FOUR SEASONS HAMPSHIRE
We finally arrived into Chicago after our plane was diverted to Moline, Illinois to get more gas and to wait out the storm. Once we arrived to Chicago, we did the OJ dash to the gate when we hear our names on the intercom to get to gate K12!
Nasty weather in Chicago...so, another lesson learned ... even if it costs a little more money or miles, consider the non stop flights whenever your travel!
When we arrived in Heathrow, we were met by our driver, Charlie (on time...thank goodness) for our 40 minute drive to the Four Seasons, Hampshire. The Four Seasons Hampshire has been a number of things ranging from a girls school, to a manor house built in 1728 to the location where King Henry XIII met his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Jane Austen came to walk on the grounds ad found inspiration here as well. BTW, for those who love Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle - where the series is filmed is 25 minutes from the Four Season Hampshire's front door!
 |
| Four Seasons, Hampshire Bedroom |
There are 139 rooms and suites within the 4 buildings that comprise the hotel which opened on Valentine's Day, 2005. The hotel has such a warm feel to it. I think it begins when the hotel's dog Oliver greets you at the door and continues on to the genuine warm greetings by the staff. The General Manager is present and it was a pleasure meeting Mr. Palmer. Our room, in the 18th century Manor House is lovely ... about 450 square feet. The bed is AMAZING!! It is so comfortable (which really helped with my jet-lag . There is an amazing spa with 15 treatment rooms, an indoor pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi. There are 3 restaurants on property and a library. You can do just about anything including horse back riding,tennis, clay shooting, hiking and more.
Speaking of food ... well usually, I do not like hotel food. Because we are about 15 minutes from the closest village of Farnham, we decided to have dinner at the Bistro Restaurant which is the casual restaurant at the hotel. The food and service was excellent at dinner and the breakfast the following morning.
Where to go for dinner outside of the hotel? I have the perfect place and I mean PERFECT! The Gamekeepers Restaurant was recommended to us by 4 people. It is family owned starting with Phil and Sandra. The restaurant is 20 minutes from the Four Seasons Hampshire and the hotel arranged for our round-trip taxi. EVERYTHING was wonderful! Phil told us a bit about the restaurant and his family. Sandra shared her insight about the wines that they have chosen to serve at their restaurant. We enjoyed the most wonderful cheese dish that I've ever had. It was "Turnworth Cheese" made by Hampshire Cheeses which is a local company. They served the cheese warm from the oven and added local honey and thyme. It was served with rustic bread and chutney. That was our starter. My husband had the local lamb dish and I enjoyed the Turbot. Both were served with fresh veggies from the garden. We enjoyed a St. Emilion wine that Sandra recommended and ended our meal with fantastic brownie and home made vanilla ice cream dessert! What a wonderful meal served with pride and care.
I would definitely recommend this hotel for family gatherings, girls or bachelorette weekends and use the hotel as a pre-cruise experience to help with jet lag.
The World is Our Playground!
Mari
 |
| Four Seasons, Hampshire Spa |
Speaking of food ... well usually, I do not like hotel food. Because we are about 15 minutes from the closest village of Farnham, we decided to have dinner at the Bistro Restaurant which is the casual restaurant at the hotel. The food and service was excellent at dinner and the breakfast the following morning.
Where to go for dinner outside of the hotel? I have the perfect place and I mean PERFECT! The Gamekeepers Restaurant was recommended to us by 4 people. It is family owned starting with Phil and Sandra. The restaurant is 20 minutes from the Four Seasons Hampshire and the hotel arranged for our round-trip taxi. EVERYTHING was wonderful! Phil told us a bit about the restaurant and his family. Sandra shared her insight about the wines that they have chosen to serve at their restaurant. We enjoyed the most wonderful cheese dish that I've ever had. It was "Turnworth Cheese" made by Hampshire Cheeses which is a local company. They served the cheese warm from the oven and added local honey and thyme. It was served with rustic bread and chutney. That was our starter. My husband had the local lamb dish and I enjoyed the Turbot. Both were served with fresh veggies from the garden. We enjoyed a St. Emilion wine that Sandra recommended and ended our meal with fantastic brownie and home made vanilla ice cream dessert! What a wonderful meal served with pride and care.
I would definitely recommend this hotel for family gatherings, girls or bachelorette weekends and use the hotel as a pre-cruise experience to help with jet lag.
The World is Our Playground!
Mari
No comments:
Post a Comment