Kent Staycation

Room for Two

This February, why not embrace all things romance with a getaway for two at one of Kent’s best staycation spots? Whether you’re looking for a cosy cabin, a seaside hotel or a grand manor house stay, a room for two might be exactly what you need this month to keep that important spark alive and raise a glass to another happy year with your loved one. Featuring the county’s most romantic boltholes, relaxing sanctuaries and luxurious havens, here are our top Kentish overnight spot recommendations. 

Lakeside Lodges

Perfect for… A room with a view

Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle, Maidstone

leeds-castle.com

When it comes to romantic getaways, the best overnight stays are often the most picturesque, from rolling hillsides to bustling forests and, at Leeds Castle’s Lakeside Lodges, a mesmerising view of the Great Water. Contemporary accommodation with timeless charm, the holiday cabin lodges offer private decks with outdoor baths for couples to truly soak into the relaxing ambience. After a morning enjoying their complimentary snacks, robes and slippers in the lodge, guests have unlimited access to the castle and its endless activities from 1pm on their day of arrival. Included in all stays at the lodges is also a hearty and delicious breakfast at the Castle View Restaurant, which is just a short walk across the breathtaking grounds. 

For couples seeking a more stately overnight experience, Leeds Castle is offering a Valentine’s Dinner in the Castle experience exclusively on 14 February, with candlelit dinners, a live harpist and enchanting castle bedrooms available within one romantic package.

Perfect for… A wellness weekend

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham

handpickedhotels.co.uk

A boutique escape situated within 12 acres of panoramic parkland and gardens, Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa is the ideal venue for lovebirds seeking a health-focused weekend away. Blending state-of-the-art facilities with ample space to recharge and relax, guests can choose from one of 38 bedrooms within the country house to personalise their stay. With master suites offering canopied sleigh beds and executive rooms with fireplaces and sash windows, there’s something to suit every couple’s idea of comfort. 

Treehouse Hideaway

Perfect for…  A rustic retreat

Treehouse Hideaway, Canterbury

coolstays.com

Floating in the tree tops of the glorious Kentish countryside is the Treehouse Hideaway, a charming treehouse fit for couples looking to escape to tranquility. Overlooking a wildlife park, the treehouse is perched upon two tree trunks, though it ensures that modern touches of comfort are at the forefront of every guest’s experience. The romantic woodland lodging boasts an idyllic interior with underfloor heating, a wood burning fireplace and a cosy living area featuring a 70-inch surround sound home cinema system. For those wanting a more wilderness-infused experience, the heated hot tub below the treehouse is the perfect spot for guests to bask in the stunning woodland views and soak under the stars at night. 

Situated in an ideal spot for adventuring, couples can visit the nearby seaside town of Whitstable for a walk along the beach or take a short drive to historic Canterbury, where cobbled streets and grand architecture meet a thriving selection of shops, bars and restaurants. 

Perfect for… Home-away-from-home comfort

The Marquis of Granby, Alkham

marquisofgranby.co.uk

Sometimes the most romantic getaway is the one where you feel transported to another place and yet somehow right at home. One such venue is The Marquis of Granby, an award-winning gastropub in the stunning village of Alkham. With 10 traditional rooms full of character for guests to escape to, it’s a quintessential country retreat perfect for couples looking to explore the very best of East Kent’s welcoming hospitality. Nestled at the rear of the hotel is the Sir Thomas Berridge suite, with floor-to-ceiling feature windows offering picturesque views over the village church and valley. With all the comforts of home, this suite combines vintage chic with modern amenities including a luxurious roll top bath and floating shower. 

A foodie’s dream, The Marquis of Granby serves classic pub food alongside premium dishes, always using the most local and seasonal produce on each plate. For breakfast, guests can order exceptional dishes such as banana and honey bread with vanilla yoghurt or a Marquis full English to fuel up for a day exploring the Kentish countryside. A short drive from the South Foreland Lighthouse and Dover Castle, there are plenty of adventures for couples to enjoy in and around the village of Alkham. 

