, known for its extraordinary interiors and exceptional art collection, which includes works by Picasso and Freud, alongside a programme of experiences rooted in its Highland setting. Among the most remarkable is a full-day ‘wild wellness’ journey that unfolds deep in the rugged landscape surrounding Braemar. The experience explores how physical and mental wellbeing can be nurtured by connecting with nature. The day begins with a guided walk through ancient Scots pine forest, followed by a visit to a secluded royal lunch hut and a stunning walk to a hidden waterfall and Victorian bridge. It culminates with an invigorating wild swim in the river, balanced by time spent unwinding in a wood-fired sauna set up on the riverbank. Back at the hotel, restorative treatments using aromatic botanicals and local seaweed await, delivered in serene treatment rooms designed for deep relaxation.

©SarahWeal

©SarahWeal

2: Take to the Sky

Arriving at Newhall Mains is an experience in itself, especially when you land directly on its private airfield, the only one of its kind at a UK hotel. Nestled in the heart of the Cromarty Firth, the hotel’s private grass strip measures 630 metres and lies just eight nautical miles north-west of Inverness Airport, with smooth, level terrain, clear approaches, and accommodating airspace. Views stretch across the barley fields and rolling hills of the Black Isle, and the sense of adventure continues long after the initial landing. Scenic flights can be arranged aboard the hotel’s own PC-12 aircraft, offering unforgettable views across the Scottish Highlands. Guests can soar over Loch Ness and Ben Nevis, stop for lunch on the Isle of Skye, or admire the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct from the air, famed for its role in the Harry Potter films. Despite all its thrilling possibilities, Newhall Mains remains reassuringly grounded, a family-owned retreat where rare access and aviation adventure are delivered with warmth and ease. 

3: Art in Motion

With a passion for colour, craftsmanship, and storytelling, Firmdale’s luxurious hotels are designed to inspire and delight. In the heart of central London, its properties encompass modern English style, personalised service, and acute attention to detail. For guests drawn to the interiors, the hotel’s exclusive Private Art Walk offers a deeper engagement with Firmdale’s eclectic art collection through an intimate, expertly guided experience. Led by Willow Kemp, daughter of founder and creative director Kit Kemp, the walk explores the fascinating stories behind each piece, alongside the themes and unexpected narratives that run throughout the spaces. Highlights range from Sir Tony Cragg’s striking bronze sculpture created for the courtyard at Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, to works by the Bloomsbury Group at Charlotte Street Hotel in nearby Fitzrovia. Throughout the walk, Willow shares practical advice on how to find and collect art, as well as her top tips for displaying pieces at home. Visits to some of the surrounding area’s leading galleries can also be arranged, offering an excellent starting point for those considering building their own collection. The experience concludes with a leisurely lunch or Champagne afternoon tea, making for a cultured and convivial way to spend an afternoon immersed in art and ideas. 

4: Island Hopping 

At Glenapp Castle, one of Scotland’s most luxurious castle hotels, guests are invited to venture beyond its five-star comforts and into a world of thrilling exploration. Its Hebridean Sea Safari is a five-day, four-night journey of a lifetime, beginning on the Ayrshire coast. Led by an experienced crew and joined by an onboard marine biologist, days are spent navigating awe-inspiring islands, sea lochs, and rugged headlands, with frequent sightings of seabirds, seals, and dolphins along the way. Ashore, discoveries include ancient monastic sites, hidden castle gardens, and remote whisky distilleries, while travel is by sleek private boat, weaving through caves, narrow channels, and dramatic coastlines. Days may include a five-star picnic laid out on a remote sandy beach, with Highland cattle and wild goats looking on, or lunch at a local inn overlooking a sparkling sea loch. Evenings deliver a compelling contrast of adventure and indulgence, with candlelit dinners prepared by a private chef using the finest Scottish coastal produce, including local venison, lobster, scallops, and sea bass. Accommodation is luxury island glamping, with spacious tents and beautifully appointed beds. As night falls, guests drift to sleep on a completely unspoilt island, wrapped in silence, starlight, and the signature comfort of Glenapp Castle. 

5: Into the Blue

In the heart of Connemara in County Galway, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this distinguished historic property sits within a private 700-acre estate of rivers, woodland, and winding walks, overlooking its celebrated salmon fishery with the Twelve Bens rising dramatically beyond. For those inclined to explore beyond the estate, private boat trips from the picturesque village of Roundstone, just ten minutes away, can be arranged. A half-day exploration of the turquoise-blue Roundstone Bay reveals the ancient island of Inishlacken, with dolphins and seals as frequent companions along the way. Pleasures ashore are unapologetically indulgent: freshly shucked oysters served with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, or a fresh lobster picnic on the sandbar beach of Inishlacken Island, a truly unique dining experience defined by exceptional produce, fine wine, and expansive Atlantic views. 

