Tried, Tested and Reviewed by TWE From iconic London landmarks to stripped back hideaways, here is a round up of the The Best UK Honeymoon Properties the TWE. editorial team have vetted and visited…
Best for: a glamorous honeymoon in the heart of Belgravia
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Nestled in the heart of fashionable Knightsbridge, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower stands as a beacon of luxury and toal romance. This iconic London establishment has been captivating honeymooners and the social elite since 1961, towering gracefully over Sloane Street and Cadogan Gardens. With its enchanting atmosphere and impeccable service, the hotel offers an unforgettable romantic escape for newlyweds.
Fresh from a dazzling £100 million renovation, the hotel now offers honeymooners an unrivalled blend of history and modern elegance. The interior design, crafted by the renowned 1508 London studio, seamlessly marries the building’s modernist roots with sophisticated touches, including soft curves, vibrant colours, and organic forms that reflect the surrounding mansion blocks and private gardens. The 186 exquisite rooms and suites exude romance, have stunning views of Cadogan Gardens and the delicious hustle bustle and chatter of Belgravia, paired with luxurious amenities and a roll top bath that promise an idyllic stay.
The Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s rich history, dating back to the swinging sixties, adds a nostalgic charm to its modern luxury. It was once a favourite of fashion icons like Twiggy and Mary Quant, setting the stage for a glamorous and stylish Knightsbridge. Today, it continues to be a place to see and be seen, offering an exceptional blend of heritage and contemporary sophistication that makes it an ideal choice for an unforgettable honeymoon.
For reservations and further information, visit Jumeirah Carlton Tower or call 020 7235 1234.
Best for: the epitome of luxury
Four Seasons Hampshire
Set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside, the Four Seasons Hampshire is the grand English country stay couples dream of. Set against a show-stopping backdrop of enchanting gardens and rolling hills, the Georgian beauty is a stone’s throw from London with charming staff, a top-notch spa and an endless list of country pursuits to enjoy. A stay here is the perfect home-from-home haute-luxe estate that’s family-friendly, dog-friendly and country chic for honeymooners, wedding planners or, and quite spectacularly, weddings. Thinking of blowing-the-budget? Book the The Royal Suite – the epitome of luxury and perfect for hosting rehearsal dinners or cocktails the night before.
For more details go to: fourseasons.com
Best for: countryside grandeur
Cliveden House
Long steeped in British History, Cliveden House is synonymous with romance and scandal creating its intriguing allure and adding to its charm. Set across acres of immaculate lawn and a driveway to wow, this is countryside luxury at its finest. But don’t let the imposing façade put you off, despite its immense grandeur, Cliveden House is inviting and warm, a real ‘home from home’. An ideal countryside retreat for any mini mooners. Amble around the grounds, glam up for dinner in the Dining Room and then relax over a Cliveden ‘66 in the wood panelled Library bar. Most importantly, head for a dip in the deliciously warm, infamous ‘Profumo’ outdoor pool. Most enchanting at dawn or dusk.
Best for: treetop adventures
The Treehouses at Chewton Glen
Woven into the woodland, Chewton Glen’s superluxe treehouses offer a more modern take on a New Forest getaway than the main (unashamedly traditional) house. Subdued, sympathetically modern interiors all seem to reflect and frame the woodland views – ever-present through floor-to-ceiling windows. A short stroll or buggy ride takes you to the hotel’s Romanesque spa and The Kitchen, a lively onsite restaurant with a menu crafted by chef James Martin. Explorers can follow trodden paths through gardens and dense stretches of woodland, reaching the glorious Highcliffe Beach in just 20 minutes. Standing discreetly on stilts in a tree-lined valley within the expansive 130-acre grounds, each suite offers a secluded retreat with the allure of off-grid living. These ‘Tree House Suites’ are constructed from pine cladding and feature adventure-like bunk beds, ‘pod’ bedrooms, sun trap terraces, wood-fired stoves, and onsen-style hot tubs – ensuring their year-round appeal. Privacy is paramount, with quietly delivered breakfast hampers and private decks tucked away in their own part of the forest. A separate tree-house concierge effortlessly organises meals, spa treatments, and even transportation in GEM electric cars.
