Edition 16 of Sawday’s British Hotel guide is published on 1 October. It presents the cream of the crop with over 300 entries and 40 new additions, from the wildly luxurious to wonderfully rustic.
Sawday’s British Hotel Awards
After 15 years we thought it was time to throw a gong or two at some of our hotels, so with the arrival of the new book, Sawday’s is announcing the winners of the first Sawday’s British Hotel Awards.
From down in Penzance up to the very tip of the Scottish Highlands, Sawday’s has sought out the most Special places to Stay. Here are the 15 winners across five categories: Hotels of the Year, Favourite Newcomers, Old Favourites, Nicely Priced and Fabulous Food.
Hotel of the Year: small, intimate hotels and inns where the art of hospitality is practiced with flair – these three wonders have mastered that art in spades:
- Killiecrankie House Hotel, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross
A smart country hotel with tartan in the dining room and 52 malts at the bar. Green fingered guests will enjoy the gardens: one for roses, another for vegetables, and a fine herbaceous border.
- Langar Hall, Langar, Nottingham
An informal country house with a touch of bohemian flair, expect beautiful things: statues and busts, a pillared dining room, ancient tomes in overflowing bookshelves, and an eclectic collection of oil paintings.
- The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon, Powys
The low-ceilinged bar resembles the sitting room of a small hip country house, with timber frames and comfy sofas. Bedrooms have style and substance Robert’s radios, a smattering of books and no TV unless you ask!
Favourite Newcomers: new hotels are hard to find in tough economic times, but that hasn’t stopped creative owners bursting onto the scene with beautiful new places that delight:
- Ffin Y Parc, Llanrwst, Conwy
This is a gorgeous country pad – a quirky and creative bolthole that has been stylishly refurbished with a streak of contemporary flair. Expect an exceptional art gallery, elegant bedrooms and 14 peaceful acres.
- Mhor 84, Balquhidder, Perth and Kinross
Chic white minimalism mixes with warm Scottish tradition. There’s style and humour in equal measure – boarded floors, tractor seat bar stools, curios hanging on the walls, the odd sofa for afternoon tea.
- The Packhorse Inn, Newmarket, Suffolk
Rescued from abject neglect and beautifully renovated, The Packhorse Inn joins the rise of the cool country pub. There are striking chic interiors, yet it remains a village local that welcomes all.
Old Favourites: like a good red wine, some hotels get better with age – these places have a clear instinct for great hospitality and have been delighting guests for years.
- The Inn at Whitewell, Clitheroe, Lancashire
Bedrooms are exemplary – all have beautiful fabrics, top linen and gadgets galore. Fall asleep at night to the sound of the river Hodder.
- Jeake’s House, Rye, Sussex
300 year old Jeake’s house has accrued a colourful past not least as the home of American poet Conrad Potter Aiken. Take it all in over a full English in the galleried dining room full of busts, books, clocks and mirrors. - Combe House Devon, Honiton, Devon
An ancient house on a huge estate, Combe is matchless. Wander around and find medieval flagstones, William Morris wallpaper, and stately rooms with outstanding views across 3,500 acres.
Nicely Priced: there’s nothing like washing up at a lovely small hotel and finding it has a lovely small price, too – here are three that do that with ease:
- The Kings Head Inn, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
A 16th-century cider house made of ancient stone in a Cotswold village, there’s a fire that burns all year, low ceilings, painted stone walls and country rugs on flagstone floors.
- Cnapan Restaurant & Hotel, Newport, Pembrokeshire
A cosy family-run house – find whitewashed stone walls and old pine in the dining room; before sinking into comfy sofas in front of the wood-burner in the sitting room.
- The Pheasant Inn, Kielder Water, Northumberland
The kind of inn you hope to chance upon! House ales are expertly kept, locally sourced food really hits the spot, and 100-year old photos of the local community hang on stone walls.
Fabulous Food: from hot kitchens come small miracles to delight our tastebuds – here are three places where your pleasure receptors will delight in ambrosial food:
- The Great House, Lavenham, Suffolk
The cheese board must qualify as one of the best in Britain! Dig into something delicious: venison, pistachio and sultana terrine, sea bass served with olives and white wine, then tarte tatin with cinnamon ice-cream.
- Linthwaite House Hotel & Restaurant, Windermere, Cumbria
Ambrosial food waits in the dining rooms, perhaps seared tuna with pickled ginger, chargrilled pigeon with beetroot purée and caramelised banana tart with peanut butter for dessert.
- Little Barwick House, Yeovil, Somerset
Dinner is heaven in three courses – fancy Lyme Bay scallops, saddle of wild venison and dark chocolate torte with armagnac ice-cream?
Sawday’s Special Places to Stay: British Hotels is available from all good bookshops or online directly from Sawday’s priced at £15.99.
For more information on the book or any of the places featured click here
Publication date: 1 October 2014
ISBN – 13: 978-1-906136-70-3
About Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay:
Sawday’s is a much-loved online guide and publisher of guidebooks on ‘Special Places to Stay’ in the UK and Europe. Founded in 1994, Sawday’s now represents over 5000 special places across the UK and Ireland, France Spain and Italy – an eclectic range of holiday homes, B&Bs, hotels and inns and luxury camps (marketed through Sawday’s Canopy & Stars).
For more information about Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay click here