Eight gorgeous places to stay this summer
Bournemouth, Brighton, Scotland the English countryside - and Italy!
Having just had the warmest May on record you may have been Googling ‘where can I go for a UK break’? Stop scrolling, for we have the answers.
Set within 22 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire grounds with landscaped gardens, Hunton Park Hotel combines the elegance of a Queen Anne-style Georgian mansion house with versatile modern event spaces, creating a unique setting for celebrations, conferences and social occasions.
Far enough from North London to feel like a trip but close enough to host a simcha, there are 72 bedrooms alongside a variety of spaces suitable for everything from intimate gatherings to events for 500 guests. The Terrace Marquee and Garden Suite both provide striking backdrops for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs but you can also do a smaller events in the elegant Mansion House which blends period charm with contemporary comfort.
A little further away but still in Hertfordshire, Pendley Manor is a luxury country house hotel with 1,000 years of history. Grade II listed and gloriously grand, this is the kind of escape that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. Wander the beautifully landscaped and wooded parkland, take afternoon tea in the Peacock Lounge, or linger over dinner at the award-winning Oak Restaurant, where every dish celebrates local ingredients.
In summer, the grounds become a playground for families, the spa a restorative haven for wellness retreats and the rooms a tranquil escape for romantic lazy lie-ins. Plus, the resident peacocks make for the most charming of companions.
The Hilton Bournemouth is not your typical Hilton (no offence to the others). Family-friendly but packed with personality thanks to creative owner Ray Kelvin, the hotel blends quirky British style with oversized lighting, bold wallpaper, gallery-worthy art and playful surprises on the walls when the lift doors open — think rolling fields and cows. And while this summer is forecast to be a scorcher, the hotel still has a major advantage over many seaside stays: the R1SE Spa & Wellbeing with its indoor pool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms for when the heat gets too much — or the British weather suddenly remembers itself. Rooms are spacious with interconnecting family options and thoughtful extras – cribs and mini robes, plus dog beds for four-legged guests who are welcome too. Outside, Bournemouth’s sandy beaches, the Oceanarium, zip line, mini golf and pleasure gardens are all within easy reach.
Happy Valley is more than just a TV drama – it actually exists in Tunbridge Wells and above it, on the lyrically-named Tea Garden Lane, is The Beacon, a charming boutique hotel. Built as an Arts & Crafts country house in the late nineteenth century, it blends historic character with relaxed modern luxury and a recent refurb has created some of the prettiest bedrooms I’ve ever seen. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, woodland and lakes, it offers sweeping views across the Kent countryside while being just minutes from the town centre with its cute boutiques and fabulous restaurants. In the restaurant and garden bar, which open onto the terrace, seasonal menus showcase locally-sourced Kent produce. During the Second World War, the building served as a refuge for Kindertransport children. They lived at this special house with staff and volunteers who provided food, education, supervision and emotional support.
The beach, the Lanes, the open-air energy of a city that feels alive in summer make Brighton an ideal place for a break. BNJC, Brighton’s Jewish hub, offers a collection of self-catered holiday homes just minutes from the seafront. Choose between light-filled two-bedroom apartments with private balconies, penthouses and five-bedroom townhouses with private gardens.
Fully equipped kitchens, secure underground parking, Shabbat-friendly lifts and lighting, and an on-site gym mean that kosher living is fully taken care of. Yofi, the new on-site kosher restaurant and deli offers brunches, fresh seasonal dishes and Shabbat meal packages.
Meadows and woodlands on the edge of Ashbourne in Derbyshire surround Wildhive Callow Hall, a Victorian manor with stunning interiors that feels more like a family home than a hotel. Stay in a nature-inspired room in the house, some with freestanding baths, or an experiential boutique hive nestled among the trees with a private deck. Two self-catered treehouses have outdoor copper baths on a wraparound deck, kitchen/living space and two bedrooms with ensuites.
The restaurant brings local, seasonally-led produce to the table, served beneath floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the meadows. Wildhive Wellbeing offers a range of treatments plus yoga in the newly refurbished Coach House. Beyond the gates you can visit Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and the traffic-free Tissington Trail.
Hop on a train to Scotland, where amidst woodland and sweeping estate grounds, Trump MacLeod House is a storied retreat within the magnificent Trump International, Scotland estate. A striking example of Scottish baronial architecture, the mansion, designed in 1835, is layered with history. In 2008 it was renamed MacLeod House to honour President Trump’s Scottish mother, Mary Anne MacLeod.
A meticulous restoration followed, sensitively preserving the mansion’s architectural integrity while introducing refined contemporary luxury. Today, grand rooms are adorned with opulent furnishings, rich fabrics, period fireplaces and curated antiques. A stay here is a truly prestigious experience with timeless Scottish charm.
KOSHER ITALIAN ESCAPE
If you still want to jump on a plane, The Italian Elixir is a luxury chef-led kosher hospitality experience focused on luxury private villa and chalet stays in Italy and the French Riviera, with particular emphasis on family holidays and kosher Italian cuisine. As it is most cost-effective for groups of 10 or more, take the family or hook up with friends.
Led by Chef Anthony, each experience is tailored around your group, combining kosher hospitality, daily service, concierge planning and chef-led Italian cuisine inspired by Jewish heritage and regional Italian traditions. If your summer is sorted and you’re looking ahead to the colder months, this unique experience is also available for winter ski chalet stays in the Dolomites.
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