10 Great Mini-Break Hotels

Some of the UK’s most special hotels can be found in small, but charming towns, and for the Hotel Gurus that’s a recipe for the perfect mini break. But of course the beach is good too… And so is the countryside… And of course a great city mini-break is always great fun… So our recommendations for 10 great mini break hotels can be found on the beach or in the countryside, but they’re all perfect for a great romantic mini break.

For Romance

• For historic charm it’s hard to beat Oxford. There are great places to eat and drink, great exhibitions, great places to stroll and a great atmosphere. And our recommendation, the ancient, wisteria-clad Old Parsonage Hotel, benefits from being in the heart of town, but still has a characterful, county house feel. With a welcoming bar and restaurant with good food and a log fire. And they’ll rent you a set of bikes or a punt, so you can have the full Oxford experience.
• Brighton is another great mini break destination, what with the sea and The Lanes, and the food and drink, and the colour. And there we recommend the Kemp Townhouse for romantics. It has just nine boutique rooms and an air of peace - even though it’s only 500metres from the seafront and the Pier. There’s no restaurant but the breakfast is excellent and there’s a charming honesty bar.

For a Relaxing Family Mini Break

• Woolley Grange in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, is a traditional Jacobean manor house set in stunning grounds - turned luxurious family retreat. The rooms are comfortable and modern and there’s a lovely spa and pool and all sorts of activities to entertain the smalls.

Great Value Mini Break Hotels

• The Kennard in Bath is a charming, 12 bedroom Georgian townhouse hotel, close to the centre of town, with ornate decor and a pretty, Jane Austen inspired garden. The service is friendly, breakfast is served in a splendid, chandelier bedecked dining room, and rooms start from a very reasonable £110 per night.
• For an even more reasonable £70 per night, you could stay in The Balmoral Hotel, in Harrogate, Yorkshire, a traditional and beautiful,100 year old York stone hotel in the centre of town, which has been recently revamped. Many of the traditional features remain - fireplaces, cornicing, skirting, polished floorboards - but the design is contemporary, and the lively bistro is a great place to grab a cocktail and feel the buzz.

Great Escape Mini Break Hotels

• The Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, outside Bagshot, Surrey, is a beautiful, ivy clad 19th century built country house hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant and an award winning spa. There are 123 rooms and suites, surrounded by 123 acres of park and gardens. And you’re only 30minutes from Heathrow and about 45minutes from central London.
• Millgate House in Richmond, Yorkshire, is a three bedroom Regency house turned B&B, packed with beautiful art and antiques. Outside there’s an award winning garden, where you can breakfast if the weather is warm enough. Charming and friendly.

For Local Explorers

• If you want to explore York on a mini-break, the Bar Convent Guesthouse is a memorable option, an 18 room guesthouse converted from an elegant, living convent, originally founded in 1686. A baroque chapel, Victorian garden and glass roofed entrance hall make this an impressive building, the cafe serves meals until high tea, and best of all is staying amongst the sisters of the convent…
• You might also like the Jesmond Dene House Hotel in Newcastle, with its grand house feel and leafy setting close to the centre of town. This historic Arts and Crafts building - all mullioned windows, tall chimneys and battlements - is full of intriguing corners, grand original features and luxuriously contemporary rooms. The cooking is smart, skilful and intriguing, the atmosphere relaxed and there’s a lovely garden and terrace.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search by location, by adding place names into the search box,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

  • Old Parsonage Hotel Oxford 35 rooms from €225

    
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    Writing a novel  -  This recently refurbished masterpiece was once home to Oscar Wilde, sit in the luxurious library and draw inspiration.

    Great walks  -  Book a guided walking tours of the city and University Colleges.

    Sights nearby  -  Visit any one of the 38 University Colleges.

    Full of character

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

    A luxury boutique hotel in a wonderfully old building. The rooms have simple contemporary design. Bathrooms are pleasingly indulgent. A small but well stocked library is awaiting academics. The restaurant is excellent. Highly recommended. See More

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  • The Kennard Bath 12 rooms from €144

    
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    Local markets  -  Nearby Pulteney Bridge is one of a handful of historic bridges in the world with shops built into it.

