Hotel Snapshot
Chewton Glen, a country house classic in the New Forest, is so full of fairytale charm it will make you feel like a kid again. I was even moved to buy a Jellycat cuddly toy from the handsomely stocked gift shop, much to the bemusement of those who greeted me on my return to London.
Chewton will have that effect on you. As soon as you step inside the 18th-century manor house, taking in the country-club fantasy of croquet lawns, tennis courts and pool, it envelopes you in cosy, cosseting comfort. It’s partly because the staff-to-guest ratio is two-to-one, and the fact that each seems more intent on making your stay perfect than the last. It’s little wonder the hotel’s reception seems to buzz with returning guests, welcomed like old friends, at all hours of the day.
The Rooms
People rave about the row of luxe treehouses that first opened at Chewton in 2012 (they were ahead of that particular curve of elevated back-to-basics accommodation). They are a lovely option, but for my money the best spots are within the hotel, specifically the spacious master suites and ideally the Jacob Faithful suite (each is named after characters from Captain Frederick Marryat’s novel The Children of the New Forest, which was written at the property).
With muted tones, a decked terrace overlooking the manicured grounds and a huge marbled bathroom, the suites embody the kind of Edwardian elegance that instantly soothes. It’s damn near impossible not to feel relaxed here. Complimentary snacks and drinks only add to this. As does a charmingly retro DVD service - just scroll through the library on the in-room iPad and your chosen title will be delivered to your door.
Food & Drink
The food and drinks are a highlight. The five-roomed Dining Room restaurant is perfectly pitched in the evenings thanks to chef Luke Matthews and his talented team. The seafood is as spectacular as you’d hope this close to the sea - don’t miss the fragrant lobster curry - but the meat is just as good. For something more informal (read, a wood-fired pizza made before your eyes), head to the open-plan Kitchen. Back in the dining room, breakfast is a long, languid affair with a generous buffet, DIY Bloody Mary station, à la carte options and newspapers to leaf through.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
It pains me to say it but elements of the spa need work. The sauna and steam facilities in the changing rooms are top-notch, as is the main light-flooded swimming pool. But the hydrotherapy pool and outdoor Jacuzzi are lukewarm at best and bear unmistakable signs of wear and tear. Most spa-goers seemed unbothered, but in my book this would be a very easy fix (then again, I do like my baths scalding). I can’t comment on the facial and massage treatments but they smelled divine, as did the cornucopia of chic products on offer to purchase in the spa shop.
Location & Nearby Recs
If you can bring yourself to leave (unlikely), Chewton is located within easy reach of the market town of New Milton. It sits on the coast between Bournemouth and Southampton, and it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk to the Highcliffe Beach, where you can swim and be merry, if you like to be beside the seaside. Chewton can also arrange sailing trips from Lymington (15 minutes away), or clay-pigeon shooting, archery, mountain bike loans, nine holes of golf, tennis and croquet for the outdoors-inclined.
Fast Facts
Location: New Forest, Hampshire
Address: Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QS
The vibe: Old-school elegance and storybook charm with on-point food and drinks
Room Count: 72 rooms and suites, plus 14 unique luxury treehouses
Starting Rate: From about 567 USD per night
Dining: Perfectly pitched breakfast and dinner in the Dining Room, informal options in the Kitchen
Amenities: Complimentary snacks and soft drinks in the room, spa, gym, nine-hole golf course, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, croquet lawn, mountain bike loan
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