Hever Castle

Perfect for… A luxurious experience

The Astor Wing at Hever Castle

hevercastle.co.uk

Designed in Tudor style by William Waldorf Astor in 1903, The Astor Wing of Kent’s beloved Hever Castle allows its visitors to step into the past with buildings of magnificent oak panelling, ornate fireplaces and antique furnishings. All bedrooms within The Astor Wing are en-suite and individually styled, with some containing roll top baths, four poster beds and walk-in showers. The most recent addition is the Willow Suite, a spacious first-floor suite that boasts fine fabrics, period furnishings and a large walk-in rainfall shower for guests to enjoy before their complimentary breakfast served from 9am onwards. 

With tickets to the castle and gardens included with each stay, couples are encouraged to explore Hever Castle’s 125 acres of grounds where they’ll be met with challenging mazes, lakeside walks and award-winning gardens. Between 12 February and 2 March, the Snowdrop Walk 2025 will feature around 150,000 snowdrop bulbs that have been planted throughout the gardens including blossoms of camellia, quince, daphnes and early daffodils. To be truly immersed in the Scented Garden this February, guests should follow the path leading to the Water Maze, right at the beginning of Faith’s Garden. 

Perfect for… A countryside escape

Orchard Pickers Cottage at the Iffin Farmhouse, Canterbury

iffin.co.uk

A converted cottage on the outskirts of the historical city of Canterbury, the Orchard Pickers Cottage is an excellent choice for couples seeking a true escape to the Kentish countryside. Accessed via a narrow lane, the cottage is set back at the end of an orchard where guests will discover its open-plan layout, king-size bed, fireplace and kitchenette. Beside the cottage stands a wooden summer house, which guests have full access to during their stay. Including two cosy sofas and a TV, as well as books and DVDs, the summer house is the perfect place to lounge in comfort as the sun rises and sets over the orchard. New to the cottage is their private hot tub, providing a bubbly respite for guests at an extra cost of £10 per night. 

Secluded from the hustle and bustle of Canterbury’s city centre, yet only a 10-minute drive away, the Orchard Pickers Cottage is the perfect template for an outdoor escape that doesn’t leave guests completely secluded from the outside world. With the company of Iffin Farmhouse’s sheep, donkey and resident pony in the adjacent field, couples won’t feel entirely isolated during this countryside escape, but equally won’t have to share their space. 

Oast Apartment

Perfect for… A little peace and quiet

Oast Apartment, Sevenoaks

coolstays.com

Situated within the rondel of a renovated oast house, the Oast Apartment is a perfect spot for a romantic break with uninterrupted views of the blissful Kentish countryside. This unique apartment features a circular bed and jacuzzi bath as well as a cosy living area with an electric projector screen for couples to enjoy all their favourite movies. Light and bright with a stunning vaulted ceiling and traditional timbers, the apartment features original exposed brick as well as internal stained glass windows. In the living space, underfloor heating and LED adaptive lighting add to the relaxing atmosphere of the Oast Apartment, where colourful and eclectic decor meets a blissful oasis of quiet. 

The apartment’s patio doors offer uninterrupted countryside views, opening onto a Juliette balcony where couples can enjoy the fresh air accompanied by a good book and a glass of something special. With treetop views from the seven-foot bed and a bubbling jacuzzi in which to enjoy a relaxing soak, couples will find themselves marveling at the true romance of a paradisical escape from the everyday. If some time in the outside world is required however, the Oast Apartment has two excellent pubs within walking distance, as well as miles of outdoor trails to explore. 

No. 42 by Guest House

Perfect for… A seaside getaway

No. 42 by Guest House, Margate

guesthousehotels.co.uk

A boutique beachfront hotel in the classic seaside town of Margate, No. 42 by Guest House bathes in all the glory of the coastal breeze, endless ocean views and artistic character of the Old Town. Providing intimate seaside getaways with dreamy views across the bay, No. 42 offers plenty of balconied Lookout Suites rich with heritage detailing. Alongside original Victorian details, the rooms provide modern luxuries of rolltop baths, four-poster beds and Crosley record players with access to a curated vinyl library to soundtrack every stay. 

On the ground floor of the seaside hotel are luxurious treatment rooms that provide relaxation and abundance with the help of highly skilled therapists. Using organic, vegan and sustainably sourced oils and essences, the treatment rooms cultivate the ultimate eco-luxury experience with a menu of tailormade treatments to alleviate tension, stress and discomfort while boosting wellbeing, recovery and mood. For couples, No. 42 offers treatments for two such as The Copper Cove, an experience that includes bathing in privacy, glasses of English fizz and a back, neck and shoulder massage. 

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