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For those seeking a weekend escape that goes beyond the expected, the UK offers an abundance of experiences that are both unusual and indulgent. From treehouses in ancient forests to floating hotels and heritage estates, these stays redefine luxury by blending originality with exceptional comfort. Below, we explore some of the most unique luxury weekend breaks in the UK – destinations that surprise as much as they soothe.
1. Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
Set across 8,000 acres of rolling countryside, the Wilderness Reserve is a sanctuary for privacy and restoration, with historic manors, farmhouses, and cottages restored to impeccable detail. Guests can enjoy wild swimming, spa lodges hidden in woodland, or chef-prepared dining in complete seclusion.
At its pinnacle is Blyth Barn, a 15th-century lakeside retreat and the estate’s most exclusive residence. With 18 ensuite bedrooms, its own Irene Forte spa, a NORHD gym, and wellness facilities including sauna, steam room, and ice bath, it is designed for both indulgence and celebration. A secluded walled garden conceals a sunken pool with a rising floor and a 16-person hot tub, making it one of the most remarkable luxury escapes in the UK.
2. Chewton Glen Treehouses, Hampshire
On the edge of the New Forest, Chewton Glen has long been one of Britain’s most celebrated country house hotels. Its treehouses, suspended in the canopy, are designed for escapism with floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and outdoor hot tubs. Breakfast hampers arrive at your door, while the spa and fine dining offer everything needed for a restorative retreat.
If you want the ultimate in country-house indulgence, the Marryat Suite offers it in style. Set within the original 18th-century manor, it combines sweeping views of the grounds with a private terrace and hot tub, a grand sitting room, and an elegant cloakroom. It’s a space made for entertaining or simply retreating into seclusion, with every detail designed to immerse you in refined comfort.
3. The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s most theatrical hotel sits at the gates of the castle, where Gothic splendour meets indulgent escape. Each of its nine suites is filled with antiques, rich fabrics, and candlelight, designed to transport you into another world.
The most dramatic experience is found in The Old Rectory Suite, reached via a 16th-century turnpike stair. Inside, a Gothic bed carved from antique pulpits sets the stage, complemented by an elegant sitting room and a lavish bathroom with a silver bateau bath and marble shower. Seven windows frame views across the Royal Mile and beyond, making it a stay that embodies both history and fantasy. It is escapism at its most decadent.
4. Kate & Tom’s Curated Estates, UK-wide
Kate & Tom’s specialises in turning weekends into private escapes by offering exclusive-use houses that feel like your own luxury retreat. Many of their properties come with amenities such as indoor pools, cinemas, smart-home systems, and gourmet kitchens, all designed to free you from the everyday.
One of the most impressive is Aldwick Hundred, a Grade II-listed Arts & Crafts seafront estate in West Sussex. Sleeping 16–20 guests, it boasts its own garden spa, 40-foot heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tubs, plus cinema, smart-house tech, and air-conditioned south-facing suites.
With private beach access and vast gardens that lead to the sea, staying here feels like slipping into an entirely separate world — where the sea breeze, candlelit rooms, and architectural detail combine to create rest, escape, and indulgence in perfect balance.
5. Landmark Trust Properties, Nationwide
The Landmark Trust transforms historic buildings into remarkable escapes, from castles and towers to Arts & Crafts houses, each restored with respect for heritage and comfort.
One of the most distinctive is Goddards in Surrey, designed by Edwin Lutyens with gardens by Gertrude Jekyll. Sleeping 12, it combines panelled rooms, open fires, and even a traditional skittles alley, all wrapped around a peaceful courtyard garden. Staying here is less about grandeur and more about atmosphere, offering a rare chance to step back in time while enjoying the calm of a true country retreat.
6. Lanrick Treehouses, Perthshire, Scotland
Tucked into secluded woodland, the treehouses at Lanrick are designed for disconnection and calm. Each one comes with wraparound terraces, outdoor baths beneath the canopy, and wood-burning stoves, creating an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and savour the stillness of nature.
