If you’re already planning your great escapes for 2026 (because daydreaming about holidays is far more enjoyable than tackling the washing), you’re in good company. The UK is full of brilliant places to stay – from luxurious country cottages to charming pubs with rooms and elegant hotels.
Rosemary has been gazing into her crystal ball (again) and predicts that 2026 is shaping up to be a rather excellent year to explore them.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite partners offering unique stays across the UK. Whether you’re after a romantic retreat, a family break, a dog-friendly hideaway or a weekend of pure indulgence, these trusted brands have you covered.
But first…
Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be a Cracking Year for UK Getaways
Travel in 2026 isn’t just about “getting away”. It’s about getting away well. Thoughtfully. Stylishly. And occasionally with a hot tub.
Something interesting is happening in the world of travel. Gone are the days when we booked whatever was left on the internet and hoped it had at least one functioning bedside lamp. No! 2026 travellers are becoming a delightful blend of savvy, tech-enhanced, passion-driven and gloriously picky. And the result is a new era of brilliant staycations.
To begin with, everyone’s planning earlier. There’s been a quiet revolution in forward-thinking holiday behaviour. People are securing the best cottages, cosiest rooms and most scenic hotel suites long before the rest of the world has realised the festive decorations are still up. Price alerts and flexible dates have become the new power tools of the organised traveller, and frankly, we support it.
But it’s not just when we’re going; it’s why. More and more people are filtering their holiday choices through the lens of what they actually enjoy. Shocking, we know. Walkers are seeking out inns right on the doorstep of great trails. Food-lovers are booking stays near brilliant pubs and artisanal producers. Dog owners are making sure their four-legged companions are treated like royalty. And some of us – absolutely no judgement – are planning breaks around the availability of hot tubs.
Helping this shift is a surprising but very polite travel companion: AI. Smart tools are making it easier than ever to plan a break that actually suits you. They suggest destinations, build itineraries, compare options and generally remove the stress from holiday planning. It’s a bit like having a personal travel assistant, but one that doesn’t need coffee breaks.
A word of warning if you are using AI. ALWAYS check its accuracy, it does get carried away and has been known to make things up to please you!
Meanwhile, another trend is quietly taking hold: lux-scaping. Think of it as adding a tasteful dash of luxury – upping one or two elements of your stay so it feels extra special. A sea view instead of a car park view. A spa hotel instead of a standard room. A cottage with a fireplace that practically insists you open a book and pour a drink. It’s indulgence, but with a practical British twist.
And in charming contrast, we’re also seeing a rise in slower, quieter, more intentional travel. Not every trip needs to be jam-packed with activities. Sometimes the perfect holiday is one where you do very little, very happily. Cosy cottages in sleepy villages, historic inns surrounded by walks, scenic hotels where you can read, nap and repeat. All of these are having a well-deserved moment.
Put all these trends together and 2026 starts to look rather wonderful. We’re travelling smarter, choosing better, resting more deeply and tailoring our getaways to what truly brings us joy. Which brings us neatly to the stars of the show: the brilliant brands offering unforgettable places to stay across the UK.
Rural Retreats: Luxury Cottages for “Ahh, This Is the Life” Escapes
If your perfect holiday involves soft blankets, log burners, exposed beams and a general sense that you’ve wandered into the pages of a luxury lifestyle magazine, Rural Retreats will make your heart sing.
They offer holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland, each bursting with charm, character and a touch of indulgence.
Why we love them:
Charming, beautifully curated properties
Cosy corners everywhere you look
Ideal for romantic getaways, stylish escapes and special occasions
The Inn Collection: Pubs With Rooms (and Plenty of Character)
If you’ve ever said, “I’d love a hotel, but with a really good pub attached”, then congratulations, you’ve just described The Inn Collection.
This award-winning group of pubs with rooms stretches across Northumberland, the Lake District, Yorkshire and beyond. Expect hearty meals, warm hospitality, scenic locations and the sort of relaxed comfort that encourages you to order pudding and a pint.
Why they’re brilliant:
Locations ideal for walking, and exploring
Comfortable rooms perfect for post-ramble snoozing
Proper pub grub and proudly poured pints
Holidaycottages.co.uk: Over 5,000 UK Stays and many are Dog-Friendly
With thousands of individually inspected properties across the UK, holidaycottages.co.uk is your go-to for variety, flexibility and dog-friendly adventures (over 60% of their cottages welcome four-legged guests).
Whether you want coastal views, countryside boltholes, tiny romantic escapes to family-sized lodges, you’ll find it here.
Highlights:
A massive range of styles and locations
Great for families, groups or couples
Fantastic choice of pet-friendly stays
Browse properties & availability
Macdonald Hotels: Charm, Comfort and a Dash of Luxury
If your ideal getaway includes fluffy robes, spa treatments, historic charm and leisurely breakfasts, Macdonald Hotels will be right up your street.
With over 30 luxury hotels across the UK, they offer elegant stays in historic buildings and scenic locations. Ideal for romantic weekends, celebrations or simply treating yourself. Why? Because you deserve it!
What makes them great:
Beautiful heritage buildings
Excellent dining and afternoon teas
Spa and leisure facilities in many locations
Explore offers & book your stay
Hotel du Vin: Boutique Charm, Beautiful Buildings and Effortless Elegance
Does your idea of the perfect getaway involve a dash of sophistication, a sprinkling of history and perhaps a cheeky glass of something splendid? Then allow us to introduce Hotel du Vin, an elegant hotel collection that refuses to be ordinary.
With 19 unique locations across the UK, each Hotel du Vin is housed in a building with real character, from former asylums to genteel townhouses and grand old warehouses. The result? No two stays ever feel the same, yet all share that signature blend of luxury, charm and “I could definitely get used to this” atmosphere.
Inside, you’ll find stylish rooms, cosy nooks, excellent dining in the iconic Hotel du Vin & Bistro, and interiors that make you wonder whether you need to radically rethink your own home décor.
Why Hotel du Vin is perfect for 2026 escapes:
Boutique hotels with striking architecture and bags of personality
Elegant, individually designed rooms (bathrooms that practically demand bubble baths)
Ideal for romantic breaks, city escapes or a grown-up weekend away
A sense of indulgence that feels special without trying too hard
Explore locations & availability
Your Perfect 2026 UK Getaway Awaits
Put all the trends together, smarter planning, passion-driven escapes, a pinch of luxury, a touch of tech and a big shift toward slower, calmer travel, and 2026 looks like a brilliant year for exploring the best of the UK.
Whether you fancy:
A luxury countryside escape with Rural Retreats…
A cosy pub stay with The Inn Collection…
A dog-friendly break with holidaycottages.co.uk…
A relaxing hotel weekend with Macdonald Hotels…
A sprinkling of history and a glass of something splendid at Hotel du Vin…
…that next memorable escape is just a click (and a packed bag) away.
Your 2026 escape is waiting. Don’t let it wait too long!
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Where to next?
• Passport, Phone, Fingerprints: A Guide to 2026 Travel
• Where Did Everyone Go? Britain’s Top 10 Holidays in 2025
• 7 weird and wonderful things to see in England