Nice, non-extortionate uk hotel for girls' weekend away?

[No134]

Recommendations would be lovely, for small group of slightly wearied mums to get away from it all for an off-season weekend.

Specifications:

• South of England
• nice location, country or small town
• swimming pool and spa facilities
• nice food
• not ruinously expensive

Does such a thing exist??

what is your budget? trouble is that what you are looking for constitutes a 4 or 5 star hotel and they are never going to be cheap even out of season. what about a cottage holiday with some of the money you save spent on say a spa day nearby. we did this with a group. we stayed in a Travelodge in bath and spent the money saved on bath spa with treatments and a nice meal.

We've just been looking for something similar and drew a blank really. We've compromised this time and have a cheap hotel followed by cheap spa day but next time will probably look for a cottage or something.

Thanks for responses!

We're only looking at a couple of nights, so cottage not worth it, plus too much faff (plus cooking - can do that at home).

Hmm. Surely lots of mid-range hotels have a pool and spa? Or is there a good site where I can search for deals?

We did initially use SpaSeekers I think. They had some decent deals but then when I looked into them they wanted us to have treatments at 9am or they were miles from anywhere (no use for us as some in our group prefer to travel by train).

Is Dartmoor too far? We just had a lovely weekend at Ilsington Country House. Decor a bit dated but lovely new spa and food and service were great. NB we were there with children so didn't try any treatments. (Place wasn't overrun w children and they only have limited windows in which to use the pool.)

What's your budget though, £150-200 pp realistic all in with a DBB and mini spa set up at one of the chains, otherwise not realistic....
After extensive research for a hen doo recently I know this!!!!
Look at the hotel collection chain (formerly barcelo uk group) who have a few which might suit

www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/offer/2-night-pamperbreak/

www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/offer/2-night-pamperbreak/

Have a look at Village hotels

I've stayed in a few of these. I think they are really good value. The rooms are good, beds lovely and comfortable, they have restaurants serving what looks like pretty nice food (although I've not used them) and bars that serve what I consider to be the nice end of pub food (I have used these, all good), a Starbucks or similar, swimming pools and gyms (all good), and most have spas (I haven't used the spas). The breakfasts are also good. The public areas are smart, clean and inviting.

They tend to be £60-£70 per room per night. You might even get the upgraded room for that price. The trade-off is that they not in glamorous locations, they are in retail parks/trading estates on the outskirts of cities. But the parking is free . It depends what you are looking for, if you are happy to stay on site or drive/taxi if you want a walk in the country, they are not exactly upmarket but I think more upmarket than the price would suggest. I've always been impressed when I have used them.

All good suggestions, thanks!

I have also found this www.tewkesburypark.co.uk/INRW.html which looks nice for the budget.

Don't discount the cheap hotel idea no134. we did this in Bath on a girly weekend. it was right opposite a brilliant curry restaurant and a whole day in the spa with the rooftop hot pool was fantastic. we also did the costume museum, shopping and high tea in the pump house. much better than a spa break which lets be honest unless it is top end can always be a bit mehh.

Friends and me went to the cotswold house hotel in Chipping Campden.

Meets all your criteria and took us two hours ish to drive from London. We went in January and got a great deal.on travel zoo. Lovely spa great food and pool

Ooh yes Cotswold House Hotel is lovely too

How about a couple of nights in Bath and a trip to Bath Spa, which is very unusual with a great rooftop pool?