Spitbank Fort

Stay at sea in a luxury converted Solent sea fort hotel with a rooftop hot tub, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, a guided fort tour and glass of champagne

The historic Spitbank Fort may not have fulfilled its original purpose as a naval defence, but it turns out it was destined for far more glamorous things. Now one of the most exclusive and unique hotels in the British Isles, this adults-only private island playground features a Laurent-Perrier champagne bar and eight luxuriously converted rooms.

With its own departure lounge in Gunwharf Quays, the experience starts before you're even on the water. You'll travel by boat across the Solent and check into a room complete with super king-size bed, high riveted ceiling, cowhide rugs and masses of space - enough for each room to have been divided into two if the designers had felt less decadent.

There are three bars at this exclusive retreat, alongside a wine cellar and games rooms. Up on the decked roof, there's a fire pit, heated hot tub, sauna and restored red lighthouse with an observation deck for surveying those far-reaching views of the South Coast and Isle of Wight. Needless to say, Spitbank Fort bagged itself a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.