Hemingstone, United Kingdom
Retreat East
Pastoral timber farmstead
Pastoral timber farmstead
The property operates as a sustainable farmstead, pairing independent timber lodges with an organic kitchen garden and rewilding meadows.
What it’s good at
Notable
Vaulted timber-framed barns open onto sun terraces overlooking Suffolk rewilding meadows.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Retreat East is a collection of barns, houses, and huts in the Suffolk countryside, a few miles outside of Ipswich.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Footpaths lead across fields to the village of Coddenham, and the Suffolk coast at Aldeburgh sits a short drive east.
The rooms
Converted barns feature exposed oak beams and underfloor heating. Select spa barns add outdoor roll-top tubs on their verandas.
The spa
Therapy rooms in the Wellness Wing host restorative bodywork and facials using Elemental Herbology oils.
The gym and baths
A timber-framed gym houses rowing machines and exercise bikes, and sheltered outdoor decks hold deep metal soaking baths.
Restaurant
The Great Barn
A brick hearth warms long oak dining tables, serving seasonal Suffolk produce alongside cocktails from the timber bar.
At the table
Wooden tables sit on the sun terrace, welcoming guests in bathrobes for alfresco lunches and drinks.
How it began
Architect Dominic Richards acquired the derelict 16th-century dairy farm in 2006, collaborating with Border Oak to craft the timber-framed buildings.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.