HOTEL REVIEW

Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire

There are certain brands that are synonymous with luxury and quality, and none more so than the name Four Seasons in the Hotel sector. The Four Seasons have luxury hotels all over the world, many occupying wonderful settings, and one such hotel is The Four Seasons hotel in Dogmersfield, Hampshire, which is situated in what used to be, Dogmersfield House.

This country manor has a long history which dates back to the Doomsday Book, and includes frequent visits from 3 English Kings - Henry VI, Henry VII and Henry VIII, and the present Grade 1 Georgian building’s construction was started in 1728, with additional buildings added in the late 18th Century, and the final amendment being relatively recently, when the stable block was converted into an ultra-modern spa and swimming pool.

Although set in 500 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside, the hotel is only a 6-minute trip from Fleet Station where you can reach Waterloo in 55 minutes, or a 53 minute drive from London, so is the perfect weekend retreat for those looking for some much needed rest and relaxation, or an adventure weekend, as there is lots to do and enjoy.

On our drive up to the house we passed their equestrian centre, and on arrival were greeted by the concierge team who whisked away our luggage and took our car to the car park, leaving us to just walk through the marbled entrance hall to the check-in desk. Check-in was swift and efficient and our luggage arrived at our room almost the same time as we did.

The hotel caters for all type of travellers, and so offers a wide range of room choices, from a mews room all the way up to a speciality suite, but regardless of your choice all their rooms are stylish and packed with luxuries to make your visit a special experience. These include thick terry bathrobes and the fluffiest towels you could wish for. What is clever is that the rooms are decorated in the style of a country manor, but alongside these period features the rooms are filled with the latest technology, with premium wifi throughout, wallpaper-thin LG TV’s with satellite TV and on demand movies, chromecast etc., and for me, the bane of my life, a top of the range coffee machine (because I still can’t work out how to use them!).

We had a Grand Manor room with wonderful views over the Hampshire countryside and in the distance the Basingstoke canal. Our bathroom was enormous with a stand-alone bath tub and a separate shower cubicle with the most powerful power shower that I have ever experienced, and our bed was vast with crisp, fresh sheets - just perfect!

Having settled in, our next stop was the spa area, as my wife was having a massage and I was planning on enjoying the jacuzzi and sauna, hoping the bubbles and heat would melt my stresses away.

The spa is located in the old 18th century stable block, but there is nothing old fashioned here. The large swimming pool is housed in a glass roofed and sided conservatory which provides wonderful natural light to the slate grey tiled pool, with a large relaxation area with padded sun beds at the far end. There is also an outside vitality pool for the more hardy (especially in March!) where the water jets can soothe away the aches and pains of the day. There is also a sauna and steam room, and to guarantee that your experience is relaxing, these areas are child free after certain hours, but for all those parents out there don’t worry, children are more than well catered for.

In keeping with the concept of looking after all types of visitors without impacting on the other guests, there is a separate children’s pool and water play area called ‘Sharkie Reef’, where children can be children and be lively without their parents needing to be constantly worrying about the noise and other adults’ reactions.

Whilst I was enjoying the sauna and braving the sharp Hampshire air in the vitality pool, my wife sampled one of the extensive spa treatments, namely the full body massage, where the therapist weaved their magic and kneaded away her knots! The spa has been beautifully designed, with fresh flowers and dimly lit lighting, oozing relaxation, calm and luxury throughout.

Having whiled away a happy couple of hours at the spa (it also has a modern gym, but I didn’t use that!), it was time for dinner, and our destination was the Wild Carrot restaurant. We passed down the sweeping staircase, and as the bar looked so inviting, decided to have a quick pre-dinner drink. The bar is decorated in such a way that you feel like you are sitting in your own lounge at your country estate having a quick tipple before being called through to dinner (one can dream!).

The Wild Carrot restaurant’s décor is in line with the bar, completing that thought of you dining in your own house and transporting you back to a bygone age where life was slower paced and more relaxed. The service in the restaurant was efficient and friendly and the menu showcases all of the finest local produce Hampshire has to offer, all skilfully and sympathetically prepared by Executive Chef, Talha Barkin, and his team.

After a relaxing night’s sleep, and an excellent English breakfast brimming with sausages, bacon and eggs, along with all the other accompaniments a good English breakfast should have, we decided to enjoy all that is on offer around the estate and maybe walk off a few pounds. There are a considerable number of outdoor pursuits on offer, including horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, croquet, tennis and archery, but we opted for a brisk country walk. There are a number of walks available of varying distance and difficulty, and we chose the one that follows the route of the Basingstoke Canal, that runs through the grounds of the hotel.

The Basingstoke Canal, which was built in 1794 to link Basingstoke with the River Thames, was never really a commercial success, and fell into disrepair until eventually being restored in the 1970’s, which allows guests to now enjoy boat rides along it, making it the perfect backdrop to a lovely walk which takes around 1½ hrs and takes you via a few quaint Hampshire villages (and a lovely village pub!).

It is hard to fully describe how well the Four Seasons look after all of their guests, but I think a good way is that they look after everyone as if they were the only guest staying at the hotel. Our trip was ultrarelaxing, and a great break from the stresses of working life.

For those with families there is so much for the children to do. As well as a wonderful Kids Club with activities for children of all ages, there is also a thrill packed Highwire Adventure which includes high and low rope courses, adrenalin pumping zip lines, a giant see-saw, a parachute simulator, horse riding, and that amazing children friendly swimming pool, with slides and water jets.

As I said at the start, the Four Seasons has a reputation for luxury and quality, and that reputation is based not only on the quality of their hotels, it is also based on the quality of their service, and that is down to their staff, and the fact that nothing is too much trouble for them. Whilst other hospitality business’ service qualities decline due to lack of quality staff, the Four Seasons is a beacon, as the service is impeccable, but unobtrusive and not forced, which is a lovely combination.

For those who need a relaxing break, or a family who want an action-packed break, this is the place for you, and being so close to London, why are you waiting?

Four Seasons, Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield, Hampshire, RG27 8TD www.fourseasons.com/hampshire