Best London hotels for a stay in the heart of the city's action
Lounge in a freestanding bath tub, take your pick from a pillow menu and tuck into Moroccan eggs with labneh at London’s best hotels
Looking for the best hotels in London? Want to know where to stay in central London? Our guide to London’s best boutique hotels… For more hotel inspiration, discover the best UK spa hotels for food lovers, the most romantic hotels in the UK and the best UK country house hotels. Check out some of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Battersea and best restaurants in Chelsea. Four Seasons Hotel Tower Bridge – for an impressive location Doubles from £562, check availability at fourseasons.com or booking.com On the banks of the Thames, Four Seasons Tower Bridge is as rich and colourful as its historic location. The sweeping beaux-arts building at 10 Trinity Square opened in 1922 as home to the Port of London Authority, and the dramatic architectural legacy of this former centre of trade is felt the moment you step into its marble lobby. At its heart is the Rotunda Bar, topped with a striking glass dome that echoes St Paul's Cathedral. Despite the rich heritage, the interior is thoroughly modern – elegant contemporary furnishings, marble bathrooms and warm wall panelling. Rooms are spacious, cocooned and built for comfort and convenience: we loved that the stereo system extended into the bathroom too. There's a steak restaurant, Cooper's Cut, but we dined at Mei Ume, the contemporary Chinese and Japanese restaurant. The big, bold menu balances crowd-pleasers – whole peking duck, spring rolls, egg fried rice – with more ambitious dishes like slow-cooked Australian abalone, hot stone wagyu beef and roasted black cod, plus an extensive sushi menu spanning futomaki, uramaki, temaki, nigiri and sashimi. A playful dessert of Mei Miao, a yuzu chocolate cat filled with banana sponge and miso mousse, feels perfectly at home in the ornate, high-ceilinged dining room. Breakfast is served in-room or at Rotunda – porridge with treacle and salted butter, a York ham and Neal's Yard Dairy cheddar omelette, bubble and squeak with black pudding, and fluffy pancakes with clotted cream among the standout choices. There is also a gym, spa and serene pool in the basement for guests who want an oasis of calm in the heart of the city. Doubles from £562, check availability at fourseasons.com or booking.com The Hari, Belgravia – for a stylish hotel in the heart of the action Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com Tucked on smart a Belgravia terrace, this low-key and stylish hotel is bang in the heart of the London action. Its mid-century aesthetic – glossy marble, chic lighting, vintage-leaning furniture – is designer-sharp but warm feeling, and the team strikes a similar balance: relaxed, friendly and focussed. The food action centres on Il Pampero, a handsome Italian dining room with leather booths and mood lighting. The kitchen deals in big-flavour comfort: zingy tartare di tonno, creamy burrata with bitter radicchio and hazelnuts, and pici cacio e pepe spun theatrically through a whole wheel of cheese. There’s a tidy list of Italian wines, classic cocktails at the bar and a small roof terrace for a pre-dinner spritz. Rooms stay faithful to the hotel’s retro-modern polish. Our eighth-floor space framed a wide sweep of London, while the bathroom – clad in all-round marble – held a deep bath built into a bay-style window. Modern artwork, a well-chosen minibar, a slate board of macaroons and truffles on arrival, and sustainable toiletries from Jo Loves added to the thoughtful touches. Breakfast returns to Il Pampero, where a help-yourself counter heaving with smoothies, pastries and fruit sits beside a menu of cooked dishes. Speciality eggs, healthy plates and a reliable full English mean most bases are covered. It’s relaxed, plentiful and exactly what you want before a day exploring the capital. Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com The Laslett, Notting Hill – for period luxury with modern design From £350 per night, check availability at booking.com Set across a row of Victorian townhouses off Notting Hill Gate, The Laslett is a boutique hotel with heart. It’s polished but unfussy, with clean period detail offset by sharp modern design. Food is served from the informal Henderson Bar & Kitchen. Named after Russ Henderson, one of the founders of the Notting Hill Carnival, it runs a short all-day menu: padrón peppers, gazpacho and prawn croquetas as small plates; chicken milanese, lobster roll or stone bass with fregola for larger options. Ingredients are sourced from London suppliers like HG Walter and Natoora. Desserts include basque cheesecake or warmed chocolate brownie, while the bar serves local beers and classic cocktails. A small terrace for observing the west London street bustle comes into its own in summer. The vibrant rooms make use of airy floor-to-ceiling windows and bold interior design. Penguin Classics, vintage record players with hand-picked vinyl, and antiques from local dealers lend eccentric local character. Breakfast includes full english alongside pancakes, smoothie bowls, granola and the hotel’s signature bagel. Rooms start from £350 a night. Rooms start from £350 per night. Check availability at living-rooms.co.uk or booking.com Beaverbrook Townhouse, Sloane Square – for colourful luxury From £580 per night, check availability at booking.com Sloane Square’s Beaverbrook Townhouse is the city output of the original Surrey hotel, and is just as opulent. Behind the neat, period facade is a riot of art deco splendour and heritage nods. Hotel rooms are all named after London theatres and take interior design to giddy heights, with plushness, pastels, geometrics, florals, terrazzo and more, all thrown together harmoniously – an eccentric British aesthetic that feels very old school London. Unique touches include an epic bathroom with a waterfall shower decked in iridescent emerald tiles, a retractable and rotating TV, and velvety soft furnishings. The hotel’s restaurant is a true hidden gem – The Fuji Grill offers a highly polished Japanese dining experience centred around ‘Tapasu’, a take on tapas-style design that blends classic technique with a communal, small plates spirit. There’s a flawless sushi selection, including signature temaki alongside dishes cooked on a bincho charcoal grill, like sake kombu hispi cabbage, caramel ponzu long aubergine and yuzu miso black cod. The drinks menu, served from the cosily lit Sir Frank’s Bar, is vast and includes inventive cocktails and non-alcoholic versions, plus speciality sake and plenty of Japanese whisky. Service is attentive, friendly and relaxed. Breakfast is also served in the Fuji Grill restaurant, meaning it’s an ambient affair. Dishes include granola with Beaverbrook estate honey, homemade yogurt and peach compote, truffled eggs, full English and spinach scramble. Where to eat and drink nearby Sloane Square is at the heart of central-west London action and is close to Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington. You’ll find plenty of pubs with great food, including Ganymede, The Pig’s Ear and The Orange, plus special occasion restaurants like Cornus. Rooms start from £580 per night inclusive of breakfast and taxes for two guests in a Deluxe Room. Check availability at Beaverbook Townhouse or booking.com The Hoxton, Southwark – for a buzzy bar and Mediterranean vibe From £189, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton Southwark is a buzzy, 192-bedroom hotel that’s home to a low-key neighbourhood dining spot and a separate rooftop restaurant. Choose from five bedroom sizes with the smallest, Shoebox, offering a king-size bed and wall-to-wall windows, and the most spacious, Biggy, offering a super king-bed, a lounge area and a large bathroom. No matter what the size, you can expect mid-century furniture with vintage touches – pale-green panelled walls, red velvet headboards, dial-up telephones, cream Roberts radios and brass light switches to name a few. Those who want to wallow over a long soak will be disappointed (there are no baths) but spacious rainfall showers feel luxurious, with teal tiles and marble. Albie – the downstairs restaurant, bar and lounge – serves Italian and French-influenced plates, with on-trend terrazzo tables, wicker chairs and flickering tealights matching the Mediterranean design vibe. Take a seat at the marble bar, or sink into a velvet armchair, for a pre-dinner drink. The extensive cocktail menu features Hox classics, imaginatively named tipples with a twist, plus an impressive selection of no-alcohol brews, wines and spirits<. When it comes to food, the squidgy focaccia is a must-order, with a choice of French or Italian olive oil (we go for the former, and it’s got rich, grassy notes and a lusciously thick texture). Over half the menu is veggie; think goats cheese-stuffed courgette flower and burrata with slices of juicy white peach. Mains are on the lighter, so it’s worth opting for one of the heartier plates, such as creamy crab linguine, if you’re very hungry. Desserts steal the show; crème brûlée spiked with fragrant lavender and a tower of crisp, cocoa-dusted mille-feuille sandwiched with praline cream and hazelnuts – think posh Kinder Bueno. For more decadent dining, ride the lift up to Seabird, the hotel’s striking rooftop restaurant, to try something from London’s longest oyster list, or other fresh seafood dishes, against a backdrop of panoramic city views. In the morning, wake up to a light breakfast bag filled with fruit, a granola bar and a zesty juice shot (ginger, lemon, turmeric and apple on our visit), or head downstairs if you want something more substantial. Greenwich-based Paul Rhodes Bakery makes the hotel’s must-try pastries, from flaky pain au chocolat to almond swirls filled with lemony-marzipan, or order wedges of fluffy cinnamon-spiced brioche French toast. Where to eat and drink nearby The thoughtful in-room map and area guide gives guests a top 10 list of things to do south of the river. Among them a trip to the Bermondsey Beer Mile for craft breweries, Borough Market for top-notch food traders and The Blackfriar if you’re in search of a local boozer. Check out our guide to eating in London Bridge for more suggestions. From £189, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London – for a sustainable hotel with skyline views Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London is a fun – and sustainable – central London hotel with skyline views and child-friendly touches. Treehouse Hotels was founded on the playfulness and sense of adventure that inspire children to want to build treehouses, so it's little surprise that bedrooms here come with handmade, child-friendly details (think sloth teddy bears on the beds and coloured anoraks hanging in wardrobes). Depending on your budget (and need for space) there will almost certainly be a bedroom that suits, from the Lookout Twin, with views of The Shard, to the Skyline King, which overlooks the London Eye. Each room comes with rain showers, digital newspapers and bedside USB outlets. Not to mention cosy window nooks where you can rest and read. Decor is pared-back, with grey walls, white linen and exposed lightbulbs for reading lights, while the hotel's sleek bathrooms bring a touch of nature to proceedings with pot plants and tree stems. There are three restaurants to choose between: Madera serving Mexican cuisine, Pizzeria Mozza (a UK outpost of the famous LA restaurant from Nancy Silverton) and The Nest for rooftop drinks. Madera (from the Los Angeles-based restaurant group) offers a modern, farm-to-table approach, with dishes (many of which are veggie or vegan) ranging from tequila tofu marinated in pesto to wild mushroom enchiladas and a street-food taco box with five house-made corn tortillas (beef or wild mushroom) served with salsa, lime, coriander and onion. Cocktails make the most of locally produced spirits (Chase gin) as well as more unusual flavours (activated charcoal agave and matcha agave) to create an intriguing drinks list. Return to Madera in the morning for a Mexican-inspired breakfast feast. Start with carne asda and eggs or go for something sweet with decadent Mexican fiesta waffles topped with ice cream, dulce de leche and chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Join the queue at Sabor for camarones fritos (tiny shrimp, deep-fried and served with a crispy, paprika-dusted fried egg), or tuck into top-notch carbonara, peppery cacio e pepe and homemade cannoli at Al Dente. Find more places to eat and drink near Oxford Street here. Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com The Buxton, Shoreditch – for a Brick Lane boozer Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Buxton is a former Brick Lane boozer turned polished pub-with-rooms, reimagined by the team behind Commercial Street’s The Culpeper. Bedrooms are on the small side, which is one reason for their affordable pricing. Clever design and attention to detail, however, ensures they don’t feel cramped. High ceilings and original features add space and character while whitewashed walls and smart navy accents lend a fresh and contemporary feel. The heart of the action occurs in the slickly refurbished Victorian pub, on the ground floor (there are bedrooms and a roof terrace above) which is now a reimagined bistro and wine bar. Tall, graceful arched windows introduce plenty of light, while a sweeping rosso levanto marble counter acts as a stylish focal point. Food has an emphasis on prime produce (including from The Culpeper Family Group’s own urban farm in Deptford) and seasonality, and will change weekly to use the best of what's available. Simple dishes combine British produce with French and Mediterranean influences, to build a carefully curated selection of small plates to share. Our spring visit included creamy shredded duck on toast, asparagus in a decadent brown butter sauce, and Denver steak with sticky, umami-rich glazed hen of the wood mushrooms. Don't miss the cheese croquettes to start: crisp on the inside and melting within. Head downstairs for breakfast after a night in the bar and you’ll find the space transformed, and surprisingly serene. Order the granola with house preserve or fill up with a hearty full English. Where to eat and drink nearby On bohemian Brick Lane, you’ll find no shortage of places to eat and drink; try the street’s many curry houses, 24-hour bagel shops (salt beef is a must) plus nearby restaurants such as Lahpet, Smokestak and Sichuan Folk. Good local bars include The Cocktail Trading Co. and Apples & Pears. Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Pilgrm, Paddington – for a chic central stopover From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com A quirky, design-led, 73-bedroom hotel that’s brought a fine Victorian building in London’s Paddington back to life. Rooms are small so book the largest you can afford, and if you’re a light sleeper, ask for one away from the road. There are tiny (but very comfortable) bunk rooms, if you’re on a budget, or on a one-parent, one-child getaway. Decor is pared back and stylish, with slate-coloured walls contrasting with white sash windows and Egyptian linen-clad beds, and floors of reclaimed 200-year-old parquet giving a warm homely feel. Breakfast is the thing here, kicking off at 7am and continuing until 3pm in the vintage-chic first-floor lounge. There’s full-cooked Pilgrm (with house-baked beans) or a vegan version of smashed avocado, butternut squash hummus and a knock-out beetroot falafel. But the top seller is smashed avocado on toast with crumbled feta, which comes with the unexpected addition of a tomato and olive salsa. Where to eat and drink nearby Being in the heart of London, you’ve plenty of dinner choices nearby – from the cheap-and-cheerful Paramount Lebanese Kitchen, next door, to the Cleveland Arms around the corner, and Basque-styled Lurra and Donostia a short walk away. Read our guide to Paddington restaurants here From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com The Zetter Hotel, Clerkenwell – for panoramic city views From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Victorian warehouse turned hip boutique hotel in Clerkenwell, The Zetter has 59 retro-styled rooms. Rooms have a sleek mid-century vibe, and an attention to detail that elevates the guest experience, from plush UK-made REN toiletries in the bathroom to a well-stocked honesty tray of food and drink, and a mini library of Penguin paperbacks. We suggest choosing one of the hotel’s seven rooftop bedrooms, each of which comes with a private terrace and panoramic views of the city. We stayed in one of the spacious and light-filled rooftop deluxe studios, which have funky geometric interiors, sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and a freestanding rolltop bath on the terrace. Those into their drinks will also love the locally sourced minibar, which on our visit had bottles of East London Liquor Company rum, gin and vodka, Redchurch beer and JARR kombucha – all made in east London. Make yourself at home in the Lounge for cocktails and small plates – a cosy foodie bolthole to spend an evening. Where to eat and drink nearby It’s a 10-minute walk to Moro in Exmouth Market, for North African and Spanish-influenced tapas. From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Four Seasons Park Lane, London – for a central London spa experience Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Four Seasons Park Lane is a short walk from Hyde Park, the theatre district and a wealth of London attractions, but is situated on a serene street away from the hustle of the city. The hotel feels luxurious from the moment you’re ushered into the dramatic lobby, but the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You’ll find sleek rooms with plush beds, decadent marbled bathrooms and plenty of added little luxuries from room sprays to a pillow menu, they take sleep very seriously here. Dining at the hotel’s Pavylon restaurant is an all-round immersive experience, request a counter seat and the theatre you’ll spectate will rival any of the West End shows. Headed up by multi Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, it took him less than a year to win a star for Pavyllon. Them menu focuses on French classics using the finest British ingredients, each dish is presented like a work of art but the balance of flavours is where the real power in his dishes is held. You can expect plates like monkfish tail seared with black pepper oil, succulent Lake District lamb cutlets and flambéed cherries with almond ice cream. Breakfast is served a la carte and includes British and French classics, the Parisian omelette with ham, Comté cheese sauce and parsley is perfection, you’ll find plenty of freshly squeezed juices, pastries and exceptionally good coffee on the menu too. Situated at the very top of the hotel (you’ll find dramatic city views from the changing rooms and gym), the sleek spa is home to a salt-wall sauna, eucalyptus steam room and huge vitality pool which is difficult to tear yourself away from. The treatment menu offers everything from personalised facials to immersive sound bath healing. Where to eat and drink nearby You're spoilt for choice with this location being a short walk from Oxford Street, Soho or Victoria in any direction. Visit Sketch for a memorable afternoon tea or enjoy quietly luxurious special occasion dining at Cornus in Eccleston Place. Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Coach, Clerkenwell – for a Sunday roast and sleepover Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Chef-restaurateur Henry Harris has transformed this popular independent pub in Clerkenwell into a well-executed French restaurant-with-rooms. Hidden down a quiet street in the heart of Clerkenwell, The Coach has been refurbished with the addition of four small, boutique-style rooms. The lively pub is child-friendly and serves a variety of beers, lagers and wines from local breweries as well as a selection of cocktails. For our aperitif we opted for a strong, citrussy negroni followed by a full-bodied, fruity red Château Laussac Cuvée La Dame. Visit on a Sunday for the classic Sunday roast – succulent 48-day aged Hereford sirloin of beef with punchy horseradish came with crispy duck-fat potatoes, sweet baby carrots and plenty of crunchy greens. Finish with a super-light blood orange posset with delicate lemon shortbreads and a verrine made with sought-after Gariguette strawberries, silky smooth crème pâtissière and chantilly cream. Upstairs, plenty of light floods into the compact rooms through double sash windows, framed by funky grey and yellow blinds. Modern art features on whitewashed walls and boutique hotel luxuries add a welcoming touch (Roberts radio, chrome light shades and Bramley hand soap). The bathrooms evoke the design of an old-school coach, while little white tiles add a retro twenties stamp. The bright, art-filled breakfast room overlooks a small terrace alive with greenery. Choose from a small menu – try bowls full to the brim with crunchy coconut and pecan granola or indulge in the full Coach breakfast of thick-cut bacon, crispy fried eggs, buttery mogettes (beans) and sourdough from Bread Ahead bakery. Where to eat and drink nearby Exmouth Market is on your doorstep, where you’ll find an array of independent shops, bars and restaurants, including Pizza Pilgrims, Morito and Berber & Q. Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Bingham Riverhouse - for riverside views and chic interiors Perched along the Thames, this boutique bolthole is a dream for food lovers seeking a tranquil retreat with a touch of history. Housed in a chic Georgian townhouse with a fascinating literary past, the hotel is home to a sun-dappled terrace overlooking the stunning gardens and River Thames – as well as luxurious drawing room with a roaring fire place, perfect for afternoon tea or an expertly mixed cocktail. Breakfast is served in a cozy library lined with rows of vintage Penguin paperbacks, and includes a generous buffet as well as a menu with all of the classics. Beyond the hotel’s indulgent offerings, its location provides easy access to some of London’s most scenic attractions. A short stroll brings you to the vast greenery of Richmond Park, where wild deer roam freely, while the riverside towpath is ideal for leisurely walks or a sunset jog. After a day exploring local markets and gastropubs, unwind in one of the 14 beautifully designed rooms, each named after a poem by Michael Field. Expect mid-century elegance with thoughtful touches like Hebridean wool throws and artisan crystals. Opt for a river-facing room to enjoy stunning Thames views, along with a statement Catchpole & Rye copper bathtub—perfect for a post-dinner soak. Where to eat and drink nearby You are just a short walk along the river away from Petersham Nurseries cafe and restaurant. Rooms from £190 per night, check availability at binghamriverhouse.com or <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100565798-11795693?sid=olivemagazine-226739&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fhotel%2Fgb%2Fthe-bingham.en-us.html%3Faid%3D811995%26label%3Daffnetcj-11795693_pub-5306979_site-100565798_pname-Immediate%2520Media_clkid-olivemagazine-147252_cjevent-28ed6645bb9211ee812000d80a18b8f8%26sid%3D1445e016f12e209a9562b523f90d2e21%26dist%3D0%26keep_landing%3D1%26sb_price_type%3Dtotal%26type%3Dtotal%26utm_campaign%3Dgb%26utm_medium%3Dbannerindex%26utm_source%3Daffnetcj%26utm_term%3Dindex-11795693%26" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored">booking.com The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair – for old school opulence Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com Old school opulence and faultless hospitality are the name of the game at The Beaumont. The polished walnut panelling, shiny marble floors and gilded edges set the scene as you walk into the Art Deco-style lobby. Suites are just as plush, with luxurious touches and 5-star attention to detail: Beaumont-stamped chocolate, sweets and snack jars all waited in our room, while sustainable toiletries were by heritage London perfumer D.R Harris. Rooms and suites are stylish, ultra-comfy and peaceful, cocooned from the busy Central London streets below. There’s even a room designed by artist Antony Gormley. The hotel’s Colony Grill is an elevated take on an NYC steakhouse, serving classics done with serious panache. Everything on the menu is that little bit extra: the tame-sounding shrimp cocktail arrives as grand whole prawns fanning from a stemmed bowl; the steak is salt-aged in-house and served with whipped bearnaise; you can build-your-own sundae using a fun tick sheet (we added a chestnut and rosemary ice cream to ours). Breakfast is served in The Colony Grill and is just as chic as dinner. We ate smoked salmon, scrambled egg and brioche with house-pressed pomegranate juice, but the made-to-order menu is huge and includes signature hashes, cold breakfasts, pancakes, French toast and eggs served every which way you can imagine. The Viennoiserie table included almond croissants, cinnamon rolls and pain au chocolat, all made in the Beaumont bakery. Service is impeccable. The peaceful basement spa at the Beaumont has a really fun USP – its range of hammam treatments. We experienced the Signature Hammam which involved an invigorating exfoliation using black olive savon noir scrub and an enriching rose & geranium clay. You can follow up with a massage treatment, or enjoy the facilities which include two steam rooms and one of London’s only cold water plunge pools. Where to eat and drink nearby If you can bring yourself to leave the Beaumont cocoon, the hustle and bustle of Mayfair and Oxford Street await. Tamarind Terrace offers all-weather Indian dining (don't miss the lamb chops with pistachio crust), or try Akira Back for playful riffs on Japanese cuisine. Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com The Boundary, Shoreditch – for a foodie weekend in Shoreditch Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com A trendy hotel, Boundary has 17 individually-designed bedrooms, a rooftop bar and an all-day bar and brasserie. Each bedroom is truly unique, taking inspiration from a particular designer or design movement. Take your pick from Mies van der Rohe, Charles & Ray Eames, Andrée Putman or Eileen Gray. Most share a restful, simple colour palette and a restrained but very carefully curated collection of furniture. The Sir David Tang Suite is an exception with its Chinese silk wallpaper and tassled green silk lampshades. Regardless of which room you stay in, a mid-afternoon delivery of freshly baked brownie is guaranteed. Dodge busy Shoreditch streets at the sky-high rooftop bar, where the view of London is uninterrupted and the cocktails are excellent. Try the Serendipity – a concoction of Monkey Shoulder whisky, Drambuie, mango purée, lime and chilli – and share plates of garlic tiger prawns and grilled lobster. Breakfast has a grown-up vibe but an on-trend menu, stretching to cold-pressed juices and ‘healthy’ cooked breakfasts. Baked goods are where it’s at, though, with a choice of cinnamon – or pistachio and white chocolate – swirls, croissants and Danish pastries. Where to eat and drink nearby BRAT, just a minutes’ walk away, is a Spanish-inspired spot that serves grilled sharing platters. Click here for more places to eat in Shoreditch. Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com Pan Pacific London, London – for an oasis of calm Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Pan Pacific might be moments away from the bustling streets of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, but inside it’s an oasis of calm. The hotel’s ethos is to bring a slice of the Singapore experience to London, and you’ll find that influence in everything from the Kopi Tiam afternoon tea to the vibrant hotel bar Ginger Lily, where the attentive staff will mix you up a signature Singaporean classic or a contemporary creation, depending on your own unique tastes. Breakfast is served in Straits Kitchen and you'll find an opulent buffet with a choice of Asian and English classics, from freshly made omelette to beautifully fragrant Won Ton noodle soups. All rooms feature king size beds, expansive marble bathrooms and luxury bathroom products, but the views across the city are what make this hotel standout, you can admire the glittering lights and striking contrast of old and new architecture from the comfort of your very own bed, it might be hard to leave. A night at Pan Pacific includes full use of the wellbeing floor. Start your morning with a luxurious swim in the balmy and impressively large infinity pool, floor to ceiling windows offer you far-reaching views over Bishopsgate Plaza as you practice your front crawl. There are plenty of sun loungers to recline on in the light-flooded relaxation area and a mindfulness studio where you’ll find yoga classes, meditation, pilates and gong therapy. The bougie experience continues in the changing rooms with Diptyque products and a smart sauna and steam room for the ultimate heat experience. There are a range of treatments on offer from a rhythmical bamboo massage to a lymphatic drainage massage. Where to eat and drink nearby Walk to Spitalfields Market for your choice of street food, or book a table at Kolamba East for modern Sri Lankan sharing dishes – the prawn string hopper biryani is worth a visit alone. Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Kettner’s Townhouse, Soho – for the Champagne lifestyle Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com Playing on its 1920s heyday, this Georgian building (brought up-to-date by the Soho House Group) is home to an all-day French brasserie, Champagne bar and 33 glamorous hotel rooms. Rooms vary dramatically in size. Compact Tiny rooms are fitted with Tudor-style beds and slick en-suites, while Cosy rooms are a bit larger with pretty green velvet scalloped headboards. If you want to wallow in a freestanding bath tub and super king-size bed, book one of the Medium or Big rooms (they have double sinks and walk-in rainforest showers, too). All rooms, no matter what size, cater to every whim, making for a luxurious stay. An almost overwhelming array of Cowshed bath and shower products await in the rainforest showers (cleansing toner and lip balm, as well as the usual staples). The all-day menu served in the brasserie sticks to classic French comfort food (steak tartare, roast chicken and Toulouse sausage). Try perfectly pink fillet of Lake District beef with fluffy chips and a creamy pepper sauce; or head to the Champagne bar for its take on a French 75, The Romilly, made from exotic Star of Bombay gin, mango cordial and sparkling Ruinart. The Kettner’s Fizz – refreshing clementine and grapefruit juice laced with Grand Marnier and Runiart rosé – is also a good shout. For breakfast, opt for a glass of fizz and a decadent lobster royale with hollandaise and Exmoor caviar in the Champagne bar, or keep it classic in the brasserie: blueberry muffins, or citrusy pink grapefruit served with thick sheep’s milk yogurt and a sprinkling of bee pollen and micro mint. Soho House has zingy breakfast drinks sorted, with its own pre-bottled house press juices. Where to eat and drink nearby Head to Yasmin on Warwick Street for rooftop dining with Middle Eastern flavour. Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Read more about where to eat in Soho here. Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Hoxton, High Holborn – for a hip hangout Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton is a cool, open-house hotel with 174 bedrooms, designed by local illustrators. Choose between four sizes, starting with Shoebox (the clue’s in the name), then Snug, Cosy and, the largest of the four, Roomy. Compact shoebox rooms still have queen-size beds and walk-in showers, while roomy ones are home to king-size beds and squidgy leather armchairs. With the exception of Shoebox, all are dog-friendly. If you fancy wine or beer in your room, head to the front desk where you can buy bottles at supermarket prices. A light breakfast bag can be delivered to your door, but for something more substantial head to Rondo for ’nduja scrambled eggs, or a Full English, served with Tamworth sausage & bacon, Fenton eggs, black pudding & beans. There are cold-pressed green juices to wake you up, or a selection of 100% vegan coffees, including matcha and raw cacao lattes. Where to eat and drink nearby A pie at the Holborn Dining Room is a must, whether it be filled with chicken, girolle and tarragon, or mutton curry. Try the contemporary afternoon tea at Rosewood’s Mirror Room, too. Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com Ham Yard Hotel, Soho – for a hidden design gem From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com An urban village, Ham Yard Hotel is home to 91 individually designed bedrooms and suites, 24 apartments, 13 independent stores and a restaurant. Kit Kemp designed the quintessentially British interiors, so that means colourful, patterned textiles and original artwork. Superior rooms have queen-size beds and a separate sitting area with writing desk, while the two-bedroom terrace suite on the hotel’s top floor has a kitchen. All bedrooms have views of the leafy terrace or city skyline. With its super central Soho location, there’s no shortage of restaurant, bars and cafés to explore in the area. But the hotel itself has its own restaurant and serves a selection of afternoon teas, including a ‘healthy’ reduced sugar option. A roof garden is home to raised herb and vegetable beds, so expect to see purple sage and orange marigold featuring on the menu. Two bee hives also live on the roof, the honey from which is used in cocktails. At breakfast, Antipodean-style eats and smoothies feature alongside lighter bites, including coconut chia seed pots with mango. Porridge is prepared with your choice of milk, water or cream, and is topped with berries, banana, mango, sugar, seeds or maple syrup. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop across the road to KILN for regional Thai dishes. Try aged lamb skewers, delicately fragrant with cumin and Szechuan pepper; or clay-pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crabmeat. Here are more places to eat and drink in Soho. From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper, Spitalfields – for campfires on the roof Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper is an east London pub with five bedrooms, a restaurant and rooftop garden. The ground floor pub takes classics up a notch: deep-fried black pudding balls, crispy ox tongue with tarragon mayo, and chicken liver on toast. The wine list is completely natural, local beers feature strongly, and all the cocktails are based on herbs that grow on the roof. The rooftop has a changing residency each summer, but in the past Piculpeper has set up camp with fire pits serving grilled broccoli, ash-roast potatoes and slow-roast camembert. On the first floor, a restaurant offers three starters, three mains and three desserts that change weekly. It also makes use of what’s grown in and around The Culpeper, including nettles, sprouting kale, baby gem lettuce and swiss chard on its menu. On the second floor, five bedrooms are in keeping with the rest of the pub, so expect plastered walls, bare brickwork, original fireplaces and simple-yet-colourful textiles. Where to eat and drink nearby Som Saa is less than a minute away, so head there for sticky Burmese-style curry, whole deep-fried sea bass and palm sugar ice cream. Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Orange, Belgravia – for a cosy pub with rooms Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk If you want to stay in the beating heart of London, you won’t get much more central than buzzy Belgravia, and this refurbished pub is a chic base. The 19th century local is part of the Cubitts House group, who have given this glorious period building a whole new charm. The uber-stylish interiors have flashes of orange throughout, and the contemporary Italian-inspired menu is curated by Ben Tish. The Orange has just four rooms, giving it an extra-personal feel. They are decked in natural materials and finished with botanical flourishes. Downstairs in the bar, guests can soak up the buzz and order dinner off The Orange’s seasonal, à la carte menu. You’ll find a list of delicious-sounding pizzas with inventive toppings, like red prawns, rose harissa & crispy garlic. There’s a strong list of hearty, seasonal salads, which included braised kale and fried aubergine. Starters included panisse with bottarga. There are large plates too, including rib-eye with roasted onions & comte and roast chicken with grapes and rosemary. Guests enjoy breakfast as part of their stay, and while we loved the house granola with new season rhubarb, where The Orange really plays an ace is with their breakfast wood-fired flatbreads. Choose from toppings like fennel sausage & roasted tomatoes, stracciatella, mushroom & truffle cheese sauce. We already rated The Orange, but we have extra respect for anywhere that serves pizza before 10am. Where to eat and drink nearby For more dinner options, try Wildflowers. A stylish restaurant and wine bar, Mediterranean-inspired dishes are cooked over coal in an open kitchen, cocktails are imaginative twists on classics (try a melon negroni or almost-dirty martini) and its understated design encourages you to relax and linger over your food. Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk Vintry and Mercer, City of London – for luxury in the City From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com One of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Vintry and Mercer is a 92-bedroom luxury hotel with a roof terrace restaurant, speakeasy-style bar and an all-day kitchen serving Asian plates. Rooms comes with elaborate velvet headboards and dramatically tiled bathrooms. The 'standard' room is anything but, with a queen-size bed, walk-in shower and heated floor, while the deluxe comes with a king-size bed, turndown service and wet room. Every bedroom nods to its city location, be it through needle-and-thread wallpaper that references the mercers who used to import fine silks just a stone’s throw from where the hotel now stands, or antique-style maps that depict old trade routes. Foodies stay here both for the delightful roof terrace restaurant, which focuses on farm-to-plate food cooked over charcoal; and DND (Do Not Disturb), a fun bar that pairs barrel-aged cocktails with sliders. There’s also Vintry Izakaya, which serves tapas-style dishes including tempura shiitake and tomato miso steamed buns. Along with the usual spirits, there’s also a selection of sakes and Asian-influences cocktails. Try the Takhiriti, made with Don Q rum, lemongrass syrup, kaffir lime and Thai basil. