Kent’s Top Luxury Staycations To Retreat To This Winter
Winter in Kent has its own quiet magic – frosted mornings across the Downs, cosy country-set pubs glowing with open fires strung with hops and a sense of calm tranquility that makes the county feel more romantic than ever. When the days are short and the evenings long, there’s nothing better than a staycation that offers comfort and escapism with more than a little dash of indulgence. From grand manors and coastal hideaways to boutique boltholes and countryside estates, here’s our pick of Kent’s finest winter retreats…
Goodnestone Park, nr Canterbury
For those dreaming of something truly special, Goodnestone Park offers the ultimate winter gathering abode. This stately home, once frequented by Jane Austen, is available for exclusive private hire – perfect for a New Year’s Eve celebration with a luxurious difference. With 12 bedrooms, a grand dining room and opulent lounges, it sets the stage for a glamorous house party like no other. The kitchen is fully equipped for private chefs, the grounds provide endless space for winter walks, and the mansion is every bit as spectacular as you can imagine. Booking Goodnestone is less a simple stay and far more an experience – what better way to celebrate and welcome in the new year in style?
Eastwell Manor, Ashford
Few places capture winter grandeur quite like Eastwell Manor, a neo-Elizabethan manor set amid rolling parkland. Its spa and Champneys’ treatments are legendary, with state-of-the-art facilities including their new outdoor hydropool sitting alongside atmospheric therapy rooms. À la carte restaurant, Gardenia, blends classic British flavours with locally sourced produce, Champagne afternoon teas, set to a backdrop of the panelled lounges, gothic windows and roaring fires are a highlight. In fact, the grand fireplaces, wood-pannelled lounges and expanses of sweeping grounds make Eastwell the quintessential country retreat, especially when the frost is clinging to the trees outside.
THE PIG – at Bridge Place, nr Canterbury
Rustic yet refined, THE PIG – at Bridge Place is all about great hospitality underpinned with an unwavering commitment to food provenance. The walled kitchen garden dictates the menu, while the foraging team ensures daily specials truly reflect the land around the beautifully set estate. Interiors lean into shabby-chic heritage glamour, think velvet armchairs, mismatched antiques and roaring fires, with cosy unexpected nooks appearing as extra surprises in the main manor house. The most luxurious abodes are the aptly named ‘Big Comfy Luxe’ rooms which can be found in the main house and the coach house, the latter of which are double height with a mezzanine level bathroom and stunning views across the water meadows. If you can resist the draw of your room, the bar here is a destination in itself, pouring Kentish wines and homegrown infusions. With limited rooms, THE PIG – at Bridge Place is intimate yet buzzy; a foodie retreat where you’re as likely to linger by the fire, curated G&T in hand, as venture out to explore the countryside beyond.
Chilston Park, Lenham
Tucked within 77 acres of parkland, Chilston Park is a Grade I listed manor that feels like stepping into a period drama. Dinner in a private dining room is a real treat, with tasting menus highlighting homegrown produce such as wild garlic from the grounds, beetroot and strawberries from the kitchen garden and even their own honey from the estate’s beehives, all paired beautifully with local Kentish wines. Bedrooms are also spectacular. Suites include those occupying the original rooms of the Lord and Lady of the manor. Tudor is the most popular suite, located in the eaves; it boasts spacious open-plan living with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams and a hand-carved bed. While the Queen Anne Suite, the original master bedroom of the house, not only offers stunning dual aspect views of the estate and its glorious lake, but a canopied four-poster bed so grand it needs its own stepstool to access it! It’s indulgence laced with heritage, best enjoyed fireside with a glass of something local in hand or indulging in afternoon tea to a backdrop of a winter-frozen lake.
The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells
Perched above Tunbridge Wells on the edge of Happy Valley, The Beacon offers views across the High Weald that are every bit as stirring as its glamorous past and present dining acclaim. Inside the much-loved family home, the atmosphere is warm and convivial – log fires, relaxed dining spaces and an emphasis on seasonal Kentish ingredients. Sunday roasts, afternoons teas and a curated drinks list makes this a foodies haven, while the setting – complete with candlelight and twinkling valley views – feels romantic and secluded. Book the ‘Yarrow’ for its super-king bed, round copper bathtub set in the princess turret window and breathtaking views of the valley. It’s a perfect winter escape for those who love good food and even better company.