For more details go to: www.chewtonglen.com
Best for: an old-worldly country house
Calcot & Spa, Cotswolds
Set in 220 access of soft, English countryside, with wildflower meadows and farmland, the Calcot Collection’s flagship property does not disappoint. Its secluded location, not far from the antique-centred town of Tetbury, makes it a go-to destination for Londoners in need of some fresh country air (and some pampering spa time). The 14th century reimagined farmstead is everything you’d imagine, with the main house’s ivy clad stone facade weathered and a little whimsical. The hotel has a labyrinthine character, with rooms and amenities located across the main house and nearby barns. Inside, it’s refreshingly modern with panelled walls, flagstone floors, deeply cushioned sofas and roaring fires in the winter months.
To book visit: calcot.co/
Best for: A bucolic, rustic-luxe retreat in rural Yorkshire
Middleton Lodge Estate, North Yorkshire
A grand 200 private acre Georgian country estate set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Middleton Lodge Estate is warm, inviting and authentic to the core. The estate heritage is there, but all the renovated barns and cottages have been given a gentle White Company-style treatment. Each space is individually designed with one-off antiques and plenty of rustic-luxe charm . From its high ceilings and exposed beams to the panelled timber walls, there is a real sense the estate has simply been brought back to life rather than fashioned into something it’s not. Central to Middleton Lodge Estate is the two-acre walled garden which was redesigned by the celebrated landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith. Not only is the garden used to grow produce for the kitchen, its beauty has inspired the interiors across the estate which have a strong botanical influence. Some rooms spill onto the gardens, which are at their most magical in the morning mist.
For more details go to: https://middletonlodge.co.uk/
Best for: total luxury
The Lanesborough
Ah, the Lanesborough. London’s resplendent stalwart whose Regency good looks and gilded rooms have survived any modernist design notions. Antiques abound, without the dust, and silk curtains, sweeping ceilings and a profusion of chandeliers evoke the palatial, and at points the eccentric pile of a European prince. Rather than sweat for the top rung of suites, Regency-era romance permeates every corner of the Junior Suites, with their lacquered Chinese chests, French fancy carpets and canopied beds covered in ridiculously crisp linen. It’s unapologetically and somewhat fantastically traditional without the crust of some London grande dames. Continuing the palatial theme, the spa and health club is worth edging out of the suite for, particularly with Himalayan salt massages and Tata Harper facials on the menu.
For more information, visit: www.oetkercollection.com
Best for: A salty, escape-from-it-all
The Gallivant Camber Sands
The first bona fide boutique hotel in the picturesque dunes of Camber Sands, the Gallivant sits in plum position for a beachy break (without the seaside promenade or arcade malarky). The driftwood beach huts and muted hues have a little Nantucket to them, with owners, Sigrid and Harry Cragoe decorating the rooms with local artworks and their own carefully-selected pieces of vintage furniture. The beach feels gloriously secluded here, with wonderful views over the hotel’s eco-gardens then as far as the eye can stretch out to sea. It’s the blast of salty fresh air city rats dream of, and one that comes at a remarkably reasonable rate considering the spec of the decor and food. Time here is well spent feasting on spanking fresh seafood, before hunkering down in one of the charming shepherd’s huts, with their little fires and enormous beach blankets, or keeping 5pm board games well-oiled with local sparkling wine. Outdoorsy types can hop on a bike to skirt the preposterously pretty Camber Bay or simply plonk a picnic in the dunes for long afternoons oscillating between soft, warm sand and the shallows. The Gallivant also makes the most of this patch of coast’s off-sea microclimate – not something you realise until feeling worlds away from the damp British summer.
To book, visit: thegallivant.co.uk
Best for: symphony of grandeur and intimacy
Cliveden House, UK
Fanning out across Berkshire’s soft countryside, Cliveden House Hotel sets the standard for the opulent, steeped-in-history country retreat . Its ivy-clad walls, moody panelling and imposing architecture evoke a sense of regal splendour, while its fascinating history whispers tales of a bygone, aristocratic era. Perched on a hill overlooking an unrecognisably green-flanked River Thames, the house enjoys Versailles-worthy landscaped gardens adorned with sculpted topiaries and endless beds of roses. Walk in the steps of history’s greats as you meander past various exotic species of plants and flowers, fountains and mottled stone. Cliveden House prides itself on an impeccable team of attentive staff, whose warmth and step-ahead-of-you mindset lowers guests’ shoulders and make them feel genuinely looked after. From the moment guests arrive, every need is anticipated and met with grace, ensuring a Earl-worthy seamless stay. With an innate ability to make guests feel like friends, the staff’s commitment elevates each stay to an extraordinary level of personalised luxury (the sort honeymooners will relish in the aftermath of all that wedding stress).
