A Weekend in the Country
Jonathan and his partner Alison enjoy the many pleasures of country house living at one of the UK’s finest hotels – the acclaimed five-star Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa in Hampshire.
The drive through the natural beauty of the New Forest National Park was an uplifting start to our stay at Chewton Glen – the renowned country house hotel on the edge of the Forest, a short walk from the sea. Synonymous with luxury, fine cuisine and impeccable service, Chewton Glen is still winning prestigious awards and accolades and its beautiful spa is rated one of the world’s best.
Arriving mid-Saturday morning at the flower-bedecked entrance, we had our first taste of the legendary service; after a warm welcome, our car and luggage were spirited away, while a friendly member of staff showed us around the facilities and to our lovely room.
The hotel building dates back to the 18th century and was once owned by George Marryat, brother of Captain Frederick Marryat, the author of the famous novel Children of the New Forest. Captain Frederick stayed for periods during the 1840s and many rooms in the hotel are named after characters in his novels. Each of the hotel’s 58 rooms has its own décor and character – all part of Chewton Glen’s unique appeal.
We had been allocated the Masterman Ready Suite on the first floor. Beautifully appointed, it was a tasteful mix of modern and antique furnishings, luxury fabrics and state-of-the-art technology. There was a sumptuous king-sized bed and a large bathroom with twin basins, separate shower, toilet and bidet plus a large roll top bath with a plasma screen TV. We also had a sundeck and terrace overlooking the gardens.
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Our spa treatments were scheduled soon after our arrival, so after some juice in the spa bar, we changed into our robes. The spa (included in Tatler’s 2011 Spa Guide 101 Best Spas in the World) offers the ultimate in luxurious pampering with a wide range of facilities, services and quality treatments carried out by friendly professional therapists.
Treatment rooms are cosy and subtly lit, separate changing rooms uber-comfortable with their own saunas and steam rooms, and the indoor swimming pool and adjacent hydrotherapy pool could not be more inviting. There is also a well-equipped gym and a dance studio, which we didn’t have time to try.
Alison had booked a 75-minute Oxygen Facial – this Linda Meredith treatment is a favourite of many celebrities including Madonna. Oxygen, nature’s most powerful healing element is infused into the skin to increase cell regeneration and reduce lines and wrinkles. Oxygen hydrates the skin and also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making this is a very healing treatment for problem or stressed skin.
The session started with a short consultation to ascertain Alison’s skin type and needs. She was a little nervous when the therapist explained that her skin would be deep cleansed using steam extraction, but this turned out to be quite enjoyable. After the steam extraction, a micro glycolic serum was applied to dissolve the dead skin cells and prepare the skin for the oxygen treatment. This began with an application of vitamin enriched serum combined with hyaluronic acid (the skin’s natural hydrating agent) and beta glucan, to stimulate production of collagen. Oxygen was then blasted through a thin tube directly onto the skin for several minutes, driving the serum deep into the epidermis. Although it felt a little strange at first, the treatment gave optimum results – Alison’s skin looked instantly cleaner, healthier and more plumped up. Days later, family and friends were still commenting on how well she looked, proof of the long lasting benefits of this remarkable facial. 
While Alison was having her facial, I was being pampered with a 60-minute Kundalini treatment– a deeply relaxing massage that gives the whole nervous system an energetic boost with the combined use of essential oils, ancient massage techniques and chakra healing. The treatment is effective for easing mental and physical stress and I found it so relaxing that I nearly fell asleep. I felt significantly more revitalised and alert afterwards.
Meeting up later in the relaxation suite, we flopped on loungers equipped with music and headphones, with a pile of the latest glossy magazines to flick through. We chilled out for a while then went into the hydrotherapy pool where we enjoyed being massaged by the underwater jets and powerful swan neck showers. We also ventured into the outside whirlpool; a bracing experience given the stiff sea breezes. We really appreciated the hot steam rooms and saunas afterwards.
Having missed lunch because of our spa treatments, we decided to have traditional afternoon tea in the lounge. The magnificent spread (reason itself for a visit!) included a choice of leaf teas, coffee or hot chocolate, tasty finger sandwiches (filled with smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese, egg and cress, ham and tomato), cupcakes, éclairs, warm, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam as well as Chewton Glen signature fruitcake.
Such a feast called for some exercise to burn off the calories, especially as dinner was still to come. The hotel has excellent tennis facilities with two indoor and two outdoor courts. We played on one of the indoor courts for an enjoyable hour. It was still light when we finished, so we walked around the extensive grounds and over the 9-hole par 3 golf course. Returning to our suite, we relaxed for a little while, sipping champagne and watching TV in the roll top bath. Cocktails in the bar preceded our four-course ‘wine tasting’ dinner – one of the hotel’s interesting dining options. A different wine is served with each course, chosen to compliment the dishes on the menu. We tasted wines from Italy, France, Spain and Australia and enjoyed them all, even if we didn’t finish every glass. The food was delicious and the service excellent. No sooner had we finished one course, than the next one promptly arrived. The restaurant was busy, but not over crowded or noisy.
Next day, our requested early morning alarm call was followed by a surprise knock at the door. It was our butler, bearing coffee, muffins and a copy of The Sunday Times! Breakfast an hour or so later was another indulgent affair, preceded with a fruity probiotic drink that meant we could tuck into our ‘Full English’ breakfasts without worrying about our digestion. We would need the energy for our active morning ahead.
Changing into our golf gear, we played the 9-hole par 3 course. Each hole offers its own challenge and the course is far from easy with uphill and downhill shots to play and several bunkers and water hazards to contend with. The 9th hole is especially difficult, being a long uphill par 3 requiring a long shot to carry over a water hazard.
After our round of golf, we borrowed two of the hotel’s mountain bikes and cycled the short distance to the beach with its views of The Needles and Isle of Wight. We cycled down the coast for few miles before heading back to the hotel. We just had time for a swim in the enticing 17-metre swimming pool and another visit to the hydrotherapy suite before checking out. The hotel thoughtfully provided us with bottled water and biscuits for our journey home. Although we only stayed one night, our visit to Chewton Glen seemed longer because we packed so much into a short time. We returned home energised, refreshed and rebalanced and are saving up for our next visit.
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Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa
New Milton Hampshire BH25 6QS Telephone +44 (0)1425 275341reservations@chewtonglen.comwww.chewtonglen.com Visit website or call hotel for current special offers Room only rates start from £310 (Sun to Thurs) and £375 (Fri/Sat) Masterman Suite from £1,110 (Sun to Thurs) and £1,205 (Fri/Sat) Prices include accommodation for two, daily newspaper, wi-fi broadband internet, full use of spa (treatments extra), indoor swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool, fitness facilities, use of 9-hole par 3 golf course and croquet lawn, outdoor tennis courts, valet parking, service charge and VAT. Continental breakfast £20 Full English Breakfast £25 Dinner from £65 Afternoon tea £25 Linda Meredith Oxygen facial treatment £115 (75-minutes) ila Kundalini treatment £87 (60-minutes) |
