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Welcome back to our blog series dedicated to finding you the crème de la crème of handpicked hotels perfect for a luxurious UK incentive!
If you missed the first post, check it out here.
In a nutshell: The Scarlet is a luxury adults only eco hotel sat on the cliff tops of the beautiful Mawgan Porth, Cornwall. It's perfect for those that want to chill but also allows for the more adventurous to explore.
Location: The hotel is located just a 6 minute walk from the idyllic Mawgan Porth and is a 20 minute drive from the bustling seaside town of Newquay.
Rooms: The stunningly appointed bedrooms and suites at The Scarlet feature free standing baths, walk-in showers, sea views, private gardens, terraces and private rooftop sitting rooms. Room rates for the entry level ‘Just Right’ room starts from £250.
Restaurants: Watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean in The Scarlet restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes made with locally sourced products. The Scarlet Restaurant can host a private dinner for up to 35 pax or alternatively a private dining room with a sea terrace is available for groups of up to 20 pax.
Activities: Soak up the sun on The Retreat Terrace or in one of the stunning outdoor garden areas, relax in the outdoor wood fired hot tubs overlooking the beach, indulge in a treatment in an Ayurvedic inspired spa; or for the brave, have a dip in the outdoor freshwater pool.
The more active can try their hand at surfing, windsurfing, outdoor yoga, hiking, coasteering, paddle boarding, cycling the Camel Trail and kayaking. Or why not visit the breath-taking Camel Valley for an exclusive day of wine and Champagne tasting and lunch on the outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyard.
Neon’s verdict: We love that this hotel is eco, laid back but still has all the luxurious touches of a five star property. Set in the most beautiful part of Cornwall in our opinion, it allows for exploration to all the foodie places such as, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen at Watergate Bay, the endless Rick Stein restaurants in Padstow and Nathan Outlaw’s in Rock. It is romantic, peaceful and charming. Our recommendation is to sit back in the hot tub set on the cliff side, watch the sunset with fizz in hand and listen to the sound of the sea.
In a nutshell: Grantley Hall is a hidden gem found in the Yorkshire Dales. With a marble-clad pool, elite fitness facilities, gracious bedrooms and chef Shaun Rankin leading a swathe of dining options, this venue is ideal for a luxurious UK incentive.
Location: This grand venue is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales near the city of Ripon. The spa town of Harrogate is only a few miles away if you fancy some high-end shopping or a thermal bath experience.
Rooms: The 47 exquisite bedrooms and suites at the hotel have a classic country-house style for the ultimate comfort and relaxation. There are shelves of modern hardbacks, televisions hidden behind paintings, decanters of damson gin, touch-button lighting, and even a bathrobe menu. Bathrooms are marble-clad, all with a separate tub and a vast walk-in shower. Double rooms start from £350.
Restaurants: Grantley Hall offers you an incredible variety of drinking and dining options. From fine-dining to Pan-Asian, Michelin star chef Shaun Rankin takes guests on a culinary journey using the highest quality seasonal produce from local suppliers. The venue also flaunts a diverse range of bars including a glam champagne and cocktail bar.
Activities: The activity choices at Grantley Hall are endless and include; clay pigeon shooting, falconry, archery, canoeing, abseiling, gorge walking, off road driving and quad biking. Alternatively relax in the luxurious spa with thermal experience and snow room, take a dip in the outdoor pool or explore the 30 acres of parkland. With three of Yorkshire’s five Michelin Star restaurants under an hour away you will be spoilt for culinary choice.
Neon’s verdict: If you are wanting to offer your guests a Michelin starred experience, Grantley Hall is perfect for a culinary journey starting right at the hotel. Outside of Grantley Hall, The Black Swan at Olstead, The Angel at Hetton and The Star Inn at Harome are all fantastic options. We love its modern grandeur and how it oozes five star luxury right down to the marble clad swimming pool and velvet furnishings - definitely one to wow your guests with every step of the way!
In a nutshell: The Vineyard is Britain’s best wine hotel with an amazing 3 AA Rosette food experience, a 30,000-bottle wine cellar and a state-of-the-art spa facility.
Location: This venue is in Stockcross near Newbury, Berkshire and is handily located just a ten-minute taxi ride from Newbury station where direct trains run to and from London Paddington.
Rooms: The Vineyard is home to 49 luxurious bedrooms, all named after an iconic wine from around the world. Double rooms start from £270.
Restaurants: The Vineyard has two great food offerings for casual dining; the California Bar as well as the more formal 3 AA Rosette restaurant where the famous Judgement of Paris tasting menu is served (each dish is paired with both a French and a Californian wine).
Activities: Funnily enough, The Vineyard knows their wines! The wine waiters at the hotel are deeply knowledgeable, so wine tasting as well as a tour of the 30,000-bottle cellar is not to be missed. Other facilities include a spa with hot tub, heated pool, steam room and sauna.
Neon’s verdict: Relais and Chateaux describe this property as a ‘temple to Californian wines’, and we agree! Napa Valley is one of our favourite places to visit and this UK option is a perfect alternative to fill the void. Join one of the monthly wine schools, dinners or courses, and expect fine food to match. One of the best wine hotels in the UK, it really is the place to eat, sleep and drink!
In a nutshell: Bovey Castle is a historic manor house sat on an estate in the heart of Dartmoor National Park with pursuits catering for every guest. Facilities galore and unrivalled views over the deer park, meadowlands and wooded areas make this the perfect place for a retreat.
Location: Bovey Castle is surrounded by the dramatic landscape of Dartmoor National Park in Devon and is a 20-minute walk from the thatched village of North Bovey. The nearest beaches are 45 minutes by car.
Rooms: The estate holds 60 luxurious and individually designed rooms where (along with the expected modern amenities) a decanter of estate-made sloe gin welcomes its guests. The beautiful grounds also offer 22 self-catering lodges. Rooms start from £225.
Restaurants: The hotel offers 5 red stars from the AA, the highest accolade on offer! With two delicious food options; the Smiths Brasserie, which serves classic dishes, and more formal dining at the Great Western restaurant, there's a dining option to cater for all occasions. Alternatively, the hotel can make up your own picnic to enjoy in the beautiful grounds.
Activities: Facilities at the castle include a heated swimming pool and whirlpool with deckchairs overlooking the grounds, plus steam room, sauna and gym. The ESPA Spa is a sanctuary in itself offering an extensive range of treatments.
Outside, there’s an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a croquet pitch, archery and rifle range, putting green, helipad and beautiful lakeside walks to be had. Additional activities can include fishing, sloe gin or cider making, horse drawn carriage riding and hot air ballooning. The hotel will also organise classic car hire for you from a luxurious Bentley to Jaguar E-Type, the perfect way to sit back and enjoy this beautiful region.
Neon’s verdict: Bovey Castle is a timeless experience exuding all the charm you could wish for from a hotel steeped in so much history, all with an unrivalled setting. We love its attention to detail, unbeatable customer service and, it ticks all the boxes for catering to everyone’s interests from outdoor to indoor pursuits. It offers a great base for groups wanting to explore the local surroundings of the surf beaches in Devon, local vineyards, historic Exeter and yachting in Dartmouth or Salcombe.
Excited by the prospect of a UK travel incentive in the future? Find out more about the bespoke event solutions we can provide here.
