Town and country treats

Red Carnation

Red Carnation

Brighten up the dull days of winter with an exciting city break or a luxury weekend away from it all! Whether you fancy hitting the shops and the bright lights of London or escaping for a feast of fine dining and relaxation at a country retreat, check into one of our award-winning luxury hotels for a weekend to really remember.

Bright Lights, Big City

There’s nowhere quite like London and it’s not surprising that this great capital city is home to some of the best hotels in the world. If you’re looking for a weekend of shopping and dining to banish your winter blues, it’s got the lot. How about adding some glamour to your winter wardrobe? Head for Knightsbridge and hit the department stores. Harvey Nichols hosts regular fashion nights, perfect for getting an insider view on the latest designer styles. And Harrods has just launched a new men’s designer department and an extended wine shop, where you’ll find handy wine tips and classy vintages. If you’re shopping for kids, the place to head for is Hamley’s on Regent Street. For more unusual gifts don’t forget the markets: Portobello Road for interesting antiques and bric-a-brac and Borough market for gourmet food.

Where to stay: For the ultimate in splendid luxury, check into the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel - one of our most exclusive boutique hotels. It recently won a much-coveted AA Inspector's Award, and is the only Mayfair hotel to achieve this accolade this year. Whether you want a pre-theatre supper, a lazy lunch or celebratory dinner, prepare for a feast in the hotel’s restaurant. Executive chef Ben Kelliher and his team dish up fine dining favourites using the freshest of ingredients in Butler’s restaurant, while The Conservatory is famous for its sumptuous afternoon teas. If you want to be close to the shopping action, Egerton House is one of the most stylish hotels near Harrods. Shopping can be hard work; so reward yourself with a martini shaken or stirred by our master mixologist Antonio Pizzuto or indulge in a touch of pampering with a relaxing massage in the comfort of your own sumptuous guestroom.

Country Life

If you’d rather escape the madding Christmas shoppers, pink your cheeks with bracing walks through winter wonderlands or simply hole up by a log fire and soak in a celebrity-style spa, checking into a chic country retreat is a great way to recharge your batteries. And when it comes to beautiful countryside and a little R-and-R with all your creature comforts on tap, few destinations hit the spot quite like Dorset with its picture-postcard villages, wonderful woodlands and beautiful coastline.

Where to stay: Make your way to the picturesque Dorset village of Evershot, home to the chic Summer Lodge Country House Hotel. One of England’s finest country house hotels, this intimate 24-room retreat is tucked away in four acres of landscaped gardens and blends old world charm with thoroughly modern delights. Here, you can sleep like a baby in luxurious guestrooms, pull on your walking boots and explore the lovely grounds or the rugged World Heritage Jurassic Coast and warm up with traditional afternoon tea by a roaring fire. Then swap your waterproofs for more elegant attire and dine at the hotel’s wonderful restaurant, where you can sample traditional English dishes with stylish modern European flourishes, paired with fine wines selected by award-winning sommelier, Eric Zwiebel. Whether you want to lose a few worry lines, or simply unravel those muscle-knots, The Spa at Summer Lodge offers a tempting menu of rejuvenating and relaxing body and beauty treatments as well as a beautiful heated indoor swimming pool.

To find out more about our award-winning family-run luxury boutique hotels, visit www.redcarnationhotels.com.