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander up to Brigadiers for an Indian feast of BBQ butter chicken wings, sikandari kid goat shoulder and on-tap cocktails. Read our full review here. From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com Green Rooms, Wood Green – for great-value rooms From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com A no-frills affordable hotel, Green Rooms has stylishly simple bedrooms. There are 22 bedrooms (everything from three-quarter to king-size beds, some with shared bathrooms, others en-suite), two en-suite studio apartments and two dormitories (one sleeps 12, one sleeps 16 people) make for an eclectic mix of accommodation. It’s a back-to-basics vibe, but with added style. Mattresses are good quality, furnishings are sparse but pretty (a few rooms have chairs and textiles by fashion brand Folk, but most have simple white bed linen and vintage wooden furniture), and frills extend only to a few coat hangers, a travel kettle, a small range of London Tea Company teas and Climpson and Sons coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby In Turkish-influenced Wood Green, you don’t have to go more than 30 paces to find grilled halloumi and spinach omelettes. Try Antepliler for pides, spiced lentil koftes and pistachio kanafeh. From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com Kaya Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross – for swanky fine dining From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com A luxury, boutique hotel just 25 metres from King’s Cross station, comfort and class is the focus at Kaya Great Northern Hotel, with each bedroom sporting sash windows and high ceilings. Couchette is the cosiest, with queen-size beds tucked into leather-clad banquettes, while the Edwardian bedrooms on the top floor have walnut wood panelling and vintage-style bathrooms. Victorian is the largest, with views of King’s Cross and a roll top bath. On the first floor, RAILS Restaurant and Little Bar offers a smart take on British and French classics. Where to eat and drink nearby There’s no shortage of options in Coal Drops Yard, including wine bars and funky sandwich joints. Try smoky rotisserie chicken and mezcal negronis at alfresco Mexican restaurant, Plaza Pastor. See our picks of the best restaurants in Kings Cross here. From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com The London Edition, West End – for striking interiors From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com A slick hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia with 173 bedrooms and a sophisticated restaurant, Berners Tavern. The in-house restaurant is under the direction of Michelin-starred chef, Jason Atherton. A striking dining room (ornate ceilings, plush leather booths and antique artwork in lavish gold frames) sets a grand tone, while the trendy-yet-accessible food is the kind you could eat every day: pork pie and aged beef tartare, BBQ pork chops, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Try a roast at the weekend, including beef wellington and Dingley Dell pork belly. There are two bars to choose from: The Lobby comes kitted out with a snooker table and tufted sofas, while The Punch Room is an intimate space inspired by 19th-century private clubs. The signature gin-infused EDITION house punch is a must. Stylish and simple rooms are inspired by luxury yachts with oak floors, walnut wooden panels and tufted armchairs. There are four bedroom sizes (guest, superior, deluxe and loft) as well as two suites, the loft and the penthouse. All bedrooms come with the same features (king-size beds, rainforest showers, iPod docking stations and custom made Le Labo bathroom products). Suites come with a large living area, while the penthouse has a dining area, pantry, walk-in wardrobe and three outdoor terraces with city views. At breakfast, hearty classics are the order of the day, be it a slow-cooked smoked ham hock croque monsieur with aged cheddar, or oak smoked Scottish salmon with scrambled eggs. If you’re after something lighter, dairy-free mango smoothies and ginger, turmeric and orange shots are also on offer. Where to eat and drink nearby Book a table at Rovi, Ottolenghi’s restaurant with vegetables, fermentation and fire at its heart. Read all the best restaurants in Fitzrovia here. From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum, Mayfair – for a luxurious Mayfair stay From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum is a luxury yet family-friendly Mayfair hotel with bedrooms, suites, apartments and townhouses. Spacious bedrooms include Hypnos mattresses, London-inspired artwork and your choice of pillow. Marble bathrooms come with heated towel rails and non-steam mirrors. Serviced apartments are ideal for those with children, with separate front doors leading onto a double bedroom (with extra bunk or sofa beds for little ones), living area and fully fitted kitchenette. If you want to stay in the main hotel, interconnecting bedrooms are also available. Choose between a continental buffet for breakfast (yogurt, fruit, charcuterie, cheese and baked goods) or opt for a full English, omelettes or smoked salmon. There’s a separate menu for children, including waffles with fruit compote or boiled eggs with toast soldiers. Where to eat and drink nearby Mayfair has plenty of excellent dining choices to offer: from contemporary steak and sushi at Nijū to pub classics at The Guinea Grill or elegant Italian at Angela Hartnett's Murano. For more dining in the area, check out our favourite places to eat in Mayfair here. From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Bull and The Hide, Bishopsgate – for cosy pub vibes From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com A pub with 10 boutique bedrooms in the heart of the city. Rooms are neat and simply decorated. Each is named after the pub’s colourful past, from the Oxford (the 17th Earl of Oxford lived on the site in the 16th century) to the Devonshire suite, which echoes the name of a grand house that stood on the site in 1625. If you want a room with a view, book the Hush Heath suite for its own private balcony. All come equipped with Miller Harris toiletries, goose down pillows and a 24-hour pantry, where you can help yourself to tea, coffee, cookies and sweets. The Bull pub downstairs (part of the Hush Heath Estate) serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, bar snacks and dinner. Classics include scotch eggs with curried mayo, half-pint shrimps and whitebait with tartare sauce. Flatbreads are also a focus, so try the pulled pork, BBQ sauce and jalapeño one. The sparkling wines come from the Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and the crisp sparkling apple is recommended. The Bull breakfast is a simple affair. Choose a full English, American pancakes with bacon, avocado on toast or granola. Where to eat and drink nearby If you're not eating in the pub, head to Duck & Waffle for views over the city or Spitalfields Market for plenty of street food options, from freshly pulled noodles to the gooiest cheese toasties. From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com Claridge’s, Mayfair – for classic elegance From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The iconic Claridge's is a glamorous art deco Mayfair hotel with restaurants, bars and a reading room. Bedrooms and suites are either traditional or art deco, but both come with Bose speakers, fresh flowers and mini bars stocked with British produce. En-suite marble bathrooms include Cowshed products (made exclusively for Claridge’s), and the Claridge’s King room comes with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and views of the peaceful inner court. The Mayfair Suite has a separate sitting room with original fireplace, and the Brook Penthouse, a two-bedroom apartment with living room, dining area, private bar and a terrace with views of the Houses of Parliament, is luxury at its finest. For foodies, the Foyer and Reading Room serve an all-day dining menu, from roast rack of Kent lamb to its signature lobster wellington. Afternoon tea has been a ritual here for almost 150 years, and this luxurious redoubt for the rich and royal (no flip-flops, no intrusive photography) has turned it into an art form. Eat English cucumber and dill cream sandwiches, fluffy raisin scones with Cornish clotted cream, and caramelised hazelnut Paris-Brest. Breakfast is a lavish affair. There’s English, European, Japanese, vegan and Middle Eastern options, to name a few. Try pork gyoza, prawn dim sum, chicken congee, Chinese pickles and century duck egg for a Chinese feast, or keep it healthy with chia seed pudding and carrot juice. The Claridge’s bakery makes daily Danish pastries, croissants, muffins and brioche, and pancakes are served with berries and Valrhona chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander down Regent Street for a Spanish feast at Sabor. Eat crisp, golden prawn croquettes and mussels ‘a la Bilbaina’. Read more about Sabor here From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz, Piccadilly – for old-school luxury Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz offers old-school luxury in the heart of Piccadilly, with a restaurant to match. Opulent yet traditional, there’s a twee feel to the bedrooms with plenty of floral patterns and pastel furnishings. Living areas come with antique furniture, and en-suite bathrooms are adorned with marble. Deluxe suites come with up to five bedrooms and spacious sitting rooms, but, if it’s views you’re after, book the Green Park Suite, which looks out over its namesake. Afternoon tea is the main draw, taken in the elegant Palm Court. Indulge in Scottish smoked salmon on springy sourdough bread, warm scones and delicate blackcurrant macarons. Choose from an 18-strong tea menu that has been curated and exclusively blended by The Ritz’s tea sommelier, Giandomenico Scanu. The Michelin-starred restaurant cooks seasonal British produce. Try Dover sole with new season leeks, cauliflower and caviar, or native lobster with heritage carrot and lemon verbena. Don’t leave without trying the crêpes suzette, prepared, cooked and served at your table with real flair. For breakfast, whether you fancy sirloin steak with fried eggs or an omelette with caviar, The Ritz has you covered. A continental breakfast keeps things light with fruit, homemade yogurt, cheese, ham and cereal, while three punchy juices are sure to wake you up. Our favourite is the Ruby Ritz: carrot, beetroot, fennel, ginger and lime. Where to eat and drink nearby World-famous for its seafood and shellfish, Bentley’s is the place to go for oysters. Click here for more places to eat in Mayfair. Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard, London Bridge – for striking views Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard is a central London hotel with 202 bedrooms, striking views and an infinity sky pool. The hotel includes a restaurant, afternoon tea lounge and two bars. On level 35, TING serves a modern British menu with Asian influences, making the most of produce from neighbouring Borough Market. The five-course tasting menu offers the likes of duck liver ballotine with forced rhubarb and green tea, and Eton mess with cardamom. Climb 12 levels higher for GONG bar (the highest hotel bar in Europe) and its quirky cocktails. The cognac and sherry-based Over the Rainbow comes in a decorative hot air balloon, while the Scan Me whisky sour is delivered in a sleek black glass. Every bedroom and suite comes with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame London’s skyline; the iconic City View room, for example, looks out over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A pillow menu is available, along with binoculars (to get a closer look at the landmarks), feather duvets, L'Occitane bath products and a Chinese tea set. The suites offer a separate living and working space, with views spanning across Surrey and Sussex, and the Shangri-La suite is the grandest of them all – dressing room, kitchenette, cocktail-making services, an iPad and local area guide included. At breakfast, choose between an English, Middle Eastern or Asian breakfast, the latter of which comes with congee, dim sum and wok fried noodles. Or try something from the wellness menu: bircher muesli and green smoothies packed with kiwi, spinach, ginger, mint and apple juice. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop to the market for plates of pici cacio e pepe and beef shin ragu at Padella. Click here for our London Bridge restaurant guide. Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Sea Containers London, Southbank – for a room above the best bar in the world Check rates and availability at booking.com Sea Containers is a modern hotel on the river with bedrooms designed by Tom Dixon and a cocktail bar from master mixologist, Mr Lyan. Choose between bedrooms, suites and apartments. Tones of grey and pops of pink are the signature colours, with chrome furnishings lending a sleek feel. Queen-size beds come as standard in the boutique rooms, and marble bathrooms are stocked with natural Malin + Goetz products. Wall-to-wall windows in the Riverview Deluxe room offer views of the city, while the Riverview Suite includes a separate living area and extra bathroom. The world’s number one bar, Dandelyan used to have its home at Sea Containers, but Mr Lyan closed that down and re-opened it as Lyaness. The sweeping green marble bar occupies the ground floor of the hotel, with soft-grey sofas and electric-blue banquettes. Try the tiki-inspired Double Painkiller, with bright tropical notes and a subtle smokiness. An all-day restaurant serves plates designed to share, from whole seabass with lemon to shaved mushrooms with manchego and brown butter. If you’re there over the weekend, try the eggy sammy from the brunch menu for breakfast – a brioche bun stacked with fried egg, crispy bacon, jack cheese and avocado – or go for a spicy chorizo flatbread with olives and wild rocket. In the week, expect a full English, fruit and yogurt, or avocado on toast. Where to eat and drink nearby Skylon is an 11-minute walk away on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall. It’s all about seasonal modern British food and great views of the Thames. Check rates and availability at booking.com The Standard, King's Cross Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com There’s nothing standard about The Standard. Minutes from St Pancras International, London’s rail-based gateway to Europe, the cool kids behind America’s Standard Hotel group opened their first UK outpost, converting a 1970s concrete block into a hip eating and drinking destination, with more than 200 groovy retro-kitsch bedrooms on site. It may be the priciest room (with the exception of the suites), but book a King’s Terrace room and you’ll be rewarded with a large terrace complete with an outdoor bath that overlooks the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and its terracotta-coloured clock tower. There are no ‘standard’ rooms at The Standard – the most basic options still boast bathrobes, bespoke Davines toiletries and Bang & Olufsen speakers. The building’s geometric shape adds character to outer-ring rooms (internal Cosy Cores don’t have windows, but they do have shower rooms strung with ferns), with squishy sofas in retro colours tucked beneath aquarium-like curved windows. Wallace Sewell, TFL’s fabric designers, have created the bedspreads and carpets, with the nostalgic red, purple and blue palette reminding guests how in-the-thick-of-it they are. Retro-chic design continues in the bathrooms, where pale pink and black tiles cover monsoon shower walls, and mint green taps add a pop of colour. Foodies are well catered for with a selection of options. On the ground floor, Isla’s vibrant space, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a plant-filled terrace, is home to light British plates with a generous plant-based section. There's also Sweeties cocktail bar, Decimo for Mexican-Spanish cuisine with dramatic skyline views, or the Double Standard Bar serving American-inspired brunch or burgers and hot dogs in the evening. Make the most of humongous beds and order breakfast delivered to your room. Avocado on toast pepped-up with chimichurri, perhaps, or a batch of brown butter madeleines with Square Mile coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby The Standard is a one-minute walk (if that) from St Pancras International, so it’s well-placed if you want to kick off a trip to Amsterdam, Paris or the south of France in style. Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
10 UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book this spring
These hotels help you make the most of the outdoors, with expansive kitchen gardens, wildflower meadows or acres of woodland
As the countryside bursts into bloom, hotels across the UK are perfectly placed to make the most of it, whether they are grand estates set in rolling hills or boutique retreats with the prettiest of kitchen gardens to explore. For more UK hotel inspiration, check out our picks of the best country house hotels and the best spa hotels in the UK. 10 UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book this spring The Bath Priory, Bath In a leafy part of Bath sits this impressive Georgian house, offering old-fashioned hospitality with wide appeal. Behind the ivy-clad building is a vast, not-so-secret garden, featuring a spectacular Lebanon cedar tree, croquet lawn, sunken pool and kitchen garden growing herbs, edible flowers, fruit and veg destined for the dining room. Spring is when the wisteria-covered terrace shines, the perfect spot for taking afternoon tea. You can also order a picnic hamper to enjoy in the gardens, with a bottle of English sparkling wine. You'll have views of the garden at dinner too. Chef Jauca Catalin’s imaginative menu celebrates seasonal, local produce with some surprising Asian touches: a crab starter is teamed with lime confit, mooli and chilli peanut caramel; wild turbot is a complex dish of scallop mousse, caviar and miso and kombu tea. At breakfast there is a traditional approach, with eggs royale, benedict and florentine, alongside the full English and a fluffy omelette Arnold Bennett. Bedrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, with period furniture, florals and tartan adding warmth to neutral décor. Rooms start at £275 per night including breakfast, based on two sharing. Check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Samling, Lake District The Samling is a luxurious country house hotel (think al fresco hot tubs, fine dining and ornamental water gardens) set in nearly 70 acres of woodland, gardens and fields, perfect for exploring at this time of year. It sits right on the banks of Lake Windermere. Most of the rooms overlook the lake (two have woodland and garden views instead), and all are decorated in plush neutrals, with sash windows, marble bathrooms and goose down pillows and duvets. For an extravagant stay, pick the Windermere suite: it’s at the very top of the estate and benefits from a private patio (with astonishing views) and a copper-clad freestanding bath. You're spoilt for choice with gardens to explore here, from the pretty cascading ornamental water gardens woven with paths and bridges to walking trails through the woodland carpeted with wildflowers in spring. The kitchen garden, surrounded by apple and nut orchards, is also well worth exploring. Cucamelons and microgreens grow in the central greenhouse, and meadows buzz with bees (their honey is used to sweeten desserts and cocktails). At the restaurant, with stunning lake views, executive head chef Robby Jenks is in charge of a modern menu that includes the likes of shellfish raviolo with citrus bisque, turbot with mussels and samphire, and rhubarb with vanilla, ginger and lemon. The breakfast menu is short, but includes kedgeree, homemade granola with yogurt, and fresh fruit. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at booking.com The Pig in the Cotswolds, Cotswolds The Pig in the Cotswolds embodies everything you’d want in a spring countryside escape. Set in a stunning 17th-century Grade II listed manor, the hotel is surrounded by gardens designed by Rosemary Verey, providing a serene and picturesque setting and unexpected sights to discover, such as a Tuscan temple that makes the perfect sunny spot to pause. The kitchen garden is the heart of each Pig – wander to explore for yourself, or join a daily guided tour. From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by a cosy and luxurious atmosphere, with each room meticulously restored to retain its historical charm while offering modern comforts. In the bedrooms you’ll find plush bedding, standalone baths, Nespresso machines and The Pig's signature rustic-chic décor. The hotel’s Fieldhouse Spa complete with garden terrace takes relaxation to another level, with soothing treatments, a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy plunge pool for unwinding amid nature and views over the countryside. The Pig's renowned '25-mile' menu is worth the visit alone. Standout dinner dishes include the Barnsley lamb chop, accompanied by produce straight from the garden, and the fillet of plaice with garden fennel and white wine sauce. Breakfast is equally delightful, with options ranging from smashed peas and poached eggs on sourdough toast to smoked trout royale. You’ll also find beautifully baked pastries, homemade granola and freshly squeezed juice. Prices per night start from £195. Check availability on mrandmrssmith.com Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire As well as ivy-clad turrets and excellent food, there’s one thing Glenapp Castle has plenty of: fresh air. It sits in 36 acres of grounds, detailed for guests in a beautifully illustrated map. You'll find plenty of woodland, plus herb, fruit and flower gardens, a 150 foot Victorian glasshouse and a croquet lawn, all surrounded by more open Scottish countryside to explore. You can also book onto more adventurous outdoor experiences such as foraging, mountain biking or canoeing on the loch. Despite the grand exterior (it was originally built in 1870 as an imposing family residence for James Hunter, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire), there’s no intimidating reception hall at the castle, just a welcoming parlour with neat piles of wellies for guests to borrow, panelled wash rooms and chesterfield sofas. Up a carpeted staircase is the drawing room, with stone fireplace and ceiling-high windows that frame a spectacular view of Ailsa Craig (you’ll find granite curling stones from the island propping doors open around the castle). Guest rooms, especially the master suites, are spectacular, with chandeliers, four-poster beds, huge windows framed by thick drapes and, in one case, a curved corner door that leads to a private spiral staircase... follow it down to reach a wooden hatch that opens onto the castle’s forecourt (imagine the trysts!). So big are the suites that guests also enjoy their own walk-in wardrobes, and there’s enough seating for at least a dozen people. Doubles from £395, check availability at booking.com or glenappcastle.com The Victoria, Norfolk Countryside meets coast at The Victoria, perched on the edge of the grand Holkham Estate and a short stroll from the vast beauty of Holkham beach. You can explore the grounds on bike or foot, meet the resident deer, row a boat on the lake or take a guided tour of the hall. The Holkham Stories experience explains the estate’s history, current sustainable practices and its plans to be carbon neutral. The magnificent walled garden grows everything from grapes – which go to make wine at Burn Valley Vineyard – to herbs, fruit and veg, which are featured in dishes at the hotel. Here, the menu references its support for suppliers throughout the region, from Arthur Howell butchers, Billy Ward’s lobster and Malt Coast Brewery in Wells-next-the-Sea to Fakenham’s Krusty Loaf bakery and Brancaster Bay shellfish. The dining room, with its forest-themed wallpaper, is a fitting setting for hearty dishes like Holkham venison curry and roasted pigeon with parmentier potatoes. Rooms are traditionally decorated, with classic striped fabrics, wooden dressing tables and chests of drawers, and Norfolk Natural Living toiletries. Doubles from £200. Check availability at booking.com or holkham.co.uk Grace & Savour, Birmingham Be fully immersed in a spring garden at Grace & Savour, a restaurant with rooms built into the walled garden within the grounds of contemporary hotel Hampton Manor. The sustainability-first operation has its own kitchen garden, with a tour offered on arrival. The handful of rooms have a pared-back Scandi sensibility and enticing views of chefs prepping dinner in the restaurant’s open kitchen. The industrial-style steel-framed panelled windows, and corrugated tables and headboards are softened by muted tones of clay and earth to give each bedroom a soothing feel. A huge bathtub and a generous bowl of bath salts demands to be used, and walk-in showers feature Birmingham-based Harvest Skincare. Dinner is a tasting menu of up to 14 well-balanced courses that reflect chef-director David Taylor’s commitment to seasonality, regenerative farming and animal welfare, all as beautiful as they are delicious. Chatting with the chefs from your counter seat or when they deliver dishes to the table is part of the fun, as is the wine pairing which focuses on lesser-known wines, many made in small batches. In the morning, breakfast overlooking the garden is three relaxed courses with juices and coffee: charcuterie, cheese and apples; yogurt and honey; sausage, spinach cooked in chicken fat and mustard, and a wonderful cinnamon bun. From £350 for dinner, bed and breakfast; hamptonmanor.com/grace-savour The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath Few visitors to Bath see beyond the façade of the magnificent Royal Crescent, the city’s most impressive landmark. Fewer guess that No 16 extends into beautiful hotel gardens with a lavender path, a haven for birds and butterflies where afternoon tea, cocktails and light lunches are taken. Chef Martin Blake balances simplicity with on-trend touches. The evening tasting menu at restaurant Montagu’s Mews starts with tiny canapés of Bath Blue cheese and avocado mousse with cucumber and borage. Then shokupan, a soft Japanese-style milk bread, with Ivy's Reserve butter from Somerset and smoked roe studded with salmon ikura. Hollandaise for beef tartare is spiked with Bath Ale and IP8 beer vinegar. A forced rhubarb dessert is softened with olive oil and vanilla. The comprehensive wine list includes confident choices such as a barrel-aged assyrtiko. The hotel’s five-star spa includes a heated pool with sauna and steam room, tranquil treatment rooms and another small garden where you can relax after a swim, still in your robe if you like. Rooms are built for comfort and luxury, some with terraces and views on to the gardens or over the sweeping lawns of the crescent. Fireplaces in bedrooms may be filled with decorative pinecones, modern art sits alongside vintage portraits and busts, and everywhere the outside is brought in with plants and floral displays. Rooms from £300 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Rudding Park, North Yorkshire This 2,000-acre Georgian country estate just outside Harrogate is a lesson in country luxury with a contemporary edge. 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands make relaxing walking routes (private guided tours are also available to book), with views over the golf course all the way to the Kilburn White Horse in the North Yorkshire Moors. The expansive kitchen garden grows over 500 different herbs, salad, fruit and flowers and is open from May for guests to explore. As the first rooftop spa to open in the UK, the garden spa also makes the most of nature and its outdoor setting, being designed to evolve with the seasons. In spring you'll look out over magnolia in full bloom. Take a leisurely circuit, alternating between hot and cold experiences such as an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms and a panoramic sauna. Inside the hotel, stone fireplaces and staircases contrast with pops of colour including pink chandeliers, striking sculptures and modern art. This playful design extends to the 89 rooms, split between the original Ribston wing (eight rooms of which have terraces that back onto rhododendrons) and the newer Follifoot wing, its larger rooms boasting standalone baths in copper-tiled bathrooms. Breakfast is taken in all-day restaurant Clocktower, with dishes such as harissa mushrooms on toast and the Full Yorkshire, as well as a modest cold buffet. We recommend finding a spot on the south-facing terrace or beside the 400-year-old olive tree in the conservatory. The hotel’s kitchen garden-led restaurant, Horto, offers sharing plates such as crisp tempura broccoli, honey roast fig and walnut flatbreads, toasted focaccia club sandwiches and tandoori monkfish kebabs. Rooms from £249 per night. Check availability at ruddingpark.co.uk or booking.com Cliveden House, Berkshire Nothing says English garden quite like a National Trust property. There is plenty to explore over 80 acres at Cliveden, from the formal rose garden and water garden to the impressive maze and plenty of woodland perfect for sunny spring walks. Inside the grand Cliveden House itself, you'll step back in time. Mahogany panelling is studded with oil paintings of former residents, including Frederick, Prince of Wales (mid-1700s) and socialite Nancy Astor (circa 1908). Cliveden was also the location of the chance meeting in 1961 between Secretary of State for War John Profumo and 19-year-old dancer Christine Keeler that began the Profumo affair. The ‘Profumo pool’ and hot tubs are cloistered by the old stables, which now house the indoor spa facilities (pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room) in neoclassical style, complete with wafting voile curtains. We’re shown to the Prince of Wales suite, boasting three fireplaces and sweeping views of formal gardens and the Thames cleaving through forested hills. It comes with access to the Butler’s Pantry for complimentary drinks and snacks. Make time for afternoon tea and sit in the windows with impressive views over the rolling gardens down to the river. After cocktails in the library, dinner echoes Cliveden’s initial use as a hunting lodge, with a silky venison tartare among the raw starters, then a surprisingly dainty slow-cooked guinea fowl. Desserts are generally rich with cream, but the lime macaron with lemon sorbet delivers a clean finish. Cooked breakfast is served in the same formal dining room but do venture next door, where the continental is beautifully presented in baroque surroundings. Rooms from £445 per night including spa access. Check availability at clivedenhouse.co.uk or booking.com Fowlescombe Farm, Devon Tucked in the foothills of Dartmoor, Fowlescombe Farm is a quietly luxurious rural retreat where regenerative organic farming and contemporary comfort meet with a fork-to-table food ethos. A weekly calendar of activities can be dipped into that will help you make the most of the beautiful surroundings. Go on a guided garden walk or farm tour to immerse yourself in the rhythms of the estate. Guided yoga in the garden and sea swimming with a post-dip croissant and flask of tea left us grounded. Daily menus are shaped by the land and seasons. The Refectory’s kitchen table seats 10 with a view of the chef at work. Expect dishes such as silky courgette and apple velouté, sirloin of shorthorn beef with tomato confit, and strawberry parfait with elderflower. Garden-to-glass gin and cocktail pairings add to the sense of place here. Dating back to 1537, the estate’s original Victorian farmhouse and timeworn stone barns have been thoughtfully restored, with just 10 suites spread across four distinct buildings. The Meadow Suite is a standout room, offering uninterrupted views over wildflower fields and woodland from its living room and vast bathroom. At breakfast, graze on the elegant buffet of granola parfaits, pastries, smoked salmon and charcuterie before ordering a Full Fowlescombe: hash browns, sausages, black pudding, homemade smoky beans and eggs to your liking, alongside green juice of the day and excellent coffee. Rooms from £375 per night, check availability at fowlescombe.com or mrandmrsssmith.com More hotel reviews Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Best Scottish hotels
My unexpected journey through Norway's fjords – saunas, seafood and striking views
Immerse yourself in nature and dive into the pristine, rugged beauty of Norway's western fjords
For more inspiring travel stories, check out a scenic journey through Cape Cod by bike, or the highlands of Peru by luxury sleeper train. Juggling a black coffee in one hand and a cinnamon bun in the other, I look out across the ripples our boat is creating as it moves through the reflective waters of Hjørundfjord, and realise why Norwegians head to the fjords for restoration. The quiet in this particular valley is paired with a soaring, rugged beauty. Around its edges it’s not unusual to see people diving into the water or climbing up its peaks. These wellness rituals – which encompass saunas too, of course – are themselves a wonderful match for a local food philosophy that brings people together over flatbreads, rich stews and bowls of cloudberries and lingonberries foraged on mountain hikes. For a true taste of Norway – and to get up close with the country’s enviable bounty of seafood – the striking western fjords are the place to explore. Whether you’re arriving via Oslo or from the UK (flights are around five hours via Amsterdam), the views heading into the colourful, art nouveau port town of Ålesund will awe you. It’s from the sky that you’ll get the truest sense of the place, gazing down at countless islands and islets in the Norwegian Sea below. It’s the ideal springboard for a five- to seven-day trip, hopping from place to place, immersing yourself in the sublime landscapes and raw beauty of this extraordinary part of the world. For a first meal that sets you up for a fjordic escape, book a table at Sjøbua. Taking over a handful of former fishing warehouses on the edge of the harbour, the restaurant leans into its history, serving some of the finest seafood on the west coast. One of the local catches is clipfish and you’ll find it here in its traditional form: salted and served as a croquette. The kitchen also crisps up its skin as an accompaniment to goat’s cheese and grayling roe. Order the prawns from nearby Midsund too. Naturally sweet and complex thanks to the ice-cold waters they’re caught in, they’re served simply with duxelles and burnt cream. The kitchen’s hero dish of halibut terrine with green peppers, white wine sauce and potato cakes is a polished take on a homely classic. The next morning is an opportunity for your first cinnamon bun fix. The best I tried were at Butikken, an eye-catching, sage-green coffee shop and deli. Part of the lovely harbour side Brosundet hotel, it’s the place to grab a box of buns to go as an afternoon indulgence, as breakfast at the hotel is enormous and varied. Among prettily presented cereals, meat, fish and bread, you’ll find the Norwegian delicacy of brunost, a brown cheese. Made from caramelised whey, brown cheese is more sweet than savoury, with a pleasant malty, fudgy taste that pairs well with waffles and raspberry jam. Another morning regular you’re likely to spy is kaviar, a salty roe paste that comes in a toothpaste-like tube. I squeezed some on half a hard-boiled egg but even the Norwegians around us admitted it’s an acquired taste. From then on I stuck to the waffles. From Ålesund, the closest fjord is Hjørundfjord, an uncrowded yet dramatic valley in the shadow of the towering Sunnmøre Alps. From a boat, the views impress whatever the weather: in winter the mountainsides transform into ski slopes, while spring and summer draw your eyes to the magnificent waterfalls and across to charming yellow and red wooden houses dotted along the water. The walking and biking routes along this valley are also much loved by locals – just remember to pack a bar of Kvikk Lunsj (which translates as ‘quick lunch’) in your coat pocket. Like a KitKat but better, it’s excellent hiking fuel. Spend time with some Norwegians and you’ll quickly see how much food – and the rituals around serving and entertaining – matters. Sometimes this is by necessity: the harsh winters mean there’s a reverence around hot drinks. These rituals are honoured at Union Øye, a wonderfully atmospheric 19th-century hotel at the end of one of Hjørundfjord’s passageways. As well as its gloriously grandiose interiors (think four-poster beds, roll-top baths and constant candlelight), a huge reason to stay here is its wooden sauna which floats on the fjord. Even in summer, diving into the water can be bracing – which makes the hotel’s signature hot chocolates, made with cognac, hand-whipped cream and squares of Freia Melkesjokolade chocolate, a welcome treat any day of the year. Come evening, its Palm Room bar serves a wonderfully sharp and bitter negroni, made using the local aquavit – a twist on tradition that’s well worth staying up late for. Another important stop-off around this part of Norway is Skarbø, a cider and cheese farm run by husband and wife team Kristine and Carlos. As the oldest daughter, Kristine inherited her family’s eighth-generation farm beneath Smørhylla mountain and she’s quietly set about turning its produce into an award-winning brand that’s now served in many of the fjords’ best restaurants and hotels. The farm shop is open year-round but in summer the pair hosts tours, cider tastings and tapas evenings at the farm. These are held in an atmospheric centuries old outbuilding with a grass roof. Before ducking through the door for lunch I spotted an unusual sculpture hanging on the side of the building. It turned out to be a curved rib of pork, air drying and aging ahead of a family celebration in a couple of months’ time. Inside, among antique crockery and farm tools, we ate steaming bowls of Kristine’s homemade cheese and cider soup. It was one of the most comforting things I’ve had in years and I regret not asking her for the recipe. If Sjøbua is the perfect start to a coastal escape, then The Boathouse is a fitting finale. Run by the team behind the fabulously cosy Storfjord hotel, this restaurant occupies a former hanger down by the fjord’s edge (you can work up an appetite by kayaking from the same dock earlier in the day). Open only on Friday evenings, its long-table group dinners are hosted by the hotel’s head chef Florian Harnisch, who cooks everything solo over an open hearth in front of you. And, wow, he can cook. On the night I dined he pulled together caviar and soured cream blinis; cooked oysters in cream and dill oil; langoustines in a deeply rich bisque topped with pickled pine shoots; bright scallops with cucumber and bergamot; and a fillet of reindeer served with jerusalem artichokes. Back up at the hotel’s main restaurant the fish soup and open prawn sandwiches served are just as refined in their simplicity – and its famed Sunday brunch tables are piled high with everything from gravlax to Norwegian-style fish tacos, all made with local catches. Trust me, after a meal here you’ll be grateful for the hotel’s variety of deep sofas and quiet corners. Your foodie adventure doesn’t have to end here. For a final bite you can order a traditional hot dog, complete with crispy onions and mayo, at Ålesund airport – and then buy all the Moomins biscuits, Minde banana chocolates and blocks of brown cheese you can stuff into your hand luggage. If this trip teaches you anything it’s that you should make snacking a sacred ritual back at home. More travel guides The best health and wellness retreats for foodies Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known cities 5 destinations at the cutting edge of sleep tourism Best romantic hotels Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best European city breaks 10 unique walking holidays for foodies 8 US cities to visit that offer spectacular value for money Best ski destinations in Europe
Why I love Western Cape, South Africa's diverse coastal province
Ryan Cole, head chef of fine dining restaurant Salsify in Cape Town, shares what puts South African cuisine on the map
