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Romantic retreats from South Wales to Sri Lanka: Small islands, laid-back hideaways, and stylish love nests

Aoife O'Riordain

Friday 12 February 2016 11:59 GMT

Taylor Owner's Cottage, Sri Lanka (Sebastian Posingis)

Taylor Owner's Cottage, Sri Lanka

There is room for just two at the newly opened Taylor Owner's Cottage, which forms part of the Ceylon Tea Trails estate of restored, former tea planters' bungalows. From its perch above the Bogawantalawa Valley, it delivers far-reaching views over the Central Highlands and tea gardens of Sri Lanka. The cottage is named in honour of Andrew Taylor, Tea Trails' former resident planter. In grand colonial style, tea for two is delivered to your bed by your butler each morning.

Hatton, Sri Lanka (00 94 11 774 5700; teatrails.com). From $1,268 (£845) per night, full board.

GoldenEye, Jamaica

GoldenEye, Jamaica

As well as being the former home of author Ian Fleming and the place where he penned his James Bond novels, GoldenEye has a high romance factor. Owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, there is a laid-back feel to this hideaway on the island's north coast. Couples can book in to one of its brand new beach huts, opening on 1 April. Each one is a luxurious take on inside-out living, with outdoor showers and custom made furniture set in a 52-acre resort.

Oracabessa, Jamaica (001 876 622 9007; goldeneye.com). Doubles start at US$400 (£285), including breakfast.

La Villette au Jardin, France

La Villette au Jardin, France

Love nests don't come much more charming than this room for two surrounded by an enchanting garden and swaying wildflower meadows in the heart of La France Profonde in Normandy. Owned by a painter and landscape gardener couple, the 18th-century house sits on the edge of a tiny hamlet called La Villette, and has just one double room. A breakfast of fresh croissants and coffee is left on your doorstep each morning.

Montmerrei, Normandy, France (00 33 2 33 12 51 70; chambre-orne.fr). From €60 per night, including breakfast.

Treleddyd Fawr Cottage, Wales (Mike Henton)

Treleddyd Fawr Cottage, Wales

Long, romantic walks along the windswept beaches of Pembrokeshire are the order of the day for couples staying at one of the National Trust's newest properties. With a clotted-cream colour exterior, Treleddyd Fawr Cottage is a traditional, two-up, two-down crofters' cottage, or tydyyn, with views of Whitesands Beach and Ramsey Island beyond. Just outside St David's, the one-bedroom bolt-hole has a yawning inglenook fireplace, exposed beams and flagstone floors.

St David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales (0344 335 1287; nationaltrustholidays.org). Three nights from £252, self-catering.

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Show all 13

1/1313 best beachside hotels in the UK

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall

Set above one of Cornwall’s finest surfing beaches, this family-friendly hotel offers seaside chic, with dreamy views and light and airy bedrooms. There’s an indoor infinity pool, with bifold doors onto a spacious terrace, although our favourite spot is the Ocean Room, with its huge windows overlooking the sea. Check out the hotel’s grass-roofed eco-lodges too – incredible beach pads if you want to throw a bit of self-catering into your holiday too. Rooms from £145 B&B www.watergatebay.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Little Gloster, Gurnard, Isle of Wight

Just west of Cowes, overlooking the Solent, this has only been open five years, but has quickly gained a great reputation, largely thanks to the fun and buzzy restaurant that serves excellent seafood and which many now consider to be the best on the island. We also love the three chic Scandinavian-inspired rooms, one of which has a balcony, and all of which overlook the waterfront. Rooms from £110 B&B www.thelittlegloster.com

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Raithwaite Estate, Whitby, North Yorkshire

There has been a lot of excitement about this being the UK’s first hotel resort to have a dog spa, complete with Thalasso therapy, aromatic massages and Dead Sea mud baths on offer for the lucky canines. But humans do also very well at this 45-bedroomed, 19th-century manor house hotel on Whitby’s coastline, thanks to the magnificent rooms, fabulous restaurant, family-friendly facilities and lovely staff. Rooms from £125 B&B www.raithwaiteestate.com

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Gallivant, Camber Sands, East Sussex

Expect plenty of bleached driftwood and white-washed walls, with tasteful nautical touches, in this shabby chic coastal hideaway that’s tucked away opposite the golden dunes of Camber Sands. Once a motel, it still has the same L-shaped layout and it’s both affordable and casual, but with no compromise on service and comfort. Don’t miss the seafood at the sunlit bistro, which is consistently delicious. Rooms from £95 B&B www.thegallivant.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Midland Hotel, Morecombe, Lancashire

Splash out on a room with a sea-view (there are 28 of them among the total 44) if you can – the views across Morecombe Bay and to the Lakeland hills from this magnificent Art Deco hotel are to die for. A recent multimillion pound restoration project means you can expect plenty of glamour here, with a great restaurant that is only two tables deep so that all can enjoy the views, which are spectacular even when it’s stormy. Rooms from £116 B&B http://englishlakes.co.uk/hotels/lancashire-hotels/the-midland-hotel-morecambe/

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

All 37 rooms in this eco-luxury, adults-only, clifftop hideway have views of the romantic Mawgan Porth beach below. In fact, there’s plenty of glass walls throughout this stunning and utterly relaxing hotel. We particularly love the Ayurvedic spa, complete with hanging ‘pods’ for relaxation, and the outstanding restaurant with locally source produce cooked by head chef Tom Hunter. The ultimate place to unwind. Rooms from £210 B&B www.scarlethotel.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, Wales

This is a traditional hotel, set in Southern Snowdonia National Park, with panoramic views across Cardigan Bay and its miles of golden sandy beaches. Family owned and managed for over 100 years, it’s popular with older visitors out of season, but as family friendly as they come the rest of the year. Facilities include an indoor pool, games room, putting green and family friendly lounge. Rooms from £176 Dinner, B&B www.trefwales.com

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Isle of Eriska, Argyll

The only connection between this private island and the mainland is a small bridge, making it a truly magical retreat in a beautiful part of the west coast of Scotland. The amazing sea views include otters, seals and more, and there’s a brand new deck restaurant in the newly refurbished spa, while the main restaurant is Michelin Star. There’s a nine hole golf course. Suitable for all ages, including kids. Rooms from £315 B&B www.eriska-hotel.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Cary Arms, Babbacombe, South Devon

Set at the bottom of a cliff near Torquay, this eight-bedroomed, dog-friendly, boutique hotel (along with four fisherman’s cottages) has a nautical style décor and bright and airy feel, as well as breathtaking sea views. The stone-walled restaurant is great, particularly for freshly caught fish and shellfish, which chef Ben Kingdon works his magic on. Welcomes all ages and offers relaxing Yon-Ka spa treatments. Rooms from £195 B&B www.caryarms.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

Bailiffscourt Hotel, Climping, West Sussex

This 39-bedroomed hotel consists of a quirky set of buildings, many with thatched roofs, which were built in the 1930s using 13th century materials. Rooms can feel on the cramped side, with rooms jam-packed with dark furniture, tapestries and the like, but it’s all part of the old-world charm and there’s a lovely airy spa with both indoor and outdoor pools. Superb locally sourced food and the beach has pebbles at high tide and a lovely expanse of sand at low tide. Rooms from £259 B&B www.prideofbritainhotels.com

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The White Horse, Brancaster Straithe, Norfolk

There’s no shortage of great hotels on the Norfolk coast, but this one, which has 15 bedrooms (five of which can take families) has direct access to the coastal path and tridal marsh. There’s a village pub vibe and the relaxed conservatory restaurant is a great place to have long lunches or dinners with splendid views. As you’d expect for this area, it’s a favourite among bird watchers. Food is delicious, especially their Brancaster Straithe oysters and pan roasted sea bream signature dish. From £100 B&B www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk/

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Brudnell, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Overlooking Suffolk’s heritage coast at Aldeburgh, this privately owned, four-star, 44 bedroom hotel is a few steps away from the shingle beach. Expect vibrant coastal colours and contemporary decor throughout, and plenty of spaces to relax. Food in the Seafood & Grill is spot on, with plenty of sharing platters on offer. Get a sea facing room if you can, although rear facing rooms still have nice views over to the river Alde. Plenty of family friendly rooms. Rooms from £115 B&B www.brudenellhotel.co.uk

13 best beachside hotels in the UK

The Henley, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon

Overlooking the Avon estuary all the way round to the famous Burgh Island, this offers one of the best sea and estuary views in the country. And that’s not all this award-winning Edwardian hotel has going for it. The small hotel, run by Martyn Scarterfield and Petra Lampe is incredibly relaxed, with country-style rooms and wonderfully fresh dinners, using local ingredients. A path leads directly onto the Blue Flag beach. The binoculars, which are provided in all bedrooms, are a nice touch. Rooms from £120.00 B&B www.thehenleyhotel.co.uk/

The Windmill, Greece (Tony Fletcher)

The Windmill, Greece

Built to resemble a traditional windmill, this diminutive hideaway on the island of Paxos overlooks the sea from the small hamlet of Arvanitakeika, and comes with its own pool. The small, vine-draped island is criss-crossed with walking trails, and the main town, Gaios, is a short drive away. Hop over to Antipaxos on the ferry for a day lounging on its stunning beaches.

Arvanitakeika, Paxos, Greece. One week's rental starts at £973pp, including flights from Gatwick, transfers, car hire and self-catering with Simpson Travel (020 3355 1957; simpsontravel.com).

La Toretta, Italy (GL Scarfiotti)

La Toretta, Italy

Flowers tumble from almost every available space in the terrace gardens of this small, but perfectly formed, love nest on the edge of Cetona amid the enduringly romantic landscape of southern Tuscany. Villas for two are something of a rarity in this part of the world. Inside has been done with a stylishly bohemian feel and there's a vine-draped pergola for al-fresco dining with panoramas of the scenic Unesco World Heritage-listed Val d'Orcia.

Cetona, Tuscany, Italy. One week's rental starts at £822 self-catering through CV Villas (020 3773 9232; cvvillas.com).

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