The Best British Hotels for UK Weddings & Honeymoons with Gina Jackson
Published on: August 8, 2023
The UK is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful places to stay and hotels that offer exceptional hospitality in breathtaking surroundings. However the stakes for choosing a hotel are never higher than when selecting the perfect place for your wedding or honeymoon. To help separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to country manors and farm houses that offer the best in rustic luxe, and strike gold with glossy London hotels that go above and beyond, Social Pantry Copywriter Emma Pudge spoke to award-winning travel writer, photographer and blogger Gina Jackson.
A champion of the great British staycation, Gina shares her personal recommendations and honest critiques on her Instagram @ginagoesto, and is the the author of two books: ‘British Boutique Hotels‘ and ‘London Hotels‘, both published by Hoxton Mini Press. Alongside sharing hotel reviews and travel recommendations across her social media channels, Gina regularly contributes to Conde Nast Traveller, Mr & Mrs Smith, and Small Luxury Hotels.
For anyone new to your work, tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m Gina Jackson, a travel writer, content creator, and the author of two books: ‘British Boutique Hotels‘ and ‘London Hotels‘. I share travel tips, hotel reviews, and foodie recommendations: all things that I care deeply about! I used to work in fashion-tech, so I have an appreciation for fashion too, although it’s definitely not something I have the expertise to write about!
What led you to write about British boutique hotels specifically?
I got the idea for my first book during lockdown in 2020. I was still working full-time in tech at that point, and up until lockdown, would use most of my weekends to explore the UK, often reviewing boutique hotels around the country. Over time, I accumulated a lot of niche knowledge about the UK hotel scene, and often had people asking me for recommendations. I’d always wanted to write a book, so I thought that this would be the perfect subject matter – I also predicted that after the pandemic, staycations would rise in popularity, which they certainly have!
How do you define boutique hotels and what role do they play in modern luxury hospitality and lifestyle?
To me, boutique hotels are special for having that unique quirk that you simply just don’t find in big chains or corporate hotels. I love design-led properties with lots of individuality: most of these places are independent hotels, often with family-run teams. These hotels are part of a new wave in luxury hospitality, filling a demand for more than just a cookie-cutter experience: guests are looking for personalised service, unique experiences, and exciting design.
Hotels are a popular choice of wedding venue: what do boutique hotels have to offer couples looking for somewhere special to get married?
They offer that individuality that you simply don’t find in larger properties or chains, meaning that you have the ability to personalise your wedding and create an entirely unique experience for your guests. Hotels might also be an easier option than finding a standalone venue that doesn’t also have a team, catering options, and bedrooms for guests to sleep over etc. Boutique hotels offer the full package!
For a couple dreaming of an idyllic country wedding, tell us about some of your favourite rural boltholes?
If I were to get married again, I’d choose Babington House or Middleton Lodge as my wedding venue. Babington House is a beautiful, honey-coloured country house hotel in Somerset with extensive grounds, a sweet little chapel, and elegant interiors. Middleton Lodge is located in North Yorkshire, and has a stunning wedding reception area in their colourful walled garden – along with a manor house where you can party the night away.
Tell us about a central London boutique hotel you think would be perfect for a wedding…
NoMad London has some incredibly designed reception rooms for weddings, along with being located right in the heart of Covent Garden – after the reception, the bridal couple can slip upstairs to one of the stunning suites, which have views onto the Royal Opera House. Alternatively, Town Hall Hotel would also make an incredibly unique wedding venue: the hotel has preserved its Grade II listed, Art-Deco council chamber, where wedding ceremonies often take place.
Have you got any tips for couples on how to make the most of a wedding hotel stay?
I’m sure the hotel would ensure the bridal couple are placed in the best bedroom available – but it might also be worth asking whether you can be in the most secluded part of the hotel, so you can have lots of privacy on your wedding night! I’d also recommend asking for a portion of wedding cake to be waiting in your room for you!
If Social Pantry was catering your wedding day, what would be on your dream wedding menu?
I’d love family-style feasting plates for everyone to share: lots of fresh, seasonal produce and veggie-based dishes, with a delicious summer berry pavlova for dessert. And cake, of course!
What do you think of giving UK hotel stays as a wedding gift?
I think it’s a brilliant idea! I’m definitely someone who prefers to gift experiences as opposed to material things – and I love receiving them too! For birthdays and anniversaries, my husband and I prefer to go on holiday together rather than buying each other gifts, as the time spent together and the memories made are more special.
UK staycation honeymoons are more popular then ever: why do you think this is?
When I was writing my book, I somewhat predicted that UK staycations would rise in popularity after the pandemic. I think the same can be said of UK honeymoons – people are realising how many gems we have on our doorstep! You can have an incredibly luxurious honeymoon in the UK, which is oftentimes more affordable than going abroad, and has a more positive impact on the environment.
Can you think of any hotels you would specifically recommend for a UK honeymoon?
For my mini-moon, I went to Heckfield Place, which I absolutely love. The interiors, grounds, and food at this hotel are all spectacular. I would also recommend The Newt in Somerset, which is one of my all-time favourite hotels (it hadn’t yet opened when I got married!). The gardens, food, service and spa here are all flawless, and it would make for a very romantic retreat.
At Social Pantry, we cater many zero-waste foodie weddings with menus using the best local, seasonal produce. What are some of the best countryside hotels with a farm-to-table ethos that we should know about?
Both of the hotels I mentioned above are great examples – Heckfield Place has its own farm where it sources most of its ingredients, and its restaurant Marle has been awarded a Green Michelin star. Likewise, at The Newt almost all of the produce is grown, harvested, or made on site – from their pastries to the cheeses, vegetables, jams, apple juice etc.
Are there any new hotel openings you’re particularly excited about?
I’m looking forward to visiting Cowley Manor Experimental in the Cotswolds – formerly the rather tired Cowley Manor, the hotel has since been bought over and renovated extensively by French hospitality brand The Experimental Group. I’ve stayed at their properties in Venice and Menorca, and I’m excited to see them bring their signature French flair to the English countryside. I’m also excited to visit Estelle Manor, the luxurious Oxfordshire outpost from London members-club Maison Estelle.
Note: Jackson Boxer, chef, restauranteur and friend of Social Pantry, has been appointed as the chef consultant at Cowley Manor Experimental. Here at Social Pantry, we are immensely excited for this project and wish Jackson the very best of luck!
