Seaham Hall

Garden suites with hot tubs, a state-of-the-art spa, brightly coloured sofas under gleaming chandeliers … this country-house hotel offers luxury with a contemporary edge. Ten minutes’ walk from the cliffs of County Durham, the white Georgian hall – where Lord Byron married – is a mix of classical features and modern design. With its Asian-themed spa, lounges and terrace, the emphasis is on switching off. ‘A wonderfully relaxing experience,’ reports a reader. ‘Nothing was too much trouble.’ The team has a ‘can-do attitude’. Bedrooms are huge affairs – ‘magnificent, a real suite with a separate adjoining room’ – with a contemporary country-house style of bold feature wallpapers and zinging colours. High-quality bathrooms have ‘excellent fittings’. Rooms in the hall have sea views, those in the newer wing overlook gardens; some have private gardens and a hot tub. Eat in the ‘very comfortable dining room’ on ‘high-standard food’ that could include turbot with mussels, and lamb with barbecued aubergine, or more casually in the spa’s Asian-themed restaurant, Ozone. ‘We have already booked another stay.’ (Stephen and Pauline Glover, IL, and others)