Closer to Home: Staycation Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip
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June 08, 2026
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From the storybook countryside of Oxfordshire, the gardens of Bath, and the sweeping landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, the UK offers a staycation that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. For UK residents, travel stays close to home while still offering a change of pace where manor houses, garden paths, and village high streets sit just a short journey from everyday life.
Things to do across the UK range from walking through historic estates and landscaped grounds to spa days in historic cities and long drives through rolling hills. Along the way, spend afternoons over traditional afternoon tea, browse shops and local markets, or head outdoors for Highland pursuits and open-air exploration. Each setting brings its own rhythm that makes it easy to slow down, reset, and return refreshed.
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12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
US$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
Complimentary Wi-Fi
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
*,3
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
US$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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London, England
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
Right on Hanover Square, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London offers a quieter way to experience one of London’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The look is clean and contemporary, with floor-to-ceiling windows, custom furnishings, and marble bathrooms, while a hidden rooftop terrace brings skyline views and a sense of escape above the city. Downstairs, the Atrium Restaurant serves a modern European menu, while Hanover Bar is worth lingering over, especially on the terrace with views across Mayfair. Add in a spa, indoor pool, and a location steps from Bond Street’s boutiques and galleries, and you have everything you need to check in and fully check out.
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London, England
The Lanesborough, Oetker Hotels
Just steps away from Hyde Park, The Lanesborough, Oetker Hotels offers a more classic take on a London staycation, set within a former mansion between Knightsbridge and Mayfair. Inside, it’s all about traditional elegance done well, from spacious rooms with entrance foyers and park views to the rare luxury of 24-hour butler service. Settle in with afternoon tea, stay for modern British dining at The Lanesborough Grill, or head to The Library Bar for one of the city’s standout cocktails. When you want to slow things down, the spa, hydro pool, and quiet, club-like atmosphere make it easy to spend the entire stay without rushing anywhere.
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London, England
The Peninsula London
Overlooking Hyde Park and Wellington Arch, The Peninsula London offers a refined way to stay in the city, right where London feels most iconic. Rooms are spacious and quietly luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows, signature dressing areas, and onyx bathrooms designed to slow things down. Spend time between the hotel’s standout dining spots, from relaxed meals and afternoon tea in The Lobby to Canton Blue’s elevated Cantonese menu, then finish the evening at Brooklands by Claude Bosi, where rooftop views come with cocktails. Downstairs, the spa and 25-metre indoor pool offer an easy reset, making it just as tempting to stay in as it is to head out.
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Ascot, England
Coworth Park
Just a short drive outside of London and set across 240 acres bordering Windsor Great Park, Coworth Park reimagines the city stay with a countryside escape shaped by equestrian tradition. Open parkland stretches across the estate, with grazing horses, polo fields, and views that shift with the light. Mornings might begin in the saddle or along quiet woodland paths, while afternoons move between spa time complete with an indoor pool and eucalyptus steam room or long lunches at The Barn. As the day winds down, settle into afternoon tea in The Drawing Room or dinner at Woven by Adam Smith before ending the night with a drink by the fire.
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Oxfordshire, England
Estelle Manor
Set within 85 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, Estelle Manor captures the romance of a grand English estate, where every detail feels lifted from your favourite period drama. A long drive leads to the Manor, where historic architecture, sweeping lawns, and quiet corners set the tone. Inside, rooms lean into that sense of place, with four-poster beds, marble bathrooms, and garden views. Days unfold slowly: breakfast in the brasserie, walks through the grounds, and time spent at Eynsham Baths, moving between steam, sauna, and thermal pools. By evening, everything softens into candlelit dinners, low conversation, and one more drink before calling it a night.
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Bath, England
Homewood
Set within 20 acres of Somerset gardens and woodland just outside Bath, Homewood is a countryside escape with a playful edge. The spa invites guests to fully unwind, with an indoor hydrotherapy pool, heated outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, vitality pool, and bespoke treatments designed to restore both body and mind. Spa access is included for all overnight guests, making it easy to settle into a slower pace of life. Beyond the spa, guests can explore the grounds and discover the no-dig kitchen garden tended by chef-gardener Darren Stephens, whose seasonal harvests shape the daily menus at Olio Terrace. In summer, La Taberna returns for its second season at Homewood, transforming the canvas orangery into a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired setting filled with colourful fabrics, cascading chandeliers, open-fire feasting, and bespoke celebrations inspired by Somerset produce and Mediterranean flavours available exclusively for private hire.
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Bath, England
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Set within Bath's iconic Royal Crescent, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers a countryside-style retreat just moments from the city. Behind its grand Georgian façade, secluded gardens create a peaceful escape where mornings begin with walks across private lawns overlooking Royal Victoria Park. Inside, rooms blend period elegance with modern comfort, while suites add space to unwind after a day of exploring. Dine at Montagu's Mews for seasonal British cuisine or linger over afternoon tea with a selection of delicious sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve along with a range of exquisite pastries and cakes, then retreat to the Spa & Bath House for a restorative soak or a relaxing massage. Beyond the gardens, guests can enjoy guided visits to the Roman Baths or scenic drives into the Cotswolds.
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Auchterarder, Scotland
The Gleneagles Hotel
Spread across 850 acres of Scottish countryside, The Gleneagles Hotel feels like stepping into a sweeping Highland tale, where rolling hills, misty lochs, and centuries-old traditions shape the rhythm of each day. Mornings unfold across championship fairways set against beautiful countryside views, while classic country pursuits, from riding and fly-fishing to falconry, invite you deeper into the landscape, offering equal parts adventure and relaxation. Afternoons might drift between walks and time in the spa’s vitality pool or sauna. Evenings bring a shift in tempo, with standout dining at Andrew Fairlie or The Strathearn, where live piano and candlelight carry the energy into the night.
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