Stella loves: The moreish Valrhona chocolate mousse with malt ice cream at Plate, the in-house restaurant.
Out and about: Bath really does have something for everyone for every taste. At the Holburne Museum, for instance, which is a four-minute walk away, fans of high culture will admire the paintings and sculpture, but as it also doubles as Lady Danbury’s home in Bridgerton, it also has selfie appeal – and serves a mean cream tea. History fans will love the city’s beautifully preserved architecture (visit No 1 Royal Crescent to see how people lived at the end of the 18th century) and the Roman Baths, where video projections and actors bring it to life. Shoppers, too, will be in paradise: head for the independent stores of the Bartlett Street Quarter, and be sure to stop for a pastry and a browse at cafe/interiors store Berdoulat.
Book it: Rooms from £195 b&b, thebirdbath.co.uk. Read our expert review here.
Whatley Manor
Cotswolds
Best for: Bucolic five-star luxury
When you arrive at this 18th-century manor house, you feel more like a guest at a friend’s country pile than a hotel patron. That warmth extends to your four-legged friend too, thanks to the doggy welcome packs and walking routes (Whatley is set in 12 acres of Cotswold countryside).
There’s a strong focus on sustainability here – the hotel has a bronze EarthCheck award and a green Michelin star for sustainable gastronomy. Rooms are luxurious and comfortable, and the sitting room and terrace that connect to the bar make for the perfect spot for an extended cocktail hour. Try the Whatley Manor citrus drop, made with their own sustainable citrus vodka (a tree is planted for every bottle created, and they use the waste lemon and orange peel from the kitchen), and honey from their own bees.
However, the indisputable highlight is the 10-course tasting menu dinner, cooked by Niall Keating at his two Michelin-starred dining room. This gastro odyssey kicks off with a trio of dishes served in the kitchen where you can watch all the action and chat to the chef.
