Win a Luxury Country Break for 2

The von Essen collection of renowned luxury hotels, luxury country house hotels and luxury family hotels in England, Scotland, Wales and France, is unique and offers a variety of stunning historic properties, each of distinctive character – from the small and intimate to the grand and gracious.

Each country house hotel offers a unique luxury experience with its own individual personality, unique features and impressive location. Together, they form a unique collection of luxury hotels: luxury country hotels, town houses and castle hotels in England, Scotland, Wales and France in four sets: Classic, Country, Continental and Luxury Family.

Today lastminute.com is offering you the opportunity to sample from the Country Set by offering a prize of a night’s dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at a property of your choice and what a choice.

As the name suggests, these beautiful hotels truly offer the perfect quintessential country retreat.  Each one is a quietly understated example of relaxed elegance and supreme comfort, they offer an idyllic home from home, warm and welcoming, laid back and effortlessly stylish, they offer the perfect cocoon for leisure enjoyment.’

Relax, unwind and be spoilt with genteel comfort, understated elegance, courtesy, excellent cuisine and much attention. Lose yourself down a peaceful leafy lane or sink into a sofa with your favourite novel and experience the pleasure of allowing time to drift by.

This collection of luxury country house hotels is, without question, the finest of its kind in the UK:

Bishopstrow House - A Luxury Wiltshire Hotel and Spa

Bishopstrow House is the ideal location and combined with the halcyon Spa, it provides a romantic retreat or a place to visit with the family where Mums and Dads can enjoy the wonderful surroundings, fabulous spa treatments and fine cuisine and the little ones can enjoy high teas, a dip in the pool and a trip to nearby Longleat House and Safari Park.

Callow Hall – A Luxury Country Hotel Near the Peak District

Callow Hall is a unique country house hotel with an unrivalled setting and renowned restaurant, situated at the gateway to the Peak District National Park, close to the lively market town of Ashbourne.  Surrounded by 44 acres of private garden, fields and woodland overlooking the Bentley Brook and vale of the River Dove, this ivy-clad Victorian hotel really is a haven of peace and tranquillity but also a perfect base for exploring the splendours that Derbyshire and the ´Peaks´ have to offer.

Congham Hall – A Luxury Norflok Hotel

Congham Hall, is an elegant Georgian manor that has retained the feel of a fine country house where you’ve been invited to stay as a treasured guest of the family; it is only a few miles from Sandringham, the royal family’s favourite residence outside London. Set in gracious parkland, orchards and beautiful gardens, the hotel is renowned for its awe-inspiring Herb Garden with over 700 varieties of herbs, that’s also a genuine working kitchen garden.

Dalhousie Castle – A Luxury Hotel near Edinburgh

A fascinating 13th century fortress set within acres of wooded parkland on the picturesque banks of the river Esk. From the moment you arrive at Dalhousie Castle, one of the finest luxury hotels in Scotland, a warm Scottish welcome awaits. Whether relaxing in the The Spa, enjoying one of the library’s extensive collection of books and a drink from the ‘secret bar’ next to the open fire, dining in the ancient barrel vaulted dungeon on our exceptional cuisine or relaxing in your unique castle bedroom, you will always feel as welcome as the ‘Laird’.

The Greenway - A Luxury Cotswold Hotel Near Cheltenham

The Country House Retreat with the Town House Treats.  Experience traditional countryside elegance and modern city luxury at our gorgeous Elizabethan Manor and the new Elan Spa. Set amongst the beautiful Cotswold hills, yet at just a 5 minute drive from the centre of the fashionable spa town of Cheltenham, The Greenway Spa Hotel is the ideal place to experience the ultimate in modern luxury country living.

Homewood Park Hotel & Spa – A Luxury Country Hotel Near Bath

Set in 10 acres of mature parklands and award-winning gardens with gorgeous views over of the beautiful Limpley Stoke valley, Homewood Park is delightfully rural and peaceful. Step inside and you’ll find the house still retains many of its original features, including exposed wooden floors, antique paintings and roaring log fires, all artfully combined with stylish modern furnishings, fabrics and finishes. The result is a refreshing fusion of the conventional and contemporary – cool and chic. Smart and sophisticated, yet comfortable and homely, this is country life for those who still like to keep one foot in the city.

Lewtrenchard Manor – A Luxury Manor Near Dartmoor

A Jacobean Manor tucked away in its own secret valley.  Hidden away in a wooded hollow just beneath the wild tors of Dartmoor, Lewtrenchard is a house virtually untouched by time. The original manor was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but today’s impressive Jacobean dwelling, set in its own shrub filled gardens and surrounded by peaceful parkland, dates from the early 1600’s.

The Mount Somerset – A Luxury Hotel and Spa in Taunton, Somerset

This recently refurbished gracious Regency Country House Hotel and Spa, cradled by both the Quantock and the Blackdown Hills sits in an elevated rural position and enjoys some of the most beautiful views in Somerset. It has the warm, inviting feel of a delightful, private country house.

New Park Manor – A Luxury Hotel and Spa in the New Forest

The New Forest, Britain’s most popular National Park, was created by William the Conqueror in 1079 as a hunting area. In 1666, King Charles II made New Park Manor, in the heart of this ancient forest, his favourite hunting lodge on his return from exile in France, and his royal coat of arms is displayed prominently above the fireplace in our award-winning restaurant, Stag Restaurant.

Washbourne Court -  A Luxury Riverside Country Hotel

The village of Lower Slaughter is regarded by many as the prettiest village in England and one of the most beautiful and unspoiled villages in the Cotswolds making Washbourne Court the most idyllic destination.  A truly splendid 17th century hotel, once an Eton cramming school, standing in four acres of beautiful grounds alongside the River Eye in the centre of Lower Slaughter, is an inspired mix of exciting contemporary design and handsome historic features. Traditional beamed ceilings, stone mullioned windows and the most magnificent fireplace in the bar, all harmonise with a restaurant style that is both bold and contemporary whilst being wonderfully comfortable.

Seaham Hall – Luxury Hotel and Spa, Durham

A luxury hotel and spa located on a beautiful cliff top on the seafront and just 20 minutes from Newcastle, Seaham Hall is the leading luxury hotel and spa destination resort in Northern England.  Together the hotel and spa provide the indulgence of a luxury boutique hotel and a unique oriental spa making Seaham Hall and The Serenity Spa without doubt one of the finest hotels in the North-East of England. It is also one of a handful of hotels outside London to be awarded five AA Red Stars.

To win this prize go to the England Hotel Experts like it and tell us what you think would make the best luxury country break.  The most inspiring will win this fabulous prize.

Win a weekend stay in Swindon

It’s Tuesday!!! So that means it must be competition time.

As we know amongst the finest hotels in Swindon, the stylish Swindon Marriott Hotel, on the outskirts of the historic old town, is known for its outgoing service and outstanding amenities.

All guest rooms are luxuriously appointed for comfort and productivity.

Today you can win a 2 night stay on Dinner, Bed and Brakfast basis and sample the Award winning restaurant; check out the 24hr fitness centre, tennis courts, indoor pool; treat yourself at the hairdresser or pamper yourself at the spa.  This prize is valid for a Friday and Saturday night stay in the next 12 months and is subject to availability.

Swindon is famous for its Magic Roundabout and has been the confusion of many a poor motorist.  

To win this prize go to the England Hotel Experts like it and post your story of a driving tale that has happened to you.  It may be a traffic jam meltdown, a double take “can’t believe that” from another road user or even a series of highway related incidents which are so unbelievable we won’t believe them Whichever one makes us laugh, cry, or go aaah the most will win.

P.S. Please drive responsibly.