Four Seasons Hampshire
If you’re going to staycation, then you might as well do it properly. Four Seasons has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious hotel groups in the world, but does its Hampshire country estate live up to expectations?
Less than an hour’s drive from SW London, Four Seasons Hampshire is a beautifully restored 18th-century manor house set in a whopping 500 acres of parkland. The hotel is billed as a family and dog-friendly countryside escape, that seamlessly blends legacy and heritage with 21st-century modernity.
Almost as soon as we turned on to the sweeping drive and began our approach to the glorious mansion that was to be our home for the night, expectations were already being met. We were welcomed warmly and taken through a very sleek and efficient COVID checkpoint; the hotel’s foyer, with its impressive marble flooring and gorgeous Georgian features, is now dominated by temperature machines and screens but this, for now, is the new normal, and a reassuring sign that safety and cleanliness are being taken very seriously here.
Our bags were whisked away and so were we - in the Four Seasons’ Range Rover for our private bird watching session with the hotel’s resident ornithologist, Keith, who was both knowledgeable and entertaining.
Country pursuits are the order of the day here; horseback riding, tennis, croquet, cycling, fishing and even falconry are just some of the other activities that can be arranged. Armed with the hotel’s incredibly smart Swarovski binoculars, we spotted an array of beautiful birds and wildlife (up to 50 different species can be seen at any time of year here) and familiarised ourselves with the hotel’s truly beautiful grounds. Despite the rain, we loved every minute.
Back at the hotel, there is plenty of comfortable, stylish space to kick back and take in the views from, including the light and elegant Library to the cosier wood-panelled Drawing Room.
Our ‘Heritage’ bedroom exuded understated elegance and timeless luxury; exceedingly comfortable beds and traditional furnishings intermingled with fluffy robes, Asprey products and a huge flatscreen TV. I completely fell in love with the magnificently opulent marble bathroom, but my favourite touch was the beautiful plum tart that was waiting for us under a glass bell jar, made with plums freshly picked from the hotel’s orchard and topped with gold leaf. Divine.
Currently, pool sessions need to be pre-booked. This had been taken care of in advance of our arrival, so off we went to the stylish spa, in our dressing gowns (and masks), passing stunning floral displays, friendly families, well-behaved dogs, Lycra-clad couples and smiling members of staff along the way.
Having been furnished with flip flops, fluffy towels and fresh water, we assumed the position by the expansive, conservatory-style pool. It was wonderfully quiet and relaxing; light streamed in through the glass ceiling as we swam and lounged on squishy sun beds and languished in the warmth. There’s also an Instagram-ready outdoor ‘vitality pool’, equipped with all sorts of bubbles and rigorous jets, and if you’ve packed the kids then the (entirely separate) waterpark-esque children’s adventure pool, Sharkie’s Reef, looked brilliant fun.
The afternoon flew by and soon it was time for dinner. The hotel’s restaurant and bar, Wild Carrot, is named after the wildflower that grows in the grounds. At the helm is Executive Chef Paolo Belloni, and his love for the cuisine of la campagna (the countryside). Décor here is different to the rest of the hotel – more modern and ‘hip’, with statement wallpapers, pops of colour, leather seats and shelves of books and props, and yet more splendid service and fabulous food.
We ate wild mushrooms with fresh truffle, delicious Dover crab cavatelli with a rich coral emulsion, and a perfect piece of cod with girolle and a wild mushroom broth, all beautifully presented. Both puddings were showstoppers too – a wonderfully indulgently chocolate and hazelnut cake with proper salted caramel ice cream, and gorgeous fresh figs with honey and mascarpone cream. Breakfast, which we had delivered to the room, was a similarly delicious affair.
Before our departure the following day, we consulted the hotel’s handy map and enjoyed a looped walk along the Basingstoke Canal, which was incredibly beautiful and peaceful. When the heavens opened, a smiling member of staff came running out impossibly fast with umbrellas for us, and when it was time to leave our car was magically packed and we were offered water for the journey home. From the moment we arrived, to the very moment we left, the service was exceptional.
I must also mention the Four Seasons app, which was completely brilliant throughout our stay. Wherever you are in the hotel, you can ‘live chat’ with the concierge, and the response time is remarkable. Want to order breakfast to the room? Of course. Book a pool session? Absolutely. Order clean towels? Fresh milk? More shampoo? No problem. Nothing is too much trouble.
As we drove off, I remembered a moment from dinner the night before, when my mother (my plus one for the night) had been chatting to our friendly waiter about the pandemic and all the challenges that come with it. He smiled kindly and said to her; ‘madame, life may be a little crazy right now, but we are still the Four Seasons”, and that summed it up perfectly; whatever might be going on in the world, Four Seasons Hampshire provides the ultimate, luxurious escape.
Rooms start at £370. Current promotions include; 20% off the room rate when you book at least three days in advance, or receive a complimentary third night with every two consecutive paid nights (both valid until 31 Dec 2021). For more offers and to book visit fourseasons.com/hampshire
Review published October 2020 on Essential Surrey & SW London.
