The Credentials:
Chewton Glen is a five-star hotel and spa that is a hop and a skip from the New Forest and a stroll to the sea. Their sideboard is groaning with awards ranging from Best Hotel in the British Isles from Condé Nast Traveller to One of the best 101 Spas in the World from Tatler.
Dine:
The staff suggest you come for a drink in the bar before you eat and it’s because they know you’ll enjoy the slow seduction that starts there. The bar is a library with low-lit lamps – the kind of place you can imagine yourself talking to Dean Martin over a whisky at 3am (if he was still alive, of course). Drinks turned up with melt-in-the-mouth canapés to ease us into the evening. There is so much to salivate over on the dinner menu that avoiding having to choose and going for the tasting menu was the easiest option. We ate poached pigeon, hand-dived scallops, parmesan velouté, pistachio-crusted lamb, plum sorbet with sloe gin foam and it was all so good. A succession of waiters attended to us (the staff ratio is three to every guest), all of whom were effortlessly cheerful, friendly and knowledgeable so while you eat, you learn a little of how the chef has cooked the food and where the wine has come from and everything tastes just wonderful and before you know it you’re in love with all of it. We floated back up to our room on a cloud to find a bottle of water each by the bed – they even try and take care of you when they know a hangover might be in the post.
Sleep:
Our suite came with a bed as big as a boat in claret colours and a hunting scene framed over the headboard. If the food and wine weren’t enough, the bed was probably more comfortable than being back in the womb and acted like a slow-burning sedative. The addictive drowsiness can thankfully be thrown off with a water fight in the double shower (oh yes) as the iridescent postage stamp tiles twinkle under drops. The Ren products are the business, too.
Who Goes There?
Sometimes when you visit places outside London it all feels a bit Home Counties-dull but rest assured Chewton Glen is as cool as our W postcodes. Interesting, well dressed 30-somethings and those older were also stylish and sophisticated. The best thing is that everyone is smiling and happy, which is solely down to the loveliness exuded by the hotel and all its staff.
Out & About:
Where to start? The New Forest is on your doorstep as is miles of Jurassic Coast. Bournemouth is down the road; the Isle of Wight only a ferry ride away. The grounds are tranquil and restorative and the walk to the beach is a must. When it’s only 10 minutes away you can’t not really can you? There are even Hunters by the door in case you’ve forgotten your wellies.
The Best Thing:
Chewton is so good in every aspect that it’s hard to pick just one thing. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place with a fantastic spa, staffed with lovely people in idyllic countryside. You’d have to be a pretty mean-spirited sort not to love it.
The Worst Thing:
They almost broke my heart when our breakfast order went missing as everything had been faultless up until then. However, they remedied the situation quickly and we had apologies from three members of staff. It was like a lover’s tiff that was quickly forgotten.