Learn all about what makes the cuisine of this coastal region so special from local chef Ryan Cole. From social barbecues to freshly caught seafood and historic wine regions, there is plenty for foodies to enjoy. Make sure you include a couple of days in the city exploring Cape Town's best restaurants. Want to learn more about regional cuisine? Check out our guides to the cuisines of Kolkta in India, Istria in Croatia, the Nashville in America or Cork in Ireland. Western Cape cuisine: 10 things we love Constantia Wine Route Nestled in the slopes of Table Mountain, the Constantia Wine Route is the oldest wine region in South Africa. Through a combination of varied elevation, a cool climate and granite rich soils, this part of the world is famous for its world-class sauvignon blanc and shiraz. Take part in tastings and tours of the vineyards to take advantage of what this fantastic region has to offer. Vin de Constance It is said that many famous historical figures enjoyed this sweet dessert wine, made only in the Constantia region. Napoleon is said to have enjoyed this beverage while in exile on Saint Helena, and it appears in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility as a cure for a broken heart. This unique wine is definitely one to enjoy when you visit. Local catch As Cape Town is coastal city it is of no surprise that fish features heavily in local restaurant dishes. At my restaurants, Salsify and COY, fish is prominent on the menu and is caught by me or my brother Donovan, ensuring freshness and ethical sourcing. Tuna fishing is a significant industry in Hout Bay, with yellowfin, longfin, bigeye and skipjack varieties in the area. In the calmer bays near Simon’s Town and Kalk Bay you’ll find squid and reef fish. Biltong Originating in South Africa, biltong has in recent years been growing in popularity around the world. Commonly made with beef or game like springbok, this easy way of air drying and curing meat dates back centuries, and to the indigenous South African people. Whether enjoyed as an everyday snack, a day out essential or a lovely addition to a charcuterie, biltong is always readily available, and you can easily make your own. Springbok Springbok, South Africa’s national animal, is a popular game meat that’s lean and tender, comparable to veal or filet mignon. The best way to taste this is seasoned simply and cooked over a braai. You can also buy it as sausages or in biltong form. Braai Originating from the Afrikaans language, braai translates simply to ‘barbecue’ or ‘grill’ but the braai itself is so much more than that and deeply rooted in South African culture. It’s very much a social event meant to bring together friends and family around the open fire. At the heart of every braai is the meat, best cooked after being marinated for at least an hour in a range of herbs and spices. Roosterkoek A braai is not complete without its side dishes. Roosterkoek are small South African rolls cooked on a braai grid over the coals, served hot with plenty of butter. The word roosterkoek literally translates to bread cooked over fire. Made with a few simple ingredients these little pockets of dough are crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Boerewors Arguably one of the most popular foods in South Africa, boerewors is a beef sausage with strict guidelines on its making process. It must contain 90% meat to count as boerewors, with the remaining 10% being made up of herbs and spices like cloves, nutmeg and coriander, or sometimes other meat like lamb and pork. Of course, these are a staple for the braai. International influence With a long history of colonialism, South Africa’s food influence can be traced to many different African and European countries. Cape Dutch and Cape Malay are two of the main styles, focusing heavily on meat dishes, often cooked on the braai. Cape Town is arguably one of the best cities to find South Africa’s full range of dishes and influences, with a combination of traditional high-end dining establishments and a big street food culture. Street food and markets Cape Town is excellent at embracing street food culture, as seen through popular food markets like Oranjezicht City Farm Market and Neighbourgoods Market. These markets bring together the best of local farmers, chefs and suppliers for a uniquely casual take on South African cuisine. You’ll find burgers, tapas and the famous Gatsby – a giant sandwich filled with meat or fish, chips and sauces. 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Where to visit in April: from spring gardens in the UK to US food festivals
From Cornish seafood festivals to floating through the fjords of Norway, here's our pick of where to travel this month
Need some ideas on where to go on holiday in April? Check out our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break this spring, including a city break in Portugal, tulips in the Netherlands and a Cornish seafood festival. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best spring holidays or the best European city breaks. The UK at its best: Cornwall For a UK escape that combines coastal scenery with serious food credentials, few places rival Cornwall in spring. The tiny harbour village of Porthleven comes alive during the Porthleven Food Festival (24–26 April). More than 150 local producers and chefs (including Josh Eggleton, Jude Kereama and Tom Brown) descend on the harbour for demos, workshops and street-food stalls, with live music in the evenings. Drive half an hour across the county to base yourself in St Ives. Start the day at Brine for inventive brunch dishes overlooking the harbour – we love the Jaffle toastie, stuffed with fresh crab, Singapore chilli sauce and cheese. For relaxed small plates and cocktails with sunset views, try Silco Bar & Kitchen, while Porthmeor Beach Café pairs bold, spice-forward cooking with sweeping sea views. If you have time for a short coastal drive, book a table at the celebrated The Gurnard’s Head, a characterful pub known for beautifully cooked local fish and seasonal Cornish produce. Check out our full guide to the best restaurants in St Ives for more. The UK bolthole: The Bath Priory, Bath In a leafy part of Bath sits this impressive Georgian house, offering old-fashioned hospitality with wide appeal. Behind the ivy-clad building is a vast, not-so-secret garden that is the perfect spot for relaxing in April, featuring a spectacular Lebanon cedar tree, croquet lawn, sunken pond and kitchen garden growing herbs, edible flowers, fruit and veg destined for the dining room. Spring is when the wisteria-covered terrace shines, the perfect spot for taking afternoon tea. You can also order a picnic hamper to enjoy in the gardens, with a bottle of English sparkling wine. You'll have views of the garden at dinner too. Chef Jauca Catalin’s imaginative menu celebrates seasonal, local produce with some surprising Asian touches: a crab starter is teamed with lime confit, mooli and chilli peanut caramel; wild turbot is a complex dish of scallop mousse, caviar and miso and kombu tea. At breakfast there is a traditional approach, with eggs royale, benedict and florentine, alongside the full English and a fluffy omelette arnold bennett. Bedrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, with period furniture, florals and tartan adding warmth to neutral décor. Rooms start at £275 per night including breakfast, based on two sharing. Check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The seasonal city break: Porto, Portgual Portugal is one of Europe's sunniest destinations, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, so skip the April showers and head for a city break in Porto. Base yourself in the arty neighbourhood of Cedofeita, a network of cobbled streets brimming with independent shops, tavernas and bars. Browse the neighbourhood's galleries before seeking out sunny terraces to soak up the lively atmosphere – an olive tree provides shade for locals catching up over a glass of wine at Aduela, while Restaurante a Taska serves a great value set lunch of hearty Portuguese traditional dishes under the jacaranda trees, which bloom bright purple in spring so you can dine under the blossom. No-frills bistros in the quieter residential streets include Adega Do Carregal and Lareira – chef Pedro Braga's Mito has a fancier feel for contemporary sharing dishes. Hole-in-the-wall Generosa Pão e Pizza churns out hunky cinnamon rolls and pizza slices all day, to provide sustenance before an evening of wines by the glass at local hub Genuíno wine bar. Stay at Rosa et Al Townhouse, a six-room hotel, which is a lesson in boutique design – rooms blessed with original wooden floorboards, cornicing and sash windows that lead to balconies. Doubles from £111, check availability at booking.com. The cultural moment: Nashville, USA April is a busy time to be in Nashville, with plenty of festivals to visit – from the annual East Nashville Beer Festival to the Cherry Blossom Festival or Music City Food & Wine Festival. Every corner of Nashville pulses with live music and street food – tuck into The Grilled Cheeserie’s famous cheese toasties or sample from the eclectic range of cuisines at Assembly Food Hall in downtown Nashville. Biscuit Love is where to head for buttermilk biscuits topped with the likes of spicy fried chicken, local sausage gravy or berries and butter toffee syrup. Visit Butcher & Bee for unique meze dishes and standout burgers using locally grown ingredients. Before you leave, Nashville hot chicken is a must. Get it at Hattie B's, where the extra brave should try the ‘shut the cluck up’ spice level. The sleek double rooms at stylish Noelle provide a calm oasis from the buzz of the city, despite being close to Broadway and the heart of the action. Rooms have plush king-size beds, custom furniture and luxurious bathrooms. Make sure you leave enough time to visit Rare Bird, the rooftop bar and lounge, for a golden hour cocktail. Doubles from £237 at noelle-nashville.com, booking.com or expedia.co.uk The culinary destination to explore: Western Cape, South Africa Fly south to Cape Africa to enjoy world-renowned wine, barbecue and fresh seafood. Nestled in the slopes of Table Mountain, the Constantia Wine Route is the oldest wine region in South Africa, famous for its world-class sauvignon blanc and shiraz. Visit Buitenverwachting, renowned for its elegant wines, beautiful lawns and gardens, and wonderful hospitality. Enjoy casual charcuterie with wine pairings and picnics on the lawn, or have a full dining experience at the restaurant, with a focus on local ingredients, farmers and producers. Cape Town's coastal location ensures fish features heavily in local restaurant dishes. Tuna fishing is a significant industry in Hout Bay, with yellowfin, longfin, bigeye and skipjack varieties in the area. In the calmer bays near Simon’s Town and Kalk Bay you’ll find squid and reef fish. Salsify at the Round House has sweeping views of the Atlantic and Lion’s Head and all the fish in the restaurant is caught by chef Ryan Cole and his brother Donovan. It's not just all fine dining – Cape Town is excellent at embracing street food culture, as seen through popular food markets like Oranjezicht City Farm Market and Neighbourgoods Market. These markets bring together the best of local farmers, chefs and suppliers for a uniquely casual take on South African cuisine. You’ll find burgers, tapas and the famous Gatsby – a giant sandwich filled with meat or fish, chips and sauces. The boutique retreat: AS Boutique Hotel, Ljubljana, Slovenia Nestled into leafy Knafljev passage, this contemporary boutique hotel is built atop family-run dining institution Gostilna AS, right in the centre of the Slovenian capital. Designed to reflect the style of buildings in the Alpine north, the striking steel structure is entwined with plants in keeping with the area’s green status. The artistic focus continues inside, with a chic library and lounge area, walls lined with Slovenian pop art and contemporary light installations. The owner’s art collection adorns the 30 smart rooms, along with walnut wood panelling and bespoke corrugated wardrobes. Almost all have balconies that look onto pretty rooftops, many offering glimpses of the castle perched above. The Castle Exclusive room boasts uninterrupted views of the landmark, not only from the floor-to-ceiling windows but also reflected in the glass encasing an intricate wrought iron bedframe. There are multiple on-site restaurants to choose from: original Gostilna AS is the most traditional, with its atmospheric brick-lined room and sweeping walnut tree-shaded terrace both desirable spaces to enjoy elegant seafood-forward menus featuring grilled shrimp, tuna tartare, pulled veal cheek and strawberry cake. JAZ is highly acclaimed chef Ana Roš’s bistro-style spot, where playful creations showcase Slovenia’s rich bounty. Catering to a lively local crowd, Pop’s Aperitivo plays to Slovenia’s neighbouring Italian influence with casual pizza and pasta dishes, cherry negronis and olive oil fat-washed Italicus spritzes. Doubles from £222, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The alternative choice: Utrecht, Netherlands If you’ve already ticked Amsterdam off your list it is now time to explore more of the Netherlands and plan a spring city break to Utrecht. One of the Netherlands' oldest cities, it offers tree-lined canals, a charming personality and buzzy café culture – plus, proximity to the famous Dutch flower fields, with the flowers in full bloom from March to May. For top-notch seafood, visit the huge atrium dining room in Vis en Meer and order a seafood platter from the lively open kitchen. Dutch colonial history means The Netherlands also has a thriving Indonesian food scene with excellent cooking and BLAUW, serving Indonesian rice tables, is worth a visit. For drinks, Talud9 is a coffee bar by day and wine bar by night, all delivered in a pretty period warehouse on the canal. Eye Hotel is a smart boutique hotel in the centre of the city. Housed in an ancient eye hospital (hence the name), rooms have a Scandinavian feel with light and bright decor and a variety of room sizes to choose from (doubles from £109 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.com). Amsterdam is just a 20-minute train ride away, in case you haven't been and want to combine two flower-filled city breaks in one. The scenic pick: Tokyo, Japan Japan's cherry blossom season is famous around the world and while the precise best time to visit depends each year on the weather, most cherry blossom festivals begin around the end of March and can last well into the month of May. Visit Tokyo for plenty of scenic opportunities along with a jam-packed food scene, from super-fresh sushi to Michelin-starred ramen at Tsuta. Katsu fanatics should head to Mai Sen for their signature tonkatsu that attracts queues, whilst family-run Kyubey is the place for high-quality sushi. Soak up contemporary Japanese design with a stay at stylish OMO5 Otsuka. Situated on the third floor of a sky-high modern building, there are 125 rooms with an upmarket hostel feel. The OMO Café specialises in vol-au-vents for breakfast and lunch, alongside pastries made on site, all served with OMO speciality coffee. Head out with one of OMO’s 'rangers' for a foodie tour of the local area. Tailored around specific niches, you can choose between a local brewery crawl, a tour specialising in nostalgic Showa-style food, and one highlighting the hippest foodie spots in the neighbourhood. 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The slow travel adventure: Norway’s fjords Few places capture the spirit of slow travel quite like Norway’s fjords. In April, as winter loosens its grip, the landscape feels especially magical: waterfalls swell with snowmelt, the days grow longer and the jagged peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps are often still dusted with snow. On the glassy waters of Hjørundfjord, boats glide quietly across the reflective surface while red and yellow wooden houses dot the shoreline below towering mountains. The art nouveau harbour town of Ålesund makes an ideal base for exploring the western fjords over five to seven days. Travelling in spring means fewer visitors and a more peaceful atmosphere, perfect for drifting through the landscape by boat, bike or on foot and stopping in small villages and farming communities along the way. Food is central to life here. At Sjøbua, set inside former fishing warehouses on the harbour, the kitchen celebrates local seafood with dishes such as salted clipfish croquettes, sweet prawns from nearby Midsund and halibut terrine. Mornings might begin with cinnamon buns and strong coffee from Butikken, before setting out along fjordside trails — ideally with a bar of Kvikk Lunsj in your pocket. To embrace the local rhythm, end the day with a sauna overlooking the fjord before plunging into the icy water — a bracing but invigorating ritual that feels especially rewarding in Norway’s crisp spring air. The blow-out trip: Mexico City, Mexico We named Mexico City as one of our global cities that should be on everyone's bucket list and in April temperatures are still warm and dry, with the purple jacaranda trees coming into bloom. You'll want to set aside five or so days if you want to really get around the city's world-class restaurants. We suggest starting at Central de Abasto food market. It’s where 80 per cent of CDMX’s ingredients come from, so is a great spot to immerse yourself in the colours, flavours and scents of the scene, trying fresh guava and cactus as you go. Our favourite breakfast comes from Fonda Margarita, a no-frills café under a corrugated iron roof where diners can start their day with frijoles refritos con huevos (fried corn tortillas, cheese, beans, salsa and eggs), churros and hot sweet coffee. For a definitive high-end Mexican restaurant experience, book a table at Contramar in Roma Norte, which opened in 1998. Famous for its showstopping dessert trays, chef Gabriela Cámara’s buzzy kitchen turns out the likes of whole fish – butterflied, grilled and painted with parsley sauce on one side and smoky red adobo on the other – in a beautiful blue dining room. Another hero dish is its tuna tostada, which comes topped with chipotle aïoli and sushi-grade tuna. More travel inspiration... The small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations Best country hotels
Maunika Gowardhan's joyous Keralan dishes
Discover Maunika Gowardhan's mouthwatering recipes, inspired by her travels in Kerala
One of the most stunning regions within southern India is undoubtedly the state of Kerala. Most people I speak to who have visited always rave about the scenic views, food, culture and the local people. My first trip and introduction to the Malayali community was at the age of 12 when I made a trip to travel with family and friends across the city. Ever since, I have been so many times to explore the city, cuisine and also, by chance, for a family wedding. Seeing the varied communities within one region including Christians, Muslims and Hindus, and the differences in cooking styles, fascinates me. For instance, the Malayali Hindus have a unique cooking style with recipes and traditions which include religious practices that differ to the Christian and Muslim communities in Kerala. The prevalence of cooking fish, meat or poultry within the coastal region have come from the culinary influences of the Christian and Muslim families. A region renowned for its use of black pepper in curries and stir-fried dishes much before chillies made an entry into India. For me, delving into Syrian Christian cooking holds joyous memories as a young girl. I always turned to Mariam, a lovely lady who left Kerala to join our family home and brought along with her an abundance of local knowledge and recipes that I have adored. This in its truest form is where my love for (and introduction to) Kerala and its people began. She used to cook the most delicious avial (potato curry) and plenty of fish, as well as meat curries, too. She would share stories of her hometown and how they grew local veg, went fishing and ground spices. I could listen for ages and that is one of the reasons I thoroughly enjoy visiting Kerala even today. Maunika Gowardhan's Keralan dishes Kerala fish moilee This is best made with fish steaks, which are held together with the help of a centre bone and ensure the fish stays intact (ask the fishmonger to do this). If you can’t get steaks, chunky fillets will work. Nadan chicken peralan Last year during my travels in Kerala, I ate this chicken peralan and loved the flavours. Most family homes I’ve eaten this dish at have cooked the chicken separately to the gravy, although I prefer to make it all at the same time rather than in stages. Chicken peralan has heat, so tailor the level of spice based on how much you prefer. Vinegar, pepper and fennel add so much flavour, as well as a gorgeous aroma while complementing spices such as mustard seeds and curry leaves. Serve with rice, paratha or pathiri. Thakkali pachadi Delicious tomato chutney with chilli, coconut and curry leaves. Traditionally this pachadi is eaten with soft dosai or as part of a feast. Discover more of Maunika Gowardhan's crowd-pleasing recipes below: Chole palak (spiced chickpea curry) Vegetable raita Rajma tikki Sindhi dhal pakwan Chilli paneer fry Lamb chop curry Tarka dhal Goan prawn and coconut pie Nankhatai (cardamom biscuits)
Ljubljana's best restaurants: where to eat and drink in Slovenia's capital
Keep things local in the Slovenian capital with wild asparagus polenta fritters, nutty gelato and orange wines
Looking for the best restaurants in Ljubljana? Want to explore the best riverside bars and bistros in the Slovenian capital? Check out our guide below, then add on a few days exploring the mountain region of the Julian Alps. Chocolate box Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, a river romantically spanned by pretty bridges and pedestrian- and bike-friendly policies make Slovenia’s capital city one of Europe’s most civilised. It’s also one of the continent’s most foodie destinations, with a position between the Alps and the Adriatic that lends the local cuisine both an excellent range of produce and a real variety of culinary influences. Ljubljana's best restaurants, bars and cafés Open Kitchen Market – for a taste of Slovenia Every Friday, from March to October, Ljubljana’s Pogačar Square comes to life as the city’s Open Kitchen Market. There’s a festival atmosphere beneath the shadows of the green-domed Ljubljana Cathedral, and all manner of vendors, from farms to gourmet restaurants, sell dishes and drinks for visitors to graze on. Sample vibrant pumpkin seed oil and Broken Bones gin (distilled with linden flowers and rosehip from Slovenia’s Karst region), or tuck into dishes from the country’s top restaurants – Gostilna Mihovec, Vander and JB Restaurant. Finish your visit like a local by stopping off at Jezeršek’s corner stall for comforting kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes), topped with apple, mixed berries or chocolate sauce. odprtakuhna.si Aftr – for relaxed bistro dinners Pops of fun adorn this lively bistro, popular with Ljubljana’s in-the-know crowd. Striking pop art provides a backdrop to high-top tables and a disco ball hangs from the exposed industrial ceiling. A bar stands centre stage, behind which fresh, sparkling Medot Brut 48, dry Klinec Malvazija and complex Movia Veliko Rdeče blend are poured along with seasonal cocktails. The succinct sharing plates menu includes squidgy potato focaccia with whipped shallot butter, spiced pine nut studded lamb tartare wrapped in fragrant shiso leaf bites and Adriatic red snapper with white asparagus beurre blanc, finished with soft serve of the day. aftr.si JAZ – for spotlighting Slovenian produce Highly acclaimed chef Ana Roš is the executive chef at this bistro-style spot overlooking leafy Knafljev passage. Playful creations showcase Slovenia’s rich bounty – Waldorf salad spotlights green apple, folds of pickled celeriac, walnut mousse, kefir milk and lovage oil, while sea bream ceviche is dressed with puffed buckwheat, popping peas and fermented citrus and strawberry water ponzu. jaz.anaros.eu Črno Zrno – for coffee Črno Zrno translates as ‘black bean’ and this hole-in-the-wall spot is a temple to just that. Alexander Niño Ruiz sources coffee beans from his native Colombia, roasts them at renowned Slovenian roaster Stow, then serves the resulting brews in his perfectly formed coffee shop. The space is enveloped in blue and white Valencian tiles – chat with local coffee geeks over a meticulously prepared pour-over inside, or sit in the sun next to painted wooden shutters. Alexander’s niche is cold brew: try it on the rocks in a wine glass, or as an addition to a funky non-alcoholic cocktail made with Ruiz’ grandmother’s elderflower syrup. crnozrno.com Pekarna Osem – for baked goods The minimalist decor at this artisan bakery allows its products to shine. Dedicated young baker Andrej Gerželj is on site every morning, from 5am, preparing dough for crunchy spelt baguettes intertwined with Slovenian Tolminc cheese, and flaky pastry ribbons sprinkled with chocolate beads. The open bakery at the back means you can watch perfectly formed balls of dough being transformed into golden loaves, their comforting aromas filling the space. pekarnaosem.com Suklje – for Slovenian wine With its vaulted ceilings, riverside terrace and 300-strong wine list, Suklje is the place to spend a few hours sipping local wines. There are 200 bottles from Slovenia alone – grapes include fruity sauvignon blanc from the north east, the south west’s rounded and woody rebula epoca, and blue frankish from Suklje’s own vineyard in the south east, bursting with leathery notes and, red currant aromas. To go with it, order a charcuterie board of salty, silky prosciutto and marbled salami from Slovenian Krškopolje pigs, alongside aged kosect cheese and French comté. winebar.suklje.com Gostlinca AS – for elegant seafood lunches An atmospheric brick-lined room and sweeping, walnut tree shaded terrace are both desirable spaces to choose between at one of the oldest restaurants in town. The seafood-forward menu features grilled shrimp, tuna tartare and Adriatic monkfish, alongside pulled veal cheek and sliced roast beef tagliata baked on an open-fire grill. Plus walnut, blueberry or strawberry cake for dessert depending on the season. The extensive wine list is handily categorised by style – rich white, orange, fresh red – then divided into regional varieties including Stajerska, Vipavska Valley and Goriska Brda. gostilnaas.si Vigò – for gelato The queue for this popular gelato spot can stretch all the way to Ljubljana’s famous three bridges. The pull? Indulgent cooling concoctions to rival those of neighbouring Italy. Try the Vigo (fresh mascarpone, chocolate, hazelnuts and Nutella) or lemon tiramisu with mascarpone and chocolate sauce from a tap. The vegan sorbet is some of the best we’ve tried – rich dark chocolate laced with aromatic dried orange pieces. Order a cone to go and mooch through the surrounding streets as you lick it, or bask in the sun out on Vigò’s large terrace. vigo-icecream.com Moji Štruklje – for traditional dumplings Located in the arcade of Plečnik covered market on Ljubljana’s Pogačar Square, this family-run café specialises in štruklje dumplings. Traditional fillings range from tarragon to buckwheat with walnuts and sweet, raisin-flecked cottage cheese. More contemporary combinations include meat-pork crackling, mango-yogurt and pistachio-pumpkin seeds. Pair with a local draft beer (Union or Lasko are popular choices) or a craft pick – Yes Boss!, The 3rd PILL and Black Aurora – and soak up the bustling city vibes. moji-struklji.si Tabar – for Slovenian tapas Tabar, its chairs spilling out beneath sycamore trees, forms part of a buzzy courtyard set back from the city’s river. It specialises in Slovenian small plates – beef tartare with burnt aubergine, octopus with “half way” kimchi (not fermented, but cooked in spices), and warm rabbit terrine with burnt baby leeks surrounded by a moat of buttermilk and horseradish. Inventive vegetarian options include white asparagus with wild garlic, and ground chickpeas topped with bright peas and freshly picked salad leaves from the chef’s garden. The menu must-order is the “olive potatoes” – super-crispy little potatoes with notes of paprika and hidden olives. There’s also an impressive orange wine list to navigate, from mineral malvasia to raisiny jakot. Or go for Gordia’s unfiltered sparkling wine from the coastal town of Kolomban. tabar.si Gostilnica 5-6 kg – for pizza This rustic, brick-walled restaurant takes its name from the weight of a typical Slovenian suckling pig, cooked here in a bread oven. The slow-cooked pork is well worth a visit but so, too, are the pizzas (as they should be this close to the Italian border). The blistered crusts of Neapolitan-style pizzas wrap around bases topped with baked cherry tomatoes, confit garlic and basil. Toppings add extra punch – Pizza 5-6 kg is an indulgent combination of fior di latte, sausage, porchetta made from that slow-cooked suckling pig and roasted red pepper sauce. Or, go coastal and try the seafood pizza, complete with cuttlefish ink, sea bass fillet, royal prawns and capers. facebook.com/gostilnica56kg Stow – for coffee Cut through City Museum of Ljubljana’s striking courtyard and you’ll find this speciality coffee roaster. Light pours in through glass walls onto canary-yellow tables scattered across cobbled floors. Baristas treat the La Morzocco coffee machine with respect, and beans are treated as a seasonal fruit, procured from small-scale growers around the world and roasted on-site. In spring, go for the floral, honeyed notes of African burundi, or enjoy delicate jasmine and bergamot in Panama’s legendary geisha coffee. If the sun is out, sit and sip beneath a shady parasol in the museum courtyard. stow.si Butik LePotica– for traditional bakes This patisserie gets its name from the celebration cake it serves – shaped like a bundt, potica is traditionally eaten at Christmas and during celebrations. Walnut is the classic flavour, an earthy paste spiralled through the dough, while sweet tarragon is popular at Easter. At the small boutique, bakers create individual-sized treats and experiment with flavours such as poppyseed, chocolate, hazelnut and mint. le-potica.si :Projekt – for craft beer Opened in May 2025, this graffiti-clad bottle shop and bar is hidden up a paved pedestrian street in a more local part of town, not far from Dragon Bridge. Step down into the mint green space to peruse the brews on tap, shelves stocked with European craft beer and a fridge dedicated to Slovenian specialties. projekt.beer Ek bistro – for brunch Sit by the city’s Ljubljanica river to enjoy a backdrop of forest-blanketed hills, or settle into an exposed brick nook at this popular brunch spot. The eggs (benedict, scrambled, royale) are what draw the crowds, but larger lunch plates also shine – try plump pink duck on seasonal vegetables and sweet potato mash, or wild asparagus polenta fritters with fresh salad. Homemade ice teas include sparkling elderflower and lemongrass with mint, thyme and lavender. ek-bistro.business.site Pop’s Aperitivo – for buzzy local feels Catering to a lively local crowd, this expansive terrace bar and restaurant plays to Slovenia's neighbouring Italian influence with casual pizza and pasta dishes, cherry negronis and olive oil fat-washed Italicus spritzes. aperitivo.thepopsplace.com Lajbah – for Slovenian craft beer With 16 beers on tap and more than 130 bottles from around the world to choose from, this contemporary pub is a great place to taste some of Slovenia’s best-loved brews. Treat yourself to a beer flight and sample the likes of Pelicon’s Yess Boss! pale ale, Green Gold Brewing’s tropical IPA, and smooth, chocolatey HumanFish Baltic Porter. lajbah.si AS Boutique Hotel – a food-centric place to stay in Ljubljana Nestled into leafy Knafljev passage, this contemporary boutique hotel is built atop family-run dining institution Gostilna AS, right in the centre of the Slovenian capital. Designed to reflect the style of buildings in the Alpine north, the striking steel structure is entwined with plants in keeping with the area’s green status. The artistic focus continues inside, with a chic library and lounge area, walls lined with Slovenian pop art and contemporary light installations. The owner’s art collection adorns the 30 smart rooms, along with walnut wood panelling and bespoke corrugated wardrobes. Almost all have balconies that look onto pretty rooftops, many offering glimpses of the castle perched above. The Castle Exclusive room boasts uninterrupted views of the landmark, not only from the floor-to-ceiling windows but also reflected in the glass encasing an intricate wrought iron bedframe. There are multiple on-site restaurants to choose from: see above for more about Gostilna AS, JAZ and Pop’s Aperitivo. Doubles from £222, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com
Why spring is the best time of year to visit these 12 destinations
From exploring the UK countryside to blossom-filled European city breaks and adventures across the world, here's our pick of spring holidays for food lovers
Looking for spring getaway ideas? If your mind turns to a holiday as the days get longer and the weather starts to warm up, read our picks of the best spring holidays for food lovers. Whether you're looking to explore the UK countryside, a buzzing European city break or an adventure further afield, there's a spring break for everyone. You can explore markets, restaurants and bars in each destination, and we've included where to stay, from boutique hotels to cosy cottages. For more holiday inspiration, check out our best spa hotels in the UK, best UK city breaks and the best romantic hotels in the UK. For further afield, discover more of the best European city breaks. Jump to: UK spring holidays European spring holidays Further afield UK spring holidays Aldeburgh, Suffolk – for a seaside escape This coastal town in East Suffolk is a great base for chilled vibes, beach walks and a buzzing food scene. Local butcher Salter & King on the high street sells the finest Suffolk pork, lamb, beef and Sutton Hoo chickens, and it does a mean sausage roll. Stop in at Lawson’s Deli for a slice of Fen Farm’s exquisite Baron Bigod cheese – a Suffolk superstar – and grab a coffee with the locals from Munchies café. Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop is a must, as is a scoop or two from Ives or Harris & James, which both serve ice creams all year round (just mind out for the seagulls). White Hart Inn is a wood-panelled pub where all the locals drink – it’s the best spot for a bag of scratchings, a great Guinness and people watching. Pop to Fishers Gin distillery for a tour and tasting. For walks, take a stroll along the beach to local artist Maggi Hambling’s sculpture Scallop. For something longer, walk from Aldeburgh along the Sailors' Path all the way over to Snape Maltings (two hours at a leisurely pace) where you are rewarded with a world-renowned concert hall and an amazing antiques centre with shops, cafés and a deli. Passing cows and pigs, it’s a blissful walk through Snape Warren and the marshes – perfect for taking in Suffolk’s varying landscapes. Where to stay: Sitting proudly in the heart of Aldeburgh and just a second’s stroll to its shingle beach, The Suffolk is a restaurant with six rooms above which flies the flag for the county’s produce and producers. Head chef Luke Truelove (former head chef for Tom Kerridge) works closely with Aldeburgh fishermen, high street butcher Salter & King, and local veg grower Tilly Ware to ensure dishes like east coast lobster with garlic butter; whole brill to share with chips and tartare; and Iken Red côte de boeuf with béarnaise never disappoint. Check rates and availability at the-suffolk.co.uk or mrandmrssmith.com The Lake District – for spring walks With the landscape reawakening after winter, spring is a wonderful time to visit the Lake District. The region’s famed hospitality scene comes alive, with spring menus featuring local lamb, fresh fish and the first of the season's wild garlic. Plan a weekend away in early spring to explore the area’s walking routes, which are quieter before the Easter holidays rush. Miles Without Stiles compiles over 50 different walking routes across the Lake District, all intended to be as accessible as possible. As the name suggests, none of the routes have stiles to climb over, and there are no steep hills either – making it much easier for those with limited mobility to explore this spectacular part of the UK. You'll have worked up an appetite after all that walking, and in the Lake District, you're spoilt for choice. For special occasions, L'Enclume in Cartmel offers legendary Michelin-starred fine dining, as does Forest Side in Grasmere, set in a grand Victorian villa. Homeground in Windermere serves hearty brunches to set you up for a day of walking, and the region is scattered with great pubs – try The Punch Bowl Inn for elevated classics served next to roaring fires. Where to stay: Just a short drive from the North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall, Farlam Hall is perfect for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. As expected from a Michelin Key hotel and member of Relais & Châteaux, the rooms at Farlam Hall exude luxury. Thoughtfully designed interiors, rich furnishings and lovely views of the hotel’s tranquil grounds enhance the peaceful ambiance, whilst foodies will love the memorable dining experience at Cedar Tree Restaurant, balancing Indian flavours from chef Hrishikesh Desai with locally sourced ingredients. