The Hotel Guru
The 20 Best Hotels with Pools in the UK

The 20 Best Hotels with Pools in the UK

In some countries hotels with incredible pools are de rigueur, but the UK is not one of those. There are lots of UK hotels with a great pool, but this isn’t really your classic hotel pool destination so there are very few really spectacular hotel pools in the UK. There are some though, and we’ve included them on out list of the 20 best hotels with pools in the UK, but our list also includes some really great hotels with great hotel pools, and really great spa hotels with great hotel pools, and, a personal favourite, some really great family hotels with great hotel pools.

Some of the UK’s Best Hotel Pools with a View

It’s hard to compete with the view of London from the top floors of The Shard, which is where the Shangri-La at the Shard has put their pool; it's called the Skypool, and is billed as being the highest infinity pool in Europe. This is really a destination hotel pool if the UK has one. One of the hotel bars occupies the other side of the top floor, with the 202 rooms and suites, and the impressive restaurant below. Outside you’ll recognise the smooth, shimmering, iconic shape, and inside there’s a nod to the hotel’s Asian owners in the decor and the restaurants.
For a pool that overlooks the sea try the The Scarlet hotel, an eco-hotel beside Mawgan Porth Beach in Cornwall. This is a fantastically designed building that will appeal to anyone who appreciated clever modern design, or anyone who just appreciated great functionality and design that doesn’t get in the way of a spectacular view. Here the infinity pools seem to stretch into the sea and the flat roof of the hotel resembles the cliff tops. The spa facilities are perched in lookout positions too and the restaurant features plenty of glass and an impressive menu.
The Lake District is awash with incredible views, but there aren’t too many pools with the best of them. At the Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa they’ve positioned the spa and hydrotherapy pool at the front of the hotel, so they overlook Lake Borrowdale and the fells, and there’s 40 acres of picturesque countryside around the hotel so it still feels private. The hotel recently added a Scandinavian feeling spa to its Victorian main building, and the suites in the new building are far more modern, and offer easier access to the spa, saunas and pools. There’s a range of dining options and plenty of room to relax against the view.
The heated infinity style spa pool at the St Brides Spa Hotel isn’t the world’s biggest or most impressive, but it does have an incredible view of Saundersfoot Harbour and up the Pembrokeshire coast. The hotel isn’t flashy either, its simple, chic, 34 rooms are modern and neutral, not at all distracting from the views and the feeling of really being at the seaside. The Marine Therapy Spa helps with that too, with its rock sauna, salt grotto and adventure shower.

Best Hotel Pools in London

There aren’t many outdoor hotel pools in London, and even fewer on rooftops, it’s not really that sort of a city, but The Berkeley is a really fantastic surprise and exception to the rule. Its gorgeous pool and roof terrace (which is covered in the cooler months to ensure year round use) is right opposite Hyde Park, with absolutely fantastic park views. In addition to the pool The Berkeley is quite simply one of the most beautiful hotels in town. There are 214 rooms and suites in a wide range of sizes, all of them beautifully decorated in muted greys, blues and ochres, with modern art and carefully positioned statement lighting, and plenty of wood and marble. This is contemporary luxury with all the mod. cons. and more, including Dyson hairdryers and Burberry trenches on loan in case you forgot yours. Plus bars, restaurants, Michelin stars and spas etc..
One Aldwych’s main draw is probably its location, close to Covent Garden and the West End, Somerset House, the BFI and The National Theatre, but it also boasts one of London’s great hotel pools: an 18 metre basement pool with all the mod. cons., including underwater music and mood lighting. The spa and gym facilities next door complement it perfectly too. Upstairs the Lobby Bar is impressive looking too, and the restaurant has a great reputation. The 105 rooms are now eco-friendly as well as being elegant, and fairly contemporary.
The Haymarket Hotel is just as central, this time close to The Mall, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, and the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square. And it also has an 18 metre pool in its basement, complete with a glitzy poolside bar and an excellent collection of inflatables. Upstairs there are 50 rooms, brightly decorated with an air of flair and fun in signature Kit Kemp style, plus a library and a terrace — both with honesty bars, and a buzzy bar and restaurant.

Best Hotels with Outdoor Pools

You’ll find many of the best outdoor hotel pools in the UK in glamorous country house spa hotels like Calcot Manor Hotel in Tetbury in the Cotswolds, where there’s a good chance they’ll have an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. This charming, 14th century former farmhouse turned manor house turned 35 room hotel has been heaped with awards, and is regularly praised for its beautiful setting, its friendliness, its pool and spa, its food and the outdoor hot tub which is right next to a log fire that roars when necessary.
Ockenden Manor also has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, though this time there’s a wonderful glass wall between them so you’re sort of in both at once! About an hour from London this 28 room hotel, converted from an historic manor house in a tranquil setting, is probably most renowned for its Michelin starred fine dining, but the pool, spa, and terrace with wonderful views over the lawns and the South Downs beyond are all really something.