For those who want more space, The Keeper’s Bothy offers a refined alternative just moments from the treehouses. With a king-size bedroom, a rustic bunk room, an open-plan living area, and both an indoor shower and outdoor copper bath, it balances homely warmth with a sense of luxury. A firepit and private garden complete the setting, making it an indulgent woodland hideaway where escape feels effortless.
7. MV Fingal, Edinburgh
Moored on Leith’s historic docks, MV Fingal is a floating hotel that blends maritime heritage with Art Deco glamour. Once a working vessel, it has been reimagined as a sanctuary of polished wood, curved walls, and nautical elegance, offering a stay that feels both theatrical and deeply restorative. Guests can enjoy fine dining in the ship’s stylish restaurant or unwind with Champagne in the harbour-view bar, all while cocooned in the rhythm of the water.
The pinnacle of the experience is the Luxury Duplex Suite, set across two levels. A spiral staircase connects a cosy upper living space to a bedroom below, complete with a super-king bed and porthole views. The suite also features a freestanding bath, walk-in rain shower, underfloor heating, and thoughtful details that elevate comfort. It is indulgence at sea level, designed to immerse you in calm while keeping the city within easy reach.
8. The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall
Perched above Cornwall’s rugged coastline, the Scarlet is an eco-conscious adult-only retreat where light, sea breeze, and dramatic views are part of the design itself. Guests find themselves suspended between sea and sky, with cliff-top hot tubs, a natural reed-bed pool, and a spa focused on Ayurvedic-inspired rituals, all created to dissolve the tension of everyday life.
For the most immersive stay, opt for one of the Indulgent Rooms. There are just four in total, each a sea-facing retreat with a private lounge, a balcony, and an open-plan bathroom featuring a freestanding bath and monsoon shower. Interiors are soothing, with sustainable finishes and toiletries crafted locally. These rooms are deliberately air-condition-free, warmed by the sun and cooled by Atlantic breezes, to keep you tethered to the elements while indulging in quiet luxury.
9. nHow Hotel, Shoreditch, London
For an urban retreat with creative flair, nHow in Shoreditch brings bold design, vibrant energy, and thoughtful amenities into the heart of the city. Its open-plan lobby with DJ booth, co-working spaces, and 24-hour gym, offer a surprising blend of buzz and calm, while pet-friendly touches and the Guilty restaurant’s indulgent menu ensure no detail is overlooked.
At the top of the experience is the nHow Penthouse. Spanning the hotel’s top floors, it opens onto private terrace views over East London, with expansive indoor living spaces, high-end audio/visual systems, and luxe finishes throughout. It delivers a sense of elevation — not just literally, but in comfort, privacy, and design — making it a perfect choice for anyone wanting to feel simultaneously part of the city and above its pace.
10. Belmond British Pullman, London & Beyond
The Belmond British Pullman transforms travel itself into a retreat. Vintage carriages restored with polished wood and brass set the stage for Champagne, fine dining, and countryside views. Themed journeys – from murder-mystery dinners to seasonal escapes – create a sense of theatre and occasion, making each trip feel like stepping back into a golden age of travel.
For the most indulgent experience, you can pair your Pullman journey with a stay at one of Belmond’s own hotels, such as The Cadogan in Chelsea or Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire. It extends the sense of escape beyond the rails, combining the glamour of the train with the refinement of a luxury hotel stay. Together, they create a weekend that balances spectacle with complete restoration.
A New Definition of Escape
These unique weekend breaks share a common thread: each has been designed as a refuge from the everyday, where luxury is not only about lavish interiors but about the relief of stepping into a world apart. Whether you’re soaking in a treetop hot tub, dining by candlelight in a castle, or listening to a live DJ before slipping into a zen garden, these experiences prove that true indulgence lies in how a place makes you feel – rested, inspired, and completely removed from routine.
