Six most romantic hotels

What could be more romantic than whisking a special someone away for a weekend at one of these hotels on the GWR network? Everything from luxurious city breaks to dreamy jaunts to the countryside, Escape’s accommodation expert Elizabeth Mistry knows where it’s at.

Best for romantics

Fishmore Hall, Ludlow, Shropshire

With new head chef Joe Gould producing precision cooking in the beautiful conservatory dining room and a boutique spa (complete with a hot tub and a hammock made for two), Fishmore is the sort of place that people love coming back to. Privately owned and run by a long-established team offering the warmest of welcomes, Fishmore Hall is perfect for losing yourself while walking in the nearby hills or exploring the famous castle or independent shops nearby.

Valentines package including accommodation and breakfast, tasting menu with a glass of pre-dinner fizz and discounts in the spa from £350. Rooms from £95.00. Call: 01584 875148
fishmorehall.co.uk

Best for city lovers

Harbour Hotel and Spa, Bristol

While not actually on the harbour (although it is only a short walk away from the cultural attractions on offer at the waterside) this converted bank is well located on a street with interesting shops and right opposite a market selling all sorts of retro and hand-made treats.

The hotel staff are exceptionally friendly and will help you find a cubby hole in the intimate Gold Bar or choose the right treatment in the underground spa complete with sauna and a bijou thermal pool. The Jetty restaurant serves good food in a beautiful dining room complete with the original ‘Bristol Blue’ glass windows.

Rooms from £95. Call: 0117 203 4445
bristol-harbour-hotel.co.uk

Best for families

Moonfleet Manor, Weymouth, Dorset

There is something for kids of all ages (and all weather forecasts) at this Dorset outpost of the Luxury Family hotels group. As well as the indoor pool, there’s a small spa, a dedicated area for OFSTED-registered childcare (two hours each day are included) and loads of room to run around the clifftop grounds overlooking Chesil Beach.

Next to the main house is a fantastic play barn with games including air hockey and table tennis. Best of all, the venerable hotel dog, Snoopy, is sometimes available for walkies.

Rooms from £120. Call: 01305 786 948
moonfleetmanor.co.uk

Best for an escape from the kids

The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Unashamedly adults only, the stylish Scarlet has a chilled vibe and strong eco ethos. But the gentle emphasis on mental and physical wellbeing isn’t pushed on guests who come to enjoy the sea views, the Ayurvedic spa and the local produce served up in the light-filled restaurant headed up by chef Tom Hunter.

The vast expanse of Mawgan Porth beach is at the bottom of the cliff (beach access for the mobility impaired is from the nearby village)

Rooms from £240. Call: 01637 861800 
scarlethotel.co.uk

Best for animal lovers

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Colerne, Wiltshire

Hidden way in rural Wiltshire at the end of a (very) long tree-lined drive, surrounded by meadows on either side, is a professional riding school and centre of equine expertise with a rather fabulous hotel attached.

Lucknam is the sort of place that offers guests not only access to the lessons and hacking opportunities available on site, but also cooking classes, bikes to borrow and possibly one of the most beautiful spas in Britain. Rooms in the main house are sumptuously decorated in a traditional style while the courtyard accommodation has a more contemporary feel.

Dogs are accepted in some courtyard rooms.

Valentines offer including dinner bed and breakfast from £560. Rooms from £378.00. Call: 01225 742 777
lucknampark.co.uk

Best for having a capital time

The Ampersand, London

Blessed with a brilliant location one minute from South Kensington tube station and the quarter’s best-loved museums, including the Natural History and the Victoria and Albert, The Ampersand offers guests the best of West London on its doorstep.

Downstairs, the hotel restaurant Apero has a great value lunch menu – the private booth hidden behind a curtain is the perfect place for a proposal.

This stylish hotel is a brilliant base to go exploring together – if you can tear yourselves away from the rooms. Good access for wheelchair users.

Rooms from £212. Call: 0207 589 5895
ampersandhotel.com