Boys Hall, Ashford
This 17th-century manor has been reimagined into a luxury bolthole where heritage and history now meets contemporary design. Boys Hall brims with character and guests fall instantly in love with the beamed ceilings, open fires and the acres of gardens hand-tended by owner Kristie Lomas, that feel wild yet timeless. A must-stay is Bishops Quarter, one of the super-suites that features original 16th-century panelling, stone Mullion windows, king-size bed, heavenly bathtub and stunning views across the gardens – King Charles is even reputed to have stayed here. If the rooms were not enough, the restaurant is a champion of fine dining bursting with Kentish suppliers, with seasonal dishes such as roasted Longland Farm duck with berry purée and open ember cooked 30 day dry-aged Porthouse steak served with their now renowned crispy potatoes. An impressive wine list, curated by owner Brad Lomas, draws heavily on English producers and now features their own Seventeen Sovereigns sparkling wine, fit for making every stay an occasion. The sense of history is palpable, but it’s softened by a homely welcome such as a slice of Kristie’s mum’s homemade cake served in the afternoons alongside a cuppa, that makes you want to linger.
No. 42 by GuestHouse, Margate
Margate may be known for summer escapes, but No.42 by GuestHouse proves it’s every bit as enticing in winter. This boutique seaside hotel leans into bold interiors – think patterned wallpaper, playful art and splashes of colour to lift even the greyest of Turner skies. The restaurant champions local seafood, with daily catches paired with Kentish wines. Upstairs bedrooms are stylish yet comfortable, but for the ultimate escape opt instead for one of the three exclusive Lookout Suites. Reached through their own private entrance adjacent to the main hotel, they have – as you may have expected from the name – the most glorious views, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, with the luxury stakes elevated with in-room roll top baths, super-king four poster beds dressed with Egyptian cotton linen and even their own private pantries. A stunning rooftop bar and mellow treatment rooms combine for an extra layer of indulgence, making No.42 a coastal bolthole with serious flair.
The Falstaff, Canterbury
Set just outside Canterbury’s Westgate Towers, The Falstaff is a historic coaching inn turned stylish boutique stay. Its cocktail bar is a highlight, serving some of the city’s most creative drinks, while the lounge, all velvet chairs and crackling fires, makes the perfect winter nook. Rooms mix heritage details with bold, modern design for luxury with a side of romance; opt for the ‘Luxury Rooms’ which feature either super-king or four-poster beds, roll-top baths in the bedrooms and Lefroy Brooks bathrooms, with stays rounded off with breakfasts that are hearty enough to keep you exploring the ancient city beyond all day. For those who want history without sacrificing comfort, The Falstaff delivers a vibrant yet cosy city break.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
If wild seclusion is your idea of luxury, Elmley Nature Reserve is unbeatable. Set on a private estate of wetlands and marshes, it offers an escape into nature without leaving comfort behind. Stays range from restored shepherd’s huts to cosy cottages but the ultimate luxury is Kingshill Farmhouse, the estate’s stunningly restored 17th-century farmhouse that combines luxurious interiors with home comforts and the most incredible views of the 3,300 private estate. Available for private hire for up to 12, make use of the kitchen and dining room for glamorous family feasting, or let the estate’s private chef spoil you with curated menu experiences. The sense of silence here is profound (broken only by bird calls of the cackles of your log burner) and menus burst with seasonal produce, while winter skies will make for stargazing you’ll never forget.
Hever Castle B&B, Hever
Sleeping at Hever Castle is a rare pleasure. The award-winning B&B rooms, of which there are just 27 set within the castle’s Tudor wings, are luxuriously appointed, with antique furniture, plush beds and views across the formal gardens or moat. Breakfast is served in the oak-panelled dining room, adding a sense of grandeur to the start of the day. Wandering through the historic corridors before curling up in a room steeped in history is magical at any time of year, but especially so when frost sparkles across the lawns and adds frozen wonder to the lake, which guests are able to freely enjoy as stays include tickets to the castle and gardens too.
Rowhill Grange, Wilmington nr Dartford
For spa lovers, Rowhill Grange is an unmissable stay. This 19th-century manor has been transformed into a modern hotel with one of the region’s most impressive wellness offerings – the Utopia spa – the hotel’s crown jewel, with Roman-inspired pools, hydrotherapy circuits and indulgent treatments. Rooms blend country elegance with contemporary design, but for ultimate luxury opt for the Groombridge Suite, one of the just two master suites. Located in the main house, its luxurious bathroom takes grandeur to a new level with an oversize tub (perfect for two) and modern furnishings set to vaulted ceilings. The restaurant here is also notable, serving modern British classes with a local twist. It’s the place where you can arrive, wrap yourself in a robe and emerge blissfully reset.
One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells
Modern, chic and set right in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, One Warwick Park is a boutique hotel with a cosmopolitan feel. Rooms are sleek, with soft lighting and high-quality finishes. The most luxurious junior suites overlook the hotel’s iconic glass atrium and boast period features alongside monsoon showers, Temple Spa products and treats from the minibar. For something a little different, ‘The House’ is One Warwick Park’s own self-catering townhouse, set just steps from The Pantiles and boasting four double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fully equipped modern kitchen, the dog can definitely come too! Also boasting a brasserie dining experience that balances international flavours with Kentish ingredients and curated cocktails, this is the perfect pick for those who want town energy wrapped in boutique luxury.
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