Goodmorning2U

Thank you Erika and Raffles!

What a wonderful report, Erika.

After reading it I'm leaning towards Lucknam Park, but like you I am concerned about the room.

If anyone has any more recommendations on the rooms at Lucknam feel free to chime in.

Ericka

Not sure if you ever use DavidO, but he was the one who really helped us out with the room situation.

howardde

Hi, could use your insights/updates to this thread. We've booked a trip from the States to somewhere in the English countryside for 28 December - 31 December (the rest of the trip, including NYE will be in London...likely at the Goring). Cost is not an issue as this is a special vacation...we'd love a luxurious experience (like the Hotel du Cap in Antibes, etc., if that exists). Lime Wood or Babington seemed like ideal choices, but both are showing booked Would like your views on both though in case space becomes available.

We're (both late 30's) looking to go to as nice of an English countryside retreat as we can find and I've spent hours trying to cull a list using your country's "5 red star" system, Relais & Chateau's website, CN Traveller, Smith Hotels, etc. and I'm a bit at a loss.

The hotel has to have a spa of a decent size as we'll be there when it's cold and really are looking to relax/have massages/etc. We want authentic, grand-looking older structures (main house?), but wonderfully updated rooms that don't feel like a grandmother's chamber. Good food, cool/stately bar for the evenings; maybe some activities to keep us occupied (understanding it may be too cold to do much...maybe neat things to see nearby). I thought the Four Seasons might be the answer until I read this thread and saw tons of mentions of kids everywhere. We have no children and aren't looking to find them on holiday

Here is the current list I've gathered...any insights would be helpful (especially on the first 8 or so...the others are backups at this point unless you tell me differently).

1. http://www.chewtonglen.com/

2. http://www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/

3. http://www.dorchestercollection.com/...t/coworth-park

4. https://www.babingtonhouse.co.uk/

5. http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/

6. http://www.fourseasons.com/hampshire/

7. https://www.lucknampark.co.uk/

8. http://www.pennyhillpark.co.uk/

9. http://www.whatleymanor.com/

10. http://www.calcotmanor.co.uk/

11. http://www.foxhillmanor.com/

12. https://www.thegrove.co.uk/

13. http://www.rockliffehall.com/

14. http://www.southlodgehotel.co.uk/

RichardInSF

I'll likely be challenged by at least one forum regular, but I have to say that the hard product at Whatley Manor was just not up to par the two times I stayed there. Admittedly they were not recent stays so could be meaningless if the hotel has been renovated in the past few years.

MacMyDay

Here I come to argue that very point :-)

We stay at Whatley Manor for 2-3 nights about 3 times a year and absolutely love it. In fact, just a few days ago I was asking for a place almost identical to it nearby in Europe. We compare every single countryside property to it, as it covers everything we'd want. Great food (although as we've been to the Michelin star restaurant so many times, it can get a bit tiresome that the menu is rarely changed), beautiful property, amazing, unique rooms if you're in the suites (room 24 is amazing), only 24 rooms as well with no kids allowed and an amazing spa. Admittedly the service is not up to city standards, but then this is to be expected as it will be difficult at times for them to find the staff.

howardde, out of the rest of your list, I've been to:

* Chewton Glen - really, really didn't like it. Very poor service, which left us waiting huge amounts of time for anything to happen
* Limewood Hotel - big fan, yet sadly let down by the food. Awesome spa and beautiful property though.
* Penny Hill - didn't really like it. Too crowded, but we got upgraded to one of the top-end suites which had the jacuzzi in our room. Admittedly used it for about 10 minutes. Felt like a 4 star hotel in places, such as when you're getting breakfast. Probably the most impressive spa area out of all of them, due to how much is available, but also by far the most crowded. The spa has a members only area as well, which felt somewhat disrespectful when you're paying £1k/n to be there and cannot go into certain areas.
* Rockliffe Hall - strange choice, as it's so far up north and would take you quite a while to get to. Strangely I can't remember too much about the place, even though I went less than 2 years ago. Maybe that says it all? Or that says I have a terrible memory.

Pausanias

A few cents' worth -

Chewton Glen has a wonderful spa complex and one of the best indoor pools in the UK. The big advantage for me is that you can access this without going outside - a major consideration in the winter! Many of the other hotels (inc. Lime Wood) have spa buildings which are quite separate. Chewton Glen is near the New Forest but the immediate location isn't great.