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at farlamhall.com or booking.com. Check out our full round-up of the best Lake District hotels for more. Porthleven – for classic Cornwall Cornwall makes a great option for a UK spring holiday and if you're not sure where to choose, Porthleven is buzzing base. The Porthleven Food Festival (24-26 April 2026) celebrates Cornwall's food and drink producers with demos, workshops and live music in a takeover of the whole town. Even if you're not there for the festival, Porthleven is full of foodie gems. The Ship Inn pub has an outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the harbour, head to Amélie for their famous Sunday lunch or pick up a classic Cornish pasty from Ann's Pasty Lounge. Where to stay: Go for a self-catering option in the heart of the action and stay in Harbour View Cottage, seconds from the centre of town and with views over Porthleven Harbour. This compact cottage for two has a cosy feel with underfloor heating, plus a well-equipped kitchen perfect for foodies wanting to take advantage of cooking the local produce. There is a separate private enclosed terrace opposite the cottage with a table and chairs with panoramic harbour views and it's perfect for outdoor eating or just enjoying a bottle of wine watching the sunset. From £595 per week, check availability at porthlevenholidaycottages.co.uk Wye Valley – for spring produce The banks of these Severn and Rye rivers come alive with lush greenery and produce in spring, making it the perfect time to visit and road trip through the countryside. Stop off at Wye Valley Produce's farm gate shop to pick up seasonal asparagus, rhubarb and more. Aside from food, a star attraction of the valley is the historical Tintern Abbey – on the Welsh side – whose romantic ruins sent Wordsworth and Turner wild. Nearby you'll find Parva Farm vineyard, whose wines (notably its Dathliad sparkling) are winning serious prizes. Head to The Whitebrook for a Michelin-starred experience which makes the most of local ingredients, from wild boar to foraged mugwort and sea woodruff. Where to stay: Parva Farmhouse is a gourmet bed-and-breakfast with impressive cooking and stunning views of the River Wye. The three-storey farmhouse has eight bedrooms – our top pick is room four to maximise the river views. Dinner is available Wednesdays to Saturdays and served in the property’s simple 16-cover dining room (open to non-residents, too). Menus are changed fortnightly, based around scrupulously sourced and fiercely seasonal ingredients. Breakfast is also a highlight, with twists on classics including homemade granola and fruit compotes or fried duck egg on sourdough. Doubles from £105 per night, check availability at parvafarmhouse.co.uk or booking.com. European spring holidays Valencia – for impressive festivals Valencia comes alive in March with the vibrant Las Fallas Festival (1-19 March), during which giant wooden figures are paraded through the city and set alight in dramatic bonfires. The streets are filled with music, fireworks and the irresistible aroma of sweet churros and buñuelos con chocolate, which are served in cafés and horchaterías during the festivities. Beyond the festival, Valencia’s orange trees are in bloom and the city’s Central Market is stacked with local produce, ideal for picnics. Sample classic paella on the beach, try horchata with fartons and soak up the city’s lively food culture. We also picked the city as one of our best sustainable travel destinations to visit for a greener trip – as a former Europe's Green Capital in 2024, there are around 200 kilometres of cycle paths and virtually flat terrain, which makes it easy to bike (and walk) between sights, including Valencia Cathedral and the art nouveau Central Market. Where to stay: Stay at the boutique 25-room Caro Hotel, set in a 19th-century palace, to be immersed in the city's history. You'll be surrounded by Gothic arches, a 2nd-century Roman mosaic and remnants of the 13th-century Arabic city walls. Doubles from £188; check availability at booking.com or thomascook.com <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/12/visit-valencia-hero-f5cc816.png" width="1800" height="1300" alt="Street view in Valencia of ornate architecture in warm sunlight, featuring colourful facades and intricate designs. People stroll along the bustling pavement" title="Street view in Valencia of ornate architecture in warm sunlight, featuring colourful facades and intricate designs. People stroll along the bustling pavement" /> Utrecht – for flowers and canalside cafés The best time to visit the famous Dutch flower fields is spring, as the flowers are in full bloom from March to May. Combine your visit with a city break in Utrecht, one of Netherlands' oldest cities with tree-lined canals, a charming personality and buzzy cafe culture. Talud9 is a coffee bar by day and wine bar by night, all delivered in a pretty ancient warehouse on the canal. For top-notch seafood, visit the huge atrium dining room in Vis en Meer and order a seafood platter from the lively open kitchen. Dutch colonial history means The Netherlands also has a thriving Indonesian subculture with excellent cooking and BLAUW, serving Indonesian rice tables, is worth a visit. Where to stay: Eye Hotel is a smart boutique hotel in the centre of the city. Housed in an ancient eye hospital (hence the name), rooms have a Scandinavian feel with light and bright decor and a variety of room sizes to choose from. Amsterdam is just a 20-minute train ride away, should you want to combine two city breaks in one. Doubles from £109 per night, check availability at eyehotel.nl, booking.com or expedia.com. West Sweden – for foodie walking trails Enjoy the improving spring weather by exploring the Swedish countryside. Follow the Gotaleden walking trail, treading through forests blanketed with tiny flowers, winding along rivers and clambering over rocks around Lake Aspen. Reward yourself in Lerum at psychologist-turned-fromager Hans’s Garage Fromage. If you'll be arriving into Gothenburg, the city's courtyards and terraces come to life in spring – try flash-fried herring at quirky food truck Strömmingsluckan or head out on the ferry to the archipelago for a taste of Styrsö’s car-free island life and cinnamon buns at charming Café Obergska. For more walking holiday inspiration, check out 11 unique foodie-friendly hiking trails or 1o unique walking holidays for food lovers. Where to stay: Spend the night at Nääs Fabriker, an old cotton factory built in 1890, now home to a stylish hotel with onsite restaurants, shops, bakery and brewery. Wrap up in your robe and pad to the al fresco lakeside spa to sink into the jacuzzi, dip in the lake and warm up in the sauna. Book a table in the plant-adorned conservatory room in the main restaurant for dishes such as grilled scallop with fried chorizo crumble, venison tenderloin with Swedish mushrooms and blackberries, and lingonberry and malt hop sorbet. Doubles from £97 per night, check availability at naasfabriker.se, booking.com or expedia.co.uk. Porto – for dining beneath the blossom Base yourself in Porto's arty neighbourhood of Cedofeita, a network of cobbled streets brimming with independent shops, tavernas and bars. Browse the neighbourhood's galleries before seeking out sunny terraces to soak up the lively atmosphere – an olive tree provides shade for locals catching up over a glass of wine at Aduela, while Restaurante a Taska serves a great value set lunch of hearty Portuguese traditional dishes under the jacaranda trees, which bloom bright purple during the spring months. No-frills bistros in the quieter residential streets include Adega Do Carregal and Lareira – chef Pedro Braga's Mito has a fancier feel for contemporary sharing dishes. Hole-in-the-wall Generosa Pão e Pizza churns out hunky cinnamon rolls and pizza slices all day, to provide sustenance before an evening of wines by the glass at local hub Genuíno wine bar. Where to stay: Rosa et Al Townhouse, a six-room hotel, is a lesson in boutique design. Rooms blessed with original wooden floorboards, cornicing and sash windows that lead to balconies are made even more beautiful with claw-footed baths, contemporary furniture and local art. There's a trendy food shop that doubles with a reception desk. For breakfast and brunch, 50 jars of tea (some made with herbs from the garden) cover a large serving table; you can choose your own Portuguese tinned cod or sardines; and there’s a dinky walled garden out back where you can sit around tiled tables, eating eggs with spruced-up sides and drinking freshly squeezed orange juice in the sunshine. Doubles from £117 per night, check availability at rosaetal.com, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com. Seville – for a sunny city break This orange-tree filled city comes into full bloom in spring. One of the best ways to experience Seville’s fabulous gourmet scene is to engage in your own little ‘tapeo’ – a relaxed wander around some of its many bars. Sixto Tovar’s Eslava bar is at the forefront of innovative tapas in Seville. Park yourself at the counter for must-try honey pork ribs and award-winning huevo tapa, along with a recommended wine. Set a few hours aside to try all the food on offer at Lonja del Barranco gourmet food market, an indoor food market with plenty to choose from, from steak to seafood, tacos to croquettes. Dig into a bowl of spicy paella or try over 150 artisan cheeses from all over the world. Where to stay: The Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza is a charming hotel housed in a beautiful 18th-century ‘corral de vecino’ (characteristic of the city, these are apartments built round a courtyard) in the barrio Santa Cruz. Rooms are elegantly decorated in neutral tones and a suntrap rooftop pool with plenty of loungers is a highlight to come back to after days exploring the city. Doubles from €135 per night, check availability at hospes.com, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com. Spring holidays further afield Nashville – for food festivals and live music Spring is a busy time to be in Nashville, with plenty of festivals to visit – from the annual East Nashville Beer Festival to the Cherry Blossom Festival or Nashville Food & Wine Festival at the end of April. Every corner of Nashville pulses with live music and street food – tuck into The Grilled Cheeserie’s famous cheese toasties or sample from the eclectic range of cuisines at Assembly Food Hall in downtown Nashville. Biscuit Love is where to head for buttermilk biscuits topped with the likes of spicy fried chicken, local sausage gravy or berries and butter toffee syrup. Visit Butcher & Bee for unique meze dishes and standout burgers using locally grown ingredients. Before you leave, Nashville hot chicken is a must. Get it at Hattie B's, where the extra brave dare to try the ‘shut the cluck up!!!’ spice level. Where to stay: the sleek double rooms at stylish Noelle provide a calm oasis from the buzz of the city, despite being close to broadway and the heart of the action. Rooms have plush king-size beds, custom furniture and luxurious bathrooms. Make sure to save time to head up to Rare Bird, the rooftop bar and lounge, for a golden hour cocktail. Doubles from £237 at noelle-nashville.com, booking.com or expedia.co.uk. The Philippines – for remote island adventures The month of May is a great time to visit this stunning archipelago of 7,000 tropical islands. The warm climate hasn’t quite reached rainy season, and tropical fruits are in abundance – taste Java plums, jackfruit, watermelon, pineapples, pomelo and the islands’ national fruit, mangos (try to find the champagne mango, considered the sweetest in the world). Chicken adobo is the unofficial national dish of the Philippines and every family has their own recipe – try a variety to find your favourite. Where to stay: Community-based hospitality initiative Tao offers different sustainable tours of the islands from two to four nights. A true escape (don’t expect room service or WiFi), here you can wake up each morning in a bamboo hut before heading out on a private boat tour, going snorkelling or swimming off deserted beaches or enjoying a traditional massage. In the evenings, return to sip on rum cocktails and feast on fresh fish in the company of your fellow adventurers. From £380 for a two-night trip, check availability at taophilippines.com. Tokyo, Japan – for cherry blossom season and local tours Japan's cherry blossom season is famous around the world and while the precise best time to visit depends each year on the weather, most cherry blossom festivals begin around the end of March and can last well into the month of May. Visit Tokyo for plenty of scenic opportunities along with a jam-packed food scene from super-fresh sushi to Michelin-starred ramen at Tsuta. Katsu fanatics should head to Mai Sen for their signature tonkatsu that attracts queues, whilst family-run Kyubey is the place for high-quality sushi. Where to stay: Soak up contemporary Japanese design at stylish OMO5 Otsuka. Situated on the third floor of a sky-high modern building, there are 125 rooms with an upmarket hostel feel. The OMO Café specialises in vol-au-vents for breakfast and lunch, alongside pastries made on site, all served with OMO speciality coffee. Head out with one of OMO’s “rangers” for a foodie tour of the local area. Tailored around specific niches, you can choose between a local brewery crawl, a tour specialising in nostalgic Showa-style food, and one highlighting the hippest foodie spots in the neighbourhood Doubles from £99 per night, check availability at omo-hotels.com, booking.com or expedia.com. More travel inspiration... The small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations Best country hotels
Pintxos is going to be a big trend this year: here’s where to eat
Be transported to the Basque Country in these chic pintxos bars across the UK, each making buzzy hangouts for relaxed grazing
Looking for an authentic taste of the Basque Country without taking the flight? The UK's clutch of cool pintxos bars offer the best of south-west Europe’s snacking culture and serve up the classics in a typically casual fashion, from gildas and gambas al ajillo to lightly sparkling txakoli. Capturing the spirit of pintxos (Basque-style tapas), these buzzy tabernas make great spots for Spanish-style grazing and sipping. Best pintxos bars in London Legado, Shoreditch Experience Basque dishes on a fine dining level at this elegant outlet, inspired by Basque-born chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho's childhood. Open for walk-ins only, The Taberna – the pintxos and tapas bar separate to the main restaurant – features an all-day menu that's nearly impossible to pick favourites from. However, the gordal olives and the chicharrón de Cádiz are currently on the menu and are must orders. You can also find pan con tomate, bocadillos and croquetas among the options, with a broad drinks list featuring vermouth, dry and sweet sherry and ‘three-sip’ cocktails. legadorestaurants.com Tollington's, Finsbury Park Housed in a former chippy, this Iberian-style fish bar breaks with tradition, inspired by the flavours of northern Spain but using local ingredients to give it a distinctive twist. Vermouth flows on tap, while the chips get a spicy salsa brava makeover – fried in beef dripping and finished with a generous hunk of homemade allioli. The line-up also includes the mighty bifana sandwich, pickled anchovies and battered cod cheeks. The standing-only terrace and walk-in-only bar counter area elicits the energy of a backstreet San Sebastián bar, plus a back room for sit-down meals. instagram.com/tollingtons.fishbar Bar Flor, Belgravia Tucked away above Wildflowers in Belgravia, Bar Flor is a warmly lit wine bar inspired by Spain's love of sherry and vermouth. Expect a thoughtful selection of sherries – from saline manzanilla to the palo cortado and raisin-rich PX – alongside English vermouth from Vault, which can be enjoyed neat or topped with soda or tonic. There’s also Basque cider and a handful of cocktails, including a bittersweet adonis (sherry and vermouth) and a dirty martini with a tangy peschiole pickle liqueur twist. Crafted by co-founder and chef Aaron Potter, the menu offers a line-up of pintxos and tapas that are perfectly matched to the drinks. Highlights include cave-aged manchego with honey, juicy gambas al ajillo and a deep-fried oyster draped in iberico guanciale. The must-order is the calamari sandwich: crisp, hot, deep-fried squid tucked into a baguette and slathered with garlicky allioli – a nostalgic nod to Madrid’s classic bocadillo de calamares. Bar Valette, Shoreditch Bar Valette captures the spirit of a warm neighbourhood hangout – expect mustard-hued banquettes, crisp white tablecloths and pops of modernist art, with the hum of conversation from the semi-open kitchen and bar. The bar's Pintxos Hour is a must for those seeking a taste of Basque Country's lively bar culture. From Tuesday to Saturday 5-7pm the bar serves up £4 drinks and a changing menu of pintxos, including classic gildas, barbajuans, mussel and pork skewers, and sardine toast. It’s a convivial way to graze your way through a variety of appealing morsels, in a buzzy setting that feels both welcoming yet stylish. barvalette.com Bask Street Boys, Seven Dials Market Bask Street Boys within Seven Dials feels more true to the pintxos bars in San Sebastián, where you tend to stand up and eat. The rotating line-up of pintxos, cold cuts, cheeses and classic gildas evokes the Basque ethos: simple, confident food done properly. Pan con tomate (our favourite on our visit) sits alongside golden Spanish tortillas, made with distinctly Basque ingredients like paprika-spiced txistorra (a type of chorizo). Graduating from KERB’s inKERBator programme in 2024, the team traveled extensively through the Basque region, learning from local chefs and home cooks, and perfecting recipes passed down through generations. baskstreetboys.com Topa, Islington By day this neighbourhood spot is the slick Provisions deli, well stocked with continental cheeses, charcuterie and fine wines. Come evening, Provisions morphs into Topa (meaning cheers in Basque) – a homage to San Sebastián just minutes from Highbury & Islington station. The set-up is as convivial as the food: a communal table stretches through the space, inviting guests to share dishes and conversation, while those seeking a cosier setting can opt for a barrel table. Chef Simon Shand draws on the deli’s premium produce to craft Basque bites, from nutty ossau-iraty cheese paired with roasted pickled onion to morcilla blood sausage with apple – a clever balance between savoury and sweet. The gildas, a trio of guindilla pepper, anchovy and olive, deliver a punchy hit of salt, heat, crunch and creaminess. From the plates think meltingly tender pork cheek stew atop creamy polenta, and wild mushrooms crowned with raw egg yolk and translucent guanciale. Order a glass of txakoli to drink, the lightly sparkling Basque white wine, or try a patxaran and tonic for a traditional aperitif with subtle notes of sloe berry. provisionslondon.co.uk Bar Rioja, King's Cross Tucked away around the corner of King's Cross St Pancras, Bar Rioja is an Andalusian-style hideaway dedicated to the celebrated wines of Rioja. This intimate spot is perfect for those interested in immersing themselves in the region’s famed hospitality. Pintxos are the star of the show here – from the quintessential Basque gilda (anchovy, pickled pepper and green olive skewered together) to more indulgent plates such as slow-braised, roasted Segovian suckling pig with celeriac purée and amontillado sherry jus. Hire the space and book in a tasting with passionate owner Richard Bigg for a truly memorable evening, his knowledge of Rioja’s vineyards is matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing them. barrioja.co.uk Best pintxos bars across the UK… Pintxo de Bath, Bath Tucked away in Bath’s theatre district, Pintxo is a Basque-inspired tapas bar that brings a slice of northern Spain to Somerset. The pretty garden out back is the perfect spot for lingering over its dedicated sherry menu, while inside the menu is all about sharing plates and sociable snacking. Start with pan con tomate y jamón, or opt for tinned sardines with bread and aïoli before moving on to albóndigas (meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce), gambas al ajillo and fried padrón peppers. For something sweet, the concise dessert menu delivers: warm chocolate and almond cake, and vanilla ice cream can be enjoyed solo or together, ideally with a shot of pedro ximenez sherry on the side. pintxobath.co.uk Curado, Cardiff Brought to life by the trailblazing team behind Welsh deli Ultracomida, Curado is Cardiff’s go-to for authentic pintxos and relaxed Spanish vibes. Settle in at the bustling bar for chargrilled lamb cutlets dressed with a punchy garlic and parsley picada, or opt for baked Valencian goat’s cheese and cuttlefish a la plancha. Pintxos and jamón are sourced straight from Spanish suppliers, ensuring every bite feels like a quick trip to the Basque Country. When the evening calls for a little more, slip next door to cosy sister spot Vermut, where sherry and the eponymous herbal wine take centre stage. curadobar.com Pintxo, Fowey Step away from Fowey’s bustling quayside and wander towards the esplanade, where Pintxo sits tucked between lofty townhouses. This lively tapas bar is the go-to for a Spanish-inspired lunch, with a menu that champions Valencian rosemary almonds, fiery pickled chillies and manchego drizzled with orange blossom honey. There’s plenty for those in search of something special: think spider crab and saffron croquetas, best paired with either a chilled glass of manzanilla, Spanish brandy or a pour of traditional El Gaitero cider. pintxofowey.co.uk Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Chelsea Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
8 US cities to visit that offer spectacular value for money
These US cities offer foodies great value for money, alongside world-class restaurants and attractions
Heading stateside in search of a city break that won’t leave your bank balance in the red? We’ve got the lowdown on eight fantastic, affordable US cities that should be on your radar right now. Each city has an incredible food scene to discover, from tacos in California to Chicago's famous pizza, alongside plenty of memorable attractions to fill your trip with – all with clever tips that will get you more bang for your buck. For more travel inspiration, check out our guides to 11 incredible UNESCO cities of gastronomy to visit and 9 cities that should be on every foodie's bucket list. 8 affordable US cities to visit Huntington Beach, California Huntington Beach (also known as Surf City USA) is a haven for surfers, offering year-round surf, extensive sandy beaches and a relaxed vibe. And, you don’t have to be an A-lister to enjoy it: with 16 kilometres of beaches, it’s a perfect city for water babies and there are plenty of memorable ways to spend your time (rather than money). Regular free events are held on the beaches, including the weekly Surf City Nights street fair and the Pacific Airshow in October. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve has free admission and is spread over 1,3oo acres – filled with hiking trails and guided tours to help you explore the estuary. Bonus points if you spot a rare California gnatcatcher – the small, fluffy grey bird is one of the region’s cutest winged wonders. The Surf City USA Foodie Awards celebrate local, affordable cuisine, so there's plenty to eat and drink after all that surfing and hiking. Visit Tacos Los Cholos – the current holder of the Best Tacos award – where tacos start from just £2.23. For those with a sweet tooth, Handel’s offers around 50 rotating flavours of ice cream every month (the caramel apple flavour is a must-try all year round). Portland, Oregon One of Portland's main value-for-money USPs is that Oregon is one of only five US states without sales tax, which means you can save that bit extra on souvenir shopping. We like the Pearl District – famous for its eclectic mix of craft breweries, cafés, galleries and bookstores – for picking up something special. Plan your trip for the start of the month to make the most of 'free Thursday'. On the first Thursday of every month, shops, galleries and restaurants offer extended hours and hold free special events. Plus, various attractions – including the Portland Art Museum, the west coast’s oldest museum – waive admission fees. Book lovers should check out Powell’s Books, which covers an entire block and is the world’s largest new and used bookstore – sign up for a tour of this historic site to make sure you see it all. Then, there’s the food: surrounded by vineyards and farmland, Portland has an incredibly diverse food scene. The city's famous food carts are great options for wallet-friendly fare, and a chance to try plenty. With over 500 to choose from, track the best ones down using the city's Food Cart Finder. Alternatively, start your search in Hawthorne, a hip, foodie-friendly neighbourhood where you’ll find carts specialising in everything from burritos to baklava. For a chocolate fix, try Jinju Patisserie, which scooped the prestigious James Beard award for Best Bakery in 2025 (the chocolate cinnamon coffee cake is our top recommendation). Detroit, Michigan The innovative, vibrant city of Detroit has a true pioneer spirit, and is now a magnet for chefs, mixologists and entrepreneurs, all lured here by the sense of creativity. Exploring the city is affordable, too, with a free metro travelling through downtown. Detroit chefs have a passion for local, seasonal cuisine. At the Selden Standard, executive chef Andy Hollyday sources almost all his ingredients from local farms, serving up creative takes on American classics, such as grilled Michigan pork with kohlrabi and coriander vinaigrette. “Detroit's food scene is a reflection of its resilience and creativity,” says owner Michael Symon. "We're not just serving meals; we're telling stories through our dishes.” Some of the most legendary food spots in Detroit are also its most casual ones. At Eastern Market, one of the oldest and largest year-round markets in the US, you’ll find dozens of stalls run by local farmers alongside a wide range of cafés and speciality stores. Stop off at Anthology Coffee for rare brews, such as fruity Red Catuai coffee beans from Guatemala. The city’s hotels are wonderfully wallet-friendly, too. Rooms at the Siren Hotel – inside the Wurlitzer Building, which was built in the 1920s and is the site where the company’s organs and jukeboxes were once made and played – start from just £110 per night. Galveston, Texas Galveston offers it all: a vibrant culinary scene, unique museums and broad beaches for relaxing. And, you can enjoy everything regardless of your budget. The 51 kilometres of beaches are one of Galveston’s biggest attractions, and they're all free to visit. We recommend East Beach for its boardwalk and packed calendar of events (ranging from sandcastle competitions to music festivals) or family-friendly Stewart Beach for calm, shallow water. Galveston is an incredibly walkable city, thanks in part to the magnificent architecture you’ll see at every turn. Free attractions include the Galveston County Museum and Rosenberg Library Museum, or you can take a free tour of the Grand 1894 Opera House, built by New Orleans architect Frank Cox. If you've got plenty to see on your list, get a Galveston Island Pass (from £22) – you’ll save up to 40 per cent on admission to the city’s most popular attractions. All that sightseeing will make you hungry, but luckily, Galveston's fantastically diverse food scene has plenty to discover. For ocean-fresh seafood, try Gaido’s Seafood, while a visit to the family-run Sunflower Bakery is a great place to start the day – try the Texas Crab Cakes & Eggs or the challah french toast. Chicago, Illinois A world-famous food scene, rich history and distinctive architecture mean there are plenty of reasons to visit Chicago, and it’s surprisingly affordable. You can visit the Chicago Cultural Centre (sign up for one of the free tours to learn more about its architecture, which includes the world’s largest Tiffany glass dome) for free, as well as the National Museum of Mexican Art. Find your bearings with a free Chicago Greeters tour – an initiative during which you're guided around the city by an expert local. It's a good way to walk off your meals while planning the next! And, we’re not just talking about pizza (although you can’t visit Chicago without checking out Uno Pizzeria, the first to serve deep dish pizzas in 1943) – Chicago has a huge number of Bib Gourmand restaurants (awards given to restaurants serving fantastic food at wallet-friendly prices). Our favourites include South Carpenter Street’s HaiSous for Vietnamese cuisine and West Kinzie Street’s library-like Gilt Bar for hearty comfort food – the handmade pasta dishes are legendary. Manchester, New Hampshire The compact city of Manchester is an hour’s drive north of Boston, easy to explore on foot and has a laid-back food scene that's perfect for exploring. Plus, as it's in New Hampshire, you'll enjoy all it has to offer without paying sales tax. This is also a state that's mad about sport: visit Manchester's Delta Dental Stadium, home to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, to take in a baseball game from just £7.45 for single tickets. One of the city's most popular events is May’s downtown Taco Tour Manchester, where you can check out hundreds of restaurants serving signature tacos for just $3. Fans of fried chicken will be happy here, too: Manchester is known as the 'Chicken Tender Capital of the World'. The best place to have them is Puritan Backroom Restaurant, credited with creating the dish in 1974 (if you visit, request the moreish cracker crumb topping). San Antonio, Texas Don’t get us wrong – we’ve got a lot of love for the more famous Texas cities of Austin and Dallas, but you’ll pay significantly less for hotels in San Antonio. Enjoy old-school opulence at the historic Menger Hotel (the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi) starting at around £105 per night. The hotel is located just across the road from the UNESCO-listed Alamo, one of the city’s countless free attractions. Others include the San Antonio Missions National Park and Japanese Tea Garden. San Antonio is one of only two UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy in the US, and 2024's inaugural Texas Michelin Guide awarded various accolades to San Antonio restaurants like Mixtli, which bagged the city’s first Michelin star. Michelin Bib Gourmand awards were even more prolific – recipients included The Jerk Shack, Ladino, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and Cullum’s Attaboy, famous for its brunches. It’s the diversity that truly sets this city’s cuisine apart – this is a place where you can head to a Mexican bakery for breakfast before feasting on German-influenced dishes for lunch and Asian-Latin fusion cuisine for dinner. Our top pick? Best Quality Daughter restaurant’s curry guisada dan dan, which combines Asian noodles with carne guisada stew. Sounds unusual, but trust us – it works. Jacksonville, Florida There’s never a bad time to visit sunny Jacksonville, although November is the perfect month for families, thanks to Kids Free November – attractions such as the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Museum of Science and History offer free or discounted entry to families during this period. While many visitors flock to Jacksonville for its 35 kilometres of beaches, its food scene alone makes this a destination worth visiting. Explore the quirky coffee and donuts trail to discover local cafés and indulge your sweet tooth. The Mayport shrimp trail was also created to showcase the city’s fabulous seafood – specifically Mayport shrimp, caught at the nearby mouth of the St Johns River. Visit Chowder Ted’s, where an enormous platter of seafood will set you back just £16. More travel guides The best health and wellness retreats for foodies 5 destinations at the cutting edge of sleep tourism Best romantic holiday destinations around the world Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best European city breaks 10 unique walking holidays for foodies Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known destinations
Best restaurants in Amsterdam: an insider shares where locals eat and drink
Head to the Dutch capital for Michelin-starred dining, great bakeries, relaxed canalside wine bars and more
Looking for the best restaurants in Amsterdam? Though the Dutch capital hasn’t always had a reputation as a foodie destination, a wave of independent restaurants, cafés and wine bars has begun to change that in recent years – and is putting Amsterdam firmly on the culinary map. Gina Jackson, who visits the city several times a year, gives us the insider rundown on the best places to eat and drink. For more travel inspiration, discover our favourite foodie city breaks by train and the best UK city breaks. Best restaurants in Amsterdam Oficina Located on the western edges of the city, in a part of Amsterdam that most tourists don’t venture out to, Oficina is well worth the pilgrimage. This self-described design studio and canteen pairs a striking, architect-led space – complete with a sculptural staircase and mint green mezzanine – with a breakfast and lunch menu that changes regularly. The cooking leans Scandinavian and northern European in spirit: clean, thoughtful and seasonally informed. Expect beautifully presented plates such as chickpea flatbread with cime di rapa or miso scrambled eggs on toasted brioche. There are always home-baked goods worth saving room for too. oficinaoficina.com Calisto Part of the Binnenvisser restaurant family – a micro-chain of much-loved restaurants and bakeries popular with Amsterdam’s in-crowd – Calisto is its relaxed, Italian-inspired trattoria located in Jordaan. It’s an ideal place to unwind after a day wandering the canals, with the menu offering a short curation of handmade pastas and small plates to pair with wine. It’s also particularly welcoming for solo diners, who can perch at the bar and rub shoulders with the locals. calistoamsterdam.nl Gitane This all-day restaurant owned by ex-Ottolenghi chef Angelo Kremmydas is the kind of place that you can visit for brunch and while away the hours until dinner, when the candelit tables make it perfect for a date night. There’s shakshuka and Greek bagels on offer at brunch, which segue into small plates come evening: whipped tarama and cod’s roe piled onto a tear-apart brioche roll, mackerel crudo in kumquat and chilli oil, and tender duck with caramelised jerusalem artichoke – all paired with an impressive wine list. Walk it all off at nearby Vondelpark afterwards. restaurantgitane.nl/en Advocatuur This sleek cocktail bar is located inside the swanky Rosewood Amsterdam, which sits within the historic former Palace of Justice. Inside, the bar features three distinct rooms, including a live performance room and a distillery room. Take a seat on the velvety furnishings and sip cocktails, paired with Indian-inspired nibbles served straight from the bar’s two tandoor ovens. rosewoodhotels.com/en/amsterdam/dining/advocatuur Salvo Bakehouse There’s no shortage of great bakeries in Amsterdam but Salvo Bakehouse stands out from the crowd thanks to its Italian-inspired pastries. Located on the edge of Jordaan, you’ll find maritozzi, crunchy cannoli, thick Florentine sandwiches and endless other desserts. The baked goods counter changes constantly, ensuring there’s always something new to try: the chunky chocolate cookies and pistachio tiramisu have to be my personal favourites. salvobakehouse.com Café Twee Prinsen Situated at the intersection of some of the city’s prettiest canals, Café Twee Prinsen is another popular Binnenvisser outpost. This relaxed wine bar is perfect for stopping by for snacks and a glass of wine after an afternoon of shopping or sightseeing. There are no reservations – just turn up and hope for a spot, which might just be a stool perched on the edge of the canal in the summer months. Most of the menu is vegetarian, with fresh, flavourful dishes designed for sharing. tweeprinsen.nl Carmen From the outside, Carmen Amsterdam looks like a chic boutique, carefully curating a stylish selection of womenswear and accessories. But don’t miss the café tucked at the back: a light-filled, inviting space that’s perfect for brunch or lunch. Softly scrambled eggs, Nordic-inspired breakfast plates and expertly brewed coffee are all on offer. carmenamsterdam.com/pages/the-kitchen Restaurant Flore This standout restaurant situated inside the glamorous Hotel de L’Europe is one to save for truly special occasions. As the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Dutch capital to also hold a Michelin Green Star, Flore offers a hyper-seasonal menu, with 90% of the ingredients featured on the menu sourced locally from within the Netherlands. The tasting menus showcase inventive, beautifully executed dishes that change with the seasons – and as part of the immersive dining experience you’ll even enjoy your amuse-bouche inside the kitchen, watching the team (led by chef Bas van Kranen) at work as you nibble. restaurantflore.com Esh Pita Bar Tucked away in the Museum Quarter, this relaxed, no-frills Israeli restaurant serves generous portions of stuffed pittas, alongside platters of crispy falafel, creamy hummus and tender chicken shawarma. Dishes are made for sharing, so it’s best to come with a friend or two and dive in together – you’re guaranteed to leave thoroughly stuffed. esh.amsterdam Café-Restaurant Amsterdam It doesn’t get more traditional and Dutch than Café-Restaurant Amsterdam, a true local institution. Situated in an airy, whitewashed building near Westerpark – specifically the engine room of a former water pumping station – this well-known dining spot is where Amsterdammers gather over hearty plates of steak frites, schnitzel and fresh seafood. The perfect place for a relaxed lunch or dinner, it’s a reliable spot to experience the city’s timeless culinary favourites. cradam.nl/en More Amsterdam restaurant recommendations from the olive team Daalder Visit Michelin-starred Daalder for the unique, seasonally changing tasting menu. Chef patron Dennis Huwaë’s salted caramel ice cream sandwich take on the stroopwafel is divine. In summer, tables spill out onto the pavement and the atmosphere is so laid back that you’ll be happy to linger over a number of courses. daalderamsterdam.nl De Kas Amsterdam’s former municipal nursery is now a restaurant aptly named De Kas (‘greenhouse’). With an emphasis on vegetables, fresh produce is grown on site or on a farm in nearby Beemster. Go for lunch to sit outside in the herb garden and feast on baked endive with gremolata, millet, salted lemon and rocket vinaigrette. restaurantdekas.nl Pllek Hop aboard the free ferry to the Noord for lunch at Pllek, a beach bar housed in an old shipping container. Order the steamed mackerel with dill-horseradish crème fraîche and capers on sourdough and enjoy it outside with a local beer and panoramic views of the IJ river. pllek.nl Bistrot des Alpes Locals’ favourite, the cosy Bistrot des Alpes, comes into its own in winter. Diners wait for their table in a former ski-lift gondola but the gimmickry stops there. The owners used to live in the Haut Savoie and produce highly accomplished cooking. Try hearty Alpine favourites like tartiflette and charcuterie platters, or more delicate dishes like pan-fried char with beurre noisette. bistrot-des-alpes.nl Blauw Indonesia was once a Dutch colony so it’s no big surprise that Amsterdam is well known for its Indonesian food. For some of the best – and spiciest – in town head to Blauw, on the city’s southern outskirts. Order the rijsttafel (literally rice table) and experience the full gamut of dishes. There's also a branch in Utrecht, the leafy town half an hour from Amsterdam that has a buzzing food and drink scene thanks to the town's young entrepreneurs. restaurantblauw.nl Hartog's Bakery In winter sugar-scented oliebollen are as ubiquitous in Amsterdam as stamppot. Translated as oil balls, they’re essentially a Dutch take on the beignet, served dusted with icing sugar and sometimes studded with currants (in which case they’re called krentenbollen). You’ll find them served from stalls on almost every corner but, for something different, head to Hartog's Bakery for an unusual wholewheat version. volkorenbrood.nl Best bars in Amsterdam Bar Oldenhof Once a wood-panelled ‘brown café’, Bar Oldenhof is now a tribute to old-school cool. A jazz soundtrack, waistcoated bartenders and a gleaming brass bar top complement its meticulously made cocktails. Try a Flying Dutchman – Rembrandt korenwijn (corn brandy), yellow chartreuse, benedictine and lemon juice. bar-oldenhof.com Café de Dokter Amsterdam has a beer for every season, and in autumn and winter that’s the herfstbok: a strong, dark beer with a hint of caramel. Taste it with a portion of ossenworst (cold-smoked beef sausage) at Café de Dokter, an atmospheric spot packed to the rafters with curios collected over more than two centuries of operation. cafe-de-dokter.nl Wynand Fockink A distillery dating back to 1679, Wynand Fockink is still serving genever (the Dutch precursor to gin) in tulip-shaped glasses to thirsty patrons. Located just off Dam Square, it attracts tourists and locals with liqueurs and an atmospheric setting. wynand-fockink.nl Café Binnenvisser Set up by friends Bob Nagel, Maarten Bloem and Guus Lourijsen, from the outside Café Binnenvisser looks like any buzzy neighbourhood wine bar. But the food far exceeds expectations and small plates change weekly according to what’s available. The celeriac fritters are so delicious you’ll want to order seconds. binnevisser.nl Best cafés in Amsterdam Winkel 43 An Amsterdam institution, Winkel 43 opened in 1983 and has been serving its signature apple pie ever since. Take a seat at one of the cafe's wobbly wooden tables (the cosiest seats are in the window) and order a slice to share between two. Gently spiced, chewy pastry with a crisp, solid crust encases soft apple chunks, while a dollop of feather-light whipped cream finishes it off. If you can't get a table, perch at the bar or eat outside on the terrace. winkel43.nl Bocca This 'showroom' for Holland's top coffee roaster (and previous winner of the best artisan roaster in Europe in the European Coffee Awards) is a slick space where you can learn about the latest blends and coffee equipment. The huge coffee bar separates the room into an area for punters to come and taste coffee, and a swish training area for baristas. So you can enjoy your brew of choice while watching the finest of coffee geekery! bocca.nl/en Toki Meaning ‘time’ in Japanese, Toki is where you’ll find hip Dutch dads drinking matcha tea alongside MacBook-wielding freelancers. The pastries from neighbouring Petit Gateau are a must with your morning coffee (try the croissant doughnut). @toki.times Street food and food markets in Amsterdam Foodhallen The ideal rainy-day destination, De Hallen is a converted tramshed that is now home to a cinema, library, independent shops and, crucially, the renowned Foodhallen. Eat your way around the street-food stalls here – the soft-shell crab and oysters at Le Big Fish, and the rice paper rolls at Viet View are highlights. foodhallen.nl Frites uit Zuyd The celebrated chip is at its finest at Frites uit Zuyd. Plump, crispy fries are served in red-and-white checked paper cones with a choice of homemade sauces, including a punchy piccalilli mayonnaise. Buy a cone to go – or buy by the meter (8 cones’ worth). You can also enjoy them as part of a meal in the brasserie next door. fritesuitzuyd.nl Noordermarkt Make like a local and head to the Saturday morning Noordermarkt in the pretty Jordaan neighbourhood to pick up artisanal produce from farms outside the city. Vendors have been selling produce outside the Noorderkerk since 1623 and the market is famous for its mushrooms, some of which are collected in Dutch forests. Stop at the pancake stall for a gouda and mushroom crêpe. noordermarkt-amsterdam.nl More travel guides Best restaurants in Folegandros Best restaurants in Athens Best restaurants in Tbilisi Best European mountain escapes Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
Make a Korean feast with content creator Verna Gao's spicy pork bulgogi with steamed rice, lettuce wraps and cucumber banchan
