9 best cottages with hot tubs for your next staycation
If you're looking for somewhere to book with a group of friends or colleagues for an up-market staycation this party season, we've found some of the best cottages with hot tubs across the UK.
Not just reserved for summer, a hot tub is great for whatever the unpredictable British weather throws at us, making them an excellent addition to your winter holiday rental.
Now just imagine sitting back, relaxing and looking out over the great British countryside with a hot tub bubble massage and a glass of mulled wine. Ahead, the finest cottages with hot tubs to book for your party season get-together…
The Manor, Temple Guiting
Sleeps: 12
Why we love it: If you were to picture the quintessential English countryside retreat, chances are you’d be imagining The Manor. With a stone façade, crawling vines, timber beans, oil portraits, a tennis court and a mossy roof, it’s the classic chocolate-box Cotswolds house. Lovingly and luxuriously modernised by its owners, this 15th century home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and is ideal for a big celebration – ideally in the summertime when you can make the most of the lake – and its paddle boat. The nearby Cotswold Farm Park is a must-visit, with a great on-site restaurant, and we’d definitely be taking up the offer of a private chef to cater a sit-down dinner.
Muggleswick Lodge, Northumberland
Sleeps: 4
Why we love it: First things first, Muggleswick Lodge might just be the best name for an Airbnb we’ve ever heard. Now we’ve got that out of the way, the other reasons to stay here definitely include the views, something the floor-to-ceiling windows and fully-glazed gable make the most of, looking out across Shaley Forest and the Derwent Reservoir in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Guests have even commented about seeing barn owls. Ideal for walkers with dogs (it’s pet friendly), you’re within easy reach of Hadrian’s Wall. If you ask nicely, host Jane might let you take some of her rhubarb home too.
Alder Lodge and Sylen Lakes, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Sleeps: 2
Why we love it: With a perfect 5.0 rating from over 250 reviews, this stunning lodge in the bucolic Welsh countryside of Carmarthenshire overlooks a four-acre lake, with floor-to-ceiling windows from the mezzanine bedroom meaning you can admire the swans while having a cuppa in bed. What’s more, the lodge is the ideal base from which to explore a lot of what Wales has to offer, from Pembrey Country Park, with its woodlands and sandy beach, to Laugharne, the birthplace of famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. And if the images are anything to go by, it’s just as picturesque in winter when it’s decorated in a light frosting of snow, as it is when doused in the summer sun.
Lagom Estate, Causeway, Northern Ireland
Sleeps: 16+
Why we love it: OK, this one might be best reserved for your really, really special occasions – think 30th birthdays or combined Sten dos – as it’s one of the most amazing Airbnb stays we’ve ever found on our scrolls.
Located in Northern Ireland on the North Coast, this sprawling property features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two chalets and endless communal and dining areas, all decorated in a modern, cosy style. Get lost in the rugged beauty of the area, enjoy two freshly-cooked meals a day by your personal chef, and of course, unwind in that hot tub, enjoying the incredible views. No trip to this part of the world would be complete without a visit to Giant’s Causeway (needs no introduction), Carrick-a-Rede (a dramatic fisherman’s rope bridge) or Dunlace Castle (a medieval ruin), and there are also ample opportunities for cycling, fishing and even scuba-diving.
The Willow, Pembroke, Wales
Sleeps: 4
Why we love it: Branded as one of the most loved rentals on Airbnb, The Willow has an amazing 4.95/5 rating, based on almost 300 reviews – that’s a lot of happy glampers. And it’s easy to see why. This cute hut boasts a decked area and a hot tub, with two bedrooms inside – one with a bunk, one with a double – plus a bathroom and kitchen. Guests rave about how much there is to do in the area (including lots of great local pubs), the host Pat and the peacefulness of the setting, not to mention the views (and the local cows!) If you’re looking for a sign to book a glamping trip to Wales, this is it.
Orchard Hideaway, Tweed Valley
Sleeps: 4
Why we love it: Overlooking the Tweed Valley, Orchard Hideaway is a really cute option for couples or families, or just a small group of girlfriends. With an open plan set up, it’s ideal for communal hangouts, though you’ll probably want to spend most of your time outside in the hot tub or on the swinging chairs. Reviewers comment on the abundance of wildlife spotting – think hares, barn owls and butterflies, as well as the general idyllic nature of the place. For rainy days, the market town of Kelso, with the famous Floors Castle, is only four miles away.
Invercreran House, Appin, Scotland
Sleeps: 10
Why we love it: If you’re looking for a retreat deep in nature, then Invercreran House, situated in the village of Appin in the Scottish West Highlands, could be for you. Deep in the hills, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in the Swiss Alps, with the lush landscape and utter peace and quiet.
Set across multiple levels, with bright, modern decor, it’s ideal for a wholesome break, with a beautiful outdoor terrace for morning sun salutations or brunch, and a sprawling estate to explore on foot. That said, there’s also a wine cellar, with tastings or tours available, and you can even try a gin distilling class if you fancy. If the Scottish weather doesn’t cooperate, then a cosy night in is calling in front of the fireplace. It’s giving Traitors.
The Georgian Manor, Chapmanslade
Sleeps: 18
Why we love it: Just 15 minutes from Bath, we think The Georgian Manor has “hen do” written all over it. Need further evidence? Aside from the 8 gorgeously decorated bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, there are also two game rooms, complete with pool and table tennis, arcade games, a sauna, heated outdoor pool, and a movie room (perfect for screening Mr and Mrs).
The dramatic glass box dining room is particularly magical – and Insta-worthy – overlooking the stunning walled gardens. Oh, and there are goats and alpacas on the estate too. Meanwhile, in Bath, you’ve got the delights of the Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Museum and the The Royal Crescent, not to mention the famous nightlife scene.
Olive Tree House, Ripe, Sussex
Sleeps: 2
Why we love it: Set amongst the olive trees (yes, really!), this picturesque one-bed retreat is a cosy bolthole for a weekend away with your S.O. Live out your cottagecore fantasies with a wood-burner, electric aga and a wall-mounted fire, and up the romance with a bit of star-gazing in front of the fire pit before a midnight dip in the hot tub. If you need to stock up on anything, then pop in to Ripe, which has a very quaint village shop, as well as a pop-up pub and a fish and chip truck that comes on Thursdays. If you’ve got a car, then make a trip to Charleston House, the home of the Bloomsbury Group, with its colourful art murals, or book a taxi to take you to and from Rathfinny Wine Estate, for a tasting.
