A LUXURY HOTEL in Hook has been named as the fifth best place to stay in the UK.

Heckfield Place, in Hook, was placed on The Times’ list of the best 100 places to stay in the country due to its ‘no expense-spared’ wellbeing space, and Michelin-starred dining.

The hotel, which is set in a Georgian manor, was given an overall score of 9/10 by the newspaper, with the rooms, food and drink options, and spa handed the same rating. The location was awarded an 8/10 for the nearby ‘rolling countryside’ and ‘cute villages’.

Basingstoke Gazette:

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The spa, which features two gyms, a yoga studio, a sauna, and a hydrotherapy terrace, served as a particular highlight for The Times’ which noted that ‘a grand estate in possession of an elegant country-house hotel, must be in want of a spa’.

The sustainable hotel also offers a range of activities including a foraged cocktail-making workshop, tours of the 438-acre estate, Pilates, bird watching and boating.

On the menu, directed by Australian chef Skye Gyngell, is a range of dishes made with fresh, local produce, including ‘home farm’ lettuce with vinaigrette, smoked winter tomato, grilled octopus, mackerel, and bitter leaves.

A one-night stay at the hotel for two adults, starts from £550 per night for a room with a king bed, walk-in shower, and amenities, to £5,500 for a room with a kitchen, guest room, sitting and dining room, a private balcony, and amenities.

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Susan D'Arcy, luxury travel journalist at the Times, said: "Every year our experts, many of whom have been writing for the guide for more than a decade, visit hundreds of properties the length and breadth of the UK."

Susan says the list has a number of criteria, including the interiors of the buildings, the food, and evaluating that the facilities match up to the marketing.

Sustainability, personality, value for money and inclusivity, which includes well-lit entrances with ramps, clear signage and accessible bathrooms are also considered in the ranking.

See the full list of the Times 100 best places to stay in the UK for 2024 here