10 Great Mini-Break Hotels

Pennyhill Park Hotel

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

Old Parsonage Hotel

  • 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

  • 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

Pennyhill Park Hotel

  • 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

Bar Convent Guesthouse

  • 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.

10 Great Mini-Break Hotels

Old Parsonage Hotel
Old Parsonage Hotel

Oxford

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.

  • 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
from £195 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Kennard
The Kennard

Bath

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.

  • 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.
from £125 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Millgate House
Millgate House

Richmond (Yorkshire)

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.

  • 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
from £125 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Woolley Grange
Woolley Grange

Bradford on Avon

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.

  • 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
from £160 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Bar Convent Guesthouse
Bar Convent Guesthouse

York

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.

  • 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
from £109 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Jesmond Dene House Hotel
Jesmond Dene House Hotel

Newcastle

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.

  • 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.
from £117 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa
Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa

Surrey

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.

  • 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
from £425 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
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Written by Fiona Duncan

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