Unsurprisingly , Chewton Glen does adult downtime remarkably well . Whether you choose the indoor pool , flanked by striking Grecian columns and flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows ; the heated outdoor pool framed by thriving gardens ; Europe ’ s biggest hydrotherapy pool , aromatherapy saunas and crystal steam rooms ; or the award-winning spa with a long list of treatments offered at the hands of a hand-picked team of excellent therapists , you will not be disappointed . My advice ? Do them all . Every care has been taken to ensure blissful tranquillity pervades an entire top-to-toe wellness experience here no matter how you choose to experience it , but starting with a post-lunch dip in the outdoor pool and ending with the dreamiest , most effective facial I ’ ve ever had is a decision I couldn ’ t be happier with ; the afterglow meant I didn ’ t even think about applying makeup for our evening ahead .
Having seen one of Chewton ’ s mixologists midcreation on my way past the hotel ’ s Marryat Bar & Lounge earlier in the day ( named after former British Royal Navy officer Captain Frederick Marryat who is widely famous for his children ’ s novel The Children of the New Forest , written during his several stays at Chewton Glen ), the lure of an expertly made cocktail was too tough to resist before dinner . The bar itself is a sophisticated , stylish blend of dark wood with flashes of gold and ruby red that plays into the hotel ’ s classic but cool personality with a charming , gregarious staff and a contemporary , chilled-out playlist that veers melodically between the likes of Dutch-Cameroonian Ntjam Rosie and Madeleine Peyroux . “ Could you possibly make me a picante please ?” The request for my all-time favourite , but not hugely popular spicy , tequila-based cocktail was met with a knowing nod and the drink served to me was as masterful as the mixologist who made it for me .
So brilliant was the pre-dinner atmosphere at the Marryat that we had to be reminded that our table for dinner at the hotel ’ s fine dining restaurant , The Dining Room , was ready . And I ’ ve never been more grateful to be delicately prized away from cocktails . There is an age-old unspoken rule amongst
Chewton ’ s foodie circle that if you can , you should always order the twice-baked Emmental soufflé and head chef , Luke Matthews ’ contemporary twist on this staple classic that ’ s graced the menu for decades did not disappoint . Oozing with buttery Emmental , it ’ s all at once fluffy and gentle but rich and creamy , each flavour note elevated by the tangy minerality and crisp apple and pear notes of the Vincent Pinard Sancerre Nuance that our extremely knowledgeable sommelier , Tristan , chose for us to pair .
Succeeding a brief interlude for six naturally sweet and meaty Carlingford Lough oysters , glazed Old Spot pork cheek with smoked potato , apple and Calvados followed ; really succulent with a hint of nuttiness , the smoked potato was velvet-soft and the apple and Calvados combination cut through the natural fat of the dish with an apricot finish . Our 8oz fillet on the bone with Portobello mushroom , gremolata and triple-cooked chips was exactly as it should be – intensely meaty , melt-in-the-mouth smooth , generously basted in silky butter and utterly delicious . The star of the evening , however ? Loin of Exmoor venison with confit shoulder , parsnip and Asian pear . Gamey and earthy with herby undertones of sage and acorn , it was juicy and tender , the confit shoulder adding a welcome and indulgent fattiness that was lifted by the naturally sweet parsnip and the subtle tartness of Asian pear – it was truly exquisite .
And so to bed . Whisked away in a six-seater electric buggy to our treehouse suite , perched high in the forest canopy , we sat , in fulfilled silence , relishing the feeling of being a million miles away from ordinary life . Although the hotel has a choice of 72 individually designed bedrooms and suites ranging from the magnificent Marryat Suite to the more modest but equally lovely Garden Rooms with gorgeous views over lush parkland , if you can stay in a treehouse here then do . Built atop lofty stilts high in the trees and accessed by a gangplank bridge , these circular suites are wholly contemporary and incredibly chic with floor-to-ceiling windows , hardwood private decks with hot tubs , wood-burning stoves , walk-in wardrobes , underfloor heating ,
cutting-edge luxuries including Bang & Olufsen stereos , and the comfiest beds you ’ ll ever sleep in .
There is so much more I could say about Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa . One of the last true English originals , the outside impression is one of ivy-clad formality and traditional elegance and although this undeniable class pervades the entire experience here , there is also a special and distinctive sense of laidback conviviality that underpins every element of a stay here . Very much about your stay , your way , this is a country house hotel where it is just as possible to switch off and stroll through mature gardens , past a babbling stream and through ancient woods that lead directly to Naish Beach as it is to throw yourself into an active , busy break . It ’ s a class act with bags of personality and an unmatched attention to detail .
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa Christchurch Rd New Milton BH25 6QS 01425 282 212 reservations @ chewtonglen . com chewtonglen . com
ChewtonGlenHotel chewtonglen
141