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FIRST CLASS 75
Chewton Glen doesn’t have enough wall space for all the honours It sounds a bit pat, but the philosophy demonstrably works. The country
that come its way. Just recently it was voted the best Large Hotel in house feel is not compromised one whit by the operation of a 21st
the UK 2008 at the Enjoy England Awards, pipping The Dorchester century luxury hotel that offers the most modern of facilities, including
at the post. Last year, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Chewton top class meeting rooms for business and a first-class spa and indoor
Glen their second Favourite UK Leisure Hotel, with a 97.93% rating. swimming pool.
While that was up from 2006, when the hotel won the title with a
score of 96%, it wasn’t enough to hang on to top spot which was
The meeting rooms actually deserve a special mention. How many
taken by Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, a fellow
times have you booked a room in what is apparently a decent
member of the Relais & Chateaux organisation. The Gleneagles
enough hotel only to discover the walls are scuffed, the furniture tatty,
Hotel was pipped into third place.
the atmosphere cold and you are being charged for every last little
extra you ask for. In keeping with the hotel’s all inclusive policy, which
Lest it be thought the hotel or its energetic MD Andrew Stembridge are means VAT is never extra and all tips are included (don’t offer – they’ll
at all complacent over all the laurels bestowed upon them, the only be refused), room hire includes anything you want, including all
Chewton Glen team work very hard not just to win awards but to live AV and presentation equipment. The main meeting room, which also
up to them every moment of every day. doubles as a banqueting hall for weddings and large dinners, is
immaculate. Press a button and a panel glides aside to reveal a
“It’s hard work,” Andrew says with a grin. “When you’re on top, there’s
massive plasma screen. Open the French windows and step onto the
only one way to go!”
terrace for a breath of fresh air (and a quick view of Dorset).
I met Andrew in the bar at Chewton Glen for a lunchtime glass. The
Other facilities include a 9 hole golf course, a croquet lawn (try and
décor is sumptuous and authentically country-house. (It is after all a
book one of the suites that open onto the lawn – they are quite lovely
country house hotel.) The clientele was intriguing. It was a Friday, so
and there is not a single chance of running into John Prescott), indoor
there were some early-bird couples in for lunch and maybe a cosy
and outdoor tennis courts and the aforementioned spa where I had
weekend in one of the luxurious rooms. Some local business people
one of the most relaxing massages of my life (in other words, I fell
were gathering for a lunch meeting while in the gorgeous grounds a
asleep). As well as the therapists and the indoor pool, there is also a
team from Volvo UK was racing around completing yet another
hydrotherapy pool, a whirlpool, a fully-fitted gymnasium and a dance
challenge as part of their team incentive weekend.
studio. Wireless broadband is available throughout the hotel.
Speaking of the grounds, this may be an opportune moment to
All of which barely leaves room to mention the food – this is a 5 red
describe where Chewton Glen is. If you look west from the main
star AA hotel, so the food and wines are first rate – and the staff. Again,
terrace across the rolling lawns, down to the stream, you will see
you might expect nothing less than excellent staffing in such a highly-
Dorset. The stream is the border (it’s OK, no need for passports. Yet.) The
rated hotel, but it is worth mentioning the effort the hotel makes to hire
sea is just a 10 minute walk to the south, the New Forest is a very short
local people and to bring young people in from local colleges. And
drive to the north and to the east lies Southampton. Heathrow is 90
the minority of staff who come from overseas are accommodated
minutes away by car, London itself just two hours. Travellers from further
with local families where they learn colloquial English and culture. The
afield can fly into nearby Southampton airport, just 30 minutes away.
wage bill is £3.7m annually and £1m a year is spent with local food
producers, so a significant amount of money flows into the local
Back in the bar, Andrew was telling me about his duty as caretaker of
economy from Chewton Glen, something of a rarity for a substantial
this splendid property which dates from the mid-18th century and
hotel.
which was once the home of George Marryat whose brother, Captain
Frederick Marryat, stayed there for lengthy spells while writing his classic
58 rooms and suites
novel ‘The Children of the New Forest’. Lovers of this wonderful story will
Master Suites from £935 to £1,280
recognize that many of the rooms have been named after characters
Suites from £485 to £815
in the novel.
Rooms from £299 to £540
Prices are per room per night and include VAT, discretionary
“The secret here is that the hotel never stands still, and yet never
gratuities, use of spa, golf course and other amenities.
changes,” Andrew is saying enigmatically. “We preserve the character,
Three course table d’hôte dinner £65 per person.
the history and the wonderful legacy of this property but we are
constantly looking for new ways to entertain our guests and give them
01425 275341 reservations@chewtonglen.com
the finest possible experience.”
Full details at www.chewtonglen.com
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