I've stayed at WhatleyManor in the Christmas period. They had a nice tree in the lounge but I didn't really rate the whole building - lots of new add-ons, cheap flooring and so. The spa lacks a proper pool which is a big drawback. Food was fine in the main dining room but not heartstoppingly good. It wasn't French or Italian or English - it was Michelin food.

Cliveden has apparently had a major and wonderful refurb. Great pool complex but separate from the hotel.

Places like Cowarth and Four Seasons are a bit corporate for me.

There's a gorgeous Relais & Chateaux place in Wales called Ynshir Hall that offers sumptuous suites and fine food. Nice-looking Christmas packages. No real spa facility but stunning scenery.

jp-mco

We've stayed at both Coworth Park and Four Seasons Hampshire and my vote would definitely be for Coworth Park. Whilst we love FS Hampshire the overall experience at Coworth Park is much slicker. The hard product at Coworth Park is much stronger than FS Hampshire. If you're looking to stay there I can highly recommend a Mansion House Executive Suite.

I did a suite tour if you wish to have a look:
The Weston Suite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyf_yrNePHo

The F&B is also better at Coworth Park; afternoon tea is as good as The Promenade at the Dorchester and the food at both Restaurant Coworth Park and The Barn is fantastic. Whilst the FISH night at FS Hampshire is outstanding the rest of the F&B offering is not really as good as Coworth Park. I'm a bit torn on the bar as I think FS Hampshire slightly pips it - the bar at Coworth Park is a bit too small and lacks atmosphere.

At FS Hampshire we've always stayed in a Grand Manor Room but are due to try one of their signature Oliver King Parlour Suites soon. My room tours for FS Hampshire are below.
Room 1105: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O60afebbANE
Room 1207: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMJCf6nNIEw

In summary - you can't go wrong with Coworth Park. Make sure you book through a Dorchester Diamond Club TA (let me know if you would like a recommendation) as the inclusions are excellent.

howardde

So it turns out Babington is now available for the first 2 nights of our stay, but not the last. We could do the 1st two nights at Babington and then the final night at Coworth on our way to London, which is where we'll be for the remainder of our trip...I wonder if that is too much trouble to do 2 hotels in 3 nights? Also, I've read many places that Babington gets overrun with children and the hotel is so small that it feels crowded in the public spaces...so perhaps not worth the trouble? We really liked the soho house's Dean Street Townhouse in London, so was thinking we might like Babington for the countryside experience.

Also, Lime Wood has gotten back to us with availability for our full stay, but at a rate of £485/night, which is much pricier than what we've found elsewhere, which are all in the £325 - 360/nt. range. Does anyone think that it is worth our while to just do the entire 3 night stay at Lime Wood? Looking at Lime Wood, it seems it might offer most of what we're looking for (e.g., non-frumpy decor, lush surroundings, great service, a spa and decent food)...perhaps even more on point than Babington?

Looking at Chewton Glen further, it seems it might be a bit too traditional for our tastes and perhaps not feel youthful enough. The Four Seasons looks beautiful, but again, the reviews of the corporate feel and kids everywhere has me concerned.

Appreciate everyone's insights. I plan to book today.

vuittonsofstyle

Oh, do it immediately! Book Lime Wood - by far your best option, I think.

MacMyDay

Agreed. Just make sure you book with AMEX/Virtuoso so you get free breakfast. I don't think it's worth paying for what they were charging, but when it's free.....

Londonjetsetter

I have stayed at Lime Wood and Babington. I'm probably in the minority but I prefer Babington. I like Lime Wood very much but the look and atmosphere at Babington is more appealing to me. I may have been lucky that there were not too many children on my recent visits. I don't love Coworth. I find it a bit sterile and find the design slightly Dubai, but it's all a matter of personal taste.

jp-mco

"Slightly Dubai" ... Coworth Park? How so? It's not like any Dubai hotel I've ever stayed in.

howardde

Thanks for all the replies and advice. We ended up booking the first night at Coworth Park, since it is near LHR and we'll have just landed and then the next two nights at Lime Wood. I think it breaks up the stay nicely so we won't get bored in one place and we'll get to try two great properties. Both properties were about the same price for the rooms.

KatW

My favorite English country hotel is Gravetye Manor. No spa but the gardens, woods, surroundings and manorhouse are magnificent.
http://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk

Kagehitokiri

interesting, their first larger resort property

http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/20...ate-soho-house
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...s-hotel-review