The Best UK Hotels with Indoor Pools

it’s more common for hotels in the UK to have indoor pools, and again you’ll find some of the most impressive and memorable in spa hotels like the elegant Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, which is set on 65 acres of Thameside gardens between Henley and Marlow in Buckinghamshire. Their pool is the sort you’ll never forget: 20 metres long, with Klein Blue tiles underwater and pillars, murals and mosaics out of the water. The spa is more modern, and award-winning, and there are 75 rooms and suites which range from traditional in style to a collection designed by Phillipe Starck. The Modern British restaurant is also very well considered.
Stoke Park was a luxurious country mansion in the Palladian style, which is just the kind of building that’s ripe for being converted into a beautiful country house spa hotel, complete with golf course, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, award-winning restaurants, a large outdoor hot tub, which is more like a small pool, and a beautiful indoor pool in a pool room with huge windows and high ceilings. It’s also a short distance from London, in leafy Buckinghamshire, so perfect for a country escape or mini-break.

The Best Family Hotels with Pools

Maison Talbooth in Dedham Vale, Essex is a destination hotel and spa in the heart of Constable country. Converted from a handsome Victorian house on the river, the modern expansions are elegant and very comfortable, and include a popular restaurant and a gorgeous outdoor pool complex which is open all year and includes a shady pool house for summer and a crackling fire if you’re taking a winter dip. There are just 12 suites, and it's very family friendly, so you’re not sharing the pool with many people.
If you want to take your family to the seaside, but want to hedge your bets with the weather then the St Moritz near Rock in Cornwall is perfect, what with its two pools — indoor and outdoor, and family friendly glamour. A seaside institution in the 1920s and '30s, this hotel has recently been rejuvenated, but in keeping with its Art Deco feel, and it is now stylish and comfortable, with 48 rooms, a Cowshed spa and some great deals out of season. It’s a beautiful spot, and great for surfing.

Park House Hotel in the heart of the South Downs National Park is another great family spa hotel with two pools (one of them is a heated outdoor pool) and loads of facilities including two lawn tennis courts, a professionally designed pitch and putt golf course and putting green, a croquet lawn and a spa. This is the sort of hotel that gives you the feeling of staying in someone’s wonderful country house as a guest, with family portraits and photos and a wonderfully peaceful, rural location. There are 21 rooms including three cottages which are just perfect for families.
On the outskirts of Bradford-on-Avon, Woolley Grange is a Jacobean family manor house with the feel of a country house hotel, set in stunning gardens and with a really beautiful hotel pool. This is a great family hotel, with just 26 rooms, plus a restaurant that caters to all sorts of whims, plus children’s clubs, games rooms and a garden that allows for plenty of running around without bothering anyone else. In fact this is a popular hotel with those not travelling with children too, which is always a good sign. The spa is impressive as well.

Most Romantic Hotels with Pools in the UK

The Isle of Eriska is a romantic escape with an incredible backdrop: a private island on the west coast of Scotland overlooking Loch Linnhe and the Morvern Mountains. This 25 room hotel was a baronial mansion, but it makes a beautiful spa and golf resort. The rooms and suites are luxurious, with open fires and incredible views, the restaurant has a Michelin star, the spa is very well regarded, and they have a family of badgers living on the island too. Peaceful and romantic.
Just outside the elegant, mini-break-perfect city of Bath, is Bath Priory, an elegant Georgian manor with four acres of garden, turned 27 room hotel, complete with an award-winning restaurant, a sauna, steam room, gym, solarium and both indoor and outdoor pools. One of the nice things about Bath Priory is that they have some lovely paintings and antiques, an a wonderful kitchen garden, but also excellent mod. cons..
The Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa is right on the coast in West Sussex, just along from Brighton, and is a mock-medieval mansion in 30 acres of private parkland which includes direct beach access. But if you want to swim closer to your bed there are both indoor and outdoor pools, the former is in a beautiful, airy building with big windows opening out onto woodland. There’s also a spa and an excellent restaurant. Plus peacocks, follies, a real 13th century chapel and faux-medieval outbuildings. The hotel has 39 rooms.