Want to make authentic Korean bulgogi? Content creator and recipe developer Verna Gao (aka @vernahungrybanana) shares her recipe for spicy BBQ-style pork with steamed rice, crunchy lettuce wraps and cucumber banchan. Try her recipe below, then discover more South Korean recipes and learn 10 things we love about South Korean food. Read more about Verna Gao's new food travel series. Verna says, "This spicy, sticky, flavour-packed bulgogi is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner – it’s seriously addictive and this is your sign to make it. You can use pork belly for this, but I personally love pork shoulder. I’ve paired it with lettuce, kimchi, spicy marinated cucumber and, of course, some rice. It tastes SO good and it takes me right back to my travels in South Korea. It's also a great meal-prep recipe as you can make it ahead of time and just serve it up when you're ready to eat." Watch her video below, then discover her recipe for crispy pan-fried dumplings. Find more of Verna's food and travel content over on olive's Instagram where she shares her favourite foodie destinations, including the best places to try local dishes and recipes to make at home. Keep an eye out for her next video... View Green Video on the source website Korean spicy pork bulgogi recipe
31 best Italian hotels for food lovers to visit in 2026
From vineyard estates in Tuscany to converted palazzos in Puglia and boutiques in Milan's foodiest neighbourhood, here's our pick of Italian hotels that offer visitors a slice of la dolce vita
Looking for the best Italian hotel to visit? We've found the best Italian hotels for food lovers in Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia and everywhere in between. Whether you're on a budget or looking for luxury, need a city break or a sea views, check out our round-up of the best Italian hotels for something for everyone. For more hotel inspiration, check out our best European hidden gem hotels, or relax in one of the best hotel baths worth travelling for. Next, learn 10 things we love about Puglian cuisine and Tuscan food, plus discover the 8 lesser-known Italian islands worth visiting for a foodie trip. Best Italian hotels for foodies Vetera Matera, Basilicata From £220 per night, check availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk or veteramatera.com Nestled among Matera’s ancient caves, this boutique retreat from Relais & Châteaux brings quiet five-star luxury to Italy’s oldest city. The 23-room hotel is built into the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending the ruggedness of the mountains with plush modern interiors. At Artema Ristorante, expect dishes that pay homage to Basilicata-grown produce, with two tasting menus on offer from chef Eduardo Estatico (à la carte is available for parties with three guests or fewer). Stand-outs include a soufflé made with farm-fresh eggs from the Matera hills, paired with Vesuvian costoluto and yellow cherry tomatoes, and Murgia goat mozzarella, as well as rockfish soup with sweet and sour vegetable terrine, seaweed and Matera sourdough bread. Salads, sandwiches and charcuterie are served in the Lounge Bar for casual lunches and dinners. Rooms on the Noble Floors have a more contemporary feel, with high ceilings, exposed brick and large windows that offer panoramic views of the Sassi. For a more immersive Matera experience, stay in the Hypogeum where the underground suites are carved directly into the ancient rock, emulating the landscape’s unique beauty. Three of the master suites also have private pools. The Elysium Spa (largest of its kind in the Sassi) is home to hydropools, a caldarium, sauna, hammam and cold plunge pool, as well as treatment rooms for massages and facials. Wine tastings can be also booked in the cellar, where an expert sommelier will guide you through labels from around the region and beyond. Breakfast is served in the Artema Ristorante, where a buffet of breads, pastries, cereals, fruit and yogurt, as well as fresh juices and coffee, awaits. Savoury options include bacon, eggs, Med vegetables and Italian cheeses including caciocavallo, fior di latte, stracciatella and ricotta. From £220 per night, check availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk or veteramatera.com Credit: Relais & Chateaux Villa Paola, Tropea Villa Paola offers rooms from £285 per night, check availability at villapaolatropea.it or booking.com Discover rustic luxury at Villa Paola, a pink-hued former 16th-century convent set among the cliffs and hills of Calabria at the southern tip of Italy. From crisp white linen bedding to cool marble bathrooms, a secluded infinity pool and serene courtyards, it is the perfect location for some R&R. Terraces look out to the Costa Degli Dei (coast of the gods) and over the farmland below, where the restaurant grows a lot of its produce. Meander down through the tiered gardens to the hotel’s own hives, and spot Tropea’s famous red onions. Superior rooms overlook the hills of Tropea and Parghelia, just off the main courtyard, with bird song to gently wake you and white wooden shutters to throw open in the morning. Deluxe rooms offer more sweeping panoramas of the towns, the executive room has a private terrace with views straight out to sea, and the Eremita suite has its own Turkish bath as well as a veranda. There’s a bistro-style menu on offer during the day with dishes such as sourdough pizzas, red onion salads and club sandwiches. Enjoy an aperitivo overlooking the sea after spending time on the beach or wandering around Tropea. De’ Minimi restaurant offers more refined tasting menus, meticulously designed with seasonality at the forefront and an emphasis on local produce and zero waste. There are various menus but think charcoal-grilled spaghettone with artichoke, fresh sea trout with beetroot and hay, and, to finish, a dessert of goat’s curd ice cream and local honey. At breakfast, a three-tiered stand of daily-changing treats arrives to the table for enjoying with your morning cappuccino. There’s also a continental buffet of fruit, pastries and cakes, with à la carte options including omelettes and local honey, which is the star of the show here – make sure to load your yogurt with a generous drizzle. Villa Paola offers rooms from £285 per night, check availability at villapaolatropea.it or booking.com La Guardia, Tuscany Doubles from £241, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Giglio, the second largest island in the Tuscan archipelago, is lush with clifftop vineyards, fig trees and pines. The serene and stylish seaside retreat, La Guardia, is perched atop a granite cave along from the pastel-hued harbour. Brushed concrete and original stone columns are softened with driftwood decorations and wispy wicker lanterns that gently flutter in the Mediterranean breeze. Chic neutral tones continue through to the rooms, all kitted out with luxury Sicilian Ortigia toiletries and many boasting balconies and sea views. Book the junior suite to embrace the elements with a bathroom built into the granite and a beachside terrace for watching the waves lap against the rocks. Mediterranean flavours and island cuisine are served in the on-site restaurant – sip on a Venetian Select spritz at aperitivo hour before a candlelit dinner of Sicilian anchovies, palamita fish with marinated courgettes, and tagliolini with lemon butter and bottarga. The 70-strong wine list showcases rare bottles from Italy’s islands – Giglio, Ischia, Salina and beyond. Breakfast includes the likes of prosciutto, omelettes with Tuscan cheese, homemade fig bread and freshly squeezed juices. There are sunset yoga sessions on the terrace, healing zen shiatsu and Ayurvedic treatments, and e-bikes to explore the island’s rugged trails, cliff-face vineyards and restaurants in medieval castles. Doubles from £241, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Forestis, Plose Check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com At 1,800m above sea level, surrounded by panoramic views of the Dolomites, this unique property embraces its original intention as a climate spa for Austrian monarchy. Split between the original 1912 larchwood building and three modern towers, everything is designed to bring the landscape in – floor-to-ceiling windows allow the sun to dance around pinewood suites, bathrooms are made from Dolomites stone and two-level penthouses sit at the tip of two of the towers. Wellbeing is at the hotel’s heart – there’s Plose spring water sweetened with pine syrup on arrival, plus the spa’s successive indoor-outdoor mineral pools and saunas, daily rituals and a wyda studio (a local Celtic version of yoga). Mountain activities include ski-in, ski-out facilities as well as forest bathing and foraging. In the main restaurant, individual booths are arranged in an amphitheatre-like structure, allowing for prime views while you enjoy Roland Lamprecht’s forest cuisine. This is also where breakfast is served – a buffet featuring pretzels, chocolate caprese, ricotta cake, pistachio cream, Eisack Valley honeycomb and wild berry jams. There’s also speck, mountain cheeses, foraged fruits, a salad bar and DIY juice room with bottled mountain apple juice ready to drink. An evening at new restaurant concept Yera is an experience like no other – follow a torch through the forest into an earthy mountain cave, hand in phones at the door and let Roland and his team guide you through an immersive spectacle of fire, ferments and ancient Celtic traditions. A nightcap at the bar might be a fresh fig old fashioned, apricot-enriched Plosestar martini or negronis infused with Plose cranberries for added fruitiness. forestis.it Check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Masseria La Carrube, Puglia Doubles from £311, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Reached via a winding road through thousand-year-old olive trees, Masseria Le Carrube sits between the Adriatic and the hills above Ostuni – a low, whitewashed building surrounded by lemon trees, bougainvillea and acres of working land. This is Puglia at its most ingredients-led. The restaurant, set in the masseria's former olive mill, is entirely vegetarian and deeply rooted in the region. Chef Massimo Santoro builds his ever-changing menus around what the estate produces: almonds, figs, wild strawberries, wheat, vegetables, herbs and olives. Carrube (carob) grows in the courtyard and appears as flour in fresh pasta and dusted atop tiramisu. The approach is thoughtful, seasonal and proudly waste-free, with anything not used one day repurposed the next. Dishes are both traditional and surprising. A fennel flan arrives with a sharp cheese sauce, fried vegetables are crisp and balanced, a pasta cooked in red wine and finished with turnip top cream and a taralli crumb feels inventive but grounded. A bowl of breads – cazzatedde, focaccia and taralli – is as generous as the cooking itself. Guests can dive deeper with pasta-making classes led by Massimo, wine tastings with sommelier Mario exploring Puglia’s native grapes, and olive oil tastings at a neighbouring estate. These experiences round out Le Carrube’s philosophy: connection to the land and reverence for tradition. The rooms are simple, with vaulted ceilings and stone floors, a mixture of farmhouse antiques and clean lines. Some have sea views, others open onto lemon-filled courtyards. Two pools overlook the olive groves. In late summer, the estate’s white and black figs ripen, and you can be sure they’ll take centre stage when they do. Meals here feel like an honest celebration of Puglia’s landscape – generous, inventive and unmistakably local. Doubles from £311, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com L’Albereta Relais & Châteaux, Lombardy Superior rooms from £348 per night, check availability at albereta.it or booking.com Nestled among the vineyards of Franciacorta, L’Albereta is a secluded escape near the town of Erbusco. Dating to the late 19th century, the villa was home to Giovanni Cavalleri and his wife Anna, a musician whose passion for the arts is reflected in the sculptures, whimsical art pieces and beautifully manicured grounds. Now owned by Vittorio Moretti, L’Albereta is on the same estate as Bellavista winery, which features on the extensive wine lists of its restaurants. The elegant Leonefelice Vista Lago, with a stunning view of Lake Iseo, serves elevated Italian dishes inspired by the area, such as Franciacorta beef with rocket and baked cherry tomatoes. Seasonal specials include fried duck egg with asparagus and caviar and cacio e pepe with Sicilian red prawns and lime. The desserts are equally elegant, such as kiwi sorbet with green apple, local wine and citrus fruit soup. Stanza 54, a cosy lounge, offers lunches and lighter fare, while La Filiale, the informal pizza restaurant from award-winning pizzaiolo Franco Pepe, serves handmade dough with innovative toppings. Rooms are individually decorated, large and bright, with warm tones, marble bathrooms and delicate furnishings. Expect luxe fabrics like damask and satin, artistic touches and, in some, deep hydro-massage tubs – choose a superior room for a balcony overlooking the gardens. A continental breakfast with local produce and breads is included. To make the most of your stay, book a tour of the on-site winery plus a tasting of its sparkling wines, or enjoy a treatment at the peaceful Chenot Espace wellness spa. Superior rooms from £348 per night, check availability at albereta.it or booking.com Villa La Massa, Tuscany Check availability at villalamassa.com or booking.com Just 15 minutes from Florence's bustling centre, this riverside 16th-century estate welcomes guests with the heady scent of jasmine, lemon trees and roses. Despite its grandeur, Villa La Massa is laid back, calm and homely. The property has 54 unique rooms across six buildings, from the main Villa Nobile mansion to a riverside suite and a beautifully converted farmhouse. For ultimate seclusion, Casa Colonica stands out with authentic Tuscan elements – exposed beams, wooden floors and green marble bathrooms. There are artisan touches throughout, from hand-knotted rugs crafted by an 80-year-old local tapestry master to traditional key charms instead of modern keycards. The hotel’s restaurants celebrate Tuscan heritage and homegrown produce, with the estate's own olive oil accompanying every meal. Il Verrocchio restaurant offers traditional Tuscan dishes with a contemporary twist such as “Florentine” t-bone steak, duck ravioli, and tagliolini with roasted tomatoes, while L’Oliveto Bistrot focuses on more casual dining featuring the likes of fresh salads, carpaccio, and pizzas. Don't miss the rosemary-studded focaccia or the pici pasta, a hand-rolled specialty. Breakfast unfolds as a celebration of regional delicacies such as focaccia, coconut and cinnamon paradise cake, freshly squeezed orange juice and tables positioned to capture the morning sun dancing across the river's surface. Unwind in the spa with sauna, steam room and tailored massage treatments or participate in hands-on pizza-making classes and cocktail workshops. Villa La Massa invites you to fully lean into rural Tuscan life, while boasting easy access to Florence’s Renaissance treasures and thriving hospitality scene. Check availability at villalamassa.com or booking.com Hotel Su Gologone, Sardinia Doubles from £285, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Winding into the Barbagia mountains you'll find the Hotel Su Gologone. Just a two-hour drive from the Costa Smeralda this is more bandit than paparazzi territory – probably one of the reasons Madonna hid out here, although she could have been swayed by the hotel’s gob-smacking beauty, hippy-chic vibe and gourmet credentials. Food is at the heart of Su Gologone, which started life as a restaurant in the 1960s. Today, it might be a chic, art-themed hotel – a pretty huddle of whitewashed buildings laced with vivid purple bougainvillea and bedded into the mountainside – but it’s still famous for its food. Giovanna’s vibrant artworks pepper the bedrooms’ walls while the corridors are hung with traditional embroidered skirts and shawls. Secret alcoves are dotted around the gardens, there’s an open-air cinema and pool, a small spa, rooftop lounging areas for stargazing and a fabulous bar– whitewashed, open-air, scattered with white cushions and teetering above the valley. Sip a frothy bellini here, as the sun sinks, soaking up the Ibiza vibe and jaw-dropping views. Doubles from £285, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Fink, South Tyrol Check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Nestled in the arcades of one of Brixen’s oldest monastery townhouses, this boutique hotel has been passed down through four generations. Husband-and-wife owners Petra and Florian Fink have a deep respect for the 1450s building, creating an intentionally minimalist feel to allow original features to shine in the nine suites – thick stone walls left bare, restored ceiling frescoes decorating cosy window seats and the terrazzo flooring flecked with South Tyrolean stone. A compact vaulted spa awaits behind an ancient wooden door, its central stone plunge pool ideal for cooling down after sessions in the sauna, steam room and Roman bath outhouse. Choose to dine in the chic vaulted restaurant or outside beneath the arcade’s graceful curves. Florian curates produce from 50 local farmers – most specialising in a single ingredient – for his fresh, simple, zero-waste monastery kitchen style. The main menu is vegetarian and includes clever alternatives, such as root veg tartare, tagliolini with red cabbage cream and black truffle, and organic grain ravioli filled with chanterelles and mountain cheese. Meat and fish options are succinct and include local game and freshwater fish, from lake trout fillet to venison stew with beetroot dumplings, and veal schnitzel with lingonberry sauce. Sweet plum dumplings come with black beer ice cream, while three South Tyrolean apple varieties are showcased in a tartlet with ricotta and caramel sauce. An elegant breakfast kicks off with a soothing herb broth followed by fresh juices and fruit salads, crudités to dunk into herb ricotta and compotes to spread over warm croissants and breads, plus made-to-order spelt pancakes and crisp buckwheat waffles. fink1896.it Check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Il Borro Estate, Tuscany Doubles from £455, check availability at booking.com Il Borro is a true working 800-hectare estate, where guests visiting in autumn can take part in the wine harvest and feast alongside the workers and owners (the glamorous Ferragamo family). The hotel itself is set in the remains of a medieval village in the centre of the estate in Valdarno valley, a wilder, more rustic corner of Tuscany. The unique terroir of the estate, with its varying rocky, sandy and clay soils, makes perfect growing conditions for Syrah to make Pian di Nova, San Giovese to make Polissena and Merlot to make the Il Borro signature blend. This unique climate and soil isn’t solely reserved for wine - 700 olive trees provide oil, fields of buckwheat are a playground for honeybees, plus more fields of organic tomato vines, courgettes, pumpkins, green beans and melons provide the hotel’s three-floored Osteria and Tuscan bistro (and chef Andrea Campani) with the ultimate kitchen garden. The buffet breakfast is also exceptional – so abundant that sweet and savoury options are housed in separate rooms. Stay in one of the hotel double rooms or, for more of a countryside experience, the hotel has several ‘farmhouses’ available as guest suites – albeit farmhouses that come with infinity pools, vine-covered terraces and dining rooms where you can whip up your own meals. Don't miss out on a few laps in the infinity pool too. Doubles from £455, check availability at booking.com Nordelaia, Piedmont Rooms from £261 per night including breakfast. Check availability at booking.nordelaia.com, booking.com or mrandmrsssmith.com Nordelaia is all about equilibrium: between tradition and modernity; simplicity and indulgence; the boundlessness of nature and the cosy, uplifting comfort of home. It lies within a hilly swathe of rural Piedmont – a region which itself represents a kind of geographical middle ground, suspended between the mighty Alps and the coastal province of Liguria in north-west Italy. Occupying an 800-year-old converted farmhouse, the interiors of Nordelaia’s 12 rooms are at once contemporary and classic. Two attic suites – all warm wood beams and pleasing oblique angles – evoke a sense of treetop seclusion, while freestanding baths in the bedroom areas add a dose of opulence. On the first floor, the four rooms are themed around the striking seasonal colour palettes by which Nordelaia, from its woody hillside perch, is engulfed: greens in the spring, yellows for summer, fiery reds in the autumn, and pearly whites in the winter. Two outdoor pools – one heated, one not, but both with views for miles – entice in all seasons, while a visit to the spa, with its warm stone floors, barrel-vaulted brick ceiling and stone arches, is sure to restore a sense of internal equilibrium. Beyond the walls, Nordelaia is set within five hectares of arable land and boasts a working vineyard. Its offerings feature prominently on the wine list at the hotel’s destination restaurant, Lorto. Here chef Charles Pearce pays stunning homage both to the earthy, woodland character of Piedmont and to the maritime bounty of neighbouring Liguria. The two coalesce inventively in his take on perbureira – a thick, bean-based sauce traditionally served with pasta that Charles instead pairs with barbecue-kissed prawns and a coral emulsion. There’s a potato risotto with mussels that hits all the right notes, and a lip-smacking tangle of barbecued oyster mushrooms, served with a deeply savoury anchovy-based ferment called garum. A bistro menu that leans towards traditional flavours with modern touches offers guests a more relaxed but no less excellent dining experience. Rooms from £261 per night including breakfast. Check availability at booking.nordelaia.com, booking.com or mrandmrsssmith.com Palazzo Margherita, Basilicata Doubles from £856, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The ethos behind Palazzo Margherita is that it should be a home away from home (albeit a pretty palatial one, bearing in mind that this was originally home to a Hollywood film director), with friendly staff and an open attitude to eating: guests can eat anywhere, anytime, choosing a location within the property that suits their particular mood. Enjoy breakfast in the courtyard, coffees by the walled pool, pizza and pasta at communal tables at the eat-in kitchen and drinks in the cocktail bar. Should you venture away from the hotel, the tranquil local beach has a scattering of sunbeds and parasols reserved for Palazzo Margherita guests. Pick one and look out at the Ionian Sea while you feast on a picnic made up by the cooks at the hotel (they normally add in a delicious seafood spaghetti made with the catch of the day from a local fisherman). Doubles from £856, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Susafa, Sicily Doubles from £273, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk It’s a family affair at Susafa, a sprawling estate that has been owned by members of the Saeli-Rizzuto family for five generations - brothers Manfredi and Tommaso are now at the helm. The fortified, 19th-century farmhouse at its heart sits at the foot the Madonie mountains, near Polizzi Generosa, and is the focal point for overnight guests. Around the farmhouse are 18 simple but chic guest rooms. Between terracotta floors and exposed beams are restful ricotta-coloured walls and the odd pop of olive green or tomato red from a headboard or throw. A restaurant is housed in the old granary and flavours here take their inspiration from the traditional Sicilian table. Vegetables, herbs, fruit and organic olive oil all come straight from the farm and the menu is elegantly rustic (think tomato salads, caponata and creamy risottos). Join a cookery lesson if you can drag yourself away from the pool. Doubles from £273, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Castello di Casole, Tuscany Doubles from £667, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Roughly half way between Florence and Siena, and surrounded by 4,200 acres of quintessential rolling, forested hills and golden fields, Castello di Casole is a magnificent Italian country estate. At its centre is an imposing, ochre-coloured castle flanked by gardens of lavender, gravel-edged lawns, roses and olive trees. Castello di Casole is pitched at travellers in search of an unblemished version of la dolce vita, one with all the luxurious perks you could imagine. It has 41 rooms and suites within the castle and the hamlet that surrounds it, and another 28 villas and farmhouses (rentable by the week) scattered throughout the estate. Décor is tastefully restrained, with sage and burnt umber paintwork, beamed ceilings, antique furniture sourced from local markets, traditional cotto floors and Carrara marble bathrooms. As with any self-respecting Tuscan estate, this one comes with its own vineyard and olive groves but the real showstopper is the hotel’s infinity pool with its mesmerising views over the undulating landscape. As dusk falls, most guests gravitate to the terrace above the pool, aperitivo in hand, to watch the spectacular sight of the sun sinking behind the hills. As well as the Pazzia Restaurant, which serves traditional Italian dishes and homemade gelato as well as Alessandro’s expert pizzas, there is a more formal restaurant, Tosca, overseen by chef Daniele Sera. Despite the stiff linen and impeccable service here, it still feels relaxed. A standout of the four-course tasting menu was the delicate spinach and ricotta gnudi with tomato confit and light-as-air mozzarella foam. There are more gastronomic experiences available too – from truffle hunting and mushroom foraging to pasta making and wine or olive oil tasting. Doubles from £667, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Borgo Egnazia, Puglia Doubles from £469, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Borgo Egnazia, or ‘village Egnazia’, is quite literally that: an Apulian-inspired network of little streets and piazzas that lead to villas, restaurants, swimming pools, spas, gardens and golf courses. It’s a self-contained bubble of luxury, beautifully designed around the colours white and cream, that’s built entirely from tactile tuff stone. Despite its size, the entire complex exudes a zen-like atmosphere that we found very difficult to leave. You can choose from four types of hotel room, five apartments or six villas – all luxurious, and all within easy reach of a swimming pool. Food is a priority, with six restaurants on site that honour Puglian cuisine – timeless, simple, thrifty food. From grilled octopus at the sophisticated Due Camini, where vaulted white ceilings twinkle with illuminated glass bottles, to a relaxed buffet at La Fresca, rustic orecchiette or pizza at Mia Cucina and fresh seafood at beachside restaurant Pescheria da Vito, it’s easy to stay within the Borgo walls all week. Doubles from £469, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Il Borgo del Balsamico, Emilia Romagna Doubles from £148, check availability at booking.com Modena is synonymous with one of Italy’s most celebrated ingredients: intensely flavoured balsamic vinegar made from fermented grape must. The area around the city of Reggio Emilia is a hub for the vinegar’s production, and also happens to be where you will find Il Borgo del Balsamico. At this historic guest house, in Botteghe Albinea, sisters Cristina and Silvia Crotti produce DOP and IGP vinegars. It’s a lovely setting – an 18th century villa and farmhouse surrounded by wisteria-draped gardens, abundant with damask roses and fruit trees. You can visit the tasting rooms as a day tripper but we recommend booking to stay over in one of the property’s three, refined guestrooms (plus one apartment); think parquet floors, Venetian plasterwork and carefully chosen antiques. There’s a small pool in the gardens too. Doubles from £148, check availability at booking.com Locanda al Colle, Tuscany Doubles from £252, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Calling Locanda al Colle a bed and breakfast is a bit of an understatement. This 12-room guesthouse has many of the perks of a five-star hotel with its antiques and art, saltwater pool and immaculate gardens. Adding to the exclusive feel is its tranquil location, on a pine and olive tree-dotted hill outside Camaiore (also easily reached from seaside resorts like Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi and the pretty town of Pietrasanta). The overall vibe is informal but impeccable, and the same could be said of the food, with everything freshly made each day, from the sourdough bread and granola at breakfast to the cakes for afternoon tea. Resident chef Gianluca also conducts cookery lessons in the kitchen and, twice a week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) hosts sociable dinners serving homemade ravioli and more on the candlelit terrace (on Monday evenings simple suppers of Tuscan soup and bruschetta are also available). Doubles from £252, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Planeta Wine Estate, Sicily Doubles from £225, check availability at booking.com Unsurprisingly it’s all about wine at the Planeta Wine Estate, just outside Menfi in south-western Sicily. As one of Sicily’s most well established and highly regarded wine producers, Planeta has five different territories dotted around the island but Menfi is where it all began, back in the 16th century. At nearby La Forestiera (part of the estate) there are 14 guestrooms set amid regimented vines, plus a restaurant whose menu is informed by its surroundings - the herbs of the countryside and seafood from the nearby coast. Sip a glass of Nero d’Avola on the pool terrace or visit one of Planeta’s wineries for an in-depth tasting. As well as the pool, in the warmer months guests have access to the Lido Fiori on the beach at Porto Palo di Menfi, 10 minutes’ drive away. Planeta also has vast olive groves at Capparriva producing DOP Val di Mazzara oils; guests can sign up for a tasting and learn about harvesting and pressing. Doubles from £225, check availability at booking.com La Locanda Delle Donne Monache, Basilicata Doubles from £98, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Slightly less well-trammelled by British visitors than other corners of the country, Basilicata is sandwiched between Campania (to the north) and Calabria (to the south). Its rumpled Tyrrhenian Sea coastline is short but sweet at just 30km long, with mountains rising abruptly from the sea. Maratea, its principal town, is a charming cluster of buildings dotted with twisting alleyways and over 40 churches. Also in town, La Locanda delle Donne Monache is a former 18th-century convent, now a smart hotel, with a pool and views over the countryside to the sea. The hotel’s Il Sacella restaurant embraces the flavours of the province – chillies and pork are popular regional staples – and the menu features local sausages from Maratea, homemade pasta with mussels, shrimp and cuttlefish and baked sea bream washed down by Basilicata’s signature wine, the red Aglianco del Vulture. Doubles from £98, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Domu Antiga, Sardinia Doubles from £182, check availability at booking.com A 19th-century farmhouse in the rural heartland of Sardinia, Domu Antiga is in the village of Gergei, surrounded by empty plains and olive groves roamed by more sheep than people. The sensitively restored building is now home to four airy guestrooms whose owners are passionate about local traditions. Guests can jump on a cute Piaggio Ape van and tour the Unesco World Heritage-listed archaeological site of Su Nuraxi at Barumini. Alternatively, join chef Maria Grazia’s bread and cheese-making classes or try your hand at making local pasta shapes, like the island’s unique malloreddus gnocchi. Maria also oversees the guesthouse’s lavish breakfasts, and cooks dinner on request (expect grilled vegetables, local ravioli and Sardinian cheeses). There’s also a pizzeria and a winery close by. Doubles from £182, check availability at booking.com San Luis, Avelengo Check rates and availability at sanluis-hotel.com San Luis is where to go to get away from it all, breathe deeply and just immerse yourself in the tranquility, interrupted only by birdsong and cow bells chiming out through the surrounding valleys. Bedrooms are spread across a scattering of chalets and treehouses around a small, glacier mint-clear lake. Many of the rooms have their own hot tubs and saunas and all of them have small kitchens and dining areas. The showstopper is the double-height spa area in the main clubhouse with its blazing fires, black linen loungers to sink into, huge windows gazing out over the treetops and an inside/outside swimming pool – swim out, race down the pontoon and jump into the hot tub (or, in summer, plunge into the chilly waters of the lake). For foodies, the buzzy, ground floor dining room looks out over the lake and purrs with efficiency. The menu comes in two guises; a traditional one, which draws on the region’s Austro/Italian gastro-heritage, and a more modern, Mediterranean-inspired alternative dreamt up by executive chef, Arturo Spicocchi (five courses, but you can pick and choose how much you want to eat and half portions are available). Lunchtime means soup, salad and cheese, and teatime heralds cakes as well as home-made ice cream. Check rates and availability at sanluis-hotel.com Don Totu Dimora Storica, Puglia Doubles from £295, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com A stylish boutique hotel in the heart of rustic Puglia, Don Totu Dimora Storica is an 18th century palazzo boasting some of the most secluded grounds and best value rooms in the region. In the rural town of San Cassiano large wooden doors along an unassuming backstreet open into a mini palazzo, gracefully decorated in muted tones. Squishy armchairs and books and board games are on hand to keep visitors occupied. Or, help yourself to snacks from the kitchen (homemade biscuits, juices, cakes and nuts) and pad out through a higgledy-piggledy courtyard to find stone staircases leading to secluded terraces. Scented white rose petals drift down from a pergola that leads to a pool and gardens, jazz trickles from speakers and tiny lizards dart from one cacti-filled pot to another. The six bedrooms at Don Totu each have an individual feel. The owners make the most of the building’s quirks (vaulted stone ceilings, quiet alcoves, narrow staircases leading to terracotta terraces…) and have gathered a collection of furniture from across the region to add contemporary touches. There’s no restaurant at the hotel but order before 10.30 and you can enjoy lunchtime sandwiches and salads made with the region’s fantastic produce. The hotel’s small team of staff provides complimentary snacks to break up your day, anywhere in the grounds, from afternoon tea to aperitivo. Doubles from £295, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Palazzo Seneca, Norcia Doubles from £217, check availability at booking.com The foodie town of Norcia is set in the densely tree-covered Sibillini Mountains in Umbria. Enter through one of seven gates in the town’s heart-shaped, ancient walls and you soon discover a network of paved streets rich with foodie delights – café and restaurant tables spilling onto pavements and traditional food shops, Norcinerias, packed with prosciutto, cheeses, spelt and truffles. Relais & Chateaux's Palazzo Seneca is an elegantly restored sixteenth-century building hidden in one of Norcia’s narrow streets. Original stone flooring, open fires and squishy chairs await in the reception rooms, while delicate wrought iron frames, twisted wooden columns and wooden bedheads have been crafted so no two of the 24 rooms are the same. Pad down to the hotel's candlelit barrel-vaulted spa in the basement, complete with jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. For breakfast, a serve-yourself spread is laid out on enormous wooden surfaces, with an entire table dedicated to charcuterie and local cheese. The hotel’s Michelin-starred Vespia restaurant is where the modern and innovative approach really comes into play, with little stacks of 24hr-cooked suckling pig and crisp buttery potatoes with splashes of colourful root veg purée, Norcia sausage ravioli and Breton chicken two ways. Doubles from £217, check availability at booking.com Find out more about our trip around Norcia here Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Lake Como Standing proud on the headland at Lake Como, this grande dame has hosted statesmen and Hollywood celebs for over 150 years. It retains its lustre with chandeliers, marble, gilded columns and stunning frescos across high, vaulted ceilings, all lovingly maintained by generations of the Bucher family who remain in residence. The Suite Arte leans towards a quirkier sensibility with an Andy Warhol print above the bed and a Prada pooch stood sentry by the bathroom. Most rooms, though, speak of old school glamour, extending to linen sheets and plush silk bedspreads. Tall Italianate windows beautifully frame panoramic views over the lake. Direct access to the water sets this hotel apart and the recent addition of the Bacci da Bellagio beach club (complete with imported sand) takes full advantage. It’s an idyllic spot to soak up the sun, just a stone’s throw – yet a world apart – from the hubbub on the cobbled streets of Bellagio. The outdoor pool is flanked by palm trees, leading to lush botanical gardens, and a small indoor pool forms part of a bijou spa. Watch the sun set on the terrace with a smoky, citrussy Serbelloni spritz. For dinner, chef Ettore Bocchia delivers molecular gastronomy at Michelin-starred Mistral using ingredients from around the world, including “ethical” foie gras courtesy of free-range Spanish geese. Nonetheless, it’s simple spaghetti with pomodorino that shines, finished tableside with theatrical flourish. The veal chop is standout at La Goletta (the more informal of two restaurants) and it also serves lake perch with risotto if you hanker for a taste of humbler traditions. Doubles start from €850, breakfast included, check availability at villaserbelloni.com Langhe Country House, Piedmont Doubles from £209 per night, check availability at booking.com An imposing 18th-century farmstead near Alba, in Piedmont, Langhe Country House is surrounded by vineyards and hazelnut orchards, and has been beautifully renovated by owners Alessandro and Nadia (a Slow Food member and trained sommelier). The only meal served here is breakfast but it seriously impresses: hazelnut cakes and tarts, biscuits (baci, brutti ma buoni), croissants, jams, seasonal fruit, cheeses from Alta Langa, sliced hams – all homemade or local. Cooking classes for Piedmontese recipes can be arranged, and guests can help themselves to a glass of wine from the poolside wine fridge before going out for dinner in the local village. Doubles from £209 per night, check availability at booking.com Castello Banfi Il Borgo, Tuscany Doubles from £762, check availability at booking.com Set on Montalcino’s largest wine estate, by a medieval castle, Castello Banfi Il Borgo is a glamorous Italian hotel shaped from a hamlet of former estate workers’ houses. Romantic, traditionally styled suites - with terracotta floors, antique furnishings and linen-canopied beds – and classical Tuscan cooking (courses are also available) make it popular with honeymooners but it’s the estate’s Brunello that draws in visiting gourmands; in the on-site enoteca/ wine bar local sheep’s cheese and prosciutto can be paired to the estate’s wines. Doubles from £762, check availability at booking.com Hotel Schgaguler, Dolomites Doubles from £318, check availability at booking.com Pale wood and light hues dominate at Hotel Schgaguler, a central Castelrotto hotel surrounded by the Italian Dolomiti Superski region and all its endless ski runs. The food here is lighter than the hearty mountain fare of the surrounding mountains, with an Alpine-meets-Med twist. But the approach to ingredients remains as hyper-local as possible, making the most of what’s on the hotel’s doorstep. Eat light-as-a-feather gnocchi sprinkled with Alpine herbs, and drink milk supplied direct from local farms. The wine list is cherry-picked from Tyrolean producers further down the valley near Bolzano, and there’s a selection of grappa from neighbouring distilleries. Doubles from £318, check availability at booking.com The Marriott, Venice Doubles from £509, check availability at booking.com, marriott.com or expedia.co.uk Venice has long been known for its iconic Italian landmarks and traditionally rich culture. And cooking is an intrinsic part of that culture. At the Marriott, Federico Belluco, one of Italy’s youngest Michelin starred chefs, demonstrates why, making the most of the island’s kitchen garden of herbs, edible flowers and vegetables in dishes such as silky tortellini or comforting seafood stew, all drizzled in Isola delle Rose olive oil, the only olive oil produced within the city's boundaries. The resort's luxurious bedrooms and suites are modern and minimalist. Particularly impressive are the Residenza suites, which come with private pools with views of Venice. Doubles from £509, check availability at booking.com, marriott.com or expedia.co.uk La Favia, Milan Doubles from €125 including breakfast, check availability at lafavia4rooms.com< The four-bedroom La Favia guesthouse, an urban hideaway tucked inside a refurbished 19th-century building, takes its inspiration from owners Fabio and Marco’s travels: no two rooms are the same. On sunny mornings, start the day with breakfast in the rooftop garden – eggs cooked to order, pastries, cakes, bread, homemade jams, fruit and juice squeezed from oranges grown in the owners’ own citrus grove. Doubles from €125 including breakfast, check availability at lafavia4rooms.com Masseria Montenapoleone, Puglia Doubles from £212, check availability at booking.com In time-honoured Pugliese farming tradition, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, at Masseria Montenapoleone - a stylish farmhouse hotel - it is served in the atmospheric surroundings of the Old Stables. Freshly picked fruits from the farm, dried fig tarts straight from the oven, citrus carpaccio with cinnamon, local cheese and cured meats are just some of the treats on offer for the first meal of the day. The warm sandstone farmhouse, which dates from the 1600s, has 16 guestrooms and is surrounded by a plane of silvery olive and almond trees. Just outside Fasano, on the Salento coast, it is very much a working farm, dedicated to organic produce. Guests are encouraged to pick their own fruit and vegetables and to go behind the scenes to learn more about Puglian cuisine. Doubles from £212, check availability at booking.com Antica Fattoria La Parrina, Tuscany Doubles from £115, check availability at booking.com The Maremma is a corner of Tuscany where you can still find countryside roamed by traditional cowboys called “butteri” and Antica Fattoria La Parrina is the perfect stop for a window into rural life down on the Tuscan farm. As well as making well-regarded wines and grappa, the farm also produces cheese, honey, olive oil, fruit, vegetables, pasta, flour and meat – there’s an on-site shop that would put many a farmer’s market to shame. Overnight guests (it also doubles as an agriturismo) can also enjoy the farm’s bounty on the breakfast table, as well as at lunch and dinner; everything is made onsite. Guests can picnic in the grounds, enjoy wine tastings, join a Tuscan cookery lesson or even go boar hunting on the estate. The property’s 12 bedrooms, housed in the solid farmhouse at the centre of the estate, channel rustic charm rather than country chic and there’s a pool, gardens and the beach resorts of the Tyrrhenian Sea a short drive away. Doubles from £115, check availability at booking.com Hotel Emilia, Le Marche Doubles from £67, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk With rolling hills, ancient towns and beaches lapped by the limpid waters of the Adriatic, Le Marche’s under-the-radar charms are many. Hotel Emilia commands a haughty spot on the Cornero Riviera, a slice of dreamy coastline south of Ancona mostly given over to a national park. In addition to its 30 guests rooms, there’s a pool, an artsy vibe, a restaurant focusing on local dishes and fabulous sunsets. While you’re there, take the serpentine road down to Portonovo, however. At night the loungers are tidied away and tables are set up on the beach. Seafood is the order of the day, namely the acclaimed wild mussels found in the bay, some of the sweetest you’ll ever taste and harvested in the traditional way. Served in a number of guises; sautéed with lemon, served with spaghetti or with "paccheri" and fennel as is the case at Da Giachetti (ristorantedagiachetti.it). Il Laghetto (illaghetto.com) and Da Emilia (daemilia) are two more to try. Doubles from £67, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk More travel guides Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best hotels in Paris Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
