Scattered throughout the country like a litter from the same
sow, The
Pig hotels are characterised by their individual quirks and
localities. But a booking at any one of them can be made in
confidence: the sense of homeliness captured by founders Robin and
Judy Hutson is undeniable. Eclectic interior decor, a focus on
comfort and amazing attention to detail are what make these
properties extra-special. The outpost at Bridge Place in Kent is perhaps the most unsung Pig,
it being the kind of destination where you could happily while away
a full weekend with nothing to do and nowhere to go, while The Pig in the South Downs, the newest addition,
opened last year to a warm reception. If you’re working your way
through the list, this is the one to book next.

No.1 York is brimming with the kind of personal
touches that can only be achieved when family members put their
heads together. The handsome property is owned by the Guest
brothers, whose memories of home infuse the 39-bed stay with a
lived-in feel, despite it being a modern addition to the UK hotel
landscape. Guests can expect a pantry packed full of pick ‘n’ mix
and homemade bites, an old train set that trundles around the
coving in the lounge, wooden games at the bar and a dolls’ house in
each room to disguise the tea and coffee set.

Lime
Tree Hotel brings a slice of the Cotswolds to the capital, its rich, tactile interiors
more reminiscent of an English country pile than a crash pad in
Belgravia. The building, which boasts all the picturesque period
features you’d expect from a London townhouse (think high ceilings,
intricate plasterwork and huge windows), feels genuinely homely.
The reception – more akin to a family lounge than a check-in point
– is decorated with cosy sofas and littered with magazines. It is
touches like this that invite guests to settle in, relax and savour
the tranquil contrast to the city buzz outside.

Despite being a far cry from many homes on the market in 2022,
The Fife
Arms makes it easy to feel as though the walls of a
19th-century landmark building in the Scottish Highlands is exactly where you belong.
There are only 46 bedrooms, which means personalised customer
service is at the heart of the experience. “It’s important that our
guests feel at home and can immerse themselves in an authentic
piece of Scottish culture from the moment they step through the
doors,” says general manager Marc Denton. “The team brings this
historic hotel alive. Their warmth and knowledge of the area means
you’ll feel like you know it well in no time.”

Every Artist Residence is different. The layout of the
communal space in Bristol features a central bar with no visible
till-point, making it seem more like a home kitchen. It is here
that breakfast is served and cocktails are shaken, at least until
the restaurant opens, this summer. From the outside, the property
looks the same as any of its neighbours but, inside, it’s buzzing
with locals, who cluster around the open fire. Each bedroom is
equally charming, decorated with a mix of old and new treasures,
including a smart Roberts radio. Luckily, breakfast is served until
11: you won’t want to leave the comfort of your bed much
earlier.

No.131’s
charm has infiltrated Cheltenham, helping to shape its appeal from
a hospitality perspective. This month, the property – run by The
Lucky Onion group – adds another string to its bow with the launch
of Japanese restaurant YOKU. The building’s original Georgian features
remain, but interiors are contemporary, with artworks by David
Hockney and Banksy providing a counterpoint to the vintage
architecture. In essence, this elegant townhouse feels like it
captures the personality, tastes and preferences of a specific
person or family in a way that’s been perfected, piece by piece,
over decades.

Modern urban living doesn’t get much more appealing than at
Whitworth Locke in Manchester’s photogenic Civic Quarter. The converted
cotton mill comprises spacious, airy apartments, each decorated
individually, but all with an inviting, homely air about them.
Downstairs, the space is brimming with character. There’s an events
programme, a co-working space and a bar/café, but the minute you
retreat to your own apartment, you’ll find it wonderfully easy to
relax and switch off from it all.

Finding the right hotel in the capital – one that’s central and
easy to find, but where you can retreat in peace when needed – is
no mean feat. Luckily, the Experimental Group’s Henrietta
Hotel in Covent Garden lives up to the prestigious-yet-grounded
reputation established by its Parisian sister property, Le Grand Pigalle
Hôtel. “Our aim is to offer guests an opportunity to dive into
the local scene if they wish but, first and foremost, we want them
to feel at home,” says director Xavier Padovani. The concept starts
with food and drink, with the restaurant and cocktail bar providing
an easy atmosphere that shuns any airs or graces while upholding
its reputation for impeccable hospitality. Saycation? Workcation? A
little bit of both? You’ll feel immediately welcome at this
charismatic boutique stay.