Top UK Spa Hotel Pools

The Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa is a beautiful retreat in the picturesque Yorkshire village of Helmsley. This chic old York stone inn has been refitted inside and the decor is now sophisticated yet relaxing. There are 33 rooms – 21 of them are suites, a well-regarded restaurant and an award-winning spa which incorporates a heated outdoor pool. Romantic, small, and the perfect place to relax and recuperate.
The Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews, overlooks the 18 hole golf course and West Sands Beach beyond. It’s elegant and luxurious, and has a world class spa with a lovely pool and a rooftop hot tub, plus there’s a range of places to eat and drink, from formal to informal, and everywhere you look the views are incredible.

Still not sure which to book?

Consider our recommendations for 13 of the Best London Hotels with Pools?
or the 9 Best Hotels with a pool in the Lake District?
Or you could browse our recommendations for 20 of the Best Boutique Hotels in the UK? our our Ultimate Guide to the Most Romantic Hotels in the UK?
or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.
- Shangri-La The Shard London (Southwark) 202 rooms from $491
  
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  Swimming Pool  -  Awesome indoor pool on the 52nd Floor. It's Europes highest infinity pool and a must for all guests!
  Views  -  The Shard must have some of the best views over the whole of London.
  Sights nearby  -  Situated right next door to London Bridge, all of London's best bits are easily accessible.
  Local markets  -  Trendy Borough Market is round the corner
  
  Bucket list destination property that really has the “Wow” factor. Asian influenced interiors, with five star luxuries as standard. Floor to ceiling windows in both bedrooms and bathrooms to make the most of the spectacular views over London. Everyone must stay here once – despite the price tag! See More
  
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- The Scarlet, Cornwall Newquay 37 rooms from $250
  
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  Romantic Break  -  With a spoiling spa, luxurious rooms with sea views, and fine dining - this is the perfect setting for romance
  Spa  -  An eco spa featuring a bromine-filtered indoor pool, outdoor natural reed pool, a wooden sauna, and pod treatment rooms
  Restaurant  -  Seasonal dishes are served in the restaurant alongside a good selection of wines
  Surfing  -  There are several surfing beaches nearby and plenty of surf schools too
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  Relaxing, purpose-designed eco-friendly hotel overlooking Mawgan Porth beach. Rooms are decorated with contemporary furniture & local art. Enjoy sea views from the cocktail lounge and the stylish hotel restaurant. Expect fantastic spa facilities for relaxation and great outdoor activities nearby. See More
  
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- Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa Cumbria 87 rooms from $167
  
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  Country Escape  -  A country house set in an outstanding location. Take long walks, have a drink by the open fire and feast on regional cuisine.
  Spa breaks  -  The Falls Spa is an extensive, luxury adults on facility that will pamper even the pickiest of guests!
  Swimming Pool  -  16m outdoor pool with neck jets, underwater loungers and overflow hot tub.
  Great walks  -  The Lake District boasts stunning walking routes.
  
  Landmark hotel with lake and fell views, spa and hydrotherapy pool, plus choice of dining options, and a smart and friendly service. Set within 40 acres of picturesque countryside it's the perfect spot for a rural escape. See More
  
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- St Brides Spa Hotel Saundersfoot 34 rooms from $211
  
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  Spa
  Great walks  -  The 186 mile Pembrokeshire coast is ideal for walking, with golden sands backed by towering cliffs teeming with wildlife.
  Sights nearby  -  Pembroke Castle, Oakwood and Heatherton are all within range.
  Swimming Pool  -  Heated spa pool.
  
  A charming spa hotel overlooking Saundersfoot Harbour. The simple and chic rooms are come with modern furnishings and neutral tones. The Cliff Restaurant serves up fresh fish straight off the boat and local farm produce. Miles of beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline to explore. See More
  
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- The Berkeley London (Knightsbridge) 214 rooms from $615
  
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  Spa breaks  -  As well as fabulous treatments at the Bamford Wellness Spa, there's a rooftop pool with retracting roof for summer months
  Bar  -  The Blue Bar, a fashionable Art Deco institution popular with celebs
  Restaurant  -  The Collins Room restaurant and fabulous traditional afternoon tea
  Swimming Pool  -  Outdoor Pool with great views
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Fodors, Frommers, Kiwi Collection, Michelin Travel
  
  Stunning Grand Dame with impeccable service opposite Hyde Park, offering beautiful rooms and suites, some with terraces and many with great views, a rooftop pool, iconic bar, pampering spa and gourmet dining. The perfect luxury city break. See More
  
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- One Aldwych London (Covent garden) 105 rooms from $429
  
