Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa, Richmond-Upon-Thames, London

While Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa gives onto the main road, which can get quite busy, once you've stepped into the park you'll feel a world away from London traffic. Across the road, you'll find both Petersham Common (which occupies 17 acres of woodland) and Richmond Park. Rugby fans will love that Twickenham Stadium is only a ten-minute drive.

The hotel is on the top of Richmond Hill.

By car: around 4 hours from Manchester, 2 hours 30 minutes from Bath and 1 hour 30 minutes from Southampton. Paid on-site parking available.

By train: London Waterloo to Richmond takes 20 minutes. The hotel is a 10-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to London.

Part of the Harbour Hotels collection, there are subtle nods to coastal design. With its striped window shades and interiors flooded with natural light, you could easily picture the hotel's all-white Georgian building by Brighton seafront. The hotel is welcoming, with vibrant furnishings creating a fun, laidback vibe, while at the spa, upbeat tunes create a positive mood.

The facilities are very good - at the well-equipped spa you'll find a 20m swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, spin studios, relaxation room, juice bar, treatment rooms and open-air hot tubs. The hotel is staffed by a young team who give the place a friendly, laidback air.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Gym
• Spa
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are tastefully furnished in bold vibrant hues and continue with the rest of the hotel's soothing coastal and countryside design. Think striped pillowcases, throws and matching velvet curtains, and colourful canvases depicting foxes and stags. Bathrooms are comfortable - some even have double sinks and showers inside bathtubs.

Room types: Cosy, Standard, Superior, Deluxe

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, luxury bathrobes and slippers, TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

The Gate has a delightful conservatory setting, with natural light flooding in through large windows. The restaurant has an open-plan kitchen, cool, laidback vibe. and serves modern British cuisine. Dishes include grilled scallops, monkfish tail and chicken spatchcock. The rib-eye steak is particularly good. Rich and juicy, it melts in the mouth. Relax in the lounge with a cocktail or two, or sit at the bar to watch the bartenders shake up your drink of choice.

The Gate: modern British cuisine. All-day dining and afternoon tea, open daily.