OK hotel porn addicts, what's the sexiest hotel in the UK then? And has anyone actually been?

[WideWebWitch]

Dh is 30 in July and I want to take him away for a night (maybe 2, depends on babysitter availability) as a surprise. We will be living in Bucks/Northants somewhere so London would be ok as would anywhere within a couple/few hours.
If we found somewhere in Scotland or Cornwall then we could pos fly from Heathrow or Luton to Newquay or Edinburgh for somewhere amazing. So, has anyone actually been to any of the following and if so, what did you think?

The Grove, Herts, is very expensive, is it worth it?
The Sanderson, London, looks a bit clinical in the quicktime movies on their site is it?
The Halcyon, had its day or wonderful?
One Aldywch, looks fab but no room pictures, I really want a gorgeous room, anyone been?
Stowe Park, looks a bit chintzy

I don't want to do Babington or Hotel Du Vin but I do want boutique and cool/sexy not chintzy ir country house. In Cornwall I could go for
Driftwood
Tresanton

but would like to know if they're as fab as they look on the internet? We'd have to fly, it would be a long drive otherwise.

Any other coastal recommendations easily reachable from the South East? TIA for any comments. His birthday is in July so I've got loads of time but want to start thinking about it now (plus it's pleasurable, I like droolign over these sites!)

Whoaaaaa, steady on there WWW!

talk about shcadenfreude, you're going to have it in spades in a minute

Of course, myself, I'm very, very happy for you

Dp's dad and stepmum raved about this hotel after a visit last yaer- cant do links but this is their website.

www.thebonham.com/default.html

the bonham edinburgh.

Can't say I have anything helpful to offer except to say for our tenth anniversary last sept, we went to a rather inexpensive 4 star hotel in Ashford countryside (we live in the SE so didn't venture far).. the restaurant (Italian) was absolutely great (and packed), although I was pissed on champagne by then so maybe it wasn't as great as I remember (DH said it was!).. the room was fine but not spectacular for four star.. but the night we had was absolutely divine and I will remember forever.. .. particular in view of fact that we are always knackered and stressed (under normal circs) and have been together for 12 years.

I suppose I am saying that the whilst I appreciate that a lovely hotel is.. well lovely.., it's the experience of getting away and having quality time that can make it most memorable.

SJ x

(p.s- they have both stayed at the Sanderson and said it was way overrated. - they are a "sexy" couple also (!) both second marriage and still have a sizzling sex life ( apparently)!!!!

Ha ha SW, I live in hope that someone will find a hotel whose site I haven't already drooled over and tell me it's wonderful and we'll have the night of our dreams there! This present is as much for me as him, obviously!

I was actually reading something yesterday about a new v. sexy destination hotel in ...wait for it... Reading.

Will see if I can find article.

Hmm, Reading? Reading? It does sound unlikely but I am prepared to be convinced!

It's the \link{http://www.theforburyhotel.co.uk\Forbury}. It was reviewed in the Mail (yeah I know) which said it really was sylish and sexy (Intimate fortune cookies and an Orgasmatron head massager on the pillow) Gadgets galore (B&O sound system, espresso machine ) and a glass bucket of bubble bath instead of plastic tubes.

Ooh, ooh, Prufrock, that looks fab, am drooling in another window!

I could go for their suite if we went there. There are no room pictures though, does anyone live in Reading and want to go and look for me then post on member profiles? Were there pics with the article Prufrock? Not sure about 'hippest cinema experience in the Thames Valley', sounds slightly David Brent! I can just hear him saying 'then there's Winnersh, Taplow...' :)

Only one tiny B&W, looks nice - bold printed wallpaper, big contemporary bed with trad-ish sofa at end. Do you want to e-mail me your address agai and i'll post it to you?

There is one room picture on the website - it comes up when you click on your hotel and wait a few seconds

\link{http://www.manoir.com/web/olem/packages/4_34952.jsp\Le Manoir}

The Saturday Times had a feature on hotels yesterday. They recommended:

Babington House
Barnsley House
Bovey Castle
Cowley Manor
Hotel Endsleigh
Four Seasons Dogmersfield PArk
The Grove
Ickworth hotel
Seaham Hall
Whatley Manor

also some more trad ones:

Amberley Castle
Calcot Manor
Charlton House
Chewton Glen
Cliveden
Gidleigh Park
Gravetye Manor
Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons
Sharrow Bay

Have fun googling that lot

sorry thread hi-jack - Northants??? I thought you lived miles from here??

what about that hotel in Brighton? the sort of ultra chic trendy one

haven't been myself but have heard the rooms are quite cool

\link{http://www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk/\hotel pelirocco}

The room at Manoir with 2 baths side by side gets me drooling every time. They seem to have other very hip suites too, so it depends on what you are after. have only eaten there, not stayed. Food is gorgeous as you would expect.

What about the one in London which has a huge bath which Kate Moss and Johnny Depp reputedly filled with champage? Can't remember the name - in Notting Hill I think - will try to remember.

Ooh thanks for these! I will have fun googling those Iota. QofQ, we might (prob are, details tbc) be moving soon. Puff, was that The Hempel I wonder? Or the Halcyon maybe. Prufrock, will do.

Ooh foxinsocks, that Brighton one looks v saucy, site sponsored by Durex!

Thanks sjess and tiredemma, only just read your posts, thank you. Interestingf that they considered the Sanderson overrated. Good site that, thanks.

Have been to Barnsley House for dinner, and would LOVE to be able to stay there. Not a scrap of chintz in sight.

\link{http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/boutique_hotels/united_kingdom/gloucestershire/barnsley_house/\Barnsley House}

WWW, all I would say is if you haven't got long, don't go far from home or you'll be spending your weekend travelling. Have a fab time.

anyone stayed in a nice hotel in Cork?