Cliveden House is a Relais Chateaux property. To book go to: https://www.relaischateaux.com/gb/hotel/cliveden-house/
Best for: unapologetic traditional oomph in Central London
The Goring
As a London institution and royal family favourite, The Goring‘s 100th anniversary redecoration couldn’t stray too far from its comfortingly rich and resplendent character. The Front Hall’s new look harks back to Victorian Britain with its checkered marble floor and fantastical hand-painted mural (the final stroke of which was completed by the Princess of Wales). Hotel staff float around the sconce and mirror-clad corridors in sharp red uniforms – Debretts in human form. An orangerie hosts elaborate afternoon teas (famously beloved by our late queen) and spills onto a terrace and unusually large private garden, by Belgravia standards. A moody bar, decked in rich hues and velvet sofas, strikes a cosy (even sexy) note, particularly in winter with its roaring fires, while the dining room seizes on a more subdued palette of swirly plastered ceiling and those thick, heavy cream curtains. It’s a hotel confident in its classicism.
To book, visit: thegoring.com
Best for: a smooth, no-expenses-spared stay
Bulgari Hotel London
Less than a minute’s walk from Harrods, Bulgari Hotel London presents a discreet façade – only the gilded lettering above the entrance subtly hints at the modernist glamour inside. All the fanfare of Knightsbridge fades away as you enter the calm, coffee and cream-hued lobby area, and stroll through to the adjoining Bulgari Lounge. Styled like an opulent Italian sitting room – all plush sofas and tan leather chairs – its menu of Italian classics is curated by Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini while resident pastry chef and chocolatier Gianluca Fusto contributes to luxe afternoon teas. For those planning on a winter stay, flames warm the toes of those reclining along an enormous L-shaped sofa (the perfect morning coffees spot). As for the main body of the hotel, we all know that London can feel a little congested at times, but one distinguishing feature of the Bulgari is the generous use of space throughout. Even the smallest rooms are some of London’s largest; the 2,000 metre spa (crafted from oak, onyx and Vicenza stone) is spread out over two floors, and, for the carefully curated 85 rooms and suites, there is an abundance of areas to explore at leisure. Wander through to Italian restaurant Sette by Scarpetta, follow your nose to the Cigar Lounge (which specialises in rare Havanas), imbibe crafted cocktails at New-York style speakeasy Nolita Social (available for exclusive hire, should you wish), enjoy the spa itself, the 25-metre pool and vitality pool with gold-leaf tiles, plus the gym and private cinema…
To book your stay, visit: Bulgari Hotel London
Best for: a total unwind and recharge
Cowley Manor Experimental
As you approach Cowley Manor, a distinct sense of escaping into a different, more stylish dimension strikes. The grounds surrounding the manor seem to stretch endlessly and the invitation to ‘come with us down the rabbit hole’ begins to make sense once inside. The manor’s old bones have been fleshed out with modern interiors and striking contemporary artworks. A hushed ambiance and subdued lighting mimic that comfort of a private home, while the warm, tobacco-hued walls create a cosy setting, despite the sheer size of the place. The layout could have almost been designed with honeymooners in mind – each room is nestled into its own corner of the house or estate, offering a secluded haven in which to truly unwind.
To book visit: cowleymanorexperimental.com/
Best for: bringing the little ones
Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa
If you have little ones in tow Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa in Surrey is one of the most family friendly-finds a stone’s throw outside of the big smoke. The vibe here is relaxed and timeless with the echo of laughter of children playing and families chatting without an iPhone in sight. We suggest staying in the Joe & Rose Kennedy suite that connects to Ian Fleming which has bags of room for you and the travel cot. The bay windows look out onto the lush surrey adventure fields and the balconies have the best sundowner spot to enjoy the sunset with your (complimentary) 6.30 pm Vesper Martini to toast in the day.
For more information, visit: https://beaverbrook.co.uk/
Best for: buddymoon
Henry’s Townhouse
Forget the minimoon – what about a buddy moon at Henry’s Townhouse? Not only is it dangerously fun, full of nooks and crannies to get lost in but there’s also a particularly lovely old-world glow to Henry’s Townhouse, a seven-bedroom property in Marylebone. Once the home of Jane Austen’s brother, Henry, the scene here is city bolthole meets quaint country cottage. Every aspect of the Grade II listed building has been painstakingly restored and dressed up with rich fabrics and splendid antiques from the Pantry Kitchen with a cocktail ‘snug’ to the reading room. We can’t think of a more fun townhouse takeover for a buddy moon in the city.