Where to visit in March – see fields in bloom, enjoy a city break or plan a blow-out trip
From walks in the Lake District to Valencia's colourful festival, here’s our pick of where to travel to this month
Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in March? We’ve curated the destinations to visit for a food lover’s break as spring begins, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best spring holidays or the UK's most luxurious hotels to book for a special occasion. The UK at its best: the Lake District With the landscape reawakening after winter, March is a wonderful time to visit the Lake District. The region’s famed hospitality scene comes alive, with spring menus featuring local lamb, fresh fish and the first of the season's wild garlic. Base yourself at a countryside hotel (we've chosen our favourite Lake District hotels) to explore the area’s walking routes, which are quieter before the Easter rush. Miles Without Stiles compiles over 50 different walking routes across the Lake District, all intended to be as accessible as possible. As the name suggests, none of the routes have stiles to climb over, and there are no steep hills either – making it much easier for those with limited mobility to explore this spectacular part of the UK. You'll have worked up an appetite after all that walking, and in the Lake District, you're spoilt for choice. For special occasions, L'Enclume in Cartmel offers legendary Michelin-starred fine dining, as does Forest Side in Grasmere, set in a grand Victorian villa. Homeground in Windermere serves hearty brunches to set you up for a day of walking, and the region is scattered with great pubs – try The Punch Bowl Inn for elevated classics served next to roaring fires. The UK bolthole: Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales Quiet, carefully considered luxury in a beautifully restored 15th-century house in the Narberth Hills, Grove is a place to completely switch off and relax. Warm, friendly staff and a labyrinth of cosy lounges make the space feel more like a home than hotel. Hunker down in an armchair by an open fire or wander the wooded grounds to soak in views of the Preseli Hills. Add-on experiences include foraging and wild swimming for the adventurous, or a nearby vineyard tour for tastings of Welsh wines. There are just 13 rooms in the main house, each adorned with warm, natural tones. Elegant individual quirks include freestanding lamps, four-poster beds with wraparound curtains and exposed beams. For an extra treat, suites in the Herb Cottages outbuildings offer a little more space to relax, along with log burner and private garden. The two restaurants, Artisan Rooms and Fernery, are headed by executive chef Douglas Balish. The former is a more casual brasserie, while the latter offers an unmissable five- or seven-course tasting menu – changing each season, it tells the story of local producers from west and south Wales, featuring ingredients from Grove’s kitchen garden. Doubles start from £192 per night; check availability at booking.com The seasonal city break: Prague Prague is shaking off its stag do reputation and becoming a must-visit city break for foodies to tick off their list. Kick off a weekend in the Czech capital with breakfast at Eska – part bakery, part restaurant, with house-baked sourdough and a traditional Czech breakfast to try. Stop at Kolacherie for pastries and trendy coffee shop Cafefin to fuel your exploration of the city. For a special occasion dinner, book ahead for the tasting menu at Alcron – its menu features veg-forward dishes that showcase central European classics. But, Prague isn't just about classic Czech cuisine: discover a hidden slice of Vietnam at Rice Field, offering family-style spreads of Vietnamese favourites that are great for sharing. Check out our local's expert guide to the best restaurants in Prague for more. The cultural moment: Las Fallas in Valencia Valencia comes alive in March with the vibrant Las Fallas Festival (1-19 March), during which giant wooden figures are paraded through the city and set alight in dramatic bonfires. The streets are filled with music, fireworks and the irresistible aroma of sweet churros and buñuelos con chocolate, which are served in cafés and horchaterías during the festivities. Beyond the festival, Valencia’s orange trees are in bloom and the city’s Central Market is stacked with local produce, ideal for picnics. Sample classic paella on the beach, try horchata with fartons and soak up the city’s lively food culture. We also picked the city as one of our best sustainable travel destinations to visit for a greener trip – as a former Europe's Green Capital in 2024, there are around 200 kilometres of cycle paths and virtually flat terrain, which makes it easy to bike (and walk) between sights, including Valencia Cathedral and the art nouveau Central Market. Stay at the boutique 25-room Caro Hotel, set in a 19th-century palace, to be immersed in the city's history. You'll be surrounded by Gothic arches, a 2nd-century Roman mosaic and remnants of the 13th-century Arabic city walls. Doubles from £188; check availability at booking.com or thomascook.com <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/12/visit-valencia-hero-f5cc816.png" width="1800" height="1300" alt="Street view in Valencia of ornate architecture in warm sunlight, featuring colourful facades and intricate designs. People stroll along the bustling pavement" title="Street view in Valencia of ornate architecture in warm sunlight, featuring colourful facades and intricate designs. People stroll along the bustling pavement" /> The culinary destination to explore: Georgia Georgia is fast earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting culinary destinations – and March is a great time to explore its rich food culture. In the heart of the Caucasus, Georgian cuisine is built around communal feasting, bold flavours and centuries-old traditions, from the supra table laden with sharing dishes to hearty street snacks and refined city dining. Start with icons like khachapuri – oozy, cheese-filled bread with regional variations – and juicy khinkali dumplings, best eaten by hand, slurping the savoury broth before you bite into the filling. Walnuts are ubiquitous here, providing the base for sauces and pkhali spreads, while local qvevri wines – fermented in ancient clay vessels – are a revelation for oenophiles. Energetic capital city Tbilisi gives you a chance to try all the Georgian classics. Shavi Lomi, a restaurant set around a stunning courtyard, offers sharing-style feasts of grilled aubergines with walnut-pomegranate sauce and layered honey cake, while Caravanserai Bakery is the place to taste traditional khachapuri straight from the oven. Bistro-style spots such as Craft elevate regional dishes with artisanal wines, and farm-to-table Kakhelebi on the city’s edge serves up the freshest khinkali alongside slow-roasted stews and house qvevri wine. Read our full guide to the best restaurants in Tbilisi for a deep dive into the city. The blow-out trip: Matsuyama, Japan For a long-haul spring escape, head to Matsuyama on Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, where restorative rituals and refined dining come together for a quietly luxurious escape. A soak in the storied Dōgo Onsen – one of Japan’s oldest bathhouses – sets the tone for a slow, sensory reset, especially in March, when cherry blossoms begin to soften the city’s edges. Climb to Matsuyama Castle for sweeping views over blush-tinted treetops, hike to nearby waterfalls framed by early spring greenery or wander temple gardens just coming back into bloom. Food is a highlight: the Seto Inland Sea supplies pristine seafood for dishes such as taimeshi (sea bream steamed with rice) and matsuyamazushi, rice delicately seasoned with vinegar and topped with shrimp and eel. Spring also brings brightness in the form of mikan citrus – over 30 varieties are grown here – which can be enjoyed fresh or churned into gelato, folded into jelly or even brewed into beer. Local noodles add another flourish, from colourful goshiki somen to nabeyaki udon served bubbling hot. Discover more relaxing 'quietcation' ideas for food lovers around the world. The boutique retreat: Villa Paola, Tropea, Italy Discover rustic luxury at Villa Paola, a pink-hued former 16th-century convent set among the cliffs and hills of Calabria at the southern tip of Italy. From crisp white linen bedding to cool marble bathrooms, a secluded infinity pool and serene courtyards, it's the perfect location for some spring R&R before the summer heat starts rising. Terraces look out to the Costa Degli Dei (coast of the gods) and over the farmland below, where the restaurant grows a lot of its produce. Meander down through the tiered gardens to the hotel’s own hives to spot Tropea’s famous red onions. Rooms offer a variety of beautiful views: overlooking the hills, sweeping panoramas of the town or straight out to sea. There’s a bistro-style menu on offer during the day, with dishes such as sourdough pizza, red onion salads and club sandwiches. De’ Minimi restaurant offers more refined tasting menus, meticulously designed with seasonality at the forefront and an emphasis on local produce and zero waste. At breakfast, a three-tiered stand of daily changing treats arrives at the table for enjoying with your morning cappuccino. There’s also a continental buffet of fruit, pastries and cakes, with à la carte options including omelettes and local honey. Villa Paola offers rooms from £285 per night; check availability at villapaolatropea.it or booking.com The alternative choice: Saar-Hunsrück-Steig trail, Upper Moselle, Germany Looking for an alternative way to spend the Easter holidays? Head off on a foodie walking trail and discover fantastic insights into regions, cultures and local life that simply wouldn’t be possible when travelling by car. For a truly monumental hike, the 415-kilometre Saar-Hunsrück-Steig trail is split into 27 stages and connects the Roman city of Trier with Boppard on the Rhine. Short on time? We suggest tackling stage five, which passes the Losheim Reservoir and offers ample opportunities to try local cuisine, whether at one of the cafés in riverside Weiskirchen (Café Louis’s cakes are legendary) or a restaurant on the banks of Lake Losheim. Try Hochwälder Braugasthaus, where the menu is inspired by the tri-border region of France, Luxembourg and Saarland. The scenic pick: Switzerland With a favourable altitude of 1,800m, there’s no shortage of snow in Switzerland’s Alpine resort of Arosa during the colder months. The family-friendly destination, centred around a lake and surrounded by snow-capped woodland, goes beyond skiing and snowboarding. Activities include tobogganing and ice-skating soundtracked by horse-drawn sleighs, plus an impressive network of hiking trails for all abilities. High up in the mountains, the luxurious five-star Tschuggen Grand Hotel boasts panoramic views. On-site restaurants include two-Michelin-starred La Brezza, as well as more informal ‘grandma-style’ dining at The Basement. Après ski is a civilised affair, with popular mountain-side bars serving homemade schnapps and towering waffle creations. Check out more of the best ski resorts for food lovers. The slow travel adventure: Andean Explorer, Peru For a truly unhurried way to explore Peru this March, consider a highland journey aboard luxury sleeper train the Belmond Andean Explorer. Departing from the historic city of Cusco, this three-day rail experience winds through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Andes – from sweeping plains and cobalt lakes to traditional Andean villages that are often missed on conventional itineraries. Onboard, elegant cabins with large windows offer a panoramic front-row seat to this remote terrain, with locally inspired interiors and attentive service. Days are filled with cultural and natural highlights – from exploring the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca and their colourful traditions, to discovering archaeological sites and the 'world’s highest beach' at Taquile Island. Meals aboard – showcasing Peruvian ingredients and regional flavours – are all part of the adventure, and evenings become opportunities to swap stories over a pisco sour as the train glides past fiery sunset skies. The journey epitomises slow travel at its best: immersive, unhurried and deeply rooted in the landscapes and cultures it traverses. Read more about writer Susan Low's Peruvian adventure on the Andean Explorer. More travel inspiration 10 unique walking holidays for foodies 8 of the most breathtaking train journeys across the world Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known destinations 25 small towns across the UK that every foodie should visit UK boutique hotels for food lovers
Best restaurants in St Ives: an expert shares their favourite local spots
Discover the best restaurants in St Ives, serving up everything from Mediterranean tapas to fresh seafood and unbeatable brunch on the beach
This popular corner of Cornwall is filled with great restaurants, cafés and interesting bars. Here's our pick of the best places to eat and drink in buzzy St Ives. For more Cornwall inspiration, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Cornwall, best restaurants in Penzance and the best hotels in Cornwall. Best places to eat and drink in St Ives Brine For inventive brunch dishes Grab a coveted window seat at this cute first floor café overlooking St Ives Harbour and try one of the inventive brunch dishes, like the Ful (beans with flatbread, pickles and tomato confit) or the Jaffle toastie, stuffed with fresh crab, Singapore chilli sauce and cheese. In the evening Brine transforms into a cosy spot with freshly shucked and topped oysters, small plates (such as smoked mackerel caesar) natural wines and cocktails. Look out for the late afternoon wine and oyster happy hour bargains too. @brine_stives Ardor For Mediterranean grilling The Josper grill is the star of the show at this central Fore Street spot. The Med-influenced menu runs from lighter tapas dishes like scallop, prawn and octopus pil pil, and grilled sardines with chorizo and piperade, through to perfectly seared dry-aged steaks, duroc pork chops and monkfish skewers cooked over charcoal. There’s a concise European wine list with lots available by the glass to try. It’s an elegant spot perfect for date night and buzzy enough for a fun group outing. ardorstives.co.uk Silco Bar & Kitchen For stellar sharing plates This fun, casual space which hugs the Downalong side of the harbour is perfect if you fancy a drop-in lunch or perfectly mixed cocktail. Bag a seat outside and watch the boats bobbing as the sun goes down over the harbour. There’s a lovely playful menu of small sharing plates with eclectic global touches. The small kitchen turns out stellar dishes including a puttanesca butter flatbread with white anchovies and crispy capers, and a crisp pork belly, meltingly tender, with a nuoc cham sauce. You can also buy bottles of premixed house cocktails to take away. drinksilco.co.uk Porthmeor Beach Café For unbeatable views This breezy café perched directly over Porthmeor beach has some of the best views in St Ives with multiple areas to choose from, including a dog-friendly terrace, the main restaurant or cosy sea-facing pods. Whichever you choose you’ll be directly over the beach. The menu is a mix of vibrant spice-forward plates like celeriac shawarma with beet hummus and ras el hanout yogurt, or crispy skinned St Ives Bay mackerel with zaalouk (aubergine dip) and fennel and grape salad. It's the perfect spot to grab a spritz made from Cornish rose vermouth and watch the surfers during the day, or to savour a drink at sunset. porthmeor-beach.co.uk The Gurnard’s Head For an excellent pub There’s a reason The Gurnard's Head tops many 'best of West Cornwall' lists. It's not strictly in St Ives (you’ll need a car, taxi or local bus to get there) but absolutely unmissable if you want to try some of the best cooking in the area. The distinctive bright yellow pub sits on the edge of the coastal path and there’s a winding road down to the sea if you fancy a pre- or post-lunch stroll. In the summer the huge garden is great for views across the countryside, but if the weather turns there’s a cosy flagstoned pub room with an open fire, as well as a larger dining room. The menu changes seasonally and makes the most of locally landed fish in dishes like plaice with mussels, capers and seaweed, or wild sea bass with lobster butter. There’s a great selection of wines available by the carafe or glass. If you miss the lunch sitting there’s an all-day bar menu with a superior burger or ploughman's available, alongside a pint from Cornish brewers like Verdant, Firebrand or Skinner's. gurnardshead.co.uk JOHNS For unique bottles This Aladdin’s cave of craft spirits, wines and local beer and cider is worth visiting just to marvel at the sheer volume of different bottles on offer (including its own award-winning Crusty Juggler rum). Hidden away at the back is a cute, compact bar area where you can enjoy a bottle of wine chosen from the shelf or fridge, try the St Ives Brewery beers on taps, or sip an expertly poured Golden Hour martini. johnswines.co.uk St Eia For wine bar chic This chic, intimate wine bar pours rare, low-intervention bottles alongside a short menu of bistro-inspired food. Chat to the knowledgeable team, who will help you pick a glass you’ll love, or buy a bottle to go. steiawines.com More travel inspiration... Best day trips from London by train Brighton guide: where locals eat and drink 14 small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations
This lush, unspoilt region has plenty to offer foodies beyond its famous cake
Baldwin Ho explains why he keeps trekking back to the Black Forest in Germany every year to dine on the very best that the verdant landscape has to offer.
When you think of the Black Forest, most people think of Black Forest gâteau. And, while this decadent creation is certainly a masterpiece of the region, the extremely fertile terroir has a plethora of gastronomic delights to offer. Immerse yourself in this gourmet region of unspoilt pine forests and scenic hiking routes, and you'll discover countless hidden gems. Here are some the best places to eat and drink in the Black Forest... For more European travel guides, check out our picks of the where to eat in Porto, the best restaurants in Tbilisi, Georgia, the best restaurants in Prague or our favourite European city breaks. Best places to eat and drink in the Black Forest CUBE Restaurant Stuttgart is one of the gateway cities into the Black Forest, and a great starting point. It's one of the greenest cities in Germany, with around 60 per cent dedicated to green space. You'll find some of the most progressive restaurants here, including Cube. The glass architecture ensures the best views of the city, overlooking the Kunstmuseum, and the menu is eclectic, with onsen tamago (low-temperature boiled egg) ramen sitting comfortably beside creamy burrata served with fig and port. It's one of the most cutting-edge restaurants you'll find in the region. cube-restaurant.de Grosser Meyerhof On the other end of the spectrum is Grosser Meyerhof, a must-try when you visit the unofficial capital of the Black Forest, Freiburg. It's one of the oldest taverns in the city, and has a disarming casual vibe with a rustic, wood-heavy interior. This is the kind of eatery where most diners are locals. Dishes are generously portioned and cost around the €10-20, and you can't miss the sizeable pork shoulder with sauerkraut or the comfort food heaven that is the käsespätzle (homemade egg noodles mixed with melted cheese and topped with caramelised onions). grosser-meyerhof.de Dorfstuben For refined country cooking, this restaurant is just the place. Situated inside the ultra-luxury five-star superior Hotel Bareiss, the farmhouse-style rooms ooze quaint charm, with authentic cuckoo clocks and traditional ceramic tile stoves. Personable waitresses even serve you dressed in traditional dirndl attire. It specialises in the regional cuisine that you'd be hard-pressed to find even in other parts of Germany, like the popular Swabian ravioli and apple fritters. You'll also find local fish dishes, as the hotel owns the Buhlbach trout farm nearby. bareiss.com Löwen Buchholz A significant portion of the Black Forest experience revolves around hiking, and you'll find numerous family-run restaurants and hotels in the countryside that serve exceptional dishes – one such spot is Hotel & Gasthaus Löwen Waldkirch-Buchholz, 12km north-east of Freiburg. Surrounded by boutique wineries and Black Forest scenery, this is what makes this region so magical. Local Swabian Hall pork is used for the schnitzel, which has higher marbling and richer flavour. The restaurant also leans heavily into seasonality – in autumn, you'll find plenty of pumpkin in the dishes, from risotto to cream soup. loewen-buchholz.com Restaurant zum Hirschen If you're looking for an authentic, tranquil Black Forest experience, Simonswald is the area to visit, with its lush, natural landscapes. Here, you'll also find Restaurant zum Hirschen, which serves local Swabian maultaschen – sizeable, square-shaped pasta dough pockets filled with a rich mixture of mince, breadcrumbs, spinach, onions and herbs. If you get into a conversation with the staff about Black Forest cake, you'll most likely end up with the iconic dish on your table. They feel that outside of the Black Forest, restaurants might not use kirschwasser (cherry brandy) – and that would be akin to a cardinal sin. To burn off the calories, visit the nearby historic oil mill – it was built in 1712 and fully restored in 2002, and you can purchase the walnut oil to take home. hotel-zum-hirschen.at Markthalle Stuttgart If you don't want to be tied down to the rigidity of a restaurant meal, visit this historic food hall in Stuttgart – an ideal way to explore the diverse culinary scene of the region. Stalls include Wurstliebe by Gustav Breyer, which offers a carefully curated selection of cured meats and high-quality sausages from all over Germany, alongside Swabian burgers (maultaschen in a bun). Here, you'll also find the most popular bakery in the city, Bäcker Baier. Founded in 1835, it's still going strong. markthalle-stuttgart.de Alte Wache Freiburg Another institution is Alte Wache in Freiburg – especially on a warm summer's day. It's a much-loved wine bar in the heart of the old town, directly on the Münsterplatz. It takes pride in being a gateway to Baden wine – you can taste and purchase around 100 bottles, including grauburgunder (pinot gris), spätburgunder (pinot noir) and riesling. The signature drink here is the kalte sofie: similar to a wine slushie, you can choose from a red or white wine option, or a non-alcoholic version. The sweetness is derived only from the addition of grape juice. alte-wache.com 3 foodie experiences in the Black Forest Wine tasting at Moosmann If you prefer wine tasting at an actual winery, consider Weingut Moosmann, located in the centre of Buchholz in the Black Forest. What makes it stand out is that it's very much a family-run affair – you'll be taken on the winery tour by owner Siegfried Moosmann, who will passionately discuss Baden wines for hours on end, even when you suspect he might have more important business to attend to in the winery! It specialises in various pinot varieties, such as spätburgunder, weißburgunder (pinot blanc) and grauburgunder. The dry wines are particularly highly rated, such as the 2019 Alte Reben Spätburgunder. weingut-moosmann.com Tapas hiking tour Culinary hiking tours are all the rage in the Black Forest region, and the Biederbach tapas tour delivers on both a diverse landscape and varied culinary offering. The total experience (and 16km hike) can take up to 8 hours, with three tapas stops along the way. The term "tapas" is used very loosely, as the portions are more akin to a starter, but you're still offered three dishes per stop. You'll pass verdant, sun-drenched meadows as well as towering, evergreen pine forests during your hike. Oberkircher culinary wine hike For another wine-focused experience, there's the Oberkirch wine hike. You'll cover a 7km hiking trail, with multiple stops for food and wine. Oberkirch is one of the most famous wine regions in the Black Forest, so you'll be surrounded by magnificent vineyard landscapes en route. The highlight is ascending to the summit of the Schauenburg Castle ruins for the the most mesmerising views of Oberkirch – it'll make you truly fall in love with the charming Black Forest region. More travel guides Best restaurants in Prague Best restaurants in Athens Best restaurants in Tbilisi Best restaurants in Valletta Best restaurants in Málaga
Best restaurants in Prague: where a local eats and drinks in the Czech capital
From the best classic Czech breakfast to hidden gems for a drink and refined tasting menus, these are the must-visit restaurants in Prague
Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Prague? Want to discover the city’s neighbourhood food scene beyond the old town? Insider Alexane Said says: “I lived in Prague for eight years and even now I go back every chance I get. Food has always been my way into the city and today, as a food and travel content creator, discovering the best places is my job. From bakeries I still crave to neighbourhood restaurants I return to every trip, playing city guide in Prague is something I’ll never tire of, so I’m thrilled to share my go-to spots here, far from the tourist crowds.” A local's best restaurants in Prague Grab breakfast at Eska Eska is a place I keep coming back to every time I’m in the city. Part bakery, part restaurant, it has two locations, both far from the tourist crowds, but my heart belongs to the Karlín one, set in a seriously cool industrial loft space. I always order the house-baked sourdough or the classic Czech breakfast (with butter, jam, soft-boiled egg, farmer’s cheese, Prague ham, curd cheese and a fermented soft drink) but the semolina porridge, or krupicová kaše (a proper Czech classic), is also a must. eska.ambi.cz Get a local lunch at U Tunelu U Tunelu is a hidden gem in Karlín, a classic Czech pub that feels like stepping into a local’s living room. The food is hearty, comforting and exactly what you want on a grey Prague afternoon. My tip: arrive early to snag a table, order the lunch special of the day, and linger over a draught beer like a true Karlín local. It’s my favourite spot for a relaxed and authentic Prague lunch. utunelu.cz Have the best date night at Alcron Alcron is one of Prague’s most refined dinner destinations, a true city legend since 1932, now reimagined with a modern flair. The tasting menu is full of clever, vegetable-forward dishes that reinvent Central European classics in the most surprising ways. I truly can’t get enough of the bryndza parfait (soft, tangy sheep’s cheese from Slovakia) combined with white chocolate, hazelnuts and apricot purée. Sounds weird, right? But trust me, it’s incredible. Don’t forget to book ahead, it fills up fast. alcronprague.cz/restaurace The most inventive cocktails are at Café Bar Pilotů Tucked away in Vršovice, Café Bar Pilotů serves some of the most inventive cocktails I’ve ever had. And its signature drinks are totally worth the detour. I love grabbing a seat at the bar, chatting with the bartenders and letting them surprise me with something off-menu. It’s the kind of neighbourhood spot you’ll keep coming back to. instagram.com/cafe_bar_pilotu Head to Kolacherie for amazing pastries Kolacherie is my fave spot for a real Czech sweet you actually should try: the koláč. A koláč is a round, yeasted pastry with a soft dough and a sweet filling (traditionally fruit, cheese or poppy seed) that’s been a Czech staple for generations. And, yes, a quick note: trdelník isn’t actually Czech, so skip it here and stick to the real deal. kolacherie.cz Old town’s best-kept secret If you want a true taste of Prague like a local, go to Masna Kozí. This butcher turned canteen serves hearty, ever-changing daily specials and I’m obsessed with the soups, especially the kulajda, a creamy dill and mushroom classic. Grab a beer, find a spot at the counter and let the flavours transport you – it’s rustic, comforting and exactly the kind of gem I love returning to. masnakozi.cz The coolest coffee shop in Prague Cafefin is my happy place for coffee, pastries and people watching. The espresso is spot-on, the brunch menu has fun international touches (Vietnamese-inspired dishes alongside classic pastries) and I cannot resist the ube latte. And, if you’re a true coffee nerd, it has some of the best in Prague. @cafefin.coffee The most unusual fine-dining experience Ready for Prague’s wildest dining experience? Housed in a dramatic stalactite-covered cave beneath Wenceslas Square and full of carved figures and mythic vibes, Triton reinvents Czech classics with a lot of surprising twists. The Czech modern art tasting menu, paired with excellent wines, makes every part of the meal feel like an unforgettable culinary adventure. prague-restaurant.eu A hidden slice of Vietnam in Prague If you think Prague is all svíčková and řízek, Rice Field will make you think again. Tucked away on a quiet Vinohrady street, it serves Vietnamese mâm cơm: family-style spreads of dishes meant for sharing. Vietnamese cuisine has become part of Prague’s foodie scene thanks to the long-established Vietnamese community. I love going with friends to try a bit of everything. ricefieldprague.cz Go for traditional Czech Cuisine at U Šumavy U Šumavy is where I go when I want proper Czech food. The wood-lined, old-school pub feels like stepping back in time and the portions are ridiculously generous. I always go for the plněné bramborové knedlíky uzeným masem (filled potato dumplings with smoked pork and white cabbage) all washed down with, of course, a cold Czech beer. It’s what Prague locals live for. usumavy.cz More travel guides Best restaurants in Folegandros Best restaurants in Athens Best restaurants in Tbilisi Best European mountain escapes Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
Picture-perfect slopes, panoramic views and fabulous food – these European resorts tick all the boxes