6: Pedal Power 

Set on Bath’s most iconic crescent, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is steeped in Regency grandeur and timeless elegance. Staying here feels like a return to a bygone era, and few experiences capture that spirit more vividly than the hotel’s Penny Farthing cycling tour. Guests are invited to step back into Victorian times with a private, guided introduction to the art of riding this most distinctive of bicycles. Expert instruction is provided by Alberto Bona, a distinguished rider and member of the Penny Farthing Club, who guides guests through mounting, riding, and dismounting with confidence. Once mastered, the experience unfolds as a relaxed and scenic ride through Bath’s UNESCO-listed streets, passing Queen Square, the iconic arches of Pulteney Bridge, the Abbey, and the ancient Roman Baths, before this remarkable journey draws gently to a close. 

7: Polo, Perfected

A polo experience at Coworth Park is not merely a sporting activity but an immersion into one of Britain’s most elegant and quintessentially British traditions. Set within 240 acres of immaculate parkland on the edge of Ascot, this deeply luxurious Dorchester Collection country house hotel offers privileged access to the on-site Guards Polo Academy. Here, complete novices and seasoned riders alike are guided by professional coaches, with experiences ranging from private lessons to half- and full-day masterclasses, tailored with exquisite precision. For those who prefer to observe, summer polo matches unfold just beyond the terrace, where unrivalled field-side hospitality pairs chilled Champagne with uninterrupted views of the thrilling play. Whether mounted or spectating, guests are welcomed into a rarefied world where sport, society, and the beauty of the countryside meet. It is, quite simply, polo at its most polished. 

8: Sail Away

In the elegant seaside village of St Mawes, Hotel Tresanton sits gracefully above the water, a collection of whitewashed buildings beautifully designed by Olga Polizzi. Once a yacht club, Tresanton today feels relaxed yet incredibly luxurious, with a distinctly Mediterranean spirit that sits effortlessly on the Cornish coast. Just below the hotel lies its chic beach club and, moored just beyond, the hotel’s own Italian sailing yacht, Pinuccia. In the warmer months, this elegant vessel can be privately chartered, with Tresanton’s skipper leading leisurely sails across Falmouth Bay and into the serene estuaries of the Helford and Fal, widely regarded as some of the finest and most sheltered sailing waters in Britain. Sunlit days unfold with fresh picnics and invigorating dips, but the most coveted voyage is at first light. Departing during ‘the golden hour’, just after sunrise and before the village stirs, guests are greeted by still water, soft light, fresh coffee, and Bucks Fizz, returning in time for a leisurely breakfast on the hotel terrace overlooking the waves. 

9: Plot to Plate

Tucked within the West Country’s green and pleasant countryside, The Newt in Somerset is an impeccably designed country estate, celebrated for its magnificent gardens, restorative spa, and distinctive approach to food. At the heart of its culinary philosophy is a deep connection to the land, from cyder pressed from apples grown in the estate’s ancient orchards to farm-to-fork menus shaped by the seasons. The estate’s Gardener & Chef experience brings this philosophy vividly to life. The day begins in the Wildflower Meadow, where guests meet the gardeners and chef before travelling to the Market Garden at the estate’s Avalon Farm. Here, ingredients are harvested by hand, picked alongside those who cultivate and tend the beds. With trugs filled to the brim, guests return to the main gardens to create inventive and delectable dishes with the chef, cooking their own produce over open fire and culminating in an indulgent lunch shaped entirely by what has been gathered that day. A true feast for all the senses. 

10: Dressed for Dinner

Long admired as one of the most lavish Regency mansions in Ireland, luxury hotel Ballyfin is a spectacularly well-preserved house that pairs architectural splendour with impeccable service and warm Irish hospitality. With a cinematic backdrop unlike any other, Ballyfin’s unique and immersive costume experience invites guests to step quite literally into the world of a period drama. Drawing from an exceptional collection of exquisite period costumes, courtesy of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading opera companies, guests are welcomed into a specially designed costume room to select and don historically inspired attire. Once transformed, the evening unfolds in fittingly grand style, with a formal banquet and curated entertainment designed to evoke the elegance of a bygone era. This is a rare opportunity to inhabit history, brought to life with extraordinary attention to detail. 

IMAGE CREDITS: ©SarahWeal / Sim Canetty-Clark  /Christina Strehlow / Chris Hill / Simon Brown / Big Smoke Studio / Hugh Hastings / Emma Louise Wynn Jones / Dookphoto / Jesse Wild

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