When looking to escape the strains of everyday living, only the best will do. The Square Meal team chooses its lucky seven boltholes to do just that.
Chewton Glen Treehouses
Perfect for adventure 
The lowdown: Tucked away in the woodland of refined country hotel Chewton Glen, a small cluster of smart buildings hover in the air. Cross the floating walkway, step through the door, and
you’re immediately… outside again. The treehouse suites that opened a year ago allow fans of the great outdoors to get up close and personal with nature whilst living in the utmost luxury. The
stunning Hideaway Suite boasts a large living area and terrace with private hot tub, while a glass-walled corridor leading to the bedroom offers armchairs for you to admire the view.
Activities to indulge in: Be as insular or outgoing as you prefer. Hole up in the seclusion of your suite and book an in-room spa treatment where the therapists come to you, have breakfast
dropped off in a hamper through a secret hatch, watch DVDs from the comfort of your large sofa or soak in your hot tub under the stars. If you’re feeling more active, head for the spa with its
beautiful hydrotherapy pool or leave the grounds to meander down to Highcliffe Beach through nearby Chewton Bunny nature reserve, and even book a lesson with a local surf school
(crazywatersurfschool.co.uk). Sociable diners should head down to restaurant Vetiver early and have a game of croquet or play on the putting green while enjoying an aperitif or two.
The damage: Treehouse Studio Suites are available from £750 per night, Hideaway Suites from £1,250 per night including breakfast.
chewtonglen.com/tree-house-suites
Laura Foster, assistant editor
Tresco Island 
Perfect for a seaside getaway
The lowdown: Set just 28 miles off the Cornish coast, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this privately owned island was a lot further away. Dramatic rock formations, wild untamed
grasslands, picture-perfect beaches and coral-blue waters are the stuff of fantasy, while its car-free status and relaxed pace of life couldn’t make for more of a contrast to city living. Even the
weather is better than on the mainland, with the island’s smog-free skies exaggerating the sun’s rays. Luxurious waterside cottages include all the mod cons, but it’s the scenic view from the
windows that steals the show.
Activities to indulge in: Bikes are the best way to explore the two-and-a-half mile-long island, available to hire with your accommodation. Let off steam as you cycle between sandy beaches
and secluded coves, stopping off at the Flying Boat restaurant for super-fresh seafood or friendly gastropub The New Inn for more hearty fare. Take a dip in the sea or relax at the spa, visit red
squirrels in the beautifully maintained Abbey Garden and make sure you catch the stunning sunset over cocktails on the terrace at Ruin Beach Café.
The damage: One-bedroom cottages start from £160 per night, with breakfast.
tresco.co.uk
Ben Norum, news and online editor
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Perfect for foodies 
The lowdown: Raymond Blanc’s legendary gastro-shrine celebrates its big three-oh this year and remains the sine qua non of no-holds-barred luxury: from the moment car keys are handed over
for valet parking, guests don’t have to lift a finger. Blanc might be the quintessential French chef in the flesh but his cooking is influenced by techniques from further afield than France and his
dishes are light, seasonal and flavour-led. Spacious guest rooms meanwhile are inspired by Blanc’s travels and located either in the original 15th-century manor house or the (completely in-keeping)
annexes that have been added over the years.
Activities to indulge in: Spend the time before supper dawdling in idle bliss: tea and a slice of lemon cake on the private terrace of your garden suite, perhaps, ahead of croquet on lawns
bordered by lavender, then a stroll around the two-acre organic kitchen garden. If you want to learn more there’s a cookery school. With everything set up to make guests as comfortable as possible,
you won’t want to step outside the grounds.
The damage: One night’s B&B costs from £555 for two people. Dinner is an additional £140 per person.
manoir.com
Ben McCormack, editor
Cameron House
Perfect for views 
The lowdown: Pinch yourself – that’s not a painting. That’s the view from your bedroom window of the majestic Loch Lomond, spread below in all its moody beauty. Inside the equally regal
Cameron House, roaring fires and tartan throws instil a cosy atmosphere, helped by the richly textured furnishings dotted throughout. In Martin Wishart’s Michelin-starred restaurant, well-versed
staff deliver a sensational six- or eight-course tasting menu of modern Scottish cuisine, artfully matched with wines. Before bed, enjoy a wee dram in the elegant hotel bar, where the resident
whisky expert can guide you through the exhaustive list of 270 different malts.
