21 January 2026
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Romance has never been a one-size-fits-all business, and neither is the ideal Valentine’s Day getaway. Fortunately, the UK and Ireland are home to a broad range of classically romantic hotels, as well as quirkier accommodation. Of course, there are your fairytale castles, steeped in history and converted to the highest levels of comfort. And there’s no shortage of sumptuous country house hotels, complete with inviting spas, floral furnishings and acres of greenery.
But there are also chic beachy breaks, cosy mountain escapes and trailblazing hotels with resident artists in high-octane cities on the menu too. Read on for 11 of the UK’s most romantic hotels, whatever your idea of romance.
Amberley Castle
Amberley, West Sussex, UKAward: One MICHELIN Key
Perfect For: Storybook fantasy
If you’re dreaming of fairytale romance, you’re going to need a castle. And Amberley Castle is no folly: it boasts a 900-year history, 12 acres of beautiful gardens and counts Henry VIII among its former guests. Now a luxury hotel, the castle’s sumptuous rooms and suites blend ancient stone and timber with comfortable modern touches (like gas fireplaces and luxe bathrooms) for that medieval, storybook vibe.
Dinner is served with a side of history too. You can eat in the Queen’s Room, which boasts a barrel-vaulted ceiling dating back to the 12th century, or dine amid tapestries and armour in the Great Room, which was built in 1165. It’s not hard to imagine the Tudor King romancing one of his six wives here. Ask the concierge if you’d like to try stargazing, tennis, croquet or supercar experiences during your stay. There’s also a professional standard 18-hole putting course on the property.
Cliff House Hotel
Ardmore, Co. Waterford, IrelandPerfect For: Relaxation
Cliff House Hotel is somewhat extraordinary to look at: this superb modern building, all whitewash and glass frontage, clings to a cliff in Ardmore, a traditional fishing village close to Cork. Inside, the hotel is geared towards relaxation. Its rooms and suites boast spa-like bathrooms and unending sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows. As well as its 15m indoor swimming pool, the luxury spa is home to a natural rock pool, an outdoor heated jacuzzi and two stone baths on its relaxation terrace. There’s also a couple’s treatment room.
House is the hotel’s One-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant. Feast on a seven-course tasting menu with a focus on seafood or choose a seasonal table d’hôte experience – both options spotlight succulent local produce. When you’re not gazing into each other’s eyes, take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous view across Ardmore Bay.
Gidleigh Park
Chagford, Devon, UKAward: Two MICHELIN Keys
Perfect For: Outdoorsy couples
Gidleigh Park offers a luxurious country house hotel experience in the heart of Devon’s Dartmoor National Park. Its striking black and white frontage gives way to Arts and Crafts interiors and stylish, comfortable rooms with all the mod cons. Here you can pack your itinerary with yoga, croquet, tennis and golf on the hotel’s 18-hole course. However, the real treat is its 107-acre grounds, which incorporate a unique water garden, bluebell woods and a bespoke kitchen garden. Venture further out for Dartmouth’s iconic granite tors, deep gorges and staggering views.
Classic country house dining is on the menu at Gidleigh Park’s elegant One-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant. Superb premium ingredients – from lobster and venison to partridge and trout – provide the backbone for indulgent, seasonal menus served within the grand Edwardian mansion.
Grantley Hall
Ripon, North Yorkshire, UKAward: Two MICHELIN Keys
Perfect For: A luxurious spa break
Unapologetic luxury awaits you and your other half at Yorkshire’s impeccably styled Grantley Hall. From the dark academia interiors of its Norton Bar to the old-world glamour of Valeria’s champagne and cocktail bar, this 17th-century country house hotel offers up plenty of inviting corners in which to enjoy a tipple with your beloved. Luxury is woven into every room here, but for high-octane romance, splash out on one of the hotel’s palatial suites – the Royal spreads out over two levels, while the Presidential has a grand piano.
The hotel’s luxury spa is a true highlight. Its comprehensive facilities include an indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, Nordic spa garden and an innovative snow room. Then there’s the food: Grantley Hall is home to five restaurants, including the flagship One-MICHELIN-Starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall – which serves up hyper-local produce and inventive wine pairings – and the pleasingly unfussy Fletchers.
Looking for Inspiration?
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Whether you’re flying solo, sightseeing or just passing through, there's something for you!
Check our our Complete London Hotel Guide.
Whether you’re flying solo, sightseeing or just passing through, there's something for you!
Penmaenuchaf
Dolgellau, Gwynedd, WalesAward: One MICHELIN Key
Perfect For: A cosy mountain escape
After a bracing day of hiking the untamed wilderness of Snowdonia National Park, the stylish bedrooms of Penmaenuchaf hotel are perfect for snuggling up together. Indeed, you don’t have to venture far from this Victorian country house hotel to see many of Snowdonia’s most impressive mountains or its dramatic lakes, waterfalls, dunes and headlands. Penmaenuchaf’s historic gardens are ideal for a lovers’ walk, too; stroll around the sunken ornamental garden, take a seat between the lavender beds or follow a path into the woodland.
When it’s time to dine, sink into the plush sofas at the relaxed Mynydd Bar or opt for Afon for fine dining with sweeping views of Eryri’s dramatic peaks. Afon’s menu promotes bold honest flavours formed around quality, locally sourced produce.
