8 Ideas For A Grown-Up Girls’ Weekend

We all know how uber fashionable the Kentish coastal towns like Whitstable, Margate and Deal have become. Folkestone was not on this list (until more recently), despite its rich history as a thriving port and favourite destination for royalty, the aristocracy and cultural icons like Edward VII, Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie in the early 1900s. It also served as a transit point for guests on the Orient Express heading from London to mainland Europe, where they would board the ferry before re-joining the train in France, and was a major embarkation point for troops heading off to the Western Front during World War I. As a result, it had a vibrant scene, with music halls, theatres and social clubs, and boasted a beautiful beach and promenade lined by elegant Edwardian buildings. Like many other seaside resort towns across the UK, it then went into decline. 

However, over the last 20 years, it started to become a hub for artists, thanks to Sir Roger de Haan (of Saga fame) who bought and renovated 90 run-down and derelict houses for artists to inhabit, work and trade in. And now, Folkestone is renowned as a modern art hotspot, with the largest urban outdoor collection of contemporary art in the UK (think Anthony Gormley, Tracy Emin, Gilbert & George and Banksy). It is also foodie destination with a slew of great restaurants like Rocksalt, The Folkestone Wine Company, Little Rock to name just a few. The other advantage is that Folkestone is incredibly easy to get to by train from London – just 50 minutes on the highspeed train from St Pancras.

Overlooking the sea and the perfect spot to enjoy sunsets over the English Channel, the award-winning Shoreline Folkestone development (another de Haan project) has two chic properties to rent. These open straight onto the beach and are stylishly designed, one with four bedrooms and a spacious roof terrace, the other with two bedrooms. A concierge is on hand for help and tips on what to do, what to see and where to go on the Kent coast, and a welcome hamper with a bottle of local bubbly also awaits you on arrival. 

Rates at the two-bedroom The View start from £350 per night & £800 at the four-bedroom Beach House. Click here to book & for more information.

Grantley Hall is a state-of-the-art spa hotel near Ripon, North Yorkshire, that reopened in 2019 after an extensive refurbishment. The Grade-II Palladian mansion is just the ticket for a luxe spa break – its vast Three Graces Spa is a haven of serenity and offers a range of restorative treatments and therapies throughout its treatment rooms, and wet and thermal facilities. Guests can choose to relax next to the 18m swimming pool, take a dip in the indoor to outdoor vitality hydrotherapy pool, or experience the Nordic spa garden with its two ice baths and outdoor steam sauna. In the health centre, which is set over two floors, you’ll find a cutting-edge gym, a strength and conditioning gym and a yoga studio. Specialist treatments range from a cryotherapy chamber to a body composition analysis machine, and a team of highly qualified personal trainers are on hand at any time.

In addition, the hotel has recently expanded its wellness offering with Bloom Longevity Labs, led by aesthetics surgeon Dr Lubna Khan Salim. Specialising in women’s wellness and longevity, Dr Lubna is based here on the first Wednesday of every month, and guests can select from a curated range of non-invasive treatments designed to reverse the signs of ageing and optimise longevity, while also improving overall health and wellbeing.

And to top it all, the food here is overseen by Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin, so expect phenomenal meals in all five of the hotel’s restaurants.

Rates at Grantley Hall start from £550 on a B&B basis. Click here to book & for more information.

For a totally relaxing break, head to The Tawny in the heart of rural Staffordshire where you can explore woodland and stroll through lakeside gardens and follies at a leisurely pace. Set within a 70-acre rewilded estate, the hotel is the perfect place to unwind. The luxe and very comfy accommodation includes shepherd’s huts, treehouses and boathouses and most have a private deck, outdoor shower and spa bath, as well as stunning views across the lakes and surrounding grounds. Your group could book a variety of these but, perfect for a girls’ weekend, we’d opt for the recently launched self-catered houses, called The Fledglings, situated about ten minutes’ drive away. Each with its own private outdoor heated swimming pool, the Falcon Farmhouse sleeps six, Kestrel Cottage sleeps eight and the newest, the superbly restored Grade II-listed The Bath House which opens next month, sleeps ten and comes complete with a cinema room. Prior to your stay, your Fledglings host will discover what kind of a break you'd like to enjoy, then put together a full itinerary for you. Experiences include cocktail masterclasses and yoga sessions, and if you can tear yourself away, an outing to the nearby World of Wedgwood for a hands-on learning experience is a fun thing to do and you can also see the V&A Wedgwood Collection. You can self-cater or book into the excellent hotel restaurant, The Plumicorn. Or, for a totally indulgent evening, a private chef can bring a fine dining experience to you – a seven-course tasting menu prepared, cooked and served at your Fledgling. 

