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reat Britain’s past is peppered with royal lineages and storied families comprised of formidable individuals who shaped our history over centuries. And this year at PoB Hotels guests are being taken by the hand and walked gently back through this history, celebrating the theme of Now&Then, where the past isn't just a journey, it's a feeling.
PoB Hotels invite guests to embark on a journey that brings the past into conversation with the present, offering experiences that are personal and deeply rooted in place while evolving with the expectations of today's traveller.
A handpicked group of independent properties which have been carefully selected for their quality, each PoB hotel is completely unique, but every one of them celebrates British heritage and craftsmanship, and in many of them the past sits directly alongside the present. Guests are spoiled, inspired and infused with a sense of wonder whether they’re staying in a Georgian country house in the Cotswolds or a cosy hunting lodge in the Highlands.
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Each hotel is completely unique, but every one of them celebrates British heritage together with remarkable interior design and exceptional service to offer guests extraordinary experiences and first-class amenities, from glorious gardens to soothing spa treatments.
Those in the know make a point of ordering the PoB coffee table book The Handle. Published annually (and complimentary to order here), this elegant magazine reveals just how these properties walk guests back into the past, immersing them in their unique character. The current issue teases out more detail from the ‘Now&Then’ theme, featuring a deep dive into the history of some of the most historic PoB Hotels properties, including Boringdon Hall in Devon, where Lady Jane Grey is thought to have lived as a girl. As a tribute to her, the suite in her name offers a gentle combination of soft pastels and exposed stone, as well as a turret with a freestanding bathtub where guests can – literally – soak up the history.
Elsewhere the splendid Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire provides guests the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of French Royalty, as it served as the residence of the exiled Louis XVIII of France and his court from 1809 until 1814; The King’s Room has been fully renovated to luxurious standards, and now provides the perfect place to relax after a day at the spa. The royal connections continue at The Fife Arms, which was a well-known favourite of Victoria and Albert when they summered at Balmoral; its world-class art collection features a watercolour by Queen Victoria herself.
This blend of the past and the present is simply bewitching, as PoB Hotels ambassador Kathryn Drysdale – who played Genevieve Delacroix in Bridgerton – recently discovered.
As well as taking you back in time, PoB Hotels can whirl you away to the sandy beaches of the south coast, the rugged beauty of Wales or the soaring peaks of the Lake District. The properties range hugely in style and size, so you can always find your ideal stay, whether you’re looking to book a multi-generational gathering or a secluded romantic retreat for two. Now it’s your turn: just lace up your satin slippers and get ready to step back in time at pobhotels.com.
Kathryn experienced a Now & Then break which included stays at three sumptuous hotels, uncovering rooms rich with history alongside contemporary indulgence. Her verdict on the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath? “These properties are clearly places to linger, explore, and return to; after all the best stories deserve to be experienced more than once.”
With ‘Now&Then’ at its heart, this year PoB Hotels celebrates British artisans through a series of ‘Meet the Maker’ events across the country, exploring how British craft has evolved through time. This series of events kicks off with Tom Brown at The Capital, in partnership with Wild Idol, on May 21 during Chelsea week, where Michelin-starred chef Tom Brown will present a one-off pairing menu alongside Wild Idol wines. The menu is exclusively curated for the day, offering guests the chance to dine from a bespoke selection while also engaging with Tom and his team to hear more about the creative process behind the dishes – a rare opportunity to quite literally ‘meet the maker’. Other hot tickets this year include Gusbourne showcasing its outstanding sparkling wines at The Athenaeum on June 4 and an interactive day with Ettinger at Gravetye on September 8. Also this year, Lock&Co Hatters will be offering expert hat fittings at Northcote, after which guests will be treated to a hat-themed sit-down lunch. For all the details of these exclusive events, or to book, keep an eye on the Now&Then page of the PoB Hotels website.