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  Restaurant  -  Indigo - modern British & Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar
  Child friendly  -  DVD and games library plus wii console and games
  Theatre  -  Perfectly positioned for London's theatreland
  Swimming Pool  -  Large Indoor Pool - chlorine free
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection, Michelin Travel
  
  The perfect base for those wanting to be in the heart of Covent Garden and Theatreland. Classic on the outside, but wonderfully contemporary on the inside. Spacious rooms and suites, buzzy lobby bar, superb dining and a luxury spa for relaxing after a hard day's sightseeing! See More
  
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- Isle of Eriska Port Appin (Argyll) 25 rooms from $442
  
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  Active Holiday  -  Make the most of the stunning location and indulge in fishing, sailing, rambling, canoeing, biking and golf.
  Sailing  -  Hire a luxury yacht for the day, the perfect way to explore the coast without getting your boots muddy!
  Great walks  -  Stroll round the island or climb one of the easily reached local munroes.
  Fishing  -  Head out sea fishing on the west coast, a truly remarkable experience.
  Recommended by  -  Small Luxury Hotels
  
  An idiosyncratic and lovable private island resort and spa just north of Oban. Antiques mix with contemporary interiors in this peaceful haven. Cosy living rooms with roaring fires, fine dining restaurant, comfortable rooms and pampering spa plus modern private retreats. A remarkable rural escape. See More
  
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- Ockenden Manor Cuckfield, West Sussex 28 rooms from $314
  
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  Foodies  -  The creative cuisine of Head Chef Stephen Crane has earned them a Michelin-Star, check out the seven-course Tasting Menu.
  Country Escape  -  Submerge yourself in this country house hotel, with every whim and comfort taken care of there is no need to leave.
  Great walks  -  This area boasts plenty of picturesque walks, ask your hosts to point out a few choice trails to follow.
  Restaurant  -  Michelin starred cuisine
  
  This tranquil and historic manor house is just an hour from London, with lovely gardens, indoor and outdoor pools and a fine dining restaurant. Choose from traditional manor house rooms or elegant modern suites. Its top notch spa - and the Downs nearby - make for the perfect mini-break. See More
  
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- Haymarket Hotel London (St James's) 50 rooms from $415
  
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  Families  -  Kids can expect all sorts of extras including mini bathrobes, milk and cookies at bedtime, family Sky TV and more!
  City Style  -  A chic boldly styled hotel in the heart of central London.
  Conference facilities
  Great walks  -  Take a stroll through St James or Green Park.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, I Escape, Tablet, Frommers, Kiwi Collection, Michelin Travel
  
  A chic hotel in a perfectly central location, with effortless contemporary styling, a buzzy restaurant scene and a glitzy indoor pool. See More
  
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- Danesfield House Hotel and Spa Marlow-On-Thames, Buckinghamshire 55 rooms from $357
  
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  Spa  -  The Spa Illuminata Danesfield House offers pool, hot tub, steam room and a vast range of face and body treatments
  Sights nearby  -  Pretty Thameside town Marlow is just 3 miles away, plus Windsor and Henley are close by
  Restaurant  -  Stylish restaurant with interiors by Anouska Hempel, serving modern British cuisine
  Great walks  -  There are lovely walks round the gardens and plenty of riverside ambles
  Recommended by  -  Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Romantic French style country house set in 65 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens leading down to the River Thames. 75 Individually designed rooms offer traditional or contemporary interiors and lovely views. Excellent restaurant and spa. Perfect for some downtime away from the city. See More
  
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- Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa Climping, West Sussex 39 rooms from $442
  
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  Romantic Break  -  Lovely spa with a wide range of treatments, couples side by side bath tubs and a wonderfully secluded feel.
  Country Escape  -  Cosy and luxurious interiors beckon you home from a day exploring the thirty acres of private parkland.
  Great walks  -  Enjoy lovely coastal walks directly from the property, or explore the Norman chapel on the grounds.
  Sights nearby  -  Visit Arundel Castle and try your hand at jousting.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  Atmospheric mock medieval house with award winning spa set amid 30 acres of private parkland with direct beach access. Large rooms feature high beamed ceilings, antique four poster beds and luxury bathrooms. Dine in equally sumptuous surrounds. Well positioned from London as a weekend get away. See More
  
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- Calcot & Spa Tetbury, The Cotswolds 35 rooms from $255
  
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  Child friendly  -  The hotel is set up for children and families, and is very busy in the school holidays.
  Spa breaks
  Restaurant  -  Choose between the Conservatory's fine dining or the more relaxed Gumstool Inn.
  Tennis  -  On-site tennis courts and rackets for use by the whole family.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Fodors, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection
  
