1 Burgh Island hotel, Devon
The charms of this Art Deco haven are reached by a sea-tractor ride through the surf, which cuts guests off from the south Devon mainland. The island has a long history as both a party place for ancient Britons (in the fifth century AD) and a place for quiet monastic contemplation (in later centuries). Designed to make guests feel as though they were on a retro ocean liner once inside, it is a luxurious and unique place to stay (though you'll pay for the privilege of its location). Rooms in the main building are delightful (crisp linen, lovely bathrooms and REN toiletries), but for total privacy book the Beach House, a 1930s retreat where Agatha Christie wrote Evil Under The Sun and where the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated the throne, and his wife Wallis Simpson used to stay. Its south-facing private deck is blissfully placed for sunbathing and the bedroom literally overhangs Bantham Beach. Burgh Island Hotel, Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon (+44 (0) 1548 810514; burghisland.com). Doubles from £320.
2 Isle of Barra Hotel, Outer Hebrides
On Barra, in the undeveloped wilderness of the outer Hebrides, the closest you'll come to nightlife are the two pubs in the tiny main village of Castlebay. Peace and quiet is what the Isle of Barra Hotel is all about, and its guests don't come to this striking (and award-winning) angular Seventies building for the interior style, although its 40 rooms are due a makeover next year. Rather, the attractions are walking, bird-watching and the windswept islands that make up the Hebridean archipelago. Dramatic vistas across Tangasdale Beach can be enjoyed from the hotel's cosy new dining room, while tucking in to hearty meals of local lamb and fish. The Isle of Barra Hotel, Tangasdale Beach, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides (+44 (0)1871 810383; isleofbarra hotel.co.uk). Rooms from £45 per person per night B&B. British Airways flies to Glasgow from London Heathrow and Gatwick. Visit ba.com for details.
3 Zanzibar hotel, Hastings
Apart from a notorious battle in 1066, Hastings isn't really famous for much. But like one or two other slightly faded seaside towns on Britain's south coast, it's gradually becoming a destination for weary urbanites retreating from the heat, dust and expense of the cities. And with the opening of the Zanzibar International Hotel, there's an even better reason for going there. Created out of former student digs, the Zanzibar is part of a Victorian terrace, an oasis of elegance and calm between the usual clutter of B&Bs and flats on the seafront. Instead of a reception there is a grand salon with potted palms, vast mirrors and stripped floors. The six rooms (some with amazing views) are each styled after different exotic destinations, and given whimsical names for extra flavour - Mythical Morocco, for instance, or Bijou Bali. State-of-the-art spa bathrooms allow you to pamper yourself thoroughly before you hit Hastings' surprisingly funky bars, or slide between the crisp Egyptian cotton sheets of your super-sized bed. Zanzibar International Hotel, Nine Eversfield Place, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex (+44 (0)1424 460109; zanzibarhotel.co.uk). Doubles from £99, including Champagne breakfast.
4 The Lugger hotel, Cornwall
The Lugger, perched on a rocky cove on the south Cornish coast, must possess one of the best hotel locations in Britain. Smugglers frequented this tiny 17th-century inn, which is set in the hamlet of Portloe, and one of its former landlords was hanged for smuggling during the 1890s. Happily, the Lugger has long since broken with its nefarious past, and now offers the kind of experience modern city dwellers crave: seclusion, striking views and a fantastic restaurant. It also has its own spa - a jumble of small, charming rooms - offering beautifully done treatments. Their bespoke spa products, Seboni, are free of synthetic ingredients and preservatives, with scents so evocative of the Cornish surroundings you can almost taste the salty sea air (the line has been so successful they now have a global following, with stockists including New York's Mandarin Oriental Hotel). What could be better than a morning spent walking along the striking cliff paths, followed by an afternoon massage? For real isolation, book one of the fishermen's cottages next to the hotel. Lugger Hotel, Portloe, Truro (+44 (0)1872 501322; luggerhotel.com). Doubles from £220 B&B and a 60-minute Cornish clay facial is £65. British Airways flies to Newquay from London Gatwick. Visit ba.com for details.
