Gluten Free UK hotel break for couple

[BeeBB]

I have been advised to try a GF diet in my mid 50’s following a camera inspection and whilst awaiting genetic screening result for Coeliac. I am still getting used to it and its a steep learning curve.

DH has a birthday next month and he wants a hotel stay so I am looking for hotel recommendations that do GF without making me feel like I have two heads or something. I don’t just want to book in somewhere, to salivate over the menu and then to be told once sat down for my meal that you can’t have a starter only one choice of main (potentially something I am not keen on) and no dessert or just ice cream etc.

Please can anyone recommend any nice hotels that do Gf relatively easily, for a couple, ideally with a kingsize or Superking bed in either the NE, NW or Scotland.

Thanks

Hi @BeeBB
www.trumphotels.com/turnberry

I’ve not been but plan to stay for my 50th in a few yrs time.
Beautiful looking menus and stunning hotel. I’m sure if you look through the array of menus for each eatery, you’ll be able to see the types of food and whether that would be a good GF option. I noticed GF bread listed on the afternoon tea menu.

I’m gluten free and never ever had an issue over GF options in a restaurant or hotel. If the hotel is decent, they will have a separate GF menu and if not, tell you what they can create or make GF. Most hospitality take it very serious and want to ensure your experience is good.

My GF tip to you is don’t get too excited about wheat substitutes - GF bread is mostly shit and can have trace amounts of gluten that still cause a problem 🤬 The cafes that make a fuss about being GF are mostly cake.

Don’t always look for a ‘GF’ label just look for foods that have never had gluten. Like salads, or rice with stir fry. At a curry house near us the masala and rice dishes is naturally gluten free.

Many pizza restaurants have a GF base option (Pizza Express is very good).

I believe there is a celiac app that’s good for restaurants but haven’t used it.

For breakfast the bacon eggs hash browns and veg should be fine but watch out for sausages as these often contain gluten.

As for not salivating over someone’s better meal I’m afraid that is something you’ll have to get used to. 😭

Thanks all.

@Verbena17 that looks gorgeous but its not a big birthday and it is bit too pricey for us but thank you.

@NicCo12a - I am very new to all this, still finding my feet and wondering if it is necessary. I am only one week in and still trying to work out what I can and cannot have. I went to one of our favourite local restaurants at the weekend. Its a goodly few weeks since I have visited and they have a new menu and a lot of GF options were available for lunch mains. We don’t normally have a dessert on a lunch time and its awhile since we’ve been. DH wanted a pudding but none were marked GFO and when we asked the manageress came back and said sorry but we don’t have any gluten free desserts available today. We usually do one but we haven’t anything today.

It made me feel a bit awkward, down and as though I was being really fussy. I sat quietly whilst DH and DD tucked into and enjoyed their puddings.

@Silverbracken good tips. I am still just learning and it is a steep learning curve. I have cut out bread completely at the moment. I have been trying a GF granola by Deliciously Ella and then I have some Mesa Sunrise to try for next weeks breakfasts. Main meals I have had a lot of rice and potatoes and trying to keep things simple at home but I do like nice food. I am going for coffee tomorrow and will have herbal tea and try a GF cake in a local cafe (they taste nice and healthy so hope they are).

Don’t always look for a ‘GF’ label just look for foods that have never had gluten. Like salads, or rice with stir fry. At a curry house near us the masala and rice dishes is naturally gluten free.

This wot @Silverbracken said

Thanks everyone any more suggestions please.

I'm the same @BeeBB
Recently diagnosed in my early 50's and finding eating out difficult at times.
The official coeliac uk app is good as you can put a location in and it will suggest restaurants that are good for GF
It also has a barcode scanner which is useful in the supermarket instead of squinting at labels. If you know you need something it will give suggested GF brands too (cereal/condiments etc)
You do have to pay a small fee for the app but I think it's worth it
I'm also type 1 diabetic so not only do I have to do an estimate of the grams of carbohydrate on my plate/check my BG and give insulin etc I have to play Russian roulette with what goes in my mouth! 😩🙄
I'm a pita to go out with and don't come near me at an airport check in 😂

Not sure if you definitely are looking for a one off hotel but you could always book into a Center Parcs Aqua Sana Spa (whinfell is in Cumbria) Super relaxing

Oops posted too soon - if you stay at Aqua Sana overnight, you have full access to all of the Center Parcs facilities on the Village, including all restaurants, each with their own full GF menus.
The one in Cumbria (Whinfell) is just off the A66 before Penrith

Chains like hilton (look for dinner b and b deals)
Best western etc all fine

@HumourReplacementTherapy I have sympathy- im on gluten free plus pre diabetic and with high cholesterol (although currently on due to statins) so trying to make sure it stays that way or less makes for some complex meal decisions - especially if eating out

Marks and Spencer gluten free bread is very nice,as is their granola but pricey. As for puddings,custard is gluten free,fresh fruit too. For mains basic non adorned protein,e.g. no breadcrumbs or sauces etc should be fine. If in doubt ask. Lots of places are on board with this now.

Thanks @BCBird I absolutely hate custard.

Don’t always look for a ‘GF’ label just look for foods that have never had gluten. Like salads, or rice with stir fry. At a curry house near us the masala and rice dishes is naturally gluten free.

Actually, I'd say always check, you have no idea of how many things they try and sneak gluten containing ingredients into until you start avoiding it - soy sauce, croutons, dressing

Thanks all thinking of a hotel in a village rather than in or on the outskirts of a large city (and not bothered about Centre Parcs or a spa experience/facilities).

So hilton chain like at arundel
Do bed breakfast and dinner packages

Or pick an area snd search coeliac friendly eg
amberhousehotel.co.uk/gluten-free/

Be cateful of gluten free but not being coeluac friendly due to cross contsmination , email or csll and ask them

thesightseeingcoeliac.blog/

Thanks

www.facebook.com/groups/9413340041/?ref=share

If you're on Facebook this is a great group. Someone will be able to recommend something.
But yes dessert is usually ice cream or a brownie. If really lucky pavlova.

Where abouts are you looking?

Most places are pretty good now some amazing places just outside Edinburgh which doesn't cost the earth.
Dunkeld house hotel is also good

@Scottishskifun not sure really. Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Northumberland or Scotland. More villagey rather than a big city and nowhere mega posh and pretentious.

Google Dunkeld house hotel it's lovely and they do really good dinner bed and breakfast deals. Food is amazing and they were really good at asking about allergies and most of the menu being available to me. It's lovely without being mega posh nice pool too.

It's lovely with walks by the river or around Dunkeld itself or surrounding area.

I went here - www.thefrenchgate.co.uk/Restaurant-and-Food - pre COVID and the food was incredible. They could substitute most stuff for me and it was great. Would highly recommend.

Warner hotels