Inspiration for luxury short break in December

[Thosesummernights]

We had a lovely holiday booked for my DH’s birthday but hotel have called to say they need to cancel so I’m looking for some inspiration for an alternative break.

UK or Short haul, 3-4 nights, two adults. Love exploring, active holidays, eating (not so much drinking). Something a bit different and happy to spend a bit so somewhere with a bit of luxury. Not looking for winter sun, happy to embrace the cold.

Thank you ☺️

The Tawny in Staffordshire or Another Place in the Lake District

Another Place is so gorgeous.

In the UK I’d also look at some of the luxury country estate hotels in Scotland - they’re great for outdoor activities and also relaxation.

Some to look at:
The Torridon, Wester Ross
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William
Cameron House, Loch Lomond
Kinloch Lodge, Sutherland

Outside the UK:

Maribel, Monachil, Sierra Nevada (ski resort)
Arctic Bath, Harads, Sweden
Hotel Ranga, Hella, Iceland
Storfjord Hotel, Skodje, Norway
Chateau d’Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerland
Crans Ambassador, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Hotel Schweizerhof Zermatt, Zermatt, Switzerland
Bergwelt Grindelwald, Grindelwald, Switzerland
The Crystal Hotel, St Moritz, Switzerland

Another suggestion for The Tawny
Or the Four Seasons in Hampshire

The Danielli in Venice.
Venice is amazing in winter. It's very cold but unsmelly and romantic.

I'd go to Finland and stay in one of those glass igloos.

The Gilpin in the Lake District, absolute bliss.

Thank you, these are all on the right track. We’ve stayed at Another Place a few times, and The Torridon, Glencoe House and Gleneagles.

Will have a good look through the other suggestions, they sound great.

There is one place we’d love to try and that’s The Retreat in Finland but looking for similar alternatives as it’s over budget for this trip.

@IStillWonder I went to Venice on a cheap girls trip years ago. I’d never been abroad and in my inexperienced little head, assumed Italy would warm all year. We went in November and didn’t even pack a coat. I froze. I had to wear the entire content of my suitcase to keep warm.

I would highly recommend both Storfjord and Arctic Baths - the former is more active and the later more wellness focussed.

You do have to take regional flights to get to them though which for only 3-4 nights might make the journeys too long.

We stayed at the Octant Furnas in the Azores which was wonderful, pools indoor and out are around 36C with beautiful tropical gardens and views of hot springs. Though direct flights are only on Mondays so we flew out on a Monday and back via Porto staying overnight in a hotel overlooking the river on the Gaia side. It is best to have a car hire there too to explore the hills, lakes and hot springs, waterfalls, gardens etc. Though possible with a taxi transfer. Can also fly back via Lisbon. Food was excellent. Not that big a hotel. Room was not fancy but had own small pool and free champagne and goodies, booked via IHG Mr and Mrs Smith.