What’s not to love about the UK in summer? Longer, warmer days make it the best season to enjoy the country’s verdant parks, outdoor concerts, vibrant street markets, and scenic countryside!
If you’re planning a trip to the British Isles this summer – or if you’re still on the fence – consider staying at one of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection‘s luxurious boutique hotels. They’ve got a lot going on, from gin and jazz evenings, to a beach bar in the heart of Bloomsbury, to tickets to the summer’s hottest rock ‘n roll retrospective. You can even have tea with your canine companion!
The Egerton House Hotel, London: Rock on!! To coincide with the opening of the new Pink Floyd exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, the five-star Egerton House hotel in Knightsbridge has launched the ultimate package for Pink Floyd fans and music aficionados. It includes two nights’ accommodation at the hotel, entry to the V&A exhibition, plus tickets to the London Rock Tour, which takes in a host of London sites that are connected to the musical icons. Also new at the pet-friendly Egerton is the Doggy Afternoon Tea, a fun and whimsical experience for the hotel’s four-legged guests. Priced at $19, the tea is served in the elegant Drawing Room, and includes a pooch-pleasing selection of treats, such as chicken and beef meatloaf, homemade dog biscuits, dog ice cream and a special chew toy to take home.
The Chesterfield Mayfair, London: The hotel’s Gin & Jazz Evenings see the luxury Mayfair venue transformed into an intimate jazz setting, capturing the elegance of the Art Deco era. On the first and third Wednesdays of every month The Terrace Bar hosts in-house pianist John Hudson and his three-piece band. Their sultry music is perfectly complemented by a bespoke menu of event-exclusive gin cocktails that took months of experimentation to perfect, and are served with a generous dose of theater – think dry ice, and ingredients as smoky as the music.
The Rubens at the Palace, London: This gem of a hotel next door to Buckingham Palace recently got a multi-million dollar upgrade that resulted in a complete refurbishment of all bedrooms and public areas, plus changes to some of its restaurants. One hundred thirty of the hotel’s 143 rooms have either been partially or fully refurbished, and additional ‘Royal Rooms’ have been created. The new English Grill, which replaces the Carvery and Grill Room, opened in July; new features include a glass-walled kitchen, a top-of-the-line coal-burning Josper Grill, and a new menu whose signature dish will be the Tomahawk Steak. Opening in September is the new Curry Room restaurant, serving a selection of the finest Indian cuisine from around the world in relaxed and convivial surroundings.
The Montague on the Gardens, London: Summer is when the Montague’s wildly popular Beach Bar transports guests straight into a tropical beach paradise, complete with real sand, a thatched-roof beach hut and even an actual jet ski. Delicious tropical cocktails, barbecued burgers and a tasty line-up of tempting desserts really capture the summertime spirit! This Bloomsbury hotel also has two new foodie experiences this summer: the Safari Afternoon Tea. The safari afternoon tea is served with an extensive selection of traditional, flavored, aromatic, fruit and green teas, plus a smorgasbord of sweet and savory treats, including the African spiced chicken sandwich, toasted coconut mousse, banana meringue, mango and kiwi tart and the giraffe macaron with salted caramel.
The Milestone Hotel, London: Enjoy London’s warm summer afternoons with a Picnic in the Park! Staff at The Milestone will deliver traditional wicker baskets filled with freshly made sandwiches and gourmet treats to Kensington Gardens or other neighboring parks. Choose from the Picnic Feast menu, or a traditional afternoon tea enjoyed al fresco.
Hotel ’41’, London: Come enjoy a night under the stars at the TripAdvisor and Travel + Leisure‘s No. 1 rated hotel in London. If you’re planning a special night – maybe for a proposal or anniversary – book the glass-ceilinged penthouse Conservatory Suite and make it an occasion to remember. The “Night Under the Stars” package includes a traditional full English breakfast, a flight of Champagne, a ‘Name a Star’ certificate personalized with the message of your choice, an astronomy Star Book, and a telescope for stargazing.
Summer Lodge Country House Hotel Restaurant and Spa, Dorset: If you’ve always wanted to enjoy a romantic summer holiday in the idyllic English countryside, Summer Lodge can fulfill your fantasy. The area was actually the setting for many of Thomas Hardy’s romantic novels, so it’s the perfect place to write your own love story! This summer’s “Romantic Hideaway” offer includes an overnight stay in a beautifully appointed room or suite, a bottle of Champagne, a seasonal treat, romantic turndown service with rose petals, a four-course “surprise” menu, and a full English breakfast daily.
The Acorn Inn, Dorset: Located just across the road from Summer Lodge, the Acorn Inn is the perfect base for exploring the lovely Dorset countryside. Take advantage of the warm summer weather and try any or all the activities available in the vicinity of the inn: coastal walks, water sports, pony trekking, Zorbing, clay shooting, and go-karting. If you’re not the outdoorsy type, try a cooking workshop at the nearby Lesley Waters’ Cookery School and spend a relaxing day meeting people, learning and laughing.
The Old Government House Hotel and Spa, Guernsey: Guernsey may be a small island, but it’s got a long and fascinating history that stretches all the way back to the days of pirates and seafaring explorers. The hotel is a piece of history itself, having served as the Governor’s residence in the 18th century, and hosted many illustrious guests over the years. Modern-day guests can immerse themselves in this history by taking advantage of the hotel’s summer “Heritage” package. It includes two nights in a beautifully appointed room or suite, a full English breakfast each morning, a delicious three-course dinner for two in The Brasserie Restaurant, a complimentary pass to either Castle Cornet or the Guernsey Museum, a 10% discount on all beauty treatments in The Spa, and complimentary use of the gym, spa pools, sauna and steam room.
The Duke of Richmond Hotel, Guernsey: Become a master of mixology this summer at this historic boutique hotel. Join one of The Leopard Bar‘s skilled bartenders at a Cocktail Master Class where you’ll learn how to mix your favorite drinks, then enjoy the fruits of your labor with some of your favorite bar nibbles. Or relax and savor a lazy Sunday morning with the restaurant’s delicious new Sunday lunch menu, which is now served until a later time. If the weather’s nice, take your lunch out on The Terrace, overlooking the beautiful Candie Gardens, the sea and the islands beyond.