    Great walks  -  Guests are welcome to take a stroll in the lovely Georgian Garden.

    Sights nearby  -  Just minutes from the Roman baths and Thermae Spa.

    Restrictions on children  -  Children over eight years are welcome.

    

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

    A charming Georgian townhouse in the heart of Bath, minutes from the sights. The hotel stays true to its history with ornate decor and a pretty Jane Austen inspired garden. A splendid breakfast is served in the chandelier decked dining room. Perfection, at a very reasonable price. See More

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  • Millgate House Richmond (Yorkshire) 3 rooms from €144

    
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    Total relaxation  -  Take a stroll around the walled gardens or sit in an antique chair by the fire, Tim and Austin will take care of the rest!

    Full of character  -  An 18th-century house filled offering Regency rooms, a glut of antiques, and vast windows

    Local exploring  -  Use this as a base to explore all Richmond and all the moors have on offer

    Sights nearby  -  Check out Norman-built Richmond Castle and Friary Tower and Gardens, both an easy five minute walk from the property

    

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

    Regency townhouse, now B&B, in the heart of Richmond known for its award-winning garden, love of art and antiques. Three large bedrooms exude comfort and classic style. Breakfast in the dining room or in the garden. Dinners can be arranged for groups. Charming find in a historic Yorkshire town. See More

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  • Woolley Grange Bradford on Avon 26 rooms from €184

    
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    Families  -  Ideal for families with babysitting, kids hang out zones, an Ofsted-registered playroom and plenty of activites on the grounds.

    Hideaway  -  With the spa, pool table, table football, extensive grounds, yummy food and homely rooms, you'll find it impossible to leave.

    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor and Outdoor Pool

    Restaurant  -  Recommended.

    

    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith

    Jacobean Manor turned luxury family retreat in stunning gardens with pools. Comfortable, modern rooms are a great welcome after a day of activities. The restaurant caters to all dietary needs and occasions. Children clubs, games rooms, gardens and more gives parents a chance to relax at the spa. See More

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  • Bar Convent Guesthouse York 19 rooms from €126

    
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    Total relaxation  -  Unwind in this tranquil convent, enjoy afternoon tea in the walled garden and read up on the town's history in the library

    Quirky  -  The living convent is open to guests, which means guests can explore the lovely gold and white Baroque chapel

    Local exploring  -  York has a huge amount of history (starting at the hotel itself) making this ideal for a cultural getaway

    Historic  -  This is England's oldest convent founded in 1686

    

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

    A unique guesthouse in an elegant living convent. Newly refurbished comfortable rooms, a baroque chapel, Victorian garden and a glass-roofed entrance hall make this an impressive building. A cafe serves meals until high tea. Best of all is staying amongst the sisters of the convent. See More

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  • Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa Bagshot, Surrey 124 rooms from €490

    
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    Spa  -  The fabulous spa boasts indoor and outdoor pools, plus canadian hot tubs, treatments and much more.

    Spa breaks

    Restaurant  -  Michelin starred dining at The Latymer.

    Traditional

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Small Luxury Hotels

    Creeper clad 19th-century country house luxury spa resort with two excellent restaurants, only half an hour from Heathrow. Country style with lavish facilities. Relax and rejuvenate. See More

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  • Jesmond Dene House Hotel Newcastle 40 rooms from €135

    
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    Total relaxation  -  Unwind in country estate style with impeccable service, fine dining, roaring fires and long walks through lush parklands.

    Foodies  -  The 2 AA Rosette restaurant serves up locally sourced, seasonal cusine to the highest standard.

    Great walks  -  Walk through the Jesmond Dene Park, a wooded ravine criss-crossed with paths and dotted with rustic bridges.

    Sights nearby  -  Close to city centre attractions including the The Sage Gateshead and Newcastle Arena.

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Good Hotel Guide

    A luxury hotel, in a grandly historic building, that feels to be in the country, yet is minutes from the city centre. Original features mix with contemporary style to create a relaxed, unstuffy atmosphere with food that is fresh, modern and unfussy. See More

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Written by Fiona Duncan

posted Wednesday, 15th September 2021