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Chewton Glen is more than a hotel, it is a destination in itself. You may go for the food under the capable hands of Michelin starred Chef Luke Mathews, de-stress in the comfortable rooms and suites that offer ambience from comfy old world country to modern hi-tech loafing around in bed or reading. You may even want to relax to the extreme with massages, hot tubs, and other body/mind soothing techniques of the world class Spa. OR you may prefer to be very active and take in a round of golf, bike the country lanes, play a dignified round of croquet, smash a tennis ball inside during nasty weather or outside during fine. The byways of the New Forest with its moors and forest, its untamed ponies and the coastal villages and inlets that can extend miles into the landscape all offer interest both natural and man made.
We arrived during the Christmas season. It was a time of crisp, damp days sometimes sunny, sometimes grey and misty. It was often wet. The drive through the New Forest was lovely but dripping. Our hearts went out to the shaggy haired ponies who looked miserable even though the grass was lush and green. But the woods take on a special, magical quality in the mist and drizzle with the trees still wearing some of their curled and brown leaves. The spongy forest floor a pale brown of leaf mold. While winter is often not the favored time to travel, it has it's own joys and the warmth and welcome of this hotel makes the most of it. Just because it is rainy outside does not mean everything stops. Play tennis inside in the warm. Swim in the large pool with a Roman ambience. Luxuriate and be pampered in the Spa. Read and have tea in the library in front of a blazing fire or just enjoy the comforts of the rooms and suites punctuating the day with the really fine food found here. Of course the spring and summer are glorious and the rest of the outdoor activities expand. But this is a year-round destination which allows the foreign traveler to take advantage fewer crowds and more relaxing and cheaper travel.
But speaking of the food, chef Luke Mathews has been recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide who have awarded him a star as well as other food guides and travel writers. His style of cuisine is eclectic. He makes extensive use of only the freshest local produce such as wild mushrooms, vegetables and game from the New Forest (but no roast of pony so relax), with fish and other sea food fresh from the local fishing villages of Christcurch and Lymington (also destinations to explore and enjoy). The fresh salt sea air will certainly stimulate your appetite for seafood with the beach only a hop, skip and a jump from the hotel. The wine selection is extensive. To work off lunch, in addition to the golf, tennis and croquet, there are miles of walking, jogging and biking trails on the 130 acre hotel grounds. Indoors, in addition to the many comfy places to sit, read, chat or doze, there is a billiard table if you like to poke small balls around the green felt. The rooms and suites in addition to offering delux accommodations, also provide satelite TV, technology plug ins for the internet and email, naturally a radio and CD player, a well stocked mini bar, thick and fluffy terry cloth bathrobes, a decanter of fine sherry, plus shorbread cookies and ice cold mineral water. Of course, if all this is not enough, just call room service 24/7.
But for many, it will be the pampering of the recently made over Spa at Chewton Glen that will be the draw. Recently voted Best Hotel Spa in Europe by Germany's "Gala" magazine, Chewton Glen's spa is a place to stimulate health, fitness and relaxation. A selection of over 50 beauty and body treatments is provided by highly qualified therapists and fitness instructors. The club is spacious and luxurious, and features the latest technology along with the highest level of comfort. The centre piece of the club is a sixteen metre 'Ozone treated' classical style indoor pool. There is also has a ladies and gentlemen's hairdressing salon. The spa was totally updated and extended in the early part of 2002, and the size doubled since its creation in 1990. The gym has been fitted out with 'Air Machine' resistance equipment, three new treatment rooms and a rest room have been added and a separate sauna and steam room installed in each of the creatively styled ladies and gents changing rooms. The Pool Bar lounge has been considerably extended as a focal point for the club and provides a wide range of light meals and snacks. The hydro therapy pool was completed in June 2003 and is the crowning glory to the new spa. For how to find the hotel, its history and more, visit their web site linked below. Chewton Glen Hotel |
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