CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT' SAISONS
A converted 15th-century manor house, this 32-room hotel is owned by Raymond Blanc. Best known for the Manoir's two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Blanc also runs L'Ecole de Cuisine and grows his own herbs and vegetables in the extensive kitchen garden. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford (01844 278881; www.manoir.com). Doubles from £265, 45 miles from central London. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons was featured in our special feature on UK Boutique Hotels Part II.
HOTEL FELIX
Recently opened on the outskirts of Cambridge, this 52-room hotel - a modern reworking of the Victorian villa-style - sits in several acres of parkland. Its Mediterranean restaurant, Graffiti, overlooks the terrace and gardens and its chef was formerly with
The Ivy and The Dorchester. Hotel Felix, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge (01223 277977; www.hotelfelix.co.uk). Doubles from £155, 60 miles from central London.
CHINTZ COUNTRY
READ'S RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS
A Georgian manor house off the Canterbury Road in Faversham with a lawn, characterful old trees and views of neighbouring oast houses. Six large rooms are individually decorated in a classic style with Roberts radios and decanters of sherries, plus tea and fruit cake in the help-yourself panty on the landing. Expect fine French-style cuisine and impeccable service.
Macknade Manor, Canterbury Road, Faversham, Kent (01795 535344; fax: 591200; www.reads.com). Doubles from £150, 55miles from central London.
THE WATERSIDE INN
Owned and run by Michel Roux, one half of the duo behind London's Le Gavroche, The Waterside is really a restaurant with nine bedrooms attached. Located in a 16th-century Thames-side village, it also has a private dining room in a separate cottage and a lovely garden designed by Stephen Woodham. The Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Bray, Berkshire (01628 620691; www.relaischateaux.com/waterside). Doubles from £165, 30 miles from central London.
CONTEMPORARY STATELY
THE GROVE
The 227-room Grove, housed
in the former home of the Earl of Clarendon, sits in formal gardens surrounded by woodland and has a huge golf course - and a donkey. There are two styles of bedroom: classical or contemporary. The Grove, Chandler's Cross, Rickmansworth, Herts (01923 807807; www.thegrove.co.uk). Doubles from £240, 18 miles from central London.
THE ICKWORTH HOTEL
The east wing of the 18th-century home of the Marquess of Bristol has recently been converted into a 27-bedroom, family-friendly hotel, with an Italian café for pizzas and a conservatory for cucumber sandwiches. An adjacent dower house has 11 apartments. The Ickworth Hotel was featured in The Hot List 2003. The Ickworth Hotel, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (01284 735350; www.ickworthhotel.com). Doubles from £160, 72 miles from central London.
CHINTZ STATELY
HARTWELL HOUSE
This restored 17th-century stately home was home to Louis XVIII during his exile. Today, the Jacobean/Georgian mansion is a beautiful hotel with 46 rooms divided between it and a converted riding school. Hartwell House, Oxford Road, nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (01296 747444; www.hartwell-house.com. Doubles from £240, 50 miles from central London.
CONTEMPORARY TOWNHOUSE
HOTEL DU VIN
This 36-bedroom townhouse, set back from the seafront, has rolltop baths facing out to sea, billiards, and more than 600 wines in the cellar. The bistro serves classic comfort food. Hotel du Vin was featured in The Hot List 2003. Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Ship Street, Brighton (01273 718588; www.hotelduvin.com). Doubles from £115, 58 miles from central London.
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