From the well-known Val D'Isere and Verbier to lesser known spots in Bulgaria and even skiing within the UK, these are the best ski destinations in Europe. Picture-perfect slopes, panoramic views and fabulous food – these European ski destinations tick all the boxes. Whether you're a newbie skier, looking for the best après-ski food or want to have your pick of the highest ski runs, these are the ski destinations to book for your next ski holiday. Once you've chosen your destination, check out our picks of the best ski resorts to stay at, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to classic chalets and trendy new openings. If this all sounds a little chilly for you, browse the best winter sun destinations for a warmer break filled with sunshine. Best ski destinations in Europe Cortina, Italy For a glitzy Olympic adventure In a deep valley backed by dramatic peaks, the ‘queen of the Dolomites’ is a two-time Olympic host, in 1956 and 2026. Cortina’s athlete-challenging craggy mountains – resembling sugar-dusted panettone – blush pink at enrosadira sunset hour when Corso Italia fills for the evening passeggiata. The street is flanked by the likes of Prada, Dior and Moncler, who make an art form of their window displays. Aperitivi at venerable 19th-century bars include the mimosa-style Puccini at Hotel de la Poste. Treat ski-sore muscles to a steam at Hotel de Len’s chic, rooftop spa which offers Alpine herb-scented massages and epic valley views. The hotel's multi-course Tyrolean breakfasts are banquets of Alpine speck, strudel and pretzels. New hotel offerings are stepping into the Olympic spotlight: cosy, Tyrolean Hotel Ancora has recently been revamped by Diesel fashion mogul Renzo Rosso. The clubby hangout, with glam, boudoir-style rooms, comes with a Manhattan-vibes cocktail bar and a terrace set along a generous stretch of the Corso where you might dine on polenta with local saporito d’alpeggio cheese. New cable cars offer easier access to Cortina’s slopes – best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers – and post-Games, the new bobsleigh track should open to thrill-seeking tourists. Zermatt, Switzerland For high-altitude skiing and extensive fine dining This Swiss all-rounder resort offers skiing right through the summer thanks to its extensive glacier. In winter, accessible off-piste tempts first-timers and experts alike, while more than 300km of groomed, high-altitude slopes weave around the looming triangular peak of the Matterhorn right into Cervinia, in Italy. Ski hard or simply revel in the tranquillity of this car-free, rail-accessible resort, where Michelin-star restaurants sit alongside informal rösti huts and pasta places. Try Peruvian-Japanese-Alpine ceviche at La Muña or have an outdoors firepit fondue under the stars. And if Zermatt’s keen prices challenge the pocket, ski across the border into piste-linked Cervinia for great-value Italian fare. Come for the slopes and the wide range of dining options, stay for the even wider range of winter sports like curling, snow shoeing and sledding or hiking along the beautiful, Matterhorn-backed Rotenboden-Riffelberg trail. And don’t miss the ride into the resort aboard the distinctive red carriages of the cogwheel Gornergrat railway, a sparkling experience in itself. Les Arcs, France For a rail-accessible family ski break This north-central French ski resort really has something for everyone: steep, ungroomed black runs, carpet-like blues for intermediates and plenty of beginner runs and progression areas to encourage newbies. And if that isn’t enough, cable cars link neighbouring La Plagne, to form the 425km-piste Paradiski, one of the world’s largest ski areas. Les Arcs’ four interconnected villages are spread across the peaks above the valley town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice – an international railway hub that’s just a seven-minute funicular ride away – which makes this part of France a favourite with no-fly skiers. The overnight train from Paris allows you to hit the slopes as soon as the sun rises, or take one of the frequent daytime trains from Paris (5hrs) or Lille (3hrs). Most accommodation is self-catering and ski-in/ski-out – a win for families herding young skiers. Stock up on essentials in Bourg-Saint-Maurice for better choice and value. Or stay in Arc 1800 village for the widest range of restaurants. Try Casa Mia for hearty pastas or well-priced pizza at L'Altiport Restaurant at the foot of the Snow Park with cracking Mont Blanc views. There are plenty of places to sample regional Savoyard mountain fare, too – the likes of raclette, tartiflette and crozets buckwheat pasta dishes – while La Folie Douce serves up food, fun and legendary apres-ski. Famed for its jeroboams of Krug, live music and table-dancing patrons, this French Alpine franchise also does food without fuss at Le Butcher Shop including gourmet burgers to-go or, at smart self-service spot, Le Petite Cuisine, tartiflette, warming French onion soups and salads. Courmayeur, Italy For a gourmet escape This elegant Aosta Valley town on Italy’s French borders has excellent skiing for intermediates and off-pisters, and superlative views of Mont Blanc — a stellar backdrop that’s more than matched by its starry culinary credentials. Along with Italian ski regions such as Alta Badia, Courmayeur has an impressive dedication to fine wine and great food. Up on piste, head for gourmet mountain hut Chiecco where menus include locally made organic polenta, and Fassona beef along with house-made pasta and gelato. Thanks to the main Courmayeur cable car (Plan Chécrouit) shuttling between mountain and town until midnight, the resort's numerous slopeside restaurants are popular dinner spots – visit Capitan des Alpes for suckling pig. Take the Skyway aerial tram for reach-out-and-touch views of Mont Blanc complete with the ‘vertigo walk’ viewing platform. Steady your stomach with excellent pizza at The Tunnel base station. Down in town, at Cadran Solaire the Garin family serve up such Aosta specialities as mocetta (lean-cut bresaola-like salumi) and ‘flan’ with local fontina cheese and spinach. Lech, Austria For low-key luxe Beloved of European royals eschewing the glitz of St Moritz, this Austrian beauty is all about traditional Alpine charm. Accommodation is in timber chalets, the town and its onion-domed churches spilling gently down the mountain around the curve of the Lech River. Part of Ski Arlberg, Austria’s largest connected ski area, Lech is one of the country’s snowiest resorts. Its low-key slopes, perfect for intermediates, join with St Anton for livelier après and more challenging pistes. With winter hiking, cross country and snow shoeing, Lech is not just all about the downhill, and food is very much a focus, year round. The region has an abundance of small producers and a disproportionate number of gourmet restaurants (see also the nearby ski resort of Ischgl for culinary credentials). An hour’s hike from town, Restaurant Klösterle’s menu is hyper local, much of its ingredients foraged in summer and preserved for winter, with fish including trout from Lake Constance and grass carp from Niederösterreich. While on the slopes, The Wolf serves warming curries alongside traditional schnitzels and broth-based fondues in a sleek mountain hut setting. In town, make a fine-dining beeline for the spruce-panelled restaurants at Almhof Schneider and Hotel Arlberg. Glenshee, Scotland For skiing on your doorstep The mountains are wild, views across the Glens epic and, prevalent winds aside, skiing in Scotland can be magical. Of the five Scottish resorts, Glenshee, in the Cairngorms National Park is by far Britain’s largest snow sports area with some 40 miles o pisted runs. The resort’s website is an invaluable resource for updates on the weather and how many ski lifts are operating. On good snow/low wind days arrive well before the lifts open to bag a car park space – and to beat the traffic along the A93 ‘snow road’ through the national park. Lessons and equipment hire are available on site (again, book ahead) and don’t miss a black pudding bap at base lodge, Tea@TheShee. Within dashing distance of Balmoral Castle, good for bad weather excursions, Glenshee is located between Blairgowrie and Braemar. Stay in the latter, a traditional Highland town where The Fife Arms (pictured below) offers boutique accommodation, a pub, posh dining room, cocktail bar and, for the ski season, a fondue hut, all drawing on local produce from gamekeepers, farmers and fisherman; while The Bothy at Braemar is the spot for a full Scottish breakfast. Bulgaria For beginners and bargain hunters Bulgaria’s modest-sized ski resorts offer great value for novices who want to dip their toes into a snow sports holiday. The country consistently ranks as the best-value European ski destination. Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are the three most well-known resorts, Bansko having seen the biggest recent investment in facilities. With pretty, forested slopes, efficient lifts and modern accommodation, Bansko is also Bulgaria’s largest resort, with some 75km of runs, lots of bars and restaurants, and the broadest choice of accommodation. Borovets, Bulgaria’s second largest winter sports hub, has less places to dine out but a purpose-built resort focussed on catered ski-in ski-out chalets, which avoids the usual minibus transfer to the lifts. It’s also just an hour from Sofia airport (Bansko is two). Try a hearty plate of Bulgarian meatballs, mash and smoked peppers with a piste-side panorama at The Terrace Lounge in Borovets. In Bansko, slope-side dining is pricier than in town. A hearty staple found in most mehanas (traditional tavernas) is kapama, meat and vegetables stewed in an earthenware dish. Package trips offer the best Bulgaria bargains, many incorporating half-board stays in locally run ski chalets with homecooked food, such as those from Balkan Holidays and Crystal Ski. Sölden, Austria For luxury mountain-top dining Due to its high altitude and two glacier ski areas, the ski season in Sölden runs from October to May. You will find 144 kilometres of varied pistes, which means everyone from beginners to pros can take advantage of the immaculate slopes. Families will love the 7.3km toboggan run which takes you through snow-clad winter forest and magical mountain views – it’s also lit up on Wednesday evenings for night-time adventure seekers. Even in peak season there are next to no queues for gondolas, two of which are the most powerful in the world, with a capacity of 4,500 people per hour. Sölden has plenty to offer outside of snow season or on bad weather days, the restaurant Ice Q is perched at 3,048 metres and is also featured in Spectre – it’s easy to see why this striking building with unrivalled views was selected for a Bond film. The chef’s table menu here is four courses of excellence and guarantees you a window seat. Wine lovers would do well to sample the Pinot Noir 3000, matured on the summit of Gaislachkogl in oak barrels, and a speciality of the restaurant and luxury spa hotel Das Central. In April, local and international chefs and renowned winegrowers come together for Wein am Berg, a wine and gourmet food festival where you can book to join a wealth of foodie events, including high-altitude wine tasting and sampling dishes from a range of talent. Verbier, Switzerland For advanced skiers Cherished by keen skiers and off-pisters, Verbier is home to renowned ski schools including the venerable Warren Smith Ski Academy. Skiing may be front and centre but Verbier is a proper Swiss town in its own right. Surrounded by the farms of the Valais, this region is the home of Hérens cows whose milk is used for raclette cheese. It’s also great wine country. Host to a summer festival celebrating wines from across the Alps, in winter a great place to taste varieties made with grapes grown on the Valais vertiginous slopes is 67 Pall Mall. The outpost of the London member’s club has a 3,500- strong wine line, a third of which is Swiss, and its downstairs bar is public access. An import from New York, Black Tap offers mammoth gourmet burgers and super-sized hot chocolates in a space-age dome structure at the top of the Mont-Fort ski lift. For classic fondue comfort food, head to cosy mountain hut Ô Caboulis, and the buzzy Le Dahu for wood-fired pizza and loaded crêpes. Down in town, Hôtel de Verbier has boutique rooms and its La Nonna restaurant serves Italian-Swiss fare, including organic house-made pasta and ossobuco with Swiss veal. Tignes and Val D'Isère, France For miles of fun Accessible by direct train from the UK, and with slopes that stay open until May, the linked French resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isère offer a long season and almost endless terrain. Tignes has excellent off-piste plus glacier skiing on Grande Motte (at a whopping 3,456m), both offer a choice of runs from beginners through to advanced skiers across some 190 miles of slopes. For budget and self-catering accommodation, Tignes is top, although 2022 openings Le Diamond Rock and Club Med have added to its high-end hotel offering, while Le Panoramic is the world’s highest Michelin-starred restaurant at 3,032m, with a menu of wood-fired dishes. Val d’Isère has some increasingly smart stays and chic places to eat, including two Michelin-starred L’Atelier d’Edmond, headed up by chef Benoît Vidal, a boon for those seeking delicate fish and veggie dishes. Hunt out good value hearty eats (burgers, steaks) on piste at Les Marmottes mountain hut near the terrain park and Borsat Express chair lift. While the Alps’ original afternoon party landmark, La Folie Douce, now has a stylish self-service spot upstairs (affordable pasta, roast chicken and salads). More travel guides Best unique UK holiday cottages Best glamping for foodies Best Irish holidays Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best UK summer travel ideas
Delis are set to be this year’s biggest hospitality trend: here’s where to find the UK's best
Stock up on the finest provisions at these specialist food stores, including an Italian institution and an Aladdin's cave of Persian produce
Delicatessens are fast becoming go-to destinations for food lovers seeking quality produce, regional specialities or simply a good cup of coffee and a pastry. Whether you’re stocking up on pantry essentials, hunting for a prime foodie gift or intrigued by those little luxuries that make cooking more exciting, these independent gems across the UK deliver on flavour, provenance and a sense of community, from historic establishments to neatly curated farm shops and bucolic village nooks. Best delicatessens in London Farm Shop, Mayfair For seasonal British produce This stylishly outfitted deli on South Audley Street in Mayfair is the sort of gem that London foodies dream of shopping in daily. By day, the ground floor is a showcase for the best of British produce, with baskets of vibrant fruit and vegetables, rustic sourdough, tempting bakes and shelves stacked with artisan chutneys and jams, all sourced from the company’s own Somerset farm and a select group of producers. There sare also grab-and-go sandwiches, toasties and coffee. As the evening arrives, follow the discreet arrows through the deli and down to the softly lit basement, where candlelight and a welcoming buzz set the scene for wine, leisurely grazing and people-watching. Think rotisserie chicken, indulgent cheese toasties and generous sharing boards piled high with Somerset charcuterie and cheese (cheese lovers will be in their element, with temperature-controlled rooms ensuring the likes of Yarlington, Montgomery's cheddar and creamy Bath Blue are always at their best). farmshop.co.uk The Ealing Grocer For sustainably minded staples What started as a lockdown project between Ealing denizens Andy Harris and Katie Millard has flourished into a neighbourhood fixture, supplying the W5 area with premium pantry staples, hand-sliced meats, farmhouse cheeses, homewares and more. This paradise of artisanal wares was inspired by the co-owners' various work travels visiting eclectic épiceries, street markets and tavernas. Pimp up your pantry with the likes of pickled green figs, La Guinelle vinegars and Cantabrian seafood (many of the products are exclusive to the store, imported through Andy’s other business, Vinegar Shed). There is also a daily roster of traiteur-style prepared food (think chicken and saffron rice soup, pumpkin arancini and spanakopita), and you can also catch Andy making his celebrated soft serve ice cream, with diverse flavours like saffron, melon, vanilla and sea buckthorn. Devotees to sustainability, they sell many things by the scoop and encourage shoppers to bring their own bottle to fill with the best Greek honey or olive oil. theealinggrocer.com Gladwell's, Camberwell For a little bit of everything Housed inside a Grade II listed former bank, this neighbourhood store has it all under one roof, from everyday essentials through to luxury treats for gifting. Trending deli staples share space on the packed shelves with English forced rhubarb, Dusty Knuckle sourdough, British cheese from Mons Cheesemongers, natural wine and fresh seafood, not to mention a sleek butcher's counter from Turner & George, the award-winning butcher co-owned by chef Richard Turner (Hawksmoor, Meatopia, Pitt Cue Co). The counter sells freshly baked Viennoiserie and bagels, deli sandwiches and homemade sausage rolls, which disappear in minutes. In the the evening, sip on a glass of wine or beer at shop prices. gladwells.co.uk Lulu's, Herne Hill For unique comestibles The sister wine bar and shop to Herne Hill restaurant Llewelyn's, this bijou deli champions quality and craft in its carefully selected products from the kitchen's favoured suppliers, along with house-made pantry provisions. Rare and local finds include green hot sauce from Rye Lane, spiced tomato juice from The Pickle House in Suffolk and EVOO from Honest Toil. Lulu's ensures locals and commuters are well fed with a weekly changing menu of pastries and coffee, freshly made sandwiches and salads, with small plates, wine and cocktails served from 6pm. lulus.london Lina Stores, Soho For high-quality Italian fare A Soho fixture since 1944, Lina Stores is the city's most famous destination for authentic produce and ingredients imported from Italy. The mint-tiled corner shop is a visual treat, its shelves crammed with everything from metre-long pasta frills to chic bottles of passata, ideal for gifts, stocking up the larder or simply treating yourself. Regulars love the fresh pasta bar and a meat and cheese counter, piled high with over 40 different types of salumi and formaggi, from ’nduja and finocchiona to creamy gorgonzola. You can also expect delectable pastries and sweets – all ready to take home or enjoy with a strong Italian coffee on the spot. linastores.co.uk Persepolis, Peckham For Persian pantry staples Step into this quirky deli-cum-café and stock up on exciting Persian pantry staples. This much-loved deli is a cornucopia of tins, spices, paklava and beyond, with Persian rugs, cookware and shisha pipes adding to the atmosphere. Beyond the shelves, a relaxed café rustles up vibrant meze platters and a unique selection of meat-free dishes — think tofu scrambled with dates and aromatic spices, or indulgent dairy-free sundaes bejewelled with Persian sweets. foratasteofpersia.co.uk Provisions, Islington For wine and cheese This smart Islington shop is worth a visit for its inimitable line-up of cheese and wine. Provisions was founded in 2015 (with a second shop on Hackney Road that opened in April 2022), and the team puts a lot of care into the curation, seasonality and presentation of their products, importing raw milk cheese, organic and natural wines, cured meats and other deli items mainly from small producers in France and Italy. Aiming to make wine and artisan food affordable and accessible rather than elitist, Provisions stocks quality products like tinned fish from Portugal, cured meats from the French Basque Country and craft beer from across the UK. Later in the evening the space morphs into an intimate pintxos bar. provisionslondon.co.uk The Larder, Lewisham For local London finds Opened in 2014 by south London foodies Katherine and Cynthia, this homely delicatessen stocks as locally as possible, including beers from Brockley Brewery and Villages, bread from Boulangerie Jade and Cooper's Bakehouse, Catford Honey, chutneys and oils from Pat & Pinky’s, Catford and Lewisham Gins. Organic fruit, veg and salad comes from Chegworth Valley Farm in Kent and Sitopia Farm in Greenwich, while British cheese (Neal’s Yard Dairy) and European cheeses (Mons Cheesemongers) is delivered every week. Owing to its well-curated range, The Larder was recently crowned the best deli in London. thelarderdeli.com Terroni of Clerkenwell For fresh Italian produce London’s oldest delicatessen (and arguably the first in England), Terroni of Clerkenwell has been a family-run fixture since 1878. Inside, counters brim with Italian cheeses, cured meats and freshly made pizza. Must-tries include taleggio, creamy burrata, punchy gorgonzola, guanciale and mortadella studded with pistachios. Settle in with the locals for a slice of just-baked pizza, best enjoyed with an Aperol spritz or a glass of sangiovese. terroni.co.uk <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2026/02/GettyImages-2253596920-7864e4f.jpg" width="5621" height="3751" alt="A street-level shot captures the double storefront of ‘TERRONI OF CLERKENWELL’ on Clerkenwell Road. The deli is housed in a handsome red-brick Victorian building with white-framed sash windows on the upper floors. The shopfront features dark green signage with gold lettering, and several small tables and chairs are set out on the pavement in front of the large glass windows." title="Terroni Of Clerkenwell Italian Delicatessen Facade" /> Jones of Brockley, Crofton Park For high-end wares All your picnic needs are catered for at this family-run store, neatly curated with posh jars of olives, nuts and tapenade, British beers, cider and more. Its commitment to selling flavour-first supplies and quality groceries is evident in its samples of peaches from Natoora, ice cream sandwiches from Happy Endings and 100% British canned fish from Sea Sisters. Towards the end of the week, cop artsy, buttery bakes delivered by Toklas Bakery, such as their 'nduja and cheddar croissant. jonesofbrockley.com Harrison’s, Ealing For cheese or something special This unassuming spot has been a local haven for fine wine and life’s little luxuries since 2010. Check out the bumper crop of British and European cheeses which line the shelves, spotlighting award-winning cheesemakers like Snowdonia Cheese Co. It also stocks a solid range of gourmet treats; highlights include truffle carpaccio, duck rillettes and fresh Scotch eggs. The team are wine and spirits specialists, too. harrisonswines.co.uk Mum’s Whole Food, Harringay For organic groceries It's almost impossible to walk past this family-run store without stopping to admire its abundant flower display. Inside, there's a bounty of organic produce in all shapes and colours flanking shelves of little goods to satisfy every craving, from luxury teas to truffle cheddar and freshly baked cinnamon rolls from the bakery. There's also a decent health and wellbeing section stocking clean beauty products and green household items. mumswholefood.co.uk Best delicatessens across the UK… Lunya, Liverpool For authentic Spanish flavours Lunya is a family-run Catalonian deli-restaurant that celebrates the best of Spanish produce and cuisine. Step inside and you’ll find shelves stocked full of regional wines, sherries and vermouths, alongside a deli counter laden with fresh padron peppers, piquillo pepper hummus, and an extensive array of artisan Spanish cheeses – from nutty manchego and mighty wheels of cabrales blue to creamy torta (Lunya says it has the UK’s largest stock of cheese from Catalunya and Spain). The selection of cured meats is equally tempting, with acorn-fed Ibérico ham taking centre stage. For 15 years, Lunya has been a go-to for food lovers seeking authentic flavours, with everything from Asturian cider to Navarran roncal cheese available to take home. lunya.co.uk Martin & Malthouse, the Cotswolds For olive oil and local cheese A collaboration between family and friends, Martin & Malthouse is a rustic-chic deli, café and bottle shop in the quaint town of Tetbury. Shelves are teeming with local cheeses, meats, baked goods and coffee, alongside an assured clutch of fine wines, beers and spirits in the bottle shop. Make a beeline for the olive oil pressed from the family’s own groves in Greece. Each Thursday, the shop transforms into a buzzing evening wine bar, offering charcuterie and cheese boards, while a local sourdough pizza maker pops up a couple of times a month to dish up freshly baked slices. martinandmalthouse.co.uk Lupe Pintos, Glasgow For hot sauce and more For nearly a quarter of a century, Lupe Pintos has been a vibrant fixture in Glasgow’s West End and a haven for spice lovers, brimming with more than 100 varieties of hot sauce, Mexican products and speciality foods from across the Americas. Whether you’re on the hunt for an interesting Mexican beer or seeking authentic ingredients for a chilli con carne, a visit to Lupe is always a discovery. Shelves are filled with everything from dried chillies and Yorkshire-made Mexican-style queso fresco to freshly delivered tortillas each Wednesday. Devotees make pilgrimages here for cult favourites such as La Carmina from Asturias, a cooking chorizo that has graced the deli’s counter for decades. lupepintos.com Eusebi Deli, Glasgow For Italian groceries Eusebi Deli began life as a humble Italian grocer in Glasgow’s East End in 1975. It's since flourished into a vibrant deli and restaurant in the city’s West End, with regional and seasonal Italian dishes taking centre stage. Expect a deli counter with ready prepared meals, fresh pasta, grocery provisions and fine wines at your fingertips. The team’s commitment to quality is unwavering; in the on-site ‘pasta laboratory’, pasta is crafted daily from scratch, using a variety of flours including chickpea, chestnut and grano arso. eusebideli.com Picnic Fayre, Norfolk For Norfolk stock Running for over 40 years, find this bucolic deli squashed into an old forge in the shadow of Cley Windmill. Shelves are lined with the deli’s own chutneys and spice pastes, but the real star is their speciality bread: pillowy focaccia drizzled with a fragrant lavender marinade. Foodies can also fill their totes with Norfolk wines, homemade pâtés and quiches and local preserves and mustards. The deli also stocks fresh sourdough and viennoiserie from ‘Baked in Cley’, made only a stone's throw away. picnic-fayre.co.uk Cedarbarn Farm Shop, North Yorkshire For Yorkshire supplies A treasure trove of Yorkshire deli finds, Cedarbarn Farm Shop on the outskirts of Pickering is a must-visit. This wholesome deli and farm shop is a go-to spot for foodies to stock up on artisan treats, with a considered range of fresh produce grown on its own farm and groceries from some of Yorkshire's finest suppliers (Shepherd's Purse cheeses, Whitby Seafish smoked fish and Yorkshire Rapeseed oil, for example). Shelves are lined with Rosebud Preserves jams, local Yorkshire honey, Cartwright & Butler butterscotch crunch biscuits and bottles of Wold Top Brewery ales. cedarbarnfarmshop.co.uk Broadway Deli, the Cotswolds For locally grown produce Housed in a characterful 17th-century building with a storied past — including stints as a vicarage, tea room and guest house — Broadway Deli has been a cherished fixture in the Cotswolds for over two decades. Step inside to discover shelves jammed with freshly baked bread and pastries, locally grown fruit and veg and artisan cheeses, nestled alongside a selection of wines and deli essentials sourced from near and far. Beyond the counter, a delightful café and picturesque garden offer the perfect spot to linger over your finds. broadwaydeli.co.uk
Plan your next relaxing getaway – from wineries in Slovenia to serene bathhouses in Japan
Travel has become noisier than ever with overcrowded destinations and packed itineraries. As everyday life grows louder – digitally, socially and emotionally – even holidays can begin to feel exhausting rather than restorative. Cue the ‘quietcation’. A more deliberate approach to travel that favours quieter places – anchored of course by great, local food as one essential component. If you're seeking a touch more zen on your next break, these are some of our favourite destinations around the world for a quietcation... For more travel inspiration, check out our guide to 10 unique walking holidays for food lovers and 9 cities that should be on every foodie's bucket list. 10 quietcation ideas for food lovers Vipava Valley, Slovenia Slovenia’s Vipava Valley, with its rich fertile soil, has always been known as a wine-growing region. Boutique wineries such as Lepa Vida and Vina Štrancar open their cellars for tastings of indigenous varieties such as klarnica, zelen and pinela. Visit during osmica – open-door periods which normally happen twice a year – when farmers welcome all for wine tasting and home cooking. Or try the wine train, where local vintners host tastings together as the train rolls through the valley. An abundance of local ingredients means great restaurants across the region, from the Michelin-starred Gostilna Pri Lojzetu Restaurant to fine dining at Gostilna Žeja, or forgotten heritage recipes at Restavracija Grad Kromberk. Smaller inns offer Vipava dry-cured prosciutto, or jota (a hearty soup made from soured turnip) and Štruklji, sweet rolled dumplings using cherries, apricots or peaches from the surrounding orchards. Go hiking for stunning views from high plateaus, take a walk over the 25 bridges spanning the multitude of springs in the area or simply amble among the ruins of Vipava Castle. Stay at Theodosius Forest Village, where glamping and gourmet adventures go hand in hand. Extend your Slovenia trip with a few days in the capital exploring Ljubljana's best restaurants and in the lush, green Julian Alps. Småland, Sweden In the heart of southern Sweden you’ll find Småland. You can wander through peaceful forests, linger in lakeside cafés or settle in at quiet restaurants where nature and flavour go hand in hand. Foraging is part of everyday life here and the Swedish right of public access, allemansrätten, grants everyone the right to pick berries and mushrooms. At Stufvenäs you’ll find yourself seated under Sweden’s largest oak trees next to the Kalmar Strait, dining over an open fire on dishes using fir shoots, birch leaves, mushrooms, lingonberries, rose hips and nettles. Silence here is interrupted only by birdsong and the king of the forest, the moose. The area’s abundant apple and fruit orchards will help quench your thirst. Try Ängabacken's birch soda, a sparkling non-alcoholic drink made from pure birch sap, or head to Rudenstams for its cider or bubbly white currant soda. At the farm café you can also sample locally smoked trout and smørrebrød. Stay at Asa Herrgård where you’ll travel through a quiet mossy path, foraging herbs, nuts and mushrooms along the way, perhaps picking up some local crayfish if they are in season. And then settle in under the ancient trees to prepare your meal and feast. Lake Saimaa, Finland Nestled in Finland’s pristine Lakeland, Lake Saimaa is emerging as a destination for food lovers seeking slow, nature-led travel. Recognised as a European Region of Gastronomy, the area appeals for both its restorative calm plus the great restaurants offering seasonal, locally sourced menus. Start with a gentle walk over Pususilta Kissing Bridge to the Lusto Forest Museum and lunch at its new restaurant along the unique ridge landscape of Punkaharju. Try muikku (vendace) – these little freshwater fish which are pan-fried and served with mashed potatoes and lemon. For an immersive experience, take a Vendace Trawling Cruise, where local fishermen entertain you with stories of Saimaa’s fishing culture. You might also be lucky enough to also spot the ringed seal, which likes to feast on the fish. A sauna can’t be missed. Try five very different experiences while tasting your way through various specialities like karjalanpiirakka, a rye crust pastry filled with rice pudding and served with egg butter, leipäjuusto, squeaky cheese, pulla, sweet cardamom-flavoured bread, and korvapuustit, cinnamon rolls. Coffee lovers should make a stop at Lehmus Roastery for kettu, otherwise known as bulletproof coffee. Stay at the Kuru Private Resort, which is also home to Finland’s ninth best restaurant, Solitary. Isle of Mull, Scotland Wild, windswept and beautifully uncrowded, the Isle of Mull speaks to those who love big skies, windswept seas and seasonal eating. Head off the beaten path with a walking trail past Tobermory Harbour into Aros Park where you’ll find hidden waterfalls, emerald ferns and sparkling lochans. Venture back into town to pick up treats from The Tobermory Fish Company and Isle of Mull Ice Cream. Or drive north to Glenforsa Café for cullen skink, seafood chowder and more stunning scenery. For a glimpse of Mull’s crofting heritage, join a Hebridean farm hike at The Fauld and lose yourself in local stories and flower meadows. Have lunch at Croft 3, a once-dilapidated ruin turned into an award-winning, low-carbon, community-focused restaurant. The menu is led by the landscape: lobster mornay or haggis with salsa verde, gorse flower negronis and sea buckthorn whisky sours. For a peaceful spot to watch the cows go by, visit Isle of Mull Cheese’s stunning Glass Barn. Make sure you try Isle of Mull Spirit made from the sweet whey left over from the cheese-making process. Stay at The Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa for unparalleled sea views and dinner at Òran na Mara seafood restaurant. Matsuyama, Japan The serene Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest bathhouses, sets the tone for a restorative, slow-paced stay in Matsuyama. Take in panoramic views from Matsuyama Castle, hike to nearby waterfalls or find quiet moments of reflection in the beautifully tended temple gardens. Fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea defines the local table – try taimeshi, sea bream steamed rice, mitsuhamayaki, a savoury pancake made with dried seafood, cabbage and fishcake, or matsuyamazushi, rice flavoured with fish stock and vinegar, topped generously with fish, shrimp and eel. The region grows over 30 varieties of mikan citrus so expect to enjoy it fresh or as gelato, jelly, juice or even beer. Noodles are also big here. Goshiki somen is a local speciality of five thin noodles which include mandarin orange alongside barley, matcha and ume apricot, or opt for nabeyaki udon, thick noodles served steaming in a hot pot. You can even travel up to one of the remote villages to make soba. Stay at the blissfully peaceful Yamatoya Besso for its traditional-style breakfasts and kaiseki ryori served in your tatami-clad room. Dangs, Gujarat, India Hidden in the forested hills of southern Gujarat, the tribal region of Dangs offers a peaceful escape combining food, craft and nature. Easy trails lead to breathtaking waterfalls – tick off visits to Gira or Girmal. Birdlife fills the teak and bamboo forests where you can spot (or simply listen out for) drongos, hornbills and bulbuls. Villagers converge weekly at Waghai market, where forest produce, seasonal vegetables and local grains are traded alongside tools and baskets. Combine this with a visit to Waghai Botanical Gardens which houses 1,400 species of Indian flora across 24 hectares of gardens. Bamboo is central to life here. In season you’ll find tasty peanut-stuffed bamboo curries or pickles at makeshift street stalls. Visit the Kotwalia tribe for a peaceful day of basket weaving or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods. In the evenings, local haats (markets) will tempt you with smells of frying bhajias, fritters made with wild greens or colocasia leaves which grow in abundance here – 50 rupees will buy you plenty to devour with a wealth of chutneys. Stay at Dang Forest Retreat. Rooms are furnished with locally crafted bamboo, and meals are lovingly cooked over wood fires – expect thalis of forest vegetables, millet rotis and lentils cooked every which way. Assignan, France Tucked away in the hills of the Hérault in the south of France, Assignan is a peaceful haven for food lovers surrounded by vineyards. Cycle along the quiet country roads with a cheese picnic picked up at one of the local markets. Its proximity to L’Étang de Thau offers a taste of the sea. Take a trip along the estuary to see oyster farms and indulge in giant oysters and mussels at the water’s edge of Le Saint Barth Tarbouriech. Equally stunning are the glistening pink waters of Gruissan, where the walkway is dotted with seafood shacks serving the smaller oyster variety farmed off the beaches of Narbonne. Explore the birthplace of French vermouth at nearby Marseillan or amble through Béziers, Sète or Carcassonne which equally showcase the area’s cuisine – try hearty cassoulet, duck confit or aligot – a dish of mashed potatoes, cream and cheese. Spend your evenings wandering between wine bars enjoying regional wines. The area is applauded for the diversity of its appellations including AOP Saint-Chinian and AOP Minervois with wine tours a plenty. Stay at Château Village Castigno for breakfast in the village square, hidden swimming pools overlooking the vines and exquisite fine dining. Paarl, South Africa At the foothills of the dramatic granite domes of Paarl Rock, this historic Cape Winelands town is a food and wine lover’s dream. It is surrounded by vineyards and fruit farms, and offers a relaxed stay that blends heritage architecture with slow, countryside-led food and wine experiences. Start with an e-bike tour from nearby Wellington visiting two to three wine farms and stopping for a long, lazy lunch at one of them. Or grab a coffee and sandwich to go from Sadie Coffee and try one of the many trails at Limietberg Nature Reserve, finishing with a dip in the amber rock pools. Meulwater Wildflower Garden is also close by. The restaurant scene is rich but relaxed – just what you need on a quiet getaway. Try Bistro at Brookdale Estate for breathtaking views or Noop where you can try Kalahari gemsbok or springbok and west coast black mussels. Stay at Untether – a contemporary haven just on the outskirts of Paarl where you can go for a farm walk with a local expert to learn about the vegetation alongside tales of old, or listen to nothing but the nature around you with some stargazing from the hot tub. Ürgüp, Turkey In the volcanic valleys of Anatolia, Ürgüp offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to Cappadocia’s busier towns. With its traditional stone architecture and calm streets it makes an ideal base for hiking through the peaceful valleys, exploring ancient caves or horse riding among the fairy chimneys. The town is steeped in pottery traditions, showcased with testi kebabı, a slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, garlic and spices sealed in a clay pot and cooked in a wood-fired oven. The pot is cracked open at your table to release the rich aromas and tender meat. This is a centuries-old tradition from the surrounding local villages. Ürgüp is also a grape growing region, so don’t miss pekmez, grape molasses. You’ll find plenty of village cafés serving gözleme, thin flatbreads filled with spinach, cheese, meat or potatoes, often with ayran, a yogurt drink, or pastirma, sun-dried beef cured with garlic, paprika and fenugreek. For a leisurely dinner, restored stone mansions like Zeferan offer fresh Anatolian meze, local wines from the foothills of Mount Erciyes and traditional desserts like helvası, toasted flour halva, or aside, a molasses pudding. Stay at Avantgarde Refined Cappadocia where rooms and the hammam are carved into volcanic rock. Flores, Guatemala Perched on a remote island in Lake Petén Itzá, Flores is a charming town of cobbled streets and colourful colonial-style houses. Once the final stronghold of the ancient Itza Maya, it now serves as a peaceful base for exploring northern Guatemala’s lush jungles and archaeological treasures. The town’s food scene reflects its Mayan heritage. Start at Mercado de Flores and Mercado Nuevo for a cultural immersion and to explore local snacks and street food like rellenitos de plátano, sweet plantain dumplings filled with black beans and cinnamon; chuchitos, corn husks filled with meat or vegetables and steamed; or chilorio, spiced pork; kak’ik, Mayan turkey soup; and pepián, spiced stew. All washed down with fresh tropical fruit juices. Get out onto the lake with a <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftikalgo.com%2Fpeten-itza-boat-tour-from-flores%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2c75097732154d340d9508de4f92cc16%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639035689091647697%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x%2Fijcelgzgj%2BABrFIv3H%2Baz%2F3Zn2ze%2B8%2B%2B66rbxVKEg%3D&reserved=0">boat ride at sunrise or sunset, or take a boat out to hike Mirador del Rey Canek, which offers views over the island. Flores is also close to <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftikalnationalpark.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2c75097732154d340d9508de4f92cc16%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639035689091679251%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sJexM0PI%2BiprOHGd3TPnVWM2vgDMTE1XXFEekFqxeHY%3D&reserved=0">Tikal National Park, Yaxhá and Uaxactún. Stay at the Isla de Flores Hotel where you can take in the sunset at its rooftop bar. More travel inspiration 10 best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK Best honeymoons for foodies Best Spanish food trips The magic of the highlands of Peru: seen from a luxury sleeper train Best Italian hotels for food lovers Best UK seaside staycations
10 things we love about Chinese New Year
Peter Ho, the Singaporean-Chinese executive chef of London's MiMi Mei Fair, tells us what makes Chinese New Year celebrations so special for him
Want to learn more about Chinese cuisine? Looking for Chinese dishes to try? Read our guide below then check out our guide to Chinese recipes, healthy Chinese New Year recipes and best Chinese restaurants in London. We also have our podcast with chef and School of Wok owner Jeremy Pang on the 10 things you need to know about Chinese New Year and the 10 things we love about Hong Kong-style cuisine. Peter started his culinary career at his family’s Chinese restaurant in Singapore, where his father taught him the fine art of carving meats during the school holidays. In 2013, he made the move to London to join the Hakkasan Group, before helming the kitchen at MiMi Mei Fair in 2021. Peter’s dishes take inspiration from Singapore, as well as Hong Kong and mainland China. 10 things we love about Chinese New Year 1. Red envelopes, blessings and tangerines On the first day of the new year, we wake up early and wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolise a new beginning of a good year. We take turns to pay respects to our elders by offering two tangerines and giving auspicious new year greetings. In return, we receive red envelopes of money as a blessing. 2. All-night mahjong Mahjong is a Chinese game for four players seated around a square table, which we have always played during Chinese New Year in my household. Each player is given mahjong tiles with different characters and suits. The tiles are shuffled noisily at the beginning of every game, knocking against each other, creating an atmosphere of liveliness in the home. Often, this game goes on through the night, and snacks such as the ones below are eaten to keep stamina up. 3. Bak kwa Bak kwa is a thinly sliced sweet-marinated barbecued pork and is a must-have during celebrations, especially when you have guests over. The popular bak kwa stores always have hour-long queues wrapping around the streets leading up to the festivities. 4. Fish Fish in Chinese sounds similar to our translation of ‘extra’, and it also symbolises abundance and wealth, so fish is a must during Chinese New Year feasting. My personal favourite is steamed dover sole with pickled chilli. It’s healthy and refreshing, and the pickle brings out the natural sweetness of the fish. 5. Chinese New Year snacks A week before celebrations begin, my mother and sisters would be busy making snacks for our guests. These snacks include ‘love letters’ (crêpes), sweet rice cakes, pineapple tarts, almond tarts, peanut cookies and shrimp sambal mini spring rolls. 6. Lion and dragon dances This is a traditional Chinese martial art form of dance. There are troops who visit businesses, households and public spaces to perform the dance, and give blessings for a prosperous new year. In Chinatown in Singapore, the lion dancers take over the whole area. 7. Firecrackers or sparklers Children play with firecrackers or sparklers throughout the 15 days of celebration. This tradition is to symbolise warding off bad energy and evil spirits. It is very noisy. 8. Lo hei Lo hei is a raw fish salad which is popular in Singapore and one of my favourite dishes. This salad is the most important dish on the seventh day of celebrations, as legend says that this was the day that the gods created man and it marked the birthday of the Chinese race. The salad comes with more than 20 ingredients, each symbolising different auspicious wishes for the new year. For example, the main ingredient being raw fish symbolises one always having more than enough, and vibrant ingredients such as carrot, white and green radishes, plum sauce, sweetened orange and sweetened melon mean that the year ahead will be full of colour. 9. Tang yuan On the 15th day of celebrations, the family gathers to make sticky glutinous rice balls in pandan and ginger soup, as the sticky rice symbolises unity within the family and the round shape symbolises eternity. Rice balls come with fillings such as black sesame, peanut and red bean. 10. Reunion dinner On the last day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family gathers to have a feast, which we call the ‘reunion dinner’, very similar to Christmas in Western culture. During this time, we prepare to invite and receive good fortune for the new year. When I was a child, this was always the one day of the year that I was allowed to stay up late. The whole family would gather round to listen to my grandmother telling us all folk tales and legends of our culture.
