I need your tips for ultimate romantic, stylish hotel for our first anniversary and our first weekend without DD.

[Artichokes]

It need to be gorgeous and romantic and utterly perfect. It also needs to be within 3 hours drive of London as PiL are too scared of DD to let us go too far!

It will be our one childfree weekend in years so money is no object.

I want it to be somewhere we would not take DD. We are taking her to Cowley and have been to Babbington and Calcot.

City or country fine.

Where would you go?

any hotel u vin anywhere.i know henley and cambridge are v good tunbrdge wells less so and winhestser lovely. we did this for our first weekend without dd1 and will repeat away from dd2. get a suite. lovely plus brilliant bistro food.....

DH and I had a weekend at the Grove near Watford. The rooms in the main building are decent, beds blissfully comfortable, and the food is good. There's also a good spa and lots of gardens to walk around. There is something a little Footballers Wives about it, but it was sooooo relaxing and we had a great time.
Website here: www.thegrove.co.uk/

Or if you fancied going a bit further (and money is no object), there's always Le Manoir...

Take the Eurostar train to Paris! 2.5 hours from Central London. Stay in Hotel Costes. It is the most romantic hotel, with an incredible atmosphere. Its restaurant, bar, even the pool area (with candles everywhere) are legendary.

Go to this website. They do romance like nobody else! And the hotels are always unusual.

Another vote for Le Manoir. It is very, very special.

maybe this

How about Cliveden ?

Try Cheltenham/Gloucestershire?

What about Le Manoir as ScaryHairy suggested, it's dead posh there..

Crikey, no Dc's a chance to get away and I'm broke. So Youth Hostel for me.

Gosh, so many suggetions, thank you.

For those that suggested Le Manoir can I ask you whether it is really worth it? I know the food is great but I was looking at the website and the rooms look a bit, well, frilly... It is uber expensive and we only want to spend that much if it is really, really worth it.

Clivedon looks nice. I like the idea of being in the countryside. Although it is huge. I am now wondering if we should not have somewhere more private like Cali described (although without the accomanying meal, Cali are you usually Califrau? because if so that must have been your worst, worst nightmare). Anyone know any private castle's in SE England?

We have been mulling over somewhere in Bath. I love it as a city and we could go to the Roman Baths (historical allure is about the only way I will ever entice DH into a spa). Does anyone have any tips in Bath?

www.lygonarms.co.uk/ We spent our honeymoon there many years ago.

I haven't stayed at Le Manoir but I have eaten there twice. It really is exceptional and the gardens are beautiful. The food, unsurprisingly is out of this world.

The service is amazing. The first time I went I my son was just 4 months old and I had left him for the first time. I had been out all day so really needed somewhere quiet and private to express milk as I was very afraid of leaking everywhere! They very discreetly and happily found me a room to express in.

Yes, the room was very frilly but beautiful. They really had thought of everything. Of course, I investigated the room thoroughly while I expressed.

It is very peaceful there and I can't wait to go back. DH and I find it a very special place indeed. I would love to stay there but don't think I could justify it as it is just down the road!

I guess what I was trying to say is that the feeling I get at Le Manoir that nothing is too much trouble. I suspect they'd do anything for a guest!

It does sound nice.

Oooh I don't know. Maybe Le Manoir or Bath. I would love Paris but PiLs say no.

Any Bath tips out there? Or country castles? Or shall I just leave you all alone and go for Le Manoir.

If only there were a Hotel Du Vin in Bath.

hotel du vin in Cheltenham? when are you planning to go? tomorrow?

Not going 'til May. Lots of time to find a lovely place and book its bestest room .

Anyone been to the Bath Spa Hotel? Is it any good?

I would also recommend The Grove - we stayed in the main house and had the most amazing room which was a big as our first flat we rented! What about Whately Manor? They dont allow kids under 12! It was recommened to us on MN but we had DD with us so had to pass, although it is on this list!

Le Manoir is an absolute must - I insist

We had a log fire in our room in Le Manoir. With lots of music, lovely food, drink, gardens

You must you must go to Le Manoir

Which Hilton CaintineFrauers?

I love Hotel du Vins and there is one in both Cheltenham and Winchester. Not sure how long it takes to get to, but I'd love to stay at Babington House. I've booked it twice and had to cancel it for various reasons.

stayed in the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath in August last year, loved loved loved it. Gorgeous spa, tea in the gardens, silver service breakfast in bed. It is though very expensive. Just don't pay rack rates- ring up and negotiate a better deal or use www.laterooms.co.uk

There are reviews of the Royal Crescent on www.tripadvisor.com, a site which I tend to trust. Interestingly it has terrible reviews recently of Babington House, which put me right off going.

If you go to Bath it is a bugger to park, and you won't need your car to get around. You might consider taking the train from London?- about 1.5 hours.