As hot summer days mellow, nights draw in and leaves turn to shades of burnished gold, fiery red and deep amber, our minds start to focus on the season ahead. Autumn: a glorious few months ‘of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ according to John Keats.
With the children headed back to school, the streets feeling less crowded and the weather cooling down, our routines change – making it the ideal time to treat yourself to a cosy autumn break. We all need to reset and recharge before winter, after all, and a wellness weekend in a luxury hotel with a soothing spa and the chance to indulge one of your passions is an autumnal dream.
As Britain's largest family of independently-owned hotels, BWH Hotels' Stays Worth Discovering celebrates the breadth of experiences available across its portfolio. From trusted Best Western Hotels & Resorts properties to the premium BW Premier Collection and luxury WorldHotels brands, it brings together some of the UK's most unique and memorable places to stay.
From historic city centre properties and scenic country retreats to coastal hideaways and luxury spa escapes, Stays Worth Discovering proves that no two stays are ever the same across the BWH Hotels portfolio. Each unique hotel offers curated experiences – think dry-stone walling in the Lake District or traditional cider-making in the orchards of Somerset – and local expertise, as well as distinctive design touches for an unforgettable few days away. The only thing that remains across these Stays Worth Discovering is the warm welcome and friendly service you’ll receive when you arrive.
So, what are you waiting for? Escaping, even just for a few days, will help your body and mind prepare for the festive season. See you at check-in.
A Nordic-inspired coastal reset in Dorset
At WorldHotels Distinctive The Kings Arms, an elegant Georgian hotel in the heart of Christchurch, you can enjoy a Saltwater Sauna on Avon beach, followed by a refreshing dip in the sea for some seasonal hot and cold therapy. An ideal base for crisp autumn walks along footpaths that wind along the river or across the beautiful Stanpit saltmarsh, you can also explore nearby New Forest National Park to see the famous wild ponies and sunlight streaming through autumn leaves. A particular highlight is stopping at The Haven Inn on the tip of Mudeford Quay, a traditional fisherman's pub, for a relaxed lunch or drink by one of the cosy brick fireplaces.
A spa escape in Scotland
Above the River Clyde at Langbank in Renfrewshire, just a short drive from Glasgow, you’ll find the stunning WorldHotels Distinctive Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort. With panoramic views of the River Clyde and Ben Lomond from grounds that once belonged to shipping baron Sir William Lithgow (he also built the main Edwardian-style country house in the 1920s), you can relax in the award-winning Imperia Spa, which has recently had a multi-million-pound refurbishment. We recommend the signature facial using ELEMIS and Ishga products, combining natural seaweed with water from a Scottish spring. Take the short ferry from Gourock over to Dunoon and the Cowal hills for an afternoon, then catch the light on the firth as you sail back for a treatment.
History and ‘coorie’ in the Highlands
With a prime location just five minutes by foot from Inverness city centre and the Victorian Market, WorldHotels Distinctive Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa is your gateway to the Highlands. The autumn colours on the Ness Islands (connected by footbridges) and along the River Ness are breathtaking, while Culloden, Fort George, Cawdor Castle and the Moray coast are also within reach for passionate historians. You can relax after a long walk, shopping spree or tour of Inverness Castle in the 50-foot indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room, or by treating yourself to a massage in the Pretty Woman spa. But what really stands out is the friendly Highland welcome from staff who help guests experience Inverness like a local, recommending whisky tastings, pubs, restaurants and traditional music venues. Forget hygge – in Scotland you’ll find ‘coorie’, which means getting cosy or snuggling. Clearly, the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa is the place to do it.
Good food and a ‘switch off stay’ in Worcestershire
Hidden in the rural countryside between Great Malvern and Worcester, yet with Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff just a few miles away, is Bank House Hotel, Spa & Golf, BW Premier Collection by Best Western. Often overlooked, this beautiful part of the country is a wonderful place to slow down and recalibrate at this time of year. It's more than just a spa, however (although there’s a decent offering with Temple Spa treatments, a 10-metre heated indoor swimming pool, thermal suite and gym), as the hotel also has its own golf club, Bransford, with a picturesque 18-hole course as well as delicious food and drink. Don’t miss the grilled kipper or poached haddock for breakfast in the Garden Room. The Malvern Hills, a stunning nine-mile ridge of ancient rock, are also on your doorstep and are wonderful to see at sunrise or sunset.
‘Me-time’ at Moor Hall
Set within 10 acres of landscaped grounds, Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection by Best Western is a peaceful retreat and an ideal setting for an autumn reset. With an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms, its tranquil spa makes it easy to slow down, switch off and settle into the season.
Beyond the spa, you can explore at your own pace, from leisurely walks through the grounds to trips into nearby Birmingham and the surrounding countryside. With its elegant character, relaxing setting and thoughtful facilities, Moor Hall offers the chance to step away from everyday life without travelling far.
Whether you spend the day enjoying a treatment, unwinding by the pool or simply taking time for yourself, it’s a restorative autumn escape where doing as much (or as little) as you like.
Discover your next getaway at bestwestern.co.uk