  A charming 14th century manor house in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Chic rooms feature bold wallpaper prints, soft tones, deep soaking tubs and trendy artworks. The beautifully landscaped gardens feature a range of family activities as well as a pool and spa. An elegant country retreat. See More
  
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- Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa Helmsley (North Yorkshire) 33 rooms from $191
  
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  Foodies  -  Foodies will love the locally sourced modern British menus or why not try their lunch menu or Traditional Afternoon Tea ?
  Romantic Break  -  A secluded spot to getaway together, with luxurious massages, deep soaking tubs, cosy corners and crackling fires
  Great walks  -  The hotel is on the edge of the Moors and close to a National Park, an ideal spot for rambling
  Sights nearby  -  Helmsley Castle, Castle Howard and Helmsley Walled Garden are all worth checking out
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Good Hotel Guide, Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Tucked away near the centre of one of the North York Moors’ most attractive market towns, this coaching-inn-turned-hotel offers all the ingredients for a country break: newspapers and fire in the lounge, sun-trap terrace and pool, small spa, country-chic bedrooms and handsome bistro food. See More
  
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- Stoke Park Buckinghamshire 49 rooms from $340
  
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  Swimming Pool  -  Indoor Pool
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Spa
  Traditional
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Kiwi Collection, Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Luxury Palladian mansion turned country hotel. Spa and country club with golf course, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, award-winning restaurants. See More
  
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- St Moritz Trebetherick, Cornwall 48 rooms from $154
  
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  Country Escape  -  Spend days outdoors on long hikes or surfing before returning to a massage in the spa and a hearty dinner - rural perfection
  Self catering to rent  -  There are 38 villas & 13 apartments (all luxury) for those who want to self cater yet have access to the hotel's facilities
  Local exploring  -  With Padstow, Port-Isaac, and Rock all nearby there is plenty to do locally from surfing to fine dining
  Spa  -  The property boasts the UK’s only Cowshed Spa outside Soho House
  
  A stylish contemporary seaside hotel set between the beaches of Polzeath & Daymer. Flexible accommodation includes rooms, suites, self-catering apartments, & villas. With a Cowshed Spa (courtesy of Soho House), two pools, and a good restaurant this is a luxury break suitable for couples or families. See More
  
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- Park House Hotel Midhurst (West Sussex) 21 rooms from $205
  
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  Country Escape  -  The hotel grounds boasts a croquet lawn, golf course, grass tennis courts and the surrounding hills beckoning for country walks.
  Total relaxation  -  With spa treatments, indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and steam room plus a terraced bar for whiling away the afternoon.
  Sights nearby  -  Roman villas at Fishbourne and Bignor, plus Chichester Cathedral and plenty of stately homes close at hand.
  Great walks  -  The hotel provides wellies for exploring the South Downs rolling into the distance.
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  A timeless family hotel, in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Classically styled rooms brim with old school elegance and comfort. The popular restaurant serves locally sourced wholesome cuisine. A unique spot, complete with grass tennis courts, golf course, two pools and spa. See More
  
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- Woolley Grange Bradford on Avon 26 rooms from $205
  
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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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- Bath Priory Bath 27 rooms from $179
  
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  Total relaxation  -  Beautiful landscaped gardens, proximity to the thermal baths and giant soaking tubs will rejuvenate any guest.
  Traditional  -  Great paintings, objets d'art and belle epoque chandeliers.
  Foodies  -  The excellent restaurant has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes
  Sights nearby  -  The Roman Great Bath with Victorian statues, the remains of the Temple Sulis Minerva and hypocaust underfloor heating systems.
  Recommended by  -  Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection, Relais & Chateaux, Sawdays
  
  An elegant Georgian manor turned hotel, on the edge of the city. Charming suites feature beautiful fabrics and original sash windows commanding spectacular views of the grounds. The award winning restaurant serves up delicious dishes straight from the Victorian walled garden. See More
  
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- The Old Course Hotel St Andrews 144 rooms from $436
  
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  Local exploring  -  A short stroll away from the historic university town of St. Andrews
  Back to Nature  -  Has 135 kilometres of stunning coastline
  Golf  -  An onsite 18 hole golf course
  Local markets  -  Several family run shops and businesses to choose from
  
  A luxury hotel overlooking the West Sands Beach with elegant and contemporary decor. An 18 hole golf course, a world class spa, casual and formal restaurants and bars and a rooftop hot tub. A great location with stunning views. See More
  
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