For more information, visit henrystownhouse.co.uk/
Best For: a stylish subversion of hotel classicism
Rosewood London
Only Rosewood can pull off such a stylish subversion of hotel classicism, one that evokes Upper East Side apartments of the well-heeled cognoscenti. Rosewood London’s clever nod to heritage trimmings with textures, rich woods and lacquer is delivered through a contemporary prism, one that never once feels too Scandi or glacial. Of all its suites, Garden House is by far the most romantic. Sprawling out across a space larger than most London houses, its considered curation of artworks, restrained linen furniture and collectors items certainly creates a warm home-from-home feel – albeit a remarkably plush one. The real draw though of this butlered marvel is the private terrace, perched above London’s skyline for spring-tingling views at night and even romantic dinners organised by the hotel.
For more details go to: Rosewoodhotels.com
Best for: classic elegance
The Connaught
The Connaught is an utterly timeless grande dame of the London hotel scene with lashings of old-school charm. As soon as you step inside, you’re seduced by it’s quiet elegance, sense of timelessness and British sensibility. Once inside your room, it’s all about skipping around your suite wearing plushy monogrammed slippers or disappearing in a tub filled to the brim with delicious-smelling Bamford bath oil as you watch BBC News from the flatscreen TV. Don’t forget, they do fabulous room service too…
For more information, visit: the-connaught.co.uk
Best for: first nights
The Marylebone Suite
For first nights blowing-the-budget, The Marylebone Suite is the pièce de résistance. You’ll see just how superb the location is from your huge cedar-clad terrace with retractable roof looking onto the hustle and bustle of the city. Order a bottle of their house (Perrier Jouët) bubbly to enjoy while watching television by the fireplace and you’ll soon realise there is no better place in London for style, space or a skyline like it. Inside, the rooms are as you would expect, with a deliciously big bed that leads into an incredible marble-lined bathroom with underfloor heating.
For more information, visit www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-marylebone-hotel
Best for: playful adventures
Treehouse Hotel, London
Could there be a more fun adventure with your loved one than in an elevated nature-filled playground with sweeping panoramic views of London’s west end, at the Treehouse Hotel, London? With nostalgic knick-knacks, epic skyline views and unusual design elements such as floor-to-ceiling birch-tree trunks, it’s perfect for digital nomads looking for a spirited yet stylish city-break. Dine romantically on the buzzing rooftop ‘Nest’ or curl up deliciously with one of their ‘retro’ inspired picnics on the comfy window seat of your bedroom.
For more information, visit www.treehousehotels.com
Best for: much-needed R and R
The Corinthia
We all know The Corinthia London is an iconic London landmark but did you also know it is home to one of the prettiest courtyards in the West End? The Garden is a secluded outdoor terrace with huge terracotta pots, the smartest outdoor furniture, luscious lemon trees and bougainvillea with everything on the plate as fresh and delicious as the surroundings. Did we also mention their iconic spa? With a holistic approach to wellbeing there’s nowhere better for a post-wedding detox than a visit to The Corinthia’s thermal floor: a slumber-inducing space made even more luxurious with fires flickering in every corner and heated marble loungers.
For more information, visit www.corinthia.com/london
Best for: city skyline views
The Shangri-la, London
For sky high sleek minimalism, it’s always been Shangri-La and if birds eye views are synonymous with romance, the hotel’s Shangri-La Suite is the room to wake up in. Spreading out across a vast section of a Tokyo-worthy ‘level 39’, here is a suite that rarely fails to elicit a gasp of delight, even from the hard-to-please luxury traveller. Couples can swan between the spacious sitting room, separate dining area and super-king Shangri-La bed, draped in meringue-crisp linen. The bathroom is a marvel in itself – a marble up-in-the-clouds refuge with a walk-in rain shower, hot whirlpool and those mirror-embedded televisions you dream of fitting into your own home. Couples will find a bottle of Champagne in an ice bucket and cocktail-making kit – crucial for watching the skyline move through various shades of pink and orange until the city switches on its twinkling night charm. Cabin fever is rarely suffered from this light-filled perch, though the spa’s wow-factor pool on floor 52 is worth edging into the lift in dressing gowns for.
For more information, visit: www.shangri-la.com
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