i-escape.com
Even if the weather won't make up its mind this year, at least you can make some great travel choices.
HuffPost UK Lifestyle has teamed up with hip hideaways experts at www.i-escape.com to find 10 beautiful boutique hotels to escape to this summer.
Retreat from life's hustle and bustle, while taking advantage of the ever-growing number of small hotels across Europe, which offer fantastically affordable accommodation, and won't offend your hipster sensibilities!
Oh, and did we mention, each place is no more than a few hours from Britain either by car or plane?
Let us know what you think of our selection in the comments below.
Best Boutique Hotels
Bracka Perla, Brac, Croatia(01 of10)
Bracka Perla is a small, friendly boutique hotel overlooking the sea on the pine-scented island of Brac, just a 45-minute ferry ride from Split. The 11 rooms sit like theatre stalls around the decked lounge area and pool, with spacious terraces surrounded by lush gardens; some have little kitchenettes, and there are plenty of waterside restaurants within walking distance. It’s a genuinely soothing spot – ideal for those seeking escapism this summer. Costs from £268 per room per night, based on 2 people sharing. This includes breakfast and tax.
Port Rive Gauche, Languedoc, France(02 of10)
These 12 apartments sit bang on the water in charming Marseillan – a quintessentially French port that opens out into the vast Etang de Thau lagoon. Each sleeps 2-4, with 2 bedrooms, sparkling kitchens and lovely lounges, plus balconies or roof terraces with views of boats bobbing in the harbour below. There are bikes to hire for easy exploring – you’ll find sandy beaches, safe swimming, and a bustling quay lined with bistros selling oysters plucked straight from the sea. Apartments costs from £206 per night, based on 2-4 people sharing. This includes tax, and i-escape guests get a free bottle of wine on arrival. Breakfast delivery can be arranged for an additional charge.
Onar, Andros, Greece(03 of10)
The northernmost of the Cyclades islands, Andros is a real hidden gem – rugged and wild, with unspoilt beaches and a peaceful, friendly atmosphere. Onar, whose name means ‘dream’ in Ancient Greek, is a collection of 9 stone houses near a secluded cove on the east coast. Each sleeps 2-5 in 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, with simple yet stylish décor and gorgeous terraces. It feels like a private resort on a private island, and you can self-cater in the kitchenettes or gather under the plane trees for delicious meals cooked by local women. Staying here is a total detox from the chaos of modern life – by day, follow the river down to the picturesque beach and sunbathe on the sand; come evening, sip wine by the fire and bask in total serenity. From £178 per night, based on 2 sharing a 1-bedroom cottage. This includes breakfast and tax, and i-escape guests get a free bottle of raki (Greek grappa).
Liss Ard Estate, Skibbereen, West Cork, Ireland(04 of10)
Liss Ard Estate is a welcoming and unpretentious country house hotel with acres of grounds and fabulous Slow Food cuisine. It’s a great-value haven for families and couples alike, with 25 flexible rooms of varying sizes, romantic woodland and a lake to explore, and easy access to Cork airport (only 1.5 hours away). Little ones will adore the playrooms, treasure hunts and bikes; parents will appreciate the helpful staff, beautiful views and delicious meals.Costs from £106 per room per night, based on 2 people sharing. This includes breakfast and tax, and guests booking through i-escape get a free gift of artisan jam or homemade biscuits.
Borgo Santo Pietro, Tuscany, Italy(05 of10)
Once you arrive at this opulent yet informal country retreat, you’ll find little incentive to leave. Located in quiet isolation just outside a small Tuscan village, Borgo Santo Pietro mixes medieval grandeur with contemporary chic: there are club sandwiches and chill-out tunes around the pool by day, and a sommelier, a pianist and exquisite menus at night. Add 11 romantic rooms, tennis courts, his and hers ipods, a cocktail bar and a great little spa into the mix, and it’s easy to see why many guests fail to venture beyond the garden walls.Costs from £336 per room per night, based on 2 people sharing a double room. This includes breakfast and tax, plus a free bottle of champagne for those booking through i-escape.
Monte de Fornalha, Alentejo, Portugal(06 of10)
Monte da Fornalha is a stylish country retreat in the stunning Alentejo region. Outside, wisteria, ivy and bougainvillea roam the walls, deckchairs scatter the 2 terraces, and loungers flank the shimmering pool. Inside are 6 bedrooms with terracotta floors and colour-washed walls. It’s tempting to stay put and do very little, but if you can tear yourself away, there are bikes to borrow, vineyards to visit and horse-riding in the hills. Costs from £93 per room per night, based on 2 people sharing a double room. This includes breakfast and tax, and i-escape guests get a complimentary bottle of wine.
Fazenda Nova Country House, Algarve, Portugal(07 of10)
Fazenda Nova is a stunning farmhouse renovation set near the beautiful beaches of the eastern Algarve. If you’re looking to chill out in style this summer then this is your answer - there’s an inviting pool wrapped in gorgeous gardens, 10 bedrooms where Balinese furniture sits alongside design classics like Eames chairs, and 10 hectares of orchards that grow ingredients for the restaurant’s super-fresh food. Best of all is the peace and tranquillity - it’s only a 25-minute drive from Faro airport, but you’d never guess. Garden Suites are available from £217 per night, based on 2 people sharing. This includes breakfast and tax, plus a free gift of homemade olive oil for i-escape guests.
Hotel Barcelo La Bobadilla, Andalucia, Spain(08 of10)
Set among olive groves in the Sierra de Loja, Hotel Barcelo La Bobadilla makes for a luxurious and pampering getaway. There are 70 wonderful rooms with balconies or terraces, a huge pool, tennis courts, and 3 on-site restaurants. Spend your time lazing in the spa, strolling or cycling around the 350-hectare private estate, and taking day trips to Granada or Córdoba. A Deluxe Double costs from £256 per night, based on 2 people sharing, with a 25% discount on stays of 3 nights or more. This includes breakfast, tax, a bottle of sherry, a basket of fruit, and use of the bikes and tennis courts.
Med-Inn, Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey(09 of10)
Med-Inn is just 40 minutes from Bodrum, with a private beach, lush gardens, a jetty with chic cushioned loungers, and views over the Bay of Gulluk. The 26 suites are stylish and spacious, and the top-floor restaurant serves tasty Mediterranean dishes. It’s ideal for easy summer holidays – take a gulet cruise around nearby islands, go on daytrips to the ruins of Ancient Greece, and eat fresh fish as the sun sets into a perfect aquamarine sea. Costs from £144 per room per night, based on 2 people sharing a Junior Suite. This includes breakfast and tax.
The Rosevine, Roseland Peninsula, Cornwall(10 of10)
The Rosevine is set on Cornwall’s beautiful Roseland Peninsula – a bubble of blue seas, stunning countryside and pretty villages. Just a short stroll from a sandy beach, it’s ideal for chic family holidays, with a choice of studios and 2-bedroom apartments, all finished in a fresh, nautical style. There’s also an indoor pool, a bar serving perfect G&Ts, and a restaurant for candlelit meals once the littl’uns have gone to bed. The Slate House Studio costs from £185 per night, based on 2-5 people sharing (accommodation only; tax included). Guests booking through i-escape get a free afternoon tea sharing slate.