Rural hotel breaks

If your idea of the perfect 'weekend break' is something as far away from city life as you can get, then our Rural Retreats programme could be for you! We have chosen our favourite rural hotels - including former coaching inns, converted olive mills and restored monasteries - perfect for people just wanting a rural hotel break away from busy day-to-day living. All the rural hotels we've selected are unique, but all offer beautiful surroundings, high comfort levels and superb regional cuisine.

Below is our range of rural hotels

Click on the appropriate hotel title for full details, take a look at our activities section for further information about our short hotel breaks or use the links on the right.

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Auberge du Centre Short hotel break (rural retreat) | Chitenay From £94 Tucked away in the elegant little village of Chitenay is the lovely ivy-clad Auberge du Centre, run by Gilles Martinet and his team – the food here is superb! Dinner is served either in the pretty dining room, or on the terrace - Gilles is a keen wine buff, and will happily advise on the best local tipples! All of the 27 bedrooms have been recently modernised and Headwater guests are always accommodated in superior rooms with bath and feature satellite tv (including CNN) and telephone. The hotel has a pleasant terrace overlooking its gardens, which are a real treat on a summers day, as well as an attractive sitting area inside, complete with wooden beams and comfy chairs. There is a car park behind the hotel, or on road parking available at the front of the building. There is also a public car park opposite the hotel. All non-secure. 3 Star hotel

Finca el Cerillo Short hotel break (rural retreat) | Canillas de Albaida From £59 Situated in the heart of the southern Andalucian province of Axarquia, and on the edge of the Tejeda National Park, the Finca el Cerrillo is an absolute gem of a place to stay. Run by Sue and Gordon Kind along with manager - chef, Christine, and dog, Basil, it is a comfortably restored 200-year old farmhouse (it was used as an olive mill between 1805 and 1960). There are just twelve individually styled air-conditioned en-suite rooms – all south-facing – and tea/coffee making facilities are provided in all. The living areas include a wonderfully atmospheric beamed lounge – cool in the summer and kept cosy on winter nights with blazing log fire – dining room, small library and 'honesty' bar. Outside, the terraced gardens, with 100-year old carob and palm trees surround both sunny and shaded patios. The pool affords stunning views of the valley below and the pretty Moorish village of Archez with its 13th century Moorish tower. 4 Acorn hotel

Hotel de Meysset Short hotel break (rural retreat) | Sarlat From £104 This 3* traditional Périgord hotel, set in 3 acres of pine woods and gardens, enjoys an elevated position just 3kms above Sarlat. It offers complete tranquillity, wonderful food and fantastic views from its terrace over the surrounding valley. All 26 rooms have en-suite facilities with bath/shower, hairdryer, TV and direct telephone. The cooking here is based on the wonderfully rich and gastronomic cuisine for which this region is famous. Expect to be offered house specialities such as magret de canard, foie gras, pommes de terre sarladaises – slices of potato sauteed in goose fat, with garlic, parsley and wild mushrooms: don’t come here if you’re counting the calories! 3 star hotel

Locanda Senio Short hotel break (rural retreat) | Palazzuolo sul Senio From £101 This tiny hotel is set in the beautifully romantic wooded hills of the Alto Mugello. The most northerly corner of Tuscany, it is overlooked by the majestic Appenines, and lies in the centre of a 'magic triangle' with Bologna, Faenza and Florence at the corners. Your hosts and chefs are Roberta and Ercole Lega. They only use organic ingredients in their tasty cuisine - including herbs straight for the hotel gardens. They vary the menu to reflect the seasons - if you’re there are the end of the summer, Ercole will be out in the woods at dawn collecting wild mushrooms for dinner that night! The hotel has six rooms which are comfortable, quiet and traditionally decorated. There is also a small swimming pool, jacuzzi, sun terrace and sauna. 3 star hotel