Founder George Pell first came down to Aldeburgh between Covid-era lockdowns, decamping the staff of Soho's L'Escargot (where he was working at the time) to the seaside for a very successful pop-up. With that going so well and the building up for grabs he decided to stay for good, renovating the old 17th century coaching inn where the pop-up had taken place into what we now have as The Suffolk.
Chester isn't always the first place that springs to mind for a weekend away but it's got more going for it than you'd think. The races are the big draw, the Roman ruins tick the culture box, and if you grew up on Hollyoaks you'll already know the backdrops. From London, it's under two hours by train, so it's an easy one to get to, and Hotel Indigo is a good base to set up camp.
At this historic camp-turned-boutique hotel, dinner is served in a very fancy version of a mess hall, and outdoor tables allow you to sink your feet in the sand and smell nearby bonfires as you chip a chilled Sancerre. In other words, it's perfect for people who are nostalgic for bunk beds, but also need their 600-thread-count sheets. You'll find both mozzarella sticks and fritta mista with seasonal vegetables from a nearby farm, and we'd recommend either the lobster roll or burger.
Vermelho Hotel, designed by Christian Louboutin, Madalena Caiado and Carolina Irving, is organized like a villa rather than a resort, with courtyards, gardens, and shared rooms encouraging interaction among guests. Exterior spaces are animated by sculptural interventions from Italian artist Giuseppe Ducrot, whose ceramics extend across facades in a series of baroque-inspired frescos and ornamental figures. His work folds into the architecture itself, creating a sense of permanence rather than applied decoration.
"Cirque St. Armands Beachside's honors Sarasota's circus heritage with a chic, bold art deco-meets-roaring twenties design, reimagining the space with playful, eye-catching details," the hotel's general manager.
The Sky Valley Heritage boutique hotel embodies an efficient and organized ethos, contrasting with a more relaxed style, creating a unique yet liberating experience.
Sarah Wetenhall emphasized, "Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where guests can immerse themselves in the quintessential East Hampton experience-where tradition meets luxury and community and connection thrive."