Favourite Hotels?

[DTCwordfan]

Leading on from the Claridges thread, what are your favourite hotels, say two or three in the UK/Ireland and two from overseas (one Europe one elsewhere?). Do say why....

It may help build a wee reference for ABers travelling or wanting somewhere special for celebrations.

I'll start:

UK: Yorke Arms in Nidderdale (Leeds Harrogate), fab location in great country, wonderful food and ever so comfy.

Ireland - Marfield House in Gorey (60 miles S of Dublin), beautiful country house, comfy rooms and great food. The owner is as nuts as gness!
http://www.marlfieldhouse.com/ - another candidate for country comfort and food is the Peat Inn in Fife, http://www.thepeatinn.co.uk/

EU - The Amstel, Amsterdam, beautiful old "railway" feel hotel (but not) over the river, lovely rooms and fab bathrooms - very attentive service without being fawning......nice bar and café too and one of the best NL restaurants (though that's pricey) - a special treat is to take their launch
http://amsterdam.intercontinental.com/

New Zealand - Kauri Cliffs. The pics don't do it justice! Beautiful and wonderful food wine and service. http://www.kauricliffs.com/

[Ann]

They sound lovely DT, but most are probably out of our price range :) We go on cheap deals to Olde English Inns which include a fantastic brekkie!

[DTCwordfan]

which ones, Ann, are your favourites?

A tip perhaps - if you sense the market is soft, phone them up and you can be amazed at what rates you can get. I got someone into Claridges for £135 a night not that long ago......(ok it's still 135 but against the rack of £375, it was a steal).

The Kings Arms in Woodstock (paid £70 last time there inc breakfast)........http://www.kings-hotel-woodstock.co.uk/index.php

[pastafreak]

Oh dear...lovely...but £350 a night for a celebration at the Peat Inn.....*gulp*

[Barmaid]

The George Hotel, Stamford. Lovely atmosphere, good service, quality food, comfy sofas in front of a roaring log fire. http://www.georgehotelofstamford.com/

New Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/newhall
Beautiful and historic building, luxurious, staff really friendly, food excellent.

Seamill Hydro, Near Ardrossan http://www.seamillhydro.co.uk/ - Right on the beach with stunning gardens and beautiful views over Arran. Good quality food and child friendly!

[DTCwordfan]

It wasn't that when I stayed there, pasta!

I've heard the George in Stamford is very good, Barmaid - never been to Stamford or Lincoln!

Fav US one - RitzCarlton HalfMoon Bay near San Fran!

[tenrec]

Another good tip is to ask if you can be upgraded to a better room/suite for the cheaper price. If they are not full you may get a lovely room.

[DTCwordfan]

that's true, tenrec!

[pizza]

should be in travel

[tenrec]

Far too serious in travel!

[DTCwordfan]

sorry - forgot about that category, tenrec - ok stories on disasters permitted!

[Barmaid]

The George is fantastic, DT. Has been for years. We dined there on Sunday and it was excellent. Just avoid it horse trials weekend......

Stamford is a very very pretty place too.

[pizza]

Sorry you're right tenric and thanks DT.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

My hotels are usually my tent. :)
I recommend Wensleydale. The area, not the cheese, but having said that...

[237SJ]

Too many hotels in the world to have a favourite. I haven`t stayed in any UK ones and haven`t been to Europe for years. Current fave is Lux Resort in the Maldives. Food and staff lovely, you have the place to yourself and it runs like clockwork (probably because it has a German manager). I like the Andaman in Langkawi too (which I preferred to the Datai) because it has a bit of atmosphere while remaining peaceful and calming.
Worst hotel I`ve stayed in is the Grand Pineapple in Antigue. God what a dump, they should pull it down and start again.

[237SJ]

*Antigua*

[friedgreentomato]

Hope the links work

Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland
http://www.hastingshotels.com/slieve-donard-resort-and-spa/special-offers.html?gclid=CILFjP_HlbQCFaTKtAodXTYAbA

Cullin Hills Hotel, Isle of Sky
http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/cuillin-hills.en-gb.html?aid=340631;label=isle-of-skye-WyjzP4YleDOE3reBYxU4HwS18793250145%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg;sid=1020ee4849bdfa24f78e248e136b149d;dcid=1

Normandy B&B, Arromanche
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g580133-d1791294-Reviews-Normandy_Beach_B_B-Arromanches_les_Bains_Calvados_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html

The Carlton, San Fransisco
http://www.otel.com/hotels/carlton_hotel_san_francisco.htm?b2bid=AdwordsNBR&s_kwcid=sem|ggl|carlton%20san%20francisco%20hotel|b|sup|hot||S|19589440077|g|1t2|||&gclid=COamgMPJlbQCFaTKtAodXTYAbA

[DTCwordfan]

I know of the Carlton, fgt, in a similar vein was the Tuscan Inn on the wharf ($110 a night) but they have gone and made it very gaudy - nice café on the side where you can "star" watch and they also serve any wine you wish and then "nitrogen" seal the bottle, meaning you can drink your way up the Sonoma and then down the Napa Valleys....

[DTCwordfan]

My next thread, SJ, was the worse....after dinner I will post!

[DTCwordfan]

and that B and Bin Normandy looks like a hell of a find, fgt; thanks for sharing it with us.

[Sqad]

Many, just so many particularly in the Far East.

My favourite? Hotel Arts Barcelona..Carrer Marina.

Managed by the Ritz Carlton Group.