These new hotels prove that Great Britain is a top destination for foodies and outdoor thrill-seekers.
Grub and Pubs
In Scotland, the Hotel du Vin St Andrews, opened in April 2014, offers 37 individually designed guestrooms and suites—some with views of West Sands Beach. The hotel is located on the east coast of Fife, next to the world’s oldest golf course, Old Course of St Andrews, and a short walk away from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the Museum of the University of St Andrews. Other offsite attractions in this coastal town include the St Andrews Botanic Garden and the St Andrews Aquarium.
The hotel is home to the Bistro du Vin, serving elegant French-style meals with dishes ranging from escargots a la bourguignonne to 28-day dry-aged steak frites. Guests can also head to the hotel’s bar for a glass of wine, a handmade cocktail, spirits or a cigar. Ma Bells, a neighboring pub frequented by locals, golfers, and hotel guests, offers a wide selection of beers, ales, spirits, and cocktails, as well as traditional pub grub. The Hotel du Vin St Andrews also provides guests with nightly entertainment including live music, bands, and DJ sets, as well as inventive master classes, such as the Cocktail Master Class. For more information, visit hotelduvin.com/locations/st-andrews.
Canoes and Kayaks
Groups of up to 14 guests can rent the new five-star Bunkhouse on the riverbank at Glasbury in Wye Valley. The bunkhouse, which opened in May 2014, is located on the Wales-England border, once served as a chapel but has been converted into a 12-bunk accommodation for venturesome guests looking to explore nature in the surrounding preserve. In fact, amenities include an array of watersports equipment offered next door at the Wye Valley Canoe Centre for an active vacation in Wales.
Guests can travel from bunk pod to bunk pod by shimmying down an indoor tubular slide that travels from the top level to the ground level. Next door, guests are able to rent canoes, bicycles, and Vespa scooters, or participate in guided walks. Arrangements can also be made for horseback riding, go-karting, and rock climbing. Guests can pre-order breakfast, lunch, packed lunches, and dinner from the River Cafe, located inside the Wye Valley Canoe Centre. Rates start at $1,854 for a 2-night weekend stay for up to 14 people. Weekend rates start at $64 pp per night for a minimum of eight people. For more information, visit wyevalleycanoes.co.uk/bunkhouse.html.
New and Luxurious
On Dec. 1, 2015, the InterContinental Hotel Group will introduce its newest property, the InterContinental London – The O2 in London.
The 18-story luxury hotel, with two restaurants and several bars, will boast 453 guestrooms and suites offering views of the River Thames and Canary Wharf. In the hotel’s lobby and patio, the Meridian Lounge serves homemade patisserie and specialty coffees. Guests can enjoy drinks at the Clipper Bar, surrounded by 270-degree Vista windows, or on the 18th floor at the Sky Bar. At the Peninsula Restaurant, guests will feast on modern European cuisine while taking in views of the Canary Wharf and Greenwich Peninsula. The property will feature an indoor pool, as well as a spa offering both beauty and massage services. The hotel is conveniently located near the Greenwich Pier and six miles away from the London City Airport (LCY). For more information and room rates, visit ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/london/lonic/hoteldetail.
