Hot hotels: The most unique romantic breaks in the UK

There's more to romantic breaks than chilled wine and rose petals and if you’re seeking inspiration for romantic destinations with an extra wow factor, minus the oh-so predictable cliché, feast your eyes on our pick of hotels that offer the most unique and magical experiences. From romantic gourmet dining and wine tasting experiences made for two and romantic spa breaks in the UK, we’ve got romantic weekend breaks covered…

Looking for a romantic break with a hot tub and plenty of delicious wine? Seduce your loved one with a stay at The Vineyard, a stunning hotel in Newbury designed for wine lovers and those who love la dolce vita.

The vibe: Think California’s vineyards, easy charm and warm welcome — this is sheer hedonism in a grown-up setting.

Star attractions: The vino: 30,000 bottles. 3,000 bins. Over 50 wines by the glass. This hotel boasts one of the UK’s most impressive wine cellars and its award-winning wine lists are always evolving to feature new and innovative wines from niche and major producers all over the world. The gourmet restaurant serves locally sourced, seasonal dishes, The Vine Bar is the place for small dishes with clever wine pairings, and the spa with its pool, sauna, steam rooms and tempting treatments menu is just as delicious.

Extra romantic touches:  What’s not to love about a glamorous hotel awash with fine wines and home to an award-winning spa? You can also treat yourselves to a wine tasting experience for couples or hit the spirits with a tour of the nearby Bombay Sapphire Distillery where you can get a guided tour and a cocktail-making masterclass.

From £199 per night.

In the mood for some old school romance? Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, a beautifully restored Palladian manor set within 500 acres of glorious parkland in the picturesque English countryside just six miles from Bath, might make you swoon. Enveloped within its own classical gardens and paddocks, this five-star country house hotel offers a fairytale setting for romantic weekend breaks in the UK.

The vibe: English period drama — think Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett — it’s refined elegance with all the frills of a country estate.

Star attractions:  The experience begins at the mile-long drive entrance, lined by beech trees, before you enter through the magnificent drawing room or charming library for evening cocktails. Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park has held a Michelin star since 2006 and continues to serve culinary greatness in a sophisticated setting, while the award-winning Spa is a heavenly bubble where you can enjoy innovative wellness and beauty treatments. And the lush parkland simply begs to be explored hand in hand.

Extra romantic touches: The onsite Equestrian Centre houses around 30 horses and offers experiences for beginners as well as experienced riders. The magical ‘Equine connect experience for two’ invites you and your partner to learn how to control the horses through your body language. Creating connections with horses encourages you to use body language more openly, discover emotional growth, and develop new ways of thinking – all of which are skills transferable to our own relationships.

From £295 per night. 

Channel your powers of seduction with a stay at The Atlantic, one of Jersey’s most celebrated hotels. Set in 10 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on the west coast of the island overlooking St Ouen’s Bay, it offers one of the sweetest settings for romantic breaks in the UK with fruity cocktails on tap.

The vibe: Unpretentious barefoot paradise oozing laid-back charm.

Star attractions: Romantic meals for two with an ocean view doesn’t get much better than this. The hotel’s main dining room, Ocean Restaurant, is superb but be sure to savour the latest development in the hotel’s culinary offering: The Tasting Room. Here, you can indulge in exceptional gastronomic experiences with beautiful curated seasonal dishes accompanied with fine wines. Or let sparks fly and set off on an electric bike ride…the hotel provides bikes, helmets and locks so that you can explore the island’s charming network of 15 mph ‘Green Lanes’ through picture-perfect countryside.

Extra romantic touches: The Pop-up Summer Spa (June to September) offers a spectacular VIP pampering menu for couples, perfect for a romantic interlude. And don’t miss out on The Atlantic Picnic — a gourmet hamper, including a blanket, crockery, cutlery and condiments you can enjoy in the hotel's glorious gardens or take with you to one of Jersey’s lovely soft sand beaches. And why not charter a private yacht for a little jaunt around the coast where you can lap up the stunning scenery and spot dolphins and seals? The hotel offers memorable sailing experiences for romantic breaks including a half day (3 hour) charter and sail along the island’s south coast and a full day (7 hours) trip to Les Minquiers, one of the local offshore reefs.

From £169 per night.