Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

The hotel sits at the heart of the estate, surrounded by the same lakes and woodland that define the golf courses. Many of the rooms look out over water or fairways, and the setting is as peaceful as you'll find in this part of England.

Guest rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with direct-dial telephone, satellite television and internet connection as standard. The resort has been undergoing a renovation and extension programme, taking the hotel to 78 bedrooms once complete, and lifting the accommodation to a standard that matches the quality of the golf.

Room types range from Classic doubles through to Superior and Executive options, with the latter offering more space and enhanced views across the estate. All rooms are decorated in a contemporary country-house style, comfortable without being fussy, and designed with golfers in mind: plenty of space for kit and a proper desk if you need to catch up on work between rounds.

The bathrooms are modern and well-fitted, with good showers and enough counter space that you're not fighting for room if you're sharing. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are quiet, and if you're staying in one of the lake-view or fairway-view rooms, the morning outlook is worth the upgrade. It's the sort of place where you can settle in for a few nights without feeling like you're roughing it, but it's not so formal that you can't relax after a round.

If you're travelling as a group or society, the hotel can accommodate larger parties, and there's enough space in the public areas that you won't feel like you're tripping over other guests. The staff are helpful without being overbearing, and they're used to dealing with golfers, so early breakfasts and late check-ins are usually manageable if you ask in advance.

The Lakes Restaurant is the main dining room, holding two AA Rosettes for modern British cooking that makes good use of local and seasonal ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but expect well-executed dishes with a focus on flavour rather than fuss. In warmer months, the south-facing terrace overlooking the lake and course is hard to beat for a pre-dinner drink. For something more casual, the Peake Bistro serves lighter bites, sandwiches and pub-style mains throughout the day, ideal if you're coming off the course and want something quick before heading to the spa or settling in for the evening. The Lounge Bar is open 24 hours, with a full drinks list and a relaxed atmosphere that suits post-round debriefs.

The Peake Spa is a real highlight of any stay and one of East Anglia's premier wellness centres. Eleven treatment rooms offer everything from aromatherapy and reflexology to Indian head massage, manicures, pedicures, St. Tropez tanning and Rasoul mud therapy, an ancient Egyptian exfoliation treatment that's worth trying if you're after something different.

The gym is fitted with Technogym Excite equipment for serious cardiovascular work, and there's a full schedule of classes including spinning, Tai Bo, Pilates, karate and dance. The leisure club includes a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, spa pool, solarium and squash courts, making this a proper retreat for anyone who wants to balance golf with genuine relaxation.

The resort is located in the village of Leavenheath, straddling the Essex-Suffolk border. From London Stansted Airport, it's less than an hour by car. The address is Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4PZ.

If you fancy Stoke by Nayland for your next UK golf break, we can sort the hotel, tee times and the best-value round combinations for your dates.