The Twelve Stays of Twixmas
The Very Best Luxury British Hotels to Visit in December
If you’re anything like me, then the post-Christmas fog of utter exhaustion always seems to come as a surprise.
It doesn’t help that the big day itself is directly followed by that strange, no-man’s land of flopping around uselessly in preparation for New Year’s Eve – the period now known affectionately as ‘Twixmas’. It’s a time during which it’s almost impossible to get the house back into anything resembling normality, let alone get on with the important business of facing real life once the festivities are over.
Keep the festive spirit going… The Gilpin.
The solution to all this tinsel-strewn ennui is clear, however. Twixmas is an absolutely ideal opportunity for a relaxing, opulent and utterly self-indulgent staycation; one in which the dramatically short days and atmospheric ambience of the UK in midwinter can be actively enjoyed (rather than avoided along with the roasting tins soaking in the sink, and the pile of torn wrapping paper lurking in the corner of the room).
With this, dear readers, we present the Twelve Stays of Twixmas – The Last Concierge’s festive gift to you, and a rundown of some of the most irresistible UK staycations awaiting your arrival. Each of the properties listed promises peace and quiet, seasonal treats and an ambience of utter relaxation… and if you’ve been feeling the urge to treat yourself for the end of the year, it’s hard to imagine a more well-deserved gift than the gift of peerless hospitality, fine dining and spa retreats set against spectacular backdrops awaiting discovery.
The Gilpin
Our kind of Winter Wonderland, The Gilpin
How could we begin with anywhere but The Gilpin? This beautiful and utterly luxurious Lake District retreat is the kind of place Twixmas dreams are made of, complete with roaring fires, exquisite cuisine, stunning grounds, spacious rooms and breathtaking views. We’re enormous fans of this quintessentially opulent and blissful 30-bedroom spa retreat, and the hotel’s Twixmas special features their famed a la carte breakfast along with the chance to unwind with a loved one like never before. If you’ve never visited this remarkable hotel, prepare to have your heart stolen, your breath taken and your standards raised to dizzying new heights.
Afternoon tea with added whimsy, St James’ Court
St James’ Court, London - A Taj Hotel
For some, the idea of being anywhere but London in and around the festive season is unthinkable; after all, amid all the hustle and bustle, there are plentiful wonders to be uncovered and London’s party season is renowned worldwide for good reason. St James’ Court, London allows guests to enjoy the capital in flawless style. A discreet Victorian masterpiece within steps of Buckingham Palace, it’s regarded as among one of the UK’s finest luxury hotels. This Twixmas, uncover the property’s five-star Kona Afternoon Tea, the ultimate indulgence for those who seek nothing less than perfection.
Bailiffgate Hotel, Alnwick
A spectacular setting, Bailiffgate Hotel
Northumberland retains and celebrates its hidden gem status as one of the most beautiful, dramatic and fascinating corners of the UK, and fleeing the festive mayhem to Alnwick’s spectacular Bailiffgate Hotel – which features the bliss-inducing Temple Spa and a restaurant serving some of the county’s finest fare – is never a bad idea. Guests can unwind in old-world grandeur, sipping mulled wine in exquisitely-decorated rooms, and wander around Alnwick’s charming medieval streets and iconic castle. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect way to reset before reality kicks back in.
Brockencote Hall, Worcestershire
A grandiose Victorian manor complete with manicured grounds, a triple AA rosette-winning restaurant and romantic views of the Malvern Hills? Sign me up – I struggle to think of anywhere I’d rather retreat to at any time of year, let alone knee-deep in a post-Christmas haze. Brockencote Hall is a beautiful and altogether rather swoon-worthy property boasting plush furnishings and period features, as well as a very well-regarded afternoon tea offering and 70 acres of parkland awaiting discovery.
Swoon-worthy. Brockencote Hall
Northcote, Lancashire
A foodie escape par excellence, Northcote
Aficionados of contemporary, cutting-edge and utterly delicious British cuisine will be familiar with Northcote as the location of celebrity chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s Michelin-starred restaurant, which is as good a reason as any to head to Lancashire this Twixmas. A peerless food and wine destination – complete with sumptuously furnished rooms and in the heart of some of England’s most picturesque natural landscapes – Northcote’s festive stay package and set menu is right up there with the very best. Perfect for gastronauts, lovers of English wines, adventurous souls eager to get out in the great outdoors and those keen to hit the sales in some of the country’s prettiest market towns… Northcote truly has it all, and delivers flavour-driven escapism in spectacular style.
