Valentine looms – are these Britain’s sexiest hotels? 11 February, 2010

Image credit: The Grove

Tired of playing the British prude, interior designers are becoming brazenly sexy in many of the country’s top hotels. “Some blame the recession, some the increasing attractiveness of the British people, but whatever the cause, UK hotels are getting sexier,” asserts Ben Cooper, Editorial Director of Travel Intelligence. “It seems you can’t enter a suite these days without being greeted by an 8ft four poster or a roll top bath.”

Over in Hertfordshire, luxury hotel The Grove is now saucy enough to make the more coy blush. “Suite no 25 was designed to bring out the courtesan in anyone who stays there.” A hotel spokesperson told me. “The bathroom [pictured above] has a square glass bath-tub which was made to fit the space, and was designed so that the edge is actually the window sill, so that you can lean in the sill and look at the garden below and your loved one can see your bottom!”

Image credit: Windermere Suites

Then there’s Windermere Studios [above] in the Lake District; “A picture-perfect rural setting belies this hotel’s luxe-contemporary interiors, all Philippe Starck furnishings, bathtubs big enough for two and a palette of platinum and mirrored surfaces.” Cooper says of the retreat, “Basically Windermere Studios is made for the sexiest bath-times ever: there’s mood lighting in them that can constantly change in rainbow hues.”

Meanwhile, over in Wiltshire, Lucknam Park – where Meg Ryan and Mick Jagger have stayed (separately, I hasten to add) – is popular with the more romantic types. Sexiest hotel feature? The newly opened £14 million spa which has a retractable glass wall linking the indoor jacuzzi to the outdoor jacuzzi.

Image credit: Lucknam Park

Back in London, I’ve always loved The Berkeley where guests can swoon by the rooftop swimming pool [pictured below], which overlooks the nights of Knightsbridge and is open in the evening for a romantic dip.

“Another golden oldie,” adds Cooper “is the Hotel Pelirocco [pictured below] in Brighton and its infamous Durex play room with a round bed, mirrored ceiling and adult toy menu.”

Image credit: Hotel Pelirocco

It’s official, Britain has shed its reserved facade to become shamelessly provocative in its hotel offering. And the best bit? No pink petals on your pillow.