Rates at The Tawny start from £240 on a B&B basis. Rates at Falcon Farmhouse start from £700 per night, Kestrel Cottage from £720 and The Bath House (which launches May 2025) from £1,100 per night. Click here to book & for more information.

Palma de Mallorca may seem like a fairly new addition to the city break list, but it has a long history of being controlled by the Romans, Byzantines and Moors who, at one time, all shaped Palma into the honey-coloured gem it is today. The city is home to a large array of sites and museums to explore which will give you an insight into the island’s history and culture. The first must-visit is the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma, or La Seu as it’s also known, which is one of the most iconic and recognisable structures in the city. The next stop, handily next door, has to be the 14th-century L’Almudaina, a grand royal palace and official residence of the Spanish royal family in Mallorca. Some of the halls are open to the public, while outdoors you’ll find a palm tree-lined courtyard and pretty gardens furnished with modern art sculptures and water fountains. One of the largest and most well-known museums on the island, Es Baluard is located in the heart of the city and devoted to modern and contemporary art, with works by both local and international artists. The Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation has more than 7,000 works by Miró, and you can also see the artist’s original studio. To learn about the island’s history, head to the Museu de Mallorca which is housed on the site of a former 16th-century Baroque palace. The building retains much of its original structure and you’ll find artefacts ranging from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, five-star boutique hotel Sant Francesc Hotel is located in the heart of Palma’s Old Town and is a great base for exploring all the city has to offer. Overlooking its namesake Basilica de Sant Francesc, this grand former 19th-century mansion effortlessly blends charming history with elegant contemporary design and has 42 elegant rooms and suites. Art is the beating heart of the hotel, with works by some of Spain’s most celebrated artists adorning each wall of the property – on check-in, you can’t miss the painting by Spanish artist Josep Maria Riera i Aragó, created exclusively for the hotel, which hangs behind the reception desk. They are also big on food here, with courtyard restaurant Quadrat a favourite with foodies. There is also a stylish rooftop pool and bar for cocktails and sangria. 

Rates at Sant Francesc Hotel start from €315 per night on a B&B basis. Click here to book & for more details.

Opened in 2023, Riad Botanica is a tranquil sanctuary in the historic medina. The property, which has an orange tree at its heart, blends traditional Moroccan architecture with contemporary Australian design – a vision brought to life by owners Angela and her husband Mohamed Mellak. Each suite is a private haven, complete with ensuite bathroom, a sitting room, a dining space and relaxation area. The rooftop terrace offers a calm setting for morning breakfasts, yoga sessions or quiet moments under the Moroccan sun, and guests can also enjoy rooftop or poolside courtyard dining. 

When it comes to shopping and visiting the sites, Marrakech can be somewhat intimidating – especially for the first-time visitor – and it’s easy to get lost walking in the souk in the medina, a labyrinth of tiny alleyways with hundreds of shops and stalls. Where do you start and how much should you bargain and haggle on price for that lovely piece of homeware you’re itching to send home? This is where Angela comes in with her wealth of local knowledge and a superb network of contacts. She’s a pro at negotiating and collaborating with local artisans and craftsmen and, with some advance notice, she can take you from the souks to the flea markets, uncovering a wealth of hidden treasures and artisans. She can also give you a cultural fix around the sites in Marrakech, introduce you to local artists and book some of the best restaurants. 

Rates at Riad Botanica start from £190 for two people on a B&B basis. It can be hired exclusively for up to 12 guests. Click here to book & for more details.