For parents who want the freedom and flexibility of self-catering, but with all the facilities of a hotel, these are seven of the best UK hotels with self-catering to book this summer.
Family holidays are often a whole lot easier (and more relaxing) in a self-catered space with separate bedrooms for children, private kitchens, and somewhere to hang out together. But if you think you’d miss the pampering and facilities that come with a luxury hotel, these properties combine the best of both.
These seven self-catering properties come with all the benefits of a hotel stay – child-friendly restaurants, state-of-the-art spas, super kids’ clubs, babysitters and more. Plus, they all offer housekeeping too – just the kind of DIY break mums and dads really want.
Gara Rock, Devon
One of the most sought after holiday spots in the UK, the South Devon coast offers a quintessential seaside holiday in the most stunning location. Gara Rock, positioned aloft a seaside cliff and just a stone’s throw from the beaches of East Portlemouth, where the water is shallow, clean and safe for paddling, is the perfect base from which to explore. Wake up to sea views in the privacy of your own home-from-home in one of the Residences: set over one, two or three floors and with three layouts, they sleep four to six guests across two or three bedrooms. Bright, stylish, and with interiors that give just the right amount of a nautical nod to their beach location, each has fully equipped kitchens plus a lounge-dining area. Some have gardens, and all are serviced weekly. At the hotel (just a short stroll away) you’ll find the Wild Rock Spa which uses organic Apothespa products all handmade locally in Totnes. Then there are the marvellous indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the plush 12-seater cinema that shows a range of new movies every week. Grab a wood-fired pizza and enjoy a glass of Gara Rock gin (grown-ups only!) as you watch the waves roll in from the panoramic glass windows in the hotel’s child-friendly restaurant.
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
Last year, Lucknam Park added two new additions to its collection of nine cottages scattered across its 500-acre estate – and these country-chic properties hit just the right notes; cosy but not fussy. With three and four bedroom options – all with kitted-out kitchens, compact but comfortable bedrooms and en-suites – they’re ideal for families. Cots, highchairs and stair gates can be provided too, and optional housekeeping removes the bit of self-catering that no one ever enjoys. For kids, the hotel facilities include The Hideaway, a playroom packed with toys and activities such as a mini playhouse, dressing-up costumes, board games and arts and crafts. The Baby Play Room has sensory light tubes, a tactile nature wall and soft toys, and for teens there’s the Techno Space with games and The Activity Pod with table tennis and a pool table. Outside? Activities, a pool, an adventure play area, floodlit tennis courts and a five-a-side all-weather football pitch. Eat in your cottage or drop into the hotel to try out the menus at the Walled Garden or Michelin-starred Hywel Jones – both are child-friendly. Babysitting is available and the spa is ideal if you want a bit of grown-up time too.
SeaSpace, Cornwall
SeaSpace is the brand new aparthotel aiming to shake up the way families holiday in Cornwall. With a Palm-Beach-meets-the-British-seaside vibe, it’s not only great for those who want to surf at the legendary surfing beach Watergate Bay, but also for members of the local community who mix with tourists in the café, restaurant, co-working space and health club. Cornish residents can take out memberships, but if you’re staying the night, facilities are free to use or book. And there’s a lot of them: padel courts, walking tracks, a kids’ play room, and an outdoor adventure play area. Nearby, take part in watersports such as surf lessons, or hire bikes from the hotel to explore the coastline. Apartment sizes range from studios to three-beds and come loaded with the stuff you need for a self-catering holiday with kids – cots, bunkbeds, highchairs and the all important washing machine. There’s even an onsite larder to pick up any essentials.
Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Estelle Manor is a hit with guests of all ages; it’s a bucket-list spot to tick off. But, as luxe as it is, this hotel could not be more family friendly: as well as a vast choice of rooms, there’s a fantastic selection of outstanding self-catering properties. Comprising rustic-chic woodland cabins and stunning stone houses, and ranging from two to six bedrooms, each has it’s own identity: vaulted ceilings, open fireplaces, huge kitchen tables and range cookers for rustling up family feasts. You could easily while away the days in the private gardens, but no one goes to Estelle Manor without tapping into the array of activities on offer. From the uber-cool outside pool to the play areas, kids’ club, games rooms and family friendly restaurants, this place is packed with stuff to keep kids and parents entertained. Little ones will love the mini Land Rover driving course, and parents should head to the Eynsham Baths spa. The wider wellness facilities are impressive too, with five pools, padel courts, gym and studio classes. If you’re dining with kids, The Glasshouse and The Potting Shed Café are your best bet – both welcome kids and dogs. Oh, and each residence comes with its own private butler too.
Gleneagles, Perthshire
Everyone knows that Gleneagles is one of the UK’s best luxury hotels for a family getaway, but not so many know that you can enjoy all the perks of this five star Highlands resort from a self-catering property. Enter, Glenmor Lodges. Offered on a rent-by-week basis or as seasonal ownership properties, these two, three and four-bedroom residences are set within the grounds of the famous hotel. Cosy and wonderfully appointed, these homes are every bit as fabulous as the hotel but with the flexibility to relax, eat and work around your own schedule – or complete lack of one as the case might be. Each lodge comes with two bikes to explore the grounds, free rounds of golf and access to the health club, plus there are multiple family-friendly restaurants on site – little ones will be blown away by the sweetie trolley in the Strathearn. Nicknamed ‘the glorious playground’ on a stay here you might go fishing, take part in falconry, play tennis, or go swimming or horse riding. There’s also an excellent kids’ club and babysitting available.
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
Set among the trees on the hotel’s large estate, Bovey Castle’s three-bedroom self-catering lodges are spacious, well-appointed and ideally located if you want to explore the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. If you’d prefer to stay on the grounds, there’s plenty to do too – for all the family. Older kids will love the mix of outdoors activities including archery, falconry and horse riding, while little ones will enjoy the play park with swings and climbing frame. Then there’s the Play Zone kids’ club packed with toys and games and the Tech Zone for teens. On the wellness side, check out the spa with a huge indoor pool (that children can splash in too), tennis courts and yoga and Pilates studio. But it’s golfers who should be really excited – the hotel is home to an 18-hole championship course. Children are welcome in the restaurants, or spend a fun-filled family night in the lodge with a private chef to take care of the cooking.
Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair
Sightseeing in a big city with kids can be tiring, but Mandarin Oriental Mayfair apartments will help you rest and revive. Offering privacy alongside all the facilities of one of London’s top hotels, there’s no better way to see the capital as a family. Ranging from one to three bedrooms – including a two-bedroom duplex and a penthouse – each plush apartment features a bespoke kitchen designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen with integrated Gaggenau and Miele appliances, plus separate living and dining areas, and en-suite bathrooms. Accessed via a private lift, some come with London-view private terraces too. Guests can use Mayfair’s longest pool at the spa, plus make the most of in-residence dining, round-the-clock concierge, and housekeeping – but what the kids will be most interested in are the tailor-made experiences. Known as Mini Mayfair experiences they include activities such as the Mini-Fashionista, with personal shopping at Selfridges, a gift card, and a copy of Little People, Big Dreams: Vivienne Westwood.
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