Best hotels in The Lake District for a lakeside retreat
Cosy up in a quirky country pub, spend the night in a stylish bed and breakfast or feast at a boutique hotel that's home to a destination restaurant with our guide to the Lake District’s best hotels
Looking for hotels in the Lake District? Want to know where to stay in Windermere? Read on for the best hotels in Cumbria and check out the best places to eat and drink in the area here. Next, discover the best UK spa hotels for food lovers, the best small towns in the UK for foodies and the best UK pubs with rooms. Rothay Manor, Ambleside Rooms from £260 including breakfast, check availability at rothaymanor.co.uk or booking.com In a nutshell A Grade II-listed Regency house with a quietly contemporary feel, set just outside Ambleside. Expect elegant rooms, a modern Pavilion extension, polished but relaxed service and thoughtful touches for walkers (and dogs), all rooted firmly in its Lake District surroundings. Why foodies stay here Dining centres on Rowan, the hotel’s modern British restaurant in the refined period dining room. The menu is confident and seasonal, balancing land and sea with dishes like cured trout with dill aïoli, beef fillet tartare and Ulverston crab custard to start, followed by halibut with mussels and butter sauce or day-boat fish — our John Dory was a standout main. Desserts include vibrant damson soufflé and comforting baked chocolate cheesecake. The bar menu is just as thoughtfully considered, with locally inspired cocktails like the Cumbrian Martini or Yorkshire Rose spritz, best enjoyed alongside indulgent small plates like smoked Torpenhow cheese croquettes. What are the rooms like? A sweeping driveway leads to the original house, built in 1823, alongside The Pavilion — a contemporary timber-and-glass extension designed to frame woodland views and maximise privacy. Pavilion suites are calm and understated rather than showy, decorated in earthy tones with boutique furnishings, mid-century ceramics and velvet sofas. Bathrooms are generous, with twin sinks, waterfall showers and roll-top tubs. Throughout, the feel is polished but unfussy. Breakfast Breakfast is reassuringly traditional and well executed, with options including overnight oats, house granola, smoked haddock, eggs hollandaise and other classics. It’s a comforting start to the day before heading into Ambleside, which is a short walk away, or straight out onto nearby trails. Where to eat and drink nearby In Ambleside, you’ll find iconic local restaurant, the Michelin-starred The Old Stamp House, where you can enjoy a three-hour tasting menu inspired by the Cumbrian surroundings, available via booking only. For a casual drink, try The Ambleside Tap, where Lakes Brew Co beer is poured alongside epic sandwiches from Toast. Rooms from £260 including breakfast, check availability at rothaymanor.co.uk or booking.com Farlam Hall, Brampton Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at farlamhall.com or booking.com In a nutshell Nestled in the heart of Cumbria, Farlam Hall is a tranquil retreat surrounded by ancient trees, serene ponds and stunning gardens that change with the seasons. Just a short drive from the North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall, it’s perfect for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. The elegant rooms offer comfort, while Cedar Tree Restaurant serves award-winning, locally sourced cuisine. A stay here promises peace, indulgence and the charm of the Lake District countryside. Why foodies stay here Chef Hrishikesh Desai has created a memorable dining experience at Cedar Tree Restaurant. The menu celebrates the finest locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the estate’s own kitchen gardens, resulting in seasonal dishes bursting with freshness and creativity. Each plate is thoughtfully crafted, balancing classic and Indian flavours with skill. The intimate atmosphere, immaculate service and beautifully curated wine list elevate the experience further. Whether indulging in a leisurely tasting menu or an à la carte dish or at the exclusive Hrishi’s table, dining at Farlam Hall is a celebration of Cumbria’s rich culinary heritage. What are the rooms like? As expected from a Michelin Key hotel and member of Relais & Châteaux, the rooms at Farlam Hall exude luxury. However, what truly sets them apart is the perfect blend of elegance and warmth, creating an inviting, homely atmosphere that encourages instant relaxation. Thoughtfully designed interiors, rich furnishings and lovely views of the hotel’s tranquil grounds enhance the peaceful ambiance. Whether unwinding in your room or admiring the picturesque surroundings, guests are enveloped in a sense of calm and comfort that makes Farlam Hall a beautiful getaway. Breakfast There’s a generous breakfast menu ranging from a full English to an omelette to fruit, granola and yogurt. As with the dinner menu, local and seasonal produce are at its heart. Where to eat and drink nearby Hidden River Cafe in Longtown, around 25 minutes by car, is a secluded restaurant in a stunning setting. It’s off the beaten track so a perfect spot to unwind. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at farlamhall.com or booking.com Gilpin Hotel & Country House, Windermere Doubles from £335 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk In a nutshell Luxurious bedrooms with lakeside views, individual spa suites and multiple dining options, including a Michelin-starred restaurant Why foodies stay here The main Gilpin hotel has two restaurant options – SOURCE and Spice. The Michelin-starred SOURCE offers a six or 10-course tasting menu with wine pairings that changes daily. Our menu included refined dishes like scallop, celeriac, truffle & white kelp, Sladesdown duck, beetroot, endive, kampot pepper & parfait, and white chocolate, caviar & hojicha. The more informal option is Gilpin Spice, a buzzy fusion restaurant with an open-plan kitchen. Here, menu highlights include Asian fried chicken, ox cheek rendang, Herdwick lamb rump boti, and sticky Jamaican sponge pudding with a coconut sorbet. There's also a solid afternoon tea offering at The Lake House. What are the rooms like? This Relais & Châteaux bolthole is set across the two sites, The Gilpin Hotel and The Gilpin Lake House – the former has bedrooms with lakeside views and cedarwood hot tubs, as well as five ‘spa lodges’ that have their own private ensuite spa. The Lake House is just over a mile away from the main hotel, and each of its six rooms have access to 100 acres of grounds, including a private lake, boat house, heated indoor pool and jetty spa. Breakfast Expect classic dishes like full English and eggs benedict, alongside buck rarebit with poached eggs. Guests not wanting to leave their cocoon-like bed can order breakfast to their rooms. Where to eat and drink nearby Try The Watermill Inn for a beef and home-brewed Collie Wobbles ale pie beside an open fire. Doubles from £335 per night, check availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk, or thegilpin.co.uk The Samling, Windermere Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at booking.com In a nutshell A luxurious country house hotel (think al fresco hot tubs, fine-dining and ornamental water gardens) set in nearly 70 acres of woodland, gardens and fields. It sits right on the banks of Lake Windermere. Why foodies stay here The kitchen garden, surrounded by apple and nut orchards, is well worth exploring. Cucamelons and microgreens grow in the central greenhouse, and wildflower meadows buzz with bees (their honey is used to sweeten desserts and cocktails). At the restaurant, which is made entirely of glass to make the most of those lake views, executive head chef Robby Jenks is in charge of a modern menu that includes the likes of shellfish raviolo with citrus bisque, turbot with mussels and samphire, and rhubarb with vanilla, ginger and lemon. What are the rooms like? Most overlook a tree-lined Lake Windermere (only two have woodland and garden views instead), and all are decorated in plush neutrals, with sash windows, marble bathrooms and goose down pillows and duvets. For an extravagant stay, pick the Windermere Suite: it’s at the very top of the estate and benefits from its own private patio (with astonishing views) and a copper-clad freestanding bath. Breakfast It’s a short menu, but one which includes kedgeree, homemade granola with yogurt, and fresh fruit. Where to eat and drink nearby The Priest Hole restaurant and tea rooms, part of Kelsick Old Hall, is a 10-minute drive away, and is the ideal spot for a laidback lunch on the terrace. The classics are done well here – jumbo fish finger sandwiches with homemade tartare sauce, Cartmel-smoked salmon salads and Cumberland sausage chilli dogs. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at booking.com or thesamlinghotel.co.uk The Pentonbridge Inn, Penton Check rates and availability at pentonbridgeinn.co.uk In a nutshell A once-tired coaching inn, The Pentonbridge Inn now prospers as a gourmet pub under the direction of chef Gary McDermott. The River Esk, that natural dividing line between England and Scotland, is about half a mile to the north. Why foodies stay here The pub’s owners, Gerald and Margo Smith, live at nearby Netherby Hall and have renovated their Victorian walled kitchen garden to supply the inn with fruit, veg, microgreens and herbs. Expect solid pub food at lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on locality; try the soup of the day with Cumbrian farmhouse cheese on toast, Cumbrian chicken and tarragon pie with garden broccoli, or warm treacle tart with clotted cream. There’s also a Sunday lunch menu, including local loin of pork with caramelised apple sauce and cider gravy. What are the rooms like? The nine rooms, all different shapes and sizes, are named after famous Border Reiver families – marauding raiders who rampaged around these parts between the 13th and 17th centuries. Style-wise, it’s all whitewashed walls, contemporary cream wooden furniture, vintage-style radiators, tweed chairs, and cheery tartan throws. The barn rooms are dog-friendly with wooden floors, soaring ceilings and rafters, but they don’t come with the views of the upstairs rooms. Breakfast Breakfast is served in the conservatory, overlooking the car park and hills beyond. Choose homemade granola topped with fresh berries, porridge with rhubarb and ginger compote, or bacon (thick and salty) with fried eggs and sliced avocado. Where to eat and drink nearby You can book afternoon tea at Netherby Hall on the last Wednesday of each month. It’s taken in the Great Oak Hall and might well include swirls of meringue, pastry cones, fruit tarts and mini chocolate eclairs. Check rates and availability at pentonbridgeinn.co.uk Askham Hall, Penrith Check rates and availability at askhamhall.co.uk In a nutshell The Lowther name is everywhere in this part of Cumbria – pubs, a ruined castle, even a village bears the name. Capitalising on its organic estate, the Lowther family turned to hotels with the opening of Askham Hall, home to Allium restaurant and 18 rooms. Why foodies stay here Richard Swale works in an environment most chefs dream of. His sunny, conservatory-style restaurant opens out onto acres of its own kitchen gardens and farmland. “Pick, cook and serve vegetables within the hour,” explains Richard, “and their freshness is amazing.” The kitchen is often busy pickling damsons or preserving edible flowers, either to deal with gluts or to extend the shelf life of ingredients. Meat used to be the centrepiece of Richard’s dishes, but now he gives equal prominence to creatively treated vegetables. He might, for instance, add fermented cabbage to salads, or serve scallops with smoky courgette flowers, flash-cooked in the wood-fired oven. You can choose either a la carte or a tasting menu; the latter may include native lobster with smoked bone marrow, home-reared goose with sour cherry sauce and chocolate tart with milk sorbet and candied walnuts. What are the rooms like? There are 18 spacious bedrooms to choose from, all with their own character. The Admiral’s Room (located in the 13th-century Pele tower, the oldest part of Askham Hall) benefits from a central four poster bed and River Lowther views. The Train Room (where the family used to keep their model railway set) has a duplex-style layout, with two extra beds upstairs for children. The Old Dressing Room combines original features, such as mullion windows, with modern luxuries, including an open-plan drench shower. Breakfast Start the day with fresh eggs, local smoked kippers, or apple pancakes. Where to eat and drink nearby Penrith’s Four and Twenty, with its rustic mix-and-match furniture and open kitchen, is loved by locals. It’s a converted former bank that serves modern British food, including carrot, ginger and honey soup, cheese soufflé and apple crumble fool. Check rates and availability at askhamhall.co.uk The Forest Side, Lancrigg Check rates and availability at theforestside.co.uk In a nutshell This imposing Victorian manor sits above the road, skirting the slate-strewn prettiness of Grasmere. It looks staid and traditional, but behind the old-fashioned façade is one of the most innovative restaurants in the Lakes. Why foodies stay here A ramble through The Forest Side’s personal fellside (home to roe deer, red squirrels and blankets of wood sorrel) will help you work up an appetite for fine dining at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Chefs draw on a one-acre vegetable and herb garden (everything is cooked on the days it’s picked), planted with over 100 varieties – try golden beetroot with cuckoo flower and smoked yow’s curd, or roast mooli with cherry bell radish, at a 6- or 10-course dinner. Pickling is big here (try the walnuts), as is foraging – sup a ‘Forager’ at the bar, made with pineapple weed-infused vodka and homemade ginger beer. What are the rooms like? Bedrooms are cosied up with plush wool carpets and locally built Westmorland beds, and some have panoramic views of The Lake District. Choose from Cosy (petite, but still stylish, with Zoffany fabrics), Superb or Master; the latter comes with astonishing Lake District views and Bramley bath products. Breakfast All the classics plus homemade granola, foraged wild mushrooms, Bannerigg Farm duck eggs, Slack’s Farm bacon and Cartmel Valley smoked salmon. Where to eat and drink nearby Expect spotty crockery and cow murals at Grasmere’s Jumble Room, a fun village bistro that serves everything from Whitby crab crostini to local lamb rump rubbed in rose harissa. Check rates and availability at theforestside.co.uk L’Enclume, Cartmel Check rates and availability at lenclume.co.uk In a nutshell Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Cartmel, with a famously-innovative menu that capitalises on local produce and the team’s creativity. There are bedrooms, too, scattered around the village. Why foodies stay here L’Enclume feels low-key and local with its stone-flagged floor and slate walls. But from the fragrant pink rhubarb cordial (served in a long glass with a slice of sweet, dried rhubarb) to the bread (homemade sourdough with a jar of rendered pork fat and apple), the attention to detail is palpable. Every dish is exquisite and clever. You might try a broth of artichoke, Westcombe cheddar and hen of the woods, which teases diners: the cheese ball is cheese-free (instead, cheese-infused water is thickened and made into balls). Valley venison, charcoal oil, mustard and fennel is a house specialty: delicately diced venison from the Holker estate is peppered with tiny sugary balls of gin infused with fennel and sugar, which explode in the mouth. Whatever you try, the ingredients are guaranteed to be seasonal and local – Rogan operates under a strict farm-to-table ethos. What are the rooms like? Simple, elegant and modern, with a choice of double, superior or deluxe. They’re dotted around Cartmel (two suites are in a townhouse that overlook the town square), and some come with beamed ceilings, window seats and views of the River Eea. Breakfast Breakfast is taken in L’Enclume’s more informal sister restaurant, Rogan & Co (informal up to a point - it still has a Michelin star). The usual suspects – fruit salads, smoked haddock, eggs come beautifully presented. Where to eat and drink nearby At the Pig & Whistle, Rogan’s pub, you can try small plates of brawn and black pudding fritters, pigs in blankets with mustard mayo, and homemade scotch eggs. There’s also a nice selection of ales, including Hartleys XB, Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and Hawkshead Lakeland Lager. Check rates and availability at lenclume.co.uk The Drunken Duck Inn, Ambleside Doubles from £182 per night, check availability at booking.com In a nutshell A quirky, country-style watering hole that makes its own beer, enjoys panoramic views of the Lake District, and serves polished food that’s free from pretension. Why foodies stay here This has been a pub for at least 300 years, and became one of the area’s first gastropubs when new owners took over in the 1970s. The cooking is more refined than traditional pub grub: cheddar and almond soufflé comes with onion soubise and crispy sage, pork collar with celeriac, celery, truffle and crackling. As well as an excellent menu, The Drunken Duck also has an on-site microbrewery – try a pint of the single-hopped, citrussy Cat Nap. What are the rooms like? There are 13 of them, all simple and clean in style, with some in the pub and the rest in a L-shaped extension (built to suit the Drunken Duck’s style) at the back – the latter is a good option if you’re travelling with children and would like to avoid background chatter come bed-time. Deluxe rooms have leather armchairs, wool cushions and feature baths. Breakfast Try fried mushrooms and wild garlic pesto on an English muffin, or homemade granola, smoothies, sourdough toast with grapefruit marmalade, and overnight oats. Where to eat and drink nearby The Old Stamp House is a fine-dining bistro that serves strictly Cumbrian produce, including roe deer tartar with rye crumbs, pickled mushrooms and nasturtiums; and Cumbrian gingerbread with ginger panna cotta. Top fact: the setting is the cellar of the building where Wordsworth once worked as a distributor of stamps. Doubles from £182 per night, check availability at booking.com drunkenduckinn.co.uk <h3">The Rum Doodle, Windermere Doubles from £76 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk In a nutshell Just one mile from Lake Windermere, this stylish b&b is named after mountaineering spoof novel, The Ascent of Rum Doodle. It specialises in Cumbrian-sourced breakfasts and homemade cakes. Why foodies stay here Mainly for the excellent breakfasts, but also for the style of the place – the theme is quintessentially English, with everything from vintage typewriters and worn Edwardian suitcases to Queen Elizabeth II tea caddies dotted throughout. Plus the owners are keen bakers, so expect a complimentary slice of carrot cake or a stack of homemade shortbread when you arrive. What are the rooms like? All nine bedrooms – each named after a The Ascent of Rum Doodle character – are peppered with antique and retro furnishings, and are decorated to match the personality of their namesakes; Shute, an expedition photographer, is all mirrored furniture and antique cameras while Burley, an extravagant individual, includes a freestanding pink bath and vintage wardrobes. Breakfast Blueberry pancakes, smoked haddock with poached eggs, or a mammoth Cumbrian breakfast, complete with peppery sausages and fresh eggs with rich yellow yolks. It’s taken in a room made wonderfully sunny with tall windows. Where to eat and drink nearby Five minutes’ away is The Wild Boar Inn, which benefits from its own micro-brewery and smokehouse. Try wild boar and damson scotch eggs, fillet steak with bone marrow gravy or rabbit and crayfish pie. Doubles from £76 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk rumdoodlewindermere.com The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk In a nutshell This 1620s stone farmhouse, surrounded by grey-faced Lakeland Herdwick sheep, has been transformed into a boutique hotel halfway between Windermere and Keswick. There’s an on-site bistro that serves rustic Cumbrian food made from strictly local ingredients. Why foodies stay here The menu at The Yan Bistro covers every whim, from staples such as shepherd’s pie made with braised lamb and cheesy mash potato, to sharing platters of thyme and garlic beef brisket, baked potatoes filled with garlic cheese, corn on the cob, coleslaw and chargrilled flatbread. There are plenty of veggie options too (don’t miss mozzarella and roast tomatoes with saffron potatoes, roast figs, pesto and fresh basil), and a children’s menu. What are the rooms like? If you’re staying in the bistro bedrooms, you can choose between standard or deluxe. All seven bedrooms take inspiration from the surrounding fells, so expect plenty of wood and woollen cushions. Deluxe rooms can include a double sofa bed if there are four of you, and there are two pet-friendly rooms if you want to bring your dog. The Yan also has self-catering cottages, plus glamping pods. Expect more of the same natural materials and attention to detail, including sustainable cleaning products, expertly curated cooking kit, a cosy environment and terrace area for absorbing the incredible surrounding landscape. Breakfast A refreshingly original affair, including courgette, tomato and herb frittata with hash browns, tomato salsa and hollandaise sauce, or an epic plate of Cumberland sausage, middle back bacon, black pudding, homemade baked beans, hash browns, roasted tomatoes, fried field mushrooms, eggs and thick-cut buttered toast. There are lighter options, too, including homemade muesli with fruit and yogurt, and porridge topped with nuts and berries. Where to eat and drink nearby Lucia’s takeaway coffee shop, also in Grasmere, is perfect for on-the-go homemade sausage rolls, cinnamon buns, sourdough loaves and, of course, coffee. Just the thing when you’re planning a picnic. Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk Words by Charlotte Morgan, Natalie Hardwick, Lucy Gillmore, Tony Naylor and Alan Spedding More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
Where to visit in February - from a UK staycation to blowout trip
From cosy UK staycations to adventures in New Orleans, these are the trips to take in February
Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in February? We’ve curated our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break this winter, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best winter sun destinations or the best ski destinations in Europe. The UK region at it's best: The Cotswolds Whether it's a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day, a walking weekend exploring the rolling countryside, or just long lunches by pub fires with some great food and drink, the honey-hued villages of the Cotswolds offer it all in February. Take The Rectory Hotel, for example, an 18th century former rectory in the heart of picturesque Crudwell. Homemade cordial welcomes rosy-cheeked walkers into the drawing room, where you can warm up by the log fire and sink into pretty peacock feather-hued cushions. The restaurant’s comfort food includes fish pie, alongside pretty salads using fresh produce grown in the allotments behind The Potting Shed pub over the road, which is worth a visit in itself. Check out our picks of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds for more. Half an hour away, in the quiet village of Southrop, Thyme is exactly what you want from a rural escape. A 150-acre estate, it is home to a cookery school, pub, holiday cottages, boutique hotel, cocktail bar and restaurant, so you don't even need to leave the site. See more of the best hotels in the Cotswolds to start planning yuor staycation. The UK bolthole: Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire Escape to Yorkshire for a wintry spa break. Middleton Lodge is a Georgian estate tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful countryside that has become a must-visit destination for serious food lovers and wellness seekers. First, head to the estate's Forest Spa for a soothing, sensory escape that will melt away any winter blues. Guest numbers are cleverly limited so it can feel like you have it almost to yourself. There’s an outdoor hot tub, thermal cabins and a steam room. Cute treatment huts offer a range of nature-inspired treatments, from Voya seaweed wraps to the signature In Bloom massage, blending deep relaxation techniques with aromatic oils to reflect the estate’s gardens. The jewel in the estate's crown is the Michelin-starred Forge restaurant. The hyper-seasonal tasting menus highlight foraged ingredients and estate-grown produce, with inventive flavour combinations. A standout cheese course of Cashel Blue with pickled walnut, medlar and birch syrup precedes intricate desserts like forced rhubarb tart with custard and toasted milk. Rooms are spread across the estate – from the charming Tack Room with wood-burning stove, huge freestanding bath and beamed ceilings, to contemporary suites with outdoor copper tubs and views of wildflower meadows. Rooms from £235 per night, check availability at middletonlodge.co.uk or mrandmrssmith.com The seasonal city break: Valletta, Malta Malta's capital city Valletta is one of our favourite destinations that still somehow feels like a hidden gem. Heading a little further south for your city break this month means that Valletta is warmer than many European destinations, plus February is also carnival time in Malta. The five-day festival is a riot of music, dance and colourful floats across the island, with the biggest parade taking place in Valletta. Away from carnival, absorb the rich history of this ancient walled city, stroll through the clean tiled streets to see the unique colourful architecture and make sure you take a boat trip across the harbour to see all sides of the city. For a memorable meal, you're spoilt for Michelin-starred choice: the two-starred Ion Harbour from Simon Rogan offers dramatic city views from it's rooftop terrace, whilst one-starred Noni is the located at the other extreme, set in underground stone vaults over 400 years old. See our guide to the best restaurants in Valletta for more must-visit hotspots. The cultural moment: Mardi Gras in New Orleans New Orleans’ Mardi Gras carnival falls on 17 February this year, so visit the city to soak up the atmospheric anticipation in the air. While you’re there, tuck into Louisiana specialities at traditional haunts such as The Parkway Tavern for shrimp po’ boys, Willie Mae’s crispy fried chicken and Café du Monde’s sugar-coated beignets. For a break from the action, explore the grandeur of the quieter Garden District before a jazz and bloody mary-fuelled brunch of shrimp and grits, waffles or gumbo of the day at Atchafalaya. Just outside the French Quarter, the backyard party held each night at Bacchanal makes for one of the city’s great romantic spots. Enjoy wines from small producers and bowls of ceviche while listening to jazz under the night sky. Stay at Catahoula Hotel and catch carnival sounds from the street below at the rooftop pisco sour bar. The oldest official carnival celebration in the USA is in Alabama, where you can tuck into the likes of boiled peanuts, ribs, oysters and more while soaking up the Mardi Gras vibes and world-renowned southern hospitality. The culinary destination to explore: Julian Alps Discover hearty mountain comfort food in this unique region of the Alps. It is a melting pot of cuisines: Slovenian traditions are intertwined with produce from neighbouring countries, such as Italy or Austria, making it an exciting region to eat your way through. The historical Austro-Hungarian influence also left it's mark on local Slovenian cuisine so you'll find Hungarian goulash with polenta, fluffy shredded kaiserschmarrn and potato dumplings, or knödel, filled with apricot or plum. For an elevated take on mountain cuisine, head to Majer'ca, a restaurant with rooms that's all about the views. Choose a three-, four- or five-course menu with the likes of pressed potatoes topped with herb-flecked cottage cheese followed by Bohinj trout, black olives and lemon, and seasonal rice pudding made with cream from local cows. Another popular winter destination is Lacni Kekec, nestled at the foot of Kranjska Gora ski lift (Slovenia’s first). This sprawling restaurant of alpine huts and terraces has an extensive menu of hearty dishes, such as cottage cheese štruklji, or grilled čevapčiči sausages stuffed into flatbread pockets with melting kajmak cheese, best paired with roasted peppers and homemade ajvar. Comforting desserts include homemade strudel, walnut štruklji and pancakes with jam. Before you head home, spend a couple of days in the capital exploring Ljubljana's best restaurants. Image credit: Claudio Parada Nunez The blowout trip: Québec, Canada If you're happy to stick with the cold weather, February could be the time to tick Canada off your bucket list. In winter, Québec City is blanketed in snow. Its historic streets glow with twinkling lights, skaters glide across outdoor ice rinks and cozy cafés invite visitors to warm up with hot chocolate. In February, the famous Québec Winter Carnival fills the city with ice sculptures, toboggan rides and parades. From February to early April Quebec also celebrates what they call ‘sugaring off’, which marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring, as the maple sap starts to rise in the trees and sugar shacks can start to tap and boil the sap to make the famous syrup. Locals and visitors drive out of the cities to the sugar shacks to welcome spring. Activities include horse-drawn sled drives through the maple groves, rolling maple taffy on the snow, hearty breakfasts slathered in maple syrup and typical French Canadian folk music and song. It’s a right of passage for many Quebec families that becomes an annual tradition. Head to La Sucrerie de la Montagne to experience a sugar shack for yourself. The boutique retreat: Marrakech, Morrocco If a trip to the iconic city of Marrakech has been on your wishlist for a while, February is the time to tick it off. The temperature still reaches into the early twenties, meaning plenty of sunshine and enjoyable warmth as you explore everything the city has to offer. Base yourself at IZZA. This boutique hotel is hidden in the heart of Marrakech’s bustling medina. The network of riads has been transformed into an oasis of calm, with a rooftop restaurant Noujoum that is becoming a destination in it's own right. You’re steps away from entering the hustle and bustle of the famous souk. Spend a morning getting happily lost in the winding streets of stalls selling everything from pottery and textiles to spices and tea. Head back to the hotel for a treatment at the mini spa, an afternoon relaxing by the lap pool or drinks at the bar made using homemade infused spirits and syrups. Double from £190, check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The alternative choice: Austria for Valentine's Day Paris might be the obvious choice for Valentine's Day, but there are plenty of other romantic destinations to choose from that make an equally special getaway for two. Try heading to Austria instead for a romantic weekend in the mountains surrounded by ski and snow. An hour south of Salzburg, Grossarl is ideally placed for an easy break. Stop off at Muhlwinkelhutte in Dorfgastein for käsekrainer (grilled sausage stuffed with cheese), or Gehwolfalm for tiroler gröstl (potato, onion, bacon, sausage and fried egg). Sauerkraut is optional, but why wouldn’t you? After a day on the slopes, book a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride under the stars to the Aschaustüberl restaurant in Hüttschlag. Warm up with mulled wine round an open fire, then order the bauernbratl, traditional local dumplings, and kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) with apple purée. Check out our picks of the best ski destinations in Europe for more snowy travel inspiration. Stay at the Grossarler Hof for a comfortable base with striking views. Luxurious facilities include a steaming outdoor whirlpool and Finnish-style spa, plus an Alpine breakfast that is worth getting out of bed for. Doubles from £505, check availability at booking.com The scenic pick: Hokkaido, Japan The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri or snow festival is one of the best reasons to visit Hokkaido in Japan in winter. This year it falls from February 4-11. People flock in their tens of thousands from all over the world to see huge ice and snow sculptures which fill the squares of Odori Park in the centre of the city. Hokkaido is not only a magical winter wonderland during the festival, but also an excellent place to explore local delicacies. As the region is home to Japan’s indigenous Ainu people, head to Umizora No Haru, a unique izakaya in Sapporo that brings the flavours of authentic Ainu cuisine to life. Enjoy a carefully curated menu inspired by traditional Ainu ingredients and cooking methods, featuring dishes such as ohaw (a hearty venison or fish soup), citatap (hand-chopped raw fish) and grilled venison. The interior decor of the intimate restaurant also reflects Ainu culture, including a private dining room designed to resemble a traditional Ainu chise, or house, for an immersive dining experience. The off-season gem: Málaga Málaga might seem like a summer destination with it's beaches and sunny coastline, but visit in winter to soak up the sights without the crowds. The city still offers plenty to do in off-season: walk along the pier Muelle Uno, cycle to the coast or enjoy the views from Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga’s many restaurants and bars. Wander around Atarazanas Market for seafood and impressive fresh produce. If the weather isn't playing ball, the city has plenty of museums to explore (spend an afternoon at the famous Museo Picasso) or relax at Hamman al Andalus, an impressive Moroccan-style hammam with baths and treatments. Milli Taylor shared her picks of the best restaurants in Málaga with us. Start your day with churros at Churrería de Malagueña, sample local wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia (the oldest wine bar in the city, open since 1840) and watch the jamón being cut at Mesón Mariano. The slow travel adventure: Rovos Rail, South Africa February is the time to fly south to find some sunshine. Head to South Africa and step on board Rovos Rail for an incredibly memorable luxury train adventure. There are several journeys to choose between, ranging from a two-night safari to a 15-day east to west crossing. A four-day journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls passes through Hwange National Park for a game drive for wildlife spotting, onto Warmbaths (Bela-Bela), known for its hot springs, before ending at one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The open-air balcony of the observation car is perfect for taking in the African vista along the way. The vintage carriages have been restored to revive the old glamour and rekindle the romance of rail travel, with polished mahogany walls, deep green diamond patterned carpeting and even Victorian-era clawfoot bathtubs on board for lucky passengers in the Royal Suites. Mealtimes are another highlight of the experience. Expect local fresh ingredients and traditional South African dishes such as bobotie, springbok loin and kudu carpaccio all paired with a range of South African wines. Formal wear is expected for dinner, which allows you to feel fully immersed in the allure of rail travel from a different era. The train departs from Capital Park at Rovos Rail Station. See journeys at rovos.com. More travel inspiration 10 unique walking holidays for foodies 8 of the most breathtaking train journeys across the world Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known destinations 25 small towns across the UK that every foodie should visit UK boutique hotels for food lovers
From sunset negronis to honey-drenched feta, this Greek island is a hidden foodie hotspot
From coastal tavernas to five-star hotels, these are the Folegandros foodie destinations to know
Near to Milos, the diminutive Greek island of Folegandros is becoming a foodie destination for those in the know. From cocktails at a five-star hotel to regional cuisine you'll only find on the island, these are the must-visit places to eat to add to your list. For more Greek travel inspiration, check out our guides to 5 lesser known destinations to visit in mainland Greece or the best Greek food trips. 5 of the best places to eat in Folegandros Irene’s Folegandros has lots of reasons to visit, including deserted rocky beaches and its own riff on Greek cuisine. One of the dishes you’ll only find on the island is matsata. This thick, homemade pasta is best eaten at Irene’s, a roadside restaurant run by a grandmother and granddaughter. You can’t miss it – there’s only one real road that cuts through this 6-mile by 2-mile island – though it looks unassuming from the outside. You’ll get a warm welcome within, plus heaps of matsata with slow-braised rooster or pork ragu (it’s not a looker, but it is delicious). @irene_restaurant_folegandros Pasithea Another classic local dish is fava, a hummus-like dip made with yellow split peas that makes the perfect accompaniment to hot, fluffy flatbread. The best we’ve tried on the island is served at Pasithea, which overlooks Folegandros’s most popular beach, Agali. It’s just the spot for a languid lunch of fried red mullet and filo feta with honey as you watch swimmers roll out their colourful towels onto the sand below, contemplating your own dip after lunch. @pasithea_folegandros To Goupi In a pretty, tree-covered square in the main town of Chora, To Goupi is as good for people watching as it is for dinner – amble down to it after seeing the sun sink into the sea from beneath the hilltop Panagia church. On its outdoor chalkboard you’re likely to see specials such as meat and cheese balls, grilled octopus and a moussaka-like dish of potato, cheese and aubergine. Gundari The bar is the best thing about rugged-luxury five-star hotel Gundari, which looks down on plunging cliffs on a quieter side of the island. The cocktail menu has been created by acclaimed Athens bar Line (currently number eight on the World’s 50 Best Bars list) and guests can choose between sunset negronis by the pool or soaking up the vinyl being played in its moody Japanese kissa-style drinking den. gundari.com Papalagi A 15-minute stroll along the coast from the sands of Agali, Papalagi is perched on a hill looking down onto Agios Nikolaos beach. This coastal taverna serves all the Greek classics and is well worth the cliff walk to get there (arriving by boat is also an option, though you might prefer to work up an appetite for lunch). On the menu, you’ll find the likes of lobster, whole grilled octopus, anchovy bruschetta and catch-of-the-day linguini – all with a side of sea views. Where to stay in Folegandros Anemi Making the most of its traditional Aegean dome architecture, five-star Anemi offers a modern take on Cycladic style: picture white-washed walls with pops of colour and bedrooms with subtly sculptural furniture and décor. Next to Chochlidia beach, this sister property to design-focused Athens Was offers high-end spa facilities, an outdoor pool with sea views (some suites have private pools) and a yoga deck. anemihotel.gr More travel guides Best restaurants in Prague Best restaurants in Athens Best restaurants in Tbilisi Best European mountain escapes Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
From a whisky bar with rooms on the banks of the River Spey to beachfront barbecues at an Elie inn, we’ve found the best foodie sleepovers in Scotland
Looking for Scottish holidays? Read about our staycation ideas below for all sorts of Scottish getaways – from staying in the heart of Cairngorms National Park to gin tasting in Edinburgh. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best hotels in Scotland and the best Scottish whisky distilleries to visit. Scottish holidays for foodies Discover local produce on the Isle of Skye Skye, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, boasts a rich natural larder of ingredients and historic traditions of preservation using local techniques. Chef Calum Montgomery champions these at Edinbane Lodge, a converted 16th-century hunting lodge whose restaurant is dedicated to the island’s crofts, seas and artisan producers. Discover more from Calum about what makes the Isle of Skye cuisine so special. Broadford’s Gasta transforms the island’s ingredients into gourmet pizzas like the Ochd topped with Stornoway black pudding, plum and apple chutney and fresh chillies. And the menu at the secluded Stein Inn, the oldest inn on Skye, focusses on sustainable seafood from the Lochbay shores, with a choice of more than 130 different Scottish whiskies. Go glamping in the Cairngorms Inshriach is a 200-acre mini Highland estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. It’s home to a gin distillery where owner Walter Micklethwait concocts small-batch Speyside gins in an award-winning shed. The estate's elegant country house is perfect for a large family gathering (sleeping up to 18, with or without a chef), but for a back-to-nature experience there's a cluster of quirky glamping options peppered throughout the tangled woodland. The four off-grid beds for two include a yurt hunkered into the hillside with views over the River Spey to the mountains beyond. The bonkers Beer Moth is a converted 1950s fire truck, now kitted out with a Victorian double bed and wood burner. The quaint shepherd's hut is old-school romantic and cradled by juniper bushes (the key ingredient in gin – most of the botanicals are foraged from the estate), but for those who want something a little more contemporary, there's the Bothy Project, partly funded by the Royal Scottish Academy, and an artists' residence for half the year with a bare-bones bush shower and compost loo. Check rates and availability at canopyandstars.co.uk Take a cooking class in Perthshire The story began with an escape to the country. Ex-banker-turned-chef Chris Rowley and his wife Rachel dabbled with the supper club concept in Edinburgh before taking the plunge and moving to rural Perthshire. Their first venture, Ballintaggart Farm – a rustic restaurant with rooms and cookery school – was an instant hit. It's no longer a working farm, but much of the produce is grown in the kitchen garden and orchard. Alongside cookery classes, they also run seasonal feast nights that showcase the local larder. Then, in 2018, the duo turned a once-tired Victorian hotel, The Grandtully, into a sleek gourmet getaway. In the restaurant, the daily changing menu features small plates such as Murthly Estate venison carpaccio, fermented salsify and rocket, while more filling dishes include Loch Etive sea trout, sea kale and lemon aioli. ballintaggart.com Have a beach barbecue in Fife You can flip flop from your room to the sand in seconds at The Ship Inn in the seaside village of Elie. The wee Kingdom of Fife, just a pebble's throw from Edinburgh, is famously foodie. Curving around the coast there's legendary fish and chips in Anstruther; the poshest farm shop in Scotland in St Andrews, complete with café, steak barn and butchery classes; and just inland, Fife's gourmet hotspot, Kinneuchar Inn. The Ship, meanwhile, is well-known for its beach cricket during the summer season and barbecues in the beachfront beer garden. As well as its signature burgers in a brioche bun and Belhaven Best battered haddock and chunky chips, the seasonal menu champions local shellfish and seafood. Take a gastronomic pitstop on the shores of Loch Fyne Inver, an award-winning outpost on the shores of Loch Fyne, is the ultimate west coast pilgrimage for foodies. After stints at Noma and Fäviken, chef Pam Brunton and partner Rob Latimer took a punt on this lochside spot in 2015. Inver is a visionary restaurant in an old whitewashed croft house, where traditional Caledonian dishes are reimagined and elevated not just to another level, but a whole new stratosphere. Using local wild and farmed ingredients, a la carte dishes include langoustines and crab from the Loch, whilst the innovative tasting menu invites you to slow down for an exploration of Scottish produce. If you’re staying over, splash out on one of the luxury bothies. Breakfast delivered to your door in a wicker basket is a gourmet treat, with homemade bircher muesli or granola, fruit compote and yogurt, freshly baked pastries and bread, eggs and freshly squeezed orange juice. Go foraging in Galloway Galloway Wild Food's mycophile and wild food guru Mark Williams offers a range of foraging experiences and tours. Sign up for a three-hour tramp through the woods in search of ceps and chanterelles, as well as edible roots and shoots from the forest floor. He also offers coastal and hedgerow foraging, and three-day sea kayaking wild food adventures off the west coast. Based in Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, the natural larder here is overflowing with the likes of reedmace and wild radish, samphire and sweet cicely. Accommodation tips on the website include nearby glamping spots, local inns and guesthouses such as the renovated Woodlyn B&B in the village. ; Take a road trip along the Malt Whisky Trail Take a stunning road trip along Speyside's Malt Whisky Trail, which winds its way from Morayshire's coast through undulating hills peppered with more than 50 distilleries. The trail links nine of the distilleries, including Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet (stop off for tours and tastings) and the Speyside Cooperage, which makes whisky barrels. A perfect pitstop along the way is the village of Aberlour on the banks of the River Spey, home to the Aberlour distillery, Walkers Shortbread and the Mash Tun – a whisky bar with rooms. Expect more than 100 single malts and blends, including the exclusive Glenfarclas Family Casks, a collection of 52 single cask whiskies, one for each consecutive year from 1952 to 2003. The price of a dram? From £3.50 to a wallet-busting £1,500. After a nightcap, stumble up to bed in one of the distillery-themed rooms (the Glenlivet Room has sweeping views over the River Spey and a romantic roll-top tub). For more like this, check out our full guide to all the best Scottish whisky distilleries to visit. ; Stay on a farm in Perthshire Guardswell Farm's 150 acres of grassland cradles a rural getaway where you can switch off, soak up the silence and learn about the land. The family-run enterprise offers an eclectic range of courses and foodie events throughout the year, from spoon carving to no-dig organic vegetable growing with pioneering horticulturalist Charles Dowding. Sleep in the Pinterest-pretty clutch of cabins, cottages or farmhouse (sleeps 10) scattered across the farm, including The Pendicle – a larch-clad bolthole with a wildflower-sown roof, wood-burning stove, fire pit and jaw-dropping views from the decking over a field of Hebridean sheep. Or opt for The Infield, an off-grid hilltop hideaway with a stargazing window above the bed. Check rates and availability at guardswell.co.uk Discover a farmhouse for foodies in the Cairngorms At the end of a private road through the forest on the Rothiemurchus Estate, Achnahatnich House is an off-the-beaten-track hideaway in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Built in 1900 and once home to tenant farmers, this tastefully renovated three-bedroom house now has a Scandi-chic vibe, its white wood-panelling and soft dove grey palette offset by the odd splash of mustard and Delftware blue. The large open-plan kitchen is the perfect place to whip up a feast, but if you don't fancy cooking you can pre-order a range of freshly cooked meals to be stocked in the fridge (a whole week's worth if you like) from the Rothiemurchus farm shop, made with produce from the estate – think hearty beef stroganoff and venison casserole. You'll also find a complimentary welcome hamper stocked with food from the farm shop and, if you're feeling adventurous, you can book a range of focused activities, from pony-trekking to foraging and whisky experiences. Book a gin-tasting experience in Edinburgh Edinburgh has a long history of distilling, dating back to the first gin craze in the 1700s. Dutch ‘genever’ was imported through the port of Leith and the city soon had a taste for the juniper-based spirit. Today, the revamped Edinburgh Gin distillery, built around four historic East Market Street arches, is a must-visit for gin lovers. You can take tours and tasting here, learning about the history, production and different botanicals. Cocktail-making classes, gin and chocolate pairings, or gin and cheese experiences are also available. Stop at the in-house gin distillery bar for signature cocktails showcasing, naturally, plenty of Edinburgh Gin. Enjoy a luxury staycation in Sutherland Sumptuous seclusion on a wilderness reserve in the Scottish Highlands is the ultimate staycation. And it comes with a chef. Visit Alladale in Sutherland and never leave the pewter-tinged lochs, brooding glens and heather-sprung moorland of the 23,000-acre estate. There are three lodges sleeping between four and 14. Two cottages – Ghillie's Rest (sleeps four) and Eagle's Crag (sleeps 4-8) – are kitted out with well-stocked kitchens and freshly prepared meals ready to cook, while the lodge itself sleeps up to 14, complete with gym and sauna. A fully catered experience, Alladale Lodge's 'Conscious Cuisine' approach focuses on local, seasonal and organic ingredients from the state-of-the-art aquaponics garden (the three large greenhouses powered by the estate's hydro-generator ensure zero-waste and zero emissions), along with ethically culled wild venison, local game and trout. Find family fun at Gleneagles in Perthshire No longer aimed so squarely at the huntin’, fishin’, golfin’ brigade, five-star Gleneagles still offers a luxury experience but also fun for the whole family. De-tartaned bedrooms are softer and prettier (not least the Royal Lochnagar suite, pictured). There are a range of restaurants and bars to discover throughout your stay, from the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie to more casual brunch and burger options, and a traditional afternoon tea in Glendevon. With 850 acres to explore – and a vast programme of supervised activities – Gleneagles has always been popular with families. There is Little Glen, a supervised play space for kids up to nine, and The Den, whose video games, air hockey and cinema room should keep older children and teens happy. Doubles from £495 per night, check availability at booking.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels