February is the perfect month for snuggling. Not only is it still pretty cold outside, but Valentine’s Day on the 14th is a welcome reminder that it’s time to celebrate that heady feeling of being in love!
Here at Host Unusual, we understand how important it is to celebrate love in style. We also understand that if you’re looking for somewhere as special as your loved one, a bog-standard hotel suite might not cut the mustard. So we’ve searched our directory for ten-and-a-half of the very best cosy hideaways, both in the UK and further afield.
We’re talking snug treehouses, we’re talking roaring fires and downy blankets, we’re talking hot tubs and romantic strolls in the countryside…above all, we’re talking romantic retreats to remember!
We begin with West Lexham Treehouses, a magical glamping retreat in Norfolk woodland, complete with cosy bell tents and hand-built fairytale treehouses for you to hole yourselves up in.
Adorned with twinkling fairy lights and glowing lanterns, the scene is set for romance, and you’ll find plenty of luxuries to make your stay complete, including rustic furnishings, soft rugs and even a woodburning stove to huddle round. As if all that wasn’t enough, you’ll get 10% off for stays booked between 19th February to 30th March, with Prosecco and chocolates included for Valentine’s arrivals.
If you’re hankering after some five-star luxury but still want to luxuriate in all the beauty of nature, The Shepherd’s Retreat, discovered in the midst of the refreshing Yorkshire Dales, is sure to fulfil your dreams.
A self-contained shepherd’s hut built with extreme comfort and luxury in mind – there’s even a private hot tub here! – you’ll find bespoke fittings and sumptuous furnishings that will put you in mind of an exclusive suite. Why not enjoy a lovers’ picnic, as you drink in views of the rolling fields and hills from your very own garden?
Looking for somewhere to quench your thirst for outdoor adventure? The Sleepout at Sunny Lea is nestled in the heart of the Welsh countryside, providing an ideal setting for conversation-filled walks with your loved one – perhaps saying hello to all the friendly wildlife you’ll meet along the way!
The Sleepout itself is lovingly hand-built from locally-sourced wood, and equipped with soft-glowing candle lanterns, a woodburning stove and a comfy bed…an ideal spot to doze whilst listening to the sound of joyful birdsong. For an extra treat, how about organising a well-stocked Valentine’s breakfast basket, full of fresh local produce?
We’re heading to the good ol’ US of A for our next pick – Bolt Farm Treehouse, named the Number One Place to Stay in South Carolina. To see why, you’ll simply have to experience it for yourself!
Surrounded by rustling forests and sparkling water in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll feel deliciously secluded in this truly stunning treehome-from-home, complete with fairy-lit deck and invigorating outdoor shower. Inside, a spectacular wall of antique window frames allow plenty of light, while opulent vintage furnishings, homemade quilts, hardwood flooring and floor-to-ceiling drapes will make you want to close the door on the rest of the world for a while.
Cornwall is well-known for its scenic beauty. Now, with a stay at opulent Harbour Moon, you can enjoy just as much stunning scenery inside, too!
Found on the romantic harbour of Cornwall’s charming Mousehole, you’ll experience decadent style and luxury that’s worthy of a film set, with glittering sea views in every direction (this is the place for Instagram lovers!)
Lazy time is taken to lavish new heights here, with partial glass flooring, Designer’s Guild tableware, a custom-built king-sized bed…and a walk-in shower room with a hammered bronze basin. Get ready to indulge!
We’re off on our travels again, this time to Slovenia’s Château Ramšak (above and main picture) – a total must-stay for wine lovers!
Styria is well-known as Slovenia’s wine region, and here you’ll find plenty of vineyards peppering the rolling green hillsides of the Ramšak Estate, complete with its two centuries-old fairytale castle.
Choose from a spacious selection of Jacuzzi-equipped, self-contained bamboo and canvas tents, or a tent-shaped treehouse if you’re in need of some extra views! A tour of the wine cellar, complete with Europe’s largest wine press and a tasting bar that overlooks the amazing rural scenery, is of course an absolute must.
For a guaranteed adults-only break, Two Hoots Campsite offers award-winning luxury living in the Great Outdoors, set amongst the heavenly Hampshire countryside.
The ideal base for visiting nearby South Downs National Park, choose your romantically rural accommodation from two cosy shepherd’s huts, four insulated camping pods, or three pitches if you feel like bringing your own caravan! You’ll find plenty of homely facilities, including a woodburning stove, cosy beds and private decking to make your stay truly complete.
In the mood for even more outdoor luxury? You’ll find The Nest, a sumptuous treehouse hideaway in Devon’s beautiful Blackdown Hills, more than lives up to its inviting name!
Perfectly secluded for maximum privacy, and nestled nine metres from the ground in a mature English oak tree, this is the place for a pair of lovebirds.
Artfully constructed from timber and cedar, you’ll feel cosily encased in luxury from the moment you climb the fairytale stairway. Put on the whistling kettle and gaze out over the very best of nature, surrounded by everything you need to complete your escape from everyday life.
Meanwhile, A Secret Garden, aptly found in the Garden of England otherwise known as Kent, is a self-contained, hideaway pod for two that takes all the fun, freshness and enchantment of the garden for you to experience from the inside.
The pod’s glass roof and sides allow you to feast your gaze on your gorgeously green surroundings, while a warming woodburner and underfloor heating keep you perfectly toasty (yes, even in February!) Later on, why not enjoy the blazing orange sunset by heading through the stable door to a wooden hot tub for two? Just don’t forget that bottle of bubbles!
Discuss the plot of your latest novel with the one you love, in a creative escape to Scotland that’s imbued with homely uniqueness.
Berwickshire’s Blue Cabin by the Sea is gloriously secluded in Cove Harbour, just 36 miles from Edinburgh yet with the feeling of being blissfully away from it all. Access to your cabin is on foot, via a secret smugglers’ tunnel across the sandy beach…what a way to arrive!
The cabin is owned by an architect and a sculptor, with plenty of original artwork and cosy flourishes all around – including a luxurious wall mirror made from shells, and two high-backed Orkney chairs perfectly situated by the crackling woodburning stove. Simply gaze out to the sparkling sea, dotted with fishing boats, and drift adoringly away!
So why is this a list of our ten-and-a-half best Valentine’s Escapes? Well, we feel there’s no reason for solo Valentine’s travellers to be left out on 14th February – and neither do Tiny Homes Holidays, who are firmly eschewing all the rose petals and soft music to focus on solo #studycation breaks instead!
So if you’re in the mood to learn something new this year, from spoon crafting to sewing, in fresh and natural surroundings, head to the Isle of Wight for a relaxing and eco-friendly escape. Better still, you’ll receive a February discount!
Feeling inspired by our tour of snuggly escapes? Why not take a look at our latest listings or browse our handpicked categories – you’re sure to find something memorably special this Valentine’s Day and beyond.