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The G Hotel
Galway City, Co. Galway, IrelandPerfect For: A maximalist city break
A fever dream of searing colours, riotous feature walls and classic antiques, The G Hotel is nothing short of spectacular. Designed by celebrity milliner Philip Treacy, this kaleidoscopic boutique hotel offers luxury, escapism and Instagram backdrops that are second to none. Here for a romantic retreat? Opt for a Junior Suite with views of the calm waters of Lough Atalia and a standalone marble bathtub. And don’t forget to make the most of the 24/7 butler service, which caters to every room. The hotel’s popular spa encompasses a hydro pool, crystal steam room and an ice fountain, and it’s worth booking ahead for treatments.
If you're heading out for dinner, Galway's pedestrianised city centre is just a 20-minute walk away. Book a table at One-MICHELIN-Starred Aniar for modern Irish fare or try good value Bib Gourmand daróg for sharing plates and an artisanal wine list.
The Gallivant
Camber, East Sussex, UKPerfect For: A beachy escape for two
Coast over to Camber for a chic, beachy retreat in dreamy surroundings. The Gallivant offers superbly comfortable rooms that open directly onto the garden or private decks. Think colour pops, vintage artwork and custom headboards. The big draw here? The expansive sky of Camber Sands is just moments from the hotel. When you’re not enjoying romantic walks on the beach, stretch together in a yoga class before indulging in house cake and English wines back at The Gallivant. Then go looking for the hotel’s Bamford Spa (you’ll find it in a spare beach hut). Dog-friendly rooms are available for couples who don’t want to leave their pups at home.
A classical French menu awaits you at Harry’s Restaurant, where you’ll find quality ingredients and a highly experienced chef. Choose between ingredients ranging from roast quail or venison tartare to red mullet or warm smoked eel.
The Mandrake Hotel
Fitzrovia, London, UKPerfect For: Artsy couples
Step into a brooding fantasy land at The Mandrake Hotel in Fitzrovia and experience a spiritual transformation – or simply a good old-fashioned party. During an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s 33 plush, theatrical rooms, there’s always something fun going on. During the day, attend spiritual wellbeing sessions, from energy healing to new moon cacao ceremonies, or check out the work of the latest artist in residence. After dark, party the night away at the Masha Hari Late Night experience or watch DJs spin house and deep tech at the Waeska Bar.
When it comes to dining, One-MICHELIN-Starred Akoko – serving West African dishes with a creative spin – is just around the corner.
The Newt in Somerset
Bruton, Somerset, UKAward: Three MICHELIN Keys
Perfect For: Epic romance
The Newt in Somerset delivers blockbuster romance. This country house hotel is home to a working farm and 30 acres of formal gardens, as well as plenty of whimsical bells and whistles. After all, what’s a romantic break without a honeybee megalopolis? A hotel of two halves, indulge in unapologetic Georgian splendour in a room at Hadspen House or opt for the rustic luxury of the converted barns and grain stores of the Farmyard.
After breakfast, melt into your day with a yoga class overlooking the kitchen garden, make your own poultice at a workshop or thwack some croquet balls around on the lawn. Next, hit the spa for couples’ mud therapy, a soak in the indoor-outdoor pool or a scrub-down in the hammam. Prefer your rest and relaxation on the wilder side? Go forest bathing in the hotel’s ancient woodlands. Later, whisper sweet nothings over estate lamb or Dorset seafood in the hotel’s elegant Botanical Rooms, where the wood-fired grill plays a key role. Sit in either the Georgian oak-panelled dining room or the glass-covered courtyard to create two different experiences.
The Samling Hotel
Ambleside, Cumbria, UKAward: Two MICHELIN Keys
Perfect For: An intimate escape
Perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Windermere, The Samling – a 12-room boutique hotel – delivers a truly intimate couples’ escape. So dock your sailing boat at the hotel’s private jetty and ascend to the whitewashed, 18th-century house, where you’ll find all the frills required for storybook romance.
Soak in the hotel’s private woodland hot tub while enjoying one of the best views in the world, visit its much-lauded wine cellar for a bespoke tasting (explore a specific region or year) and slumber in its stately rooms. Meanwhile, their eponymous MICHELIN-Starred restaurant spotlights local produce and boasts incredible countryside views through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Remember, you’re in the heartland of the Lakes here, so make the most of it with a ramble through the surrounding 65 acres of rolling meadowlands, ornamental water gardens and ancient woodlands.
The Torridon
Torridon, Wester Ross, ScotlandPerfect For: Fairytale romance
Drawn straight from the pages of a fairytale, the Torridon serves up bespoke, luxury romance. After a day spent losing yourselves in the untethered majesty of the Scottish Highlands, retire to your chosen corner of the estate: the Victorian elegance of the hotel, the warm comfort of The Stables or the secluded Boathouse, which overlooks the hotel’s namesake loch.
There’s a wide variety of outdoor activities to try: see huge birds of prey up close with a falconry experience, watch the Milky Way glitter with a stargazing experience or set the pulse racing with an afternoon of gorge scrambling. Sea kayaking, snorkelling and archery are also on offer. The hotel’s restaurant – 1887 – operates on a mindful principle that produces menus packed with outstanding local treats, from hand-dived West Coast scallops to Ross-shire lamb. For an extra treat, sink a dram or two from the restaurant’s extensive global whisky collection.
From cosy mountain hideaways to bold, design-led hotels, the UK and Ireland offer a romantic stay for every kind of love story. Whether you’re seeking spa indulgence, sea views or a suite made for selfies this Valentine’s Day, there’s a hotel out there that will delight you and your partner, no matter your style.
The UK and Ireland's Most Romantic Hotels
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Hero Image: Sunset over one of the UK and Ireland's most romantic hotels (© Grantley Hall in Ripon, North Yorkshire)
