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!)

Portobello does look nice and sleazy. Worried the grove, while tres expensive, will be a bit County Casual set for us. Dh would appreciate trendy/sexy on the day he's 30, I'm sure!

feck it

go to Paris

everything sexy there

Nah, I hate Paris! (honest, I do, I've been quite a bit, keep trying to like it but just don't!)

They were nice but nothing that made you think I must stay there again.

How about splasing out on a flgiht too and going to the Palace at Sun City, South Africa.

ds has stayed here with a friedn whose parents have a suite \link{http://www.thebentley-hotel.com/\ Bentley hotel Kensington} Apparently it is fantastic and there is an amazing tasting menu and turkish hammam

\link{http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleatangler/history/index.htm\compleat angler}

2 best hotels in my opinion are Number 1 aldwych (stayed there on my wedding night) and Cowley Manor in Glos. Both very contemporary and beautiful in very different ways, but both offer fantastic luxury and decadence.

The best ever has got to be Cowley Manor - went there for my 30th and stayed in the "best" room and it was amazing!!! The spa is divine and the bars v trendy - they have board games in the bar and we played downfall whilst drinking cocktails! I can't rate it enough - been to others before and since and NOTHING compares!

I know its the wrong Hemisphere but this was a great place \link{http://www.lhw.com/property.aspx?propertyid=196&ext=Glstcty\The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City}

They are four Hotels and this was the best by far, maybe one for the future!

have a look at \link{http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/\this}

Mr and Mrs SMith Hotels... they look gorgeous!!!!!

Hi WWW. Have stayed with DH at Ickworth, Cowley and Amberley. Lucky me I know. This was all pre-kids though. They were all amazing, but I suppose best room was Ickworth. V gorgeous and lovely big bath and walk in showers . Plus amazing spa where you can get sublime massages. Amberely was stunning, but restaurant was a bit subduded. Wherever you go, your DH is a lucky bloke

I like the look of the rooftop studios at The Zetter on bea's link - have bookmarked!!

Has to be the Pelicocco in Brighton for me:

The \link{http://www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk/bedrooms.html\check out the Durex Room, Absolut Love room or the Nookii room etc}

OMG I am sooo niave!!

Have fun WWW. When will you be moving? Does this mean you have a get out clause for not meeting me when we move next week?

oooh, and Hotel du Vin in Henley on Thames :

Suite La Grande Dame has 2 baths side by side on a mezzanine floor. plus balcony

and Suites Comtes de Champagne has an outdoor bathtub and a balcony over the river

lovely

I haven't checked through everyone's suggestions - so sorry if I've repeated anything here.... for FANTASTIC in London, The Soho Hotel is stunning - it's right in the centre of smelly Soho, but it's super trendy and the rooms are gorgeous and when I was there, Ruby Wax was checking out - not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing! I'm guessing it's good for a bit of celebrity spotting but the rooms really are great! Also, Love The Howard. It's a real 'corporate' hotel - the rooms are for business people rather romance, ALTHOUGH, my hubby and I have been there a couple of times for a night off purely for the view. If you get one of the river fronted rooms on the top floors, you can just spend your entire night getting room service and looking at the view at night - you can see The Thames from Big Ben to Tower Bridge and The London Eye is pretty much opposite you.

Hope I haven't repeated anything someone else has said or completely said the opposite to anyone!

Have a great time wherever you go.

P.S. Spent our wedding night at the Portobello - there is only one room that is worth going to - circular bed and bath in with you, I'm not entirely sure it was worth the money....

not that I'm obsessed with bathing or anything....

Don't bother with the Halcyon. I'd go to the Portobello hotel in nottinghill for max 'porn appeal' myself.

hi, if you want something special but different try 21 the lakes and their sister hotel aphrodites lodge. there both in ambleside, lake district but definately worth a look. one hotel has traditional themed rooms, 4 posters, jacuzzi in room, dvd player for your own films, know what i mean!?. Aphrodites lodge has themed rooms too e.g bedouin suite, private lodge with sauna and the room we stayed in was the flintstones suite. all have jacuzzis and most have living flame fires. the website is www.21thelakes.co.uk and there is a link on there for aphrodites lodge. ENJOY!!!!

vnmum, have bookmarked that for future reference -it looks brilliant (and not too expensive either) Thank you!

Have you looked at the Luggers Inn in Portloe Cornwall, We visited some friends who stayed there and they said it was gorgeous and the food is incredible

DH's uncle is in the hotel business and was a consultant to the Forbury in Reading, so we went along to the opening. The bedrooms are all beautiful - some of the nicest I've seen - and the bar/restaurant is smart. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and they have a good weekend deal. There's no spa-type relaxation on offer, but if you want to stay in bed most of the time, just venturing out for something to eat occasionally, it would fit the bill.

Uncle was also involved with Ickworth, so we've been there a couple of times. Lovely setting and very nice bedrooms and communal bits, but eyewateringly expensive.

If you're looking for something coastal, the Victoria at Holkham in Norfolk has been recommended by friends who know their hip hotels:

www.holkham.co.uk/victoria2/Pages.asp?Page=1

Apparently the beach is stunning and you may bump into HRH walking her dogs!

Oh THANK YOU Bettyboopie, that's very good to hear. The Forbury is looking nice and cheap and keen and shiny and new. I like the look of The Victoria too but it's prob too far. Thanks vnmum and banthambabe too (are you actually in Bantham? I used to live in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, used to go to Bantham beach)

Another Forbury recommendation, friend went this week, said its AMAZING, so swish and new, it has made me want to go!!

BettieBoopie what a great job your uncle has!

I just called The Forbury and I have to say they were most impressive and helpful on the phone. They're sending me details and pictures of their suites - apparently the Grant Suite can seat 40! Hmm, maybe a bit big but otoh they do special occasion package with dinner x 2, 5 red roses, Champagne etc and they're sending me details of that too. They currently have all suites available for the dates I want so I'll wait for the email and then book it I think. I will update this thread after the event with a full review! Thanks for all the fab advice :)