There’s something special about feeling completely at ease in a hotel. Peppered with subtle nuances, thoughtful touches and extending a genuinely warm welcome, these are some of the UK’s homeliest properties.
04 April, 2022
Read a love letter to home-from-home hotels in the latest SUITCASE print issue, Volume 36: Discovery.
If you want to have your cake and eat it too, book a stay at a property that blends all the joys of hotel living with all the comforts of home. From homely London townhouses to a charming Bristolian address, these are our favourite home-from-home hotels across the UK.
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Arundel, West Sussex
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.
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York, Yorkshire
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.
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Belgravia, London
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.
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Ballater, Aberdeenshire
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."
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Bristol
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.
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Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
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.
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Manchester, United Kingdom
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.
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London, United Kingdom
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.