The endless allure of Edinburgh, Old Town Chambers
Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh
Anyone who’s spoken to me for more than 15 minutes knows I have a deep and undying love for Edinburgh – Scotland’s beautiful, beguiling and gothically majestic capital continually draws me back to its strange and comforting embrace. Old Town Chambers is a striking example of how the city does things a little differently (and to great effect): it’s a Marriott property split over three historic A-listed buildings, including a bonafide 15th century townhouse that bursts with quirky charm and heritage splendour. Edinburgh does the run-up to and execution of New Year’s Eve unlike anywhere else on Earth, so a stylish and sophisticated Twixmas stay in the vibrant Old Town makes perfect sense at this time of year.
Saltmoore, North Yorkshire
The Orangerie, Saltmoore
When it comes to big skies, dramatic landscapes and the kind of windswept romance that makes you feel like you’re floating through a Brontë novel, there’s nowhere that even comes close to the majesty of North Yorkshire. Saltmoore encapsulates this essence of timeless beauty, enveloping its guests in a truly unique ambience between the sweeping North Sea and the endless heather-clad North York Moors. For those seeking a peaceful retreat, Saltmoore offers sanctuary in its expansive spa and blissful Orangerie and Brasserie, where time simply stops and one’s senses are replenished.
Cowley Manor, The Cotswolds
An escape to the Cotswolds is never a bad idea at any time of year. During the slump of Twixmas, it becomes almost essential. Cowley Manor ensures that a retreat to this beautiful corner of England transcends the everyday and becomes something really rather extraordinary – it’s wonderfully eccentric yet undeniably luxurious, and revels in an Lewis Carroll-inspired opportunity to dive into the rabbit hole and see just how deep it goes. Guests will uncover stunningly-decorated rooms and suites, a grandiose 17th century wood-lined restaurant serving local ingredients elevated with classic French cookery, experimental cocktails and what has to be one of England’s most beautiful and bliss-inducing spas. Who could possibly resist?
This’ll do nicely. The spa at Cowley Manor
The ultimate hideaway, Belle Grove
Located in the pretty market town of Halesworth, Suffolk, Belle Grove is one of those gorgeous English idylls which exude the utmost in romance and sophistication. It’s a collection of picture-postcard cottages, each bursting with charm and character, where the opportunity to truly relax and unwind comes as standard… and then just keeps coming. As a retreat from the frantic festive season, it’s hard to envision a more peaceful place to be; the attention to detail in the rooms, each of which is bedecked with charming antiques and a whimsical East-meets-West style, makes for the perfect place in which to simply be.
Festive drama, done right. Ansty Hall
Ansty Hall
Make no mistake, the idea of jumping on a train to Coventry and kicking back amid Ansty Hall’s 17th century red-bricked splendour is one that’s almost impossible to resist. Bursting with history and fascinating period features, Ansty Hall is a glorious example of what happens when proud tradition meets a thoroughly modern approach to comfort, style and opulent hospitality. Guests can explore eight acres of landscaped gardens before sequestering themselves cosily at Twine – the hotel’s gorgeous restaurant that brings a flash of Indian spice to lovingly-crafted classic British dishes.
Rockliffe Hall, County Durham
Retreat in style, Rockliffe Hall
County Durham’s a lovely part of the world to find yourself in during winter, and Rockliffe Hall – the county’s premiere five-star resort – knows how to tastefully dial up all the festive feels. Their ‘Sparkling Joy Spa Day’ package is a genuine opportunity to restore calm after a hectic Christmas, and gives guests the chance to indulge in utmost relaxation in a 50,000 square foot spa, which boasts a gorgeous thermal suite and treatments including a Himalayan salt ritual and ‘tranquility scrub’. Evenings at Rockliffe Hall during this time of year can also be spent at the stylish Alpine Terrace, where après ski flavours (including gooey raclette and decadent Petrossian caviar) can be enjoyed at leisure, before catching up on sleep in the hotel’s spacious and elegant rooms.
The Painswick, The Cotswolds
Looking to get away from it all with a loved one or a few lucky friends, and fancy the perfect blend of discreet glamour and timeless English romance? The Painswick has you covered this Twixmas, providing beautiful escapes in Tetbury (the “Queen of the Cotswolds”), where festive spirit meets no shortage of sophistication. Understated yet glamorous, bursting with period features yet making no compromises on comfort, The Painswick is the last word in Cotswold boutique luxury, where decadent afternoon tea can be followed by warming mulled wine on the terrace, and probably some of the best nights’ sleep you’ve had all year.
Elegance unlimited at The Painswick
