January can be a daunting month, on the whole. You’re feeling the effects of all that Christmas indulgence, and there’s always pressure tobring a whole ‘new you’ to life as soon as the new year begins.
So how about, just this once, you don’t make a resolution to start a newdiet or stop smoking for good…but instead leave all that pressure blissfully behind you as 2018 begins?
How? By stealing yourselves away to some of our top January blues-busting breaks! From a private underground cave to stylish river retreats, we’ve got the perfect new year pick-me up for you all ready and waiting.
We can think of no better place to start our journey than Kent’s Beach Sun Retreat, with its 24-hour sunshine (yes, really!)
Formerly a boutique hotel, this stunningly spacious beachfront holiday home features a Real Sunlight multi-sensory room complete with palm trees, adjustable sound and light settings…and even a sparkling waterfall feature, meaning you can bask in safe and healthy 30-degree sunshine without ever having to leave the comfort of your holiday home.
As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s also a bespoke cinema room with vintage seating and popcorn maker, plus in-house DJ equipment for those Ibiza-style party nights!
Not a fan of 24-hour sunshine? Then a cosy underground cave to snuggle in may be more your style – a treat you’ll find waiting at Cornwall’s sumptuous Black Moon.
Featuring glistening panoramic views of St Ives Bay, this private retreat for two boasts opulent décor, underfloor heating and a lavish walk-in shower – not to mention a sliding mirrored wall that leads to a super king-sized bed!
However, for relaxation that’s truly unique, simply open the mystery trap door and follow the ladder down to your own private cave. Positioned directly below the living area, you’ll find soft fur rugs to cocoon yourselves in, with a cleverly-positioned window that means you can catch the golden sun setting over the sea.
Set by the tranquil lakes of Ireland’s County Fermanagh, Triumphal Arch Lodge is a stately stay for those who appreciate the finer things in life!
Perfectly located on the renowned Colebrooke Estate – in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and with an award-winning spa on site, your luxurious scene is set.
Ideal for small families, this naturally stylish ground-level lodge is filled with intricate design touches that beautifully blend traditional with contemporary. You’ll love gazing at the breathtaking views, both inside and out.
Blazing golden sunsets become even more beautiful when viewed from the magnificent elevated platform you’ll find at High Trodigal, a natural stone cottage built into the ancient hills of Kintyre.
Situated in Scotland’s windswept coastal village of Macrihanish, this single-storey cottage is constructed in clean-lined Neolithic design, creatively furnished and featuring views that look out over the AtlanticOcean. Complete with your own private sauna and underfloor heating, this is romantic luxury at its absolute finest.
January is a great time to take advantage of the sales! However, bargain-hunting is often a stressful experience, so having somewhere calm and peaceful to retreat to once you’ve finished all that shopping can be a real bonus.
With Boutique Barges,two stunning vessels moored in carefully-chosen London locations, you can indulge in all the bustle of vibrant city life to your heart’s content, before heading back to your tranquil and stylish haven loaded with new year purchases.
Feed the ducks from your window over a freshly-prepared breakfast as youlisten to the soothing sounds of water lapping against the riverbank, all from the comfort of your self-contained barge. You’ll be surrounded by high-quality fixtures, cosy furnishings and antique décor, with all the thrills of London a mere pebble-skim away!
How about beginning 2018 in a royal role? Callander Castleis an historic castle set in twelve lush acres of Perthshire ground, just fifteen minutes from Callander’s ‘gateway to the Highlands’.
There’s indulgent castle-space for up to 26 guests, making this regal retreat ideal for large group celebrations, or family reunions that deserve to be enjoyed in unmatched style. Congregate in the 100ft reception room, then choose from 13 jaw-dropping bedrooms (one featuringits own Jacuzzi with underwater music and lights!), before curling up by a roaring fire with a snifter of local whisky.
You’ll find plenty to enthrall, from exquisitely artistic interior design, to extras that include a cinema turret, a drum kit, a gym and a whisky bar – to name but a few.
How about getting back to the natural world this January? Happy Valley,comprising a selection of beautiful hand-crafted shepherd’s huts and a refreshing bell tent nestled in a Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, won’t disappoint.
There are a host of villages to explore, with the beautiful North Norfolk coast also within easy reach. Meanwhile, your charmingly rustic and characterful accommodation comes equipped with plenty of luxury, including cosy beds, crackling woodburners, and even a hot tub for the ultimate in romantic opulence under the stars.
Simply make your choice from a selection of tasty hampers – or arrange for a private chef to come and whip up a special meal, and then pour a glass of bubbles and settle in to that brand new year!
Fancy a sleepover-style getaway with a giggling group of your favourite people? The Bunkhouse Chapelis packed full of quirky fun that includes a slide instead of stairs, and a private tennis table area (ideal for burning off all those Christmas calories without it feeling like too much effort!)
Positioned by the River Wye and refreshingly close to the Brecon Beacons, this five-star converted chapel features a pub within walking distance, twelve privately spaced dorm-style bunks (with a king-sized bedroom for those in need of extra privacy), and an open-plan living space complete with a warming woodburner – ideal for all those into-the-small-hours chats with your loved ones.
You’d love to stay in a bespoke woodland suite this January, you say? Well, how about one with a polished copper bath and its own infra-red sauna!
Extreme luxury awaits you at Yorkshire’s unique North Star Club,a country house-inspired outdoor retreat set in enchanting North Yorkshire woodlands known as ‘Hockney country’, named after its famous resident artist.
Ideal for those who love nature, but who also appreciate the opulence ofa majestic country house, here you’ll discover five secluded Woodland Suites, together with three rustic Hideaway Suites. Some of the accommodation has been themed and styled for celebrated local figures including Dame Edith Sitwell and Elizabeth Woodville, who stole the heart of a king!
Pamper yourself with treatments from the resident beauty therapist, dineat a Michelin-starred restaurant, or simply relax in communal hangout The Woodshed, perhaps with a slice or two of tasty homemade cake.
Well, we hope we’ve whetted your appetite for January indulgence! You may have noticed that all the breaks we’ve featured here are in the UK -but we wanted you to know that we’ve now launched an exciting range of international properties for you to choose your next break from.
Working to the same high standards we’re known for in the UK, we’ve hand-picked some of the most exciting and unusual places to stay all over the world, so intrepid global travellers need never miss out on a touch of the unique!
Cuevas Helenais one of our favourite finds, a cosy yet opulent Andalucian cave featured on Channel Five’s ‘Our Dream Hotel’, achingly close to spectacular mountain ranges and thermal baths.
Come and search for your dream international break here!