Activities to indulge in: Take your foot off the accelerator and spend some time in the Carrick Spa. Massage and beauty treatments are offered alongside the spa’s generous amenities, which
include a rooftop infinity pool, tropical rain shower and vast hydrotherapy pool, many of which boast further views of the landscape. Head through the sweeping hotel grounds down to Cameron
House’s Boat House and take a Celtic Warrior Boat cruise on the loch, where the steward Sam regales you with anecdotes from the local area and identifies points of interest as you sip on a chilled
glass of Moët & Chandon. Sail past an island where wallabies roam wild, and score a unique view of the impressive hotel from the water.
The damage: prices from £189 per room per night, including breakfast.
devere-hotels.co.uk/hotel-lodges/locations/cameron-house
Lauren Broude, art editor
Titchwell Manor
Perfect for design lovers 
The lowdown: Built in 1896, Titchwell Manor is well positioned between rolling farmland and the Norfolk coast, meaning that it’s possible to lounge, dine or just loll in bed with a sea view.
The Manor hasn’t just banked on its location however, boasting other attractions including bold, distinctive design for the public areas and superior rooms (think vivid block colouring and funky,
artistic furniture) and talented head chef Eric Snaith, whose culinary experiments transport you across the countryside and on to the ocean. Other fabulous touches include an evergreen garden with
a summer house and rooms with private patios, while the whole operation exudes relaxed quality.
Activities to indulge in: The Manor’s Potting Shed is the ultimate extravagance, a self-contained cabin for two with a spacious roll-top bath and walk-in shower, a log burner and a private
balcony overlooking the gardens. Spa treatments are at hand for all guests, meaning you can order a full-body massage, facial or pedicure directly to your room. Those willing to exert a modicum of
physical effort while here will find themselves surrounded by four coastal golf courses, with another course slightly further west towards King’s Lynn. Even if you can’t sink a ball, the view will
continue to be on par.
The damage: £165 per night for a sea-view room plus breakfast.
titchwellmanor.com
Neil Simpson, editorial assistant
The Connaught
Perfect for city slickers 
The lowdown: An oasis of luxury in a quiet corner of Mayfair, The Connaught opened its doors in 1815 as the grandly named Prince of Saxe-Coburg Hotel. Following renovations and a change of
name during World War I (when Germanic names fell out of favour) it became a home-away-from-home for visiting royalty, dignitaries and celebrities, seduced by the elegant air of British grandeur
that persists today. Designer Ralph Lauren loved the striking square central staircase in the Edwardian lobby so much that he had a replica installed in his flagship New York store. Rooms and
suites combine classic elegance and modern luxury, with original art work and antique furniture beside the latest entertainment systems; while no request is too much trouble for the charming
staff.
Activities to indulge in: The Connaught is a short stroll from the shopping meccas of Oxford Street and Bond Street, so indulge in a spot of retail therapy at Selfridge’s before heading to
the hotel’s tranquil Aman Spa. Treatments include holistic organic facials and reflexology, or simply relax in the ionised water swimming pool. If all that relaxation has given you an appetite,
seek out two Michelin-starred restaurant Hélène Darroze at The Connaught for lavish dishes such as foie gras with cacao powder and gingerbread crumble, or visit pretty Espelette for the hotel’s
signature afternoon tea. The super-stylish Connaught Bar features cutting-edge cocktails and a glamorous Martini trolley; or linger over a vintage Cognac from the more traditional Coburg Bar’s
extensive list.
The damage: Superior King rooms from £510; one-bedroom suites £1,410.
the-connaught.co.uk
Julie Sheppard, managing editor
Lucknam Park
Perfect for luxury 
The lowdown: Like something out of a Jane Austen novel, the charming 17th-century Lucknam Park country house appears at the end of a long, beech tree-lined drive. The house and its
outbuildings form a beautiful cocoon around immaculate gardens, while genteel guests take afternoon tea on the terrace. After a tour taking in the distinguished library and drawing room, it’s
upstairs to a beautiful, traditionally decorated suite. The fireplace is currently dormant but worth noting for winter visits, while the four-poster bed will have you dreaming of Mr Darcy, or
indeed Elizabeth Bennett.
Activities to indulge in: Lucknam Park prides itself on its Spa and Well-Being House, with sumptuous treatments and yoga classes all on offer. The extensive 500 acres of surrounding parkland
also make for very pleasant ambling and you can borrow a map to explore the arboretum and locate the tennis courts. Horse riding at the Equestrian Centre or a course at the Cookery School is sure
to entertain even the most restless guests. As evening falls, enjoy dressing in your best for the Michelin-starred restaurant The Park. Start with a pre-dinner drink on the terrace and you might
hear tales of engagement, or stroll across to the Brasserie for a less formal affair.
The damage: Double rooms from £295 per night, excluding breakfast.
lucknampark.co.uk
Lucy Britner, staff writer and sub-editor