I don't believe we could've picked anywhere more perfect for the first night of our honeymoon than Chewton Glen. From the moment we drove through the grand entrance gates and began the long approach, up a sweeping drive to the main house — with 130 acres of golf course and parkland falling away around us — all the stresses and strains of the last few weeks started to drift away.
We pulled up in the pretty, flower-filled courtyard in front of the hotel, handed over the keys to the car, and within minutes we were relaxing in our suite, our luggage having magicked itself into our room before us. Now that's what I call service...
And what a suite it was. We had a spacious lounge with a comfy sofa and doors out onto a large balcony complete with table and chairs and sun loungers. Unfortunately there was no sign of an Indian summer, but at least it wasn't raining so we did linger on the balcony for a while to admire the view across the lawns and beyond to the New Forest woodland.
Back in our lounge, on the coffee table was a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates made specially for the Chewton Glen by the Beaulieu Chocolate Shop (just down the road in the pretty New Forest village of Beaulieu, no less), plus fruit, mineral water (still and sparkling) and a half bottle of Nyetimber English sparkling wine on ice. Someone really had thought of everything.
The bedroom was large yet cosy, with a sumptuous king-size bed and another flat-screen TV (there was one in the lounge, plus a Bang & Olufsen CD player/radio). It was all done out in a modern country-house style, with a pleasing combination of contemporary and antique furniture, and lavish, tactile fabrics in various tones of grey and white. To cap it all, the en-suite bathroom (well stocked with lovely REN natural toiletries) was almost as big as the bedroom, with his and hers basins (what a great idea that is), a separate toilet and bidet, a huge walk-in shower, and a deep, freestanding bath in the window, with yet another TV in the wall at one end so you can have a good soak and watch telly at the same time.
We would've happily stayed in our room all day had there not been a multi-award-winning spa to explore. It was a convenient short walk through the corridor to reach the spa - no need to stray anywhere near the public rooms — so we put on the robes and slippers provided and made our way down there.
Relaxation, fun and togetherness were what we were after, hence we bypassed the gym (although it did look impressive) and headed straight for the large hydrotherapy pool, where the water jets massaged our muscles while we sat back and reflected on the previous day's events.
We did more sitting around and chatting in the outdoor hot tub too — it felt invigorating to sit outside in the cool air, but enveloped by the bubbling warm water. I then managed a quick swim in the pool (the perfect size and temperature) before we split up for an hour to each have a full body massage — the most relaxing, sleep-inducing massage I think I've ever experienced.
Luckily, I livened up in time for dinner, which began with drinks (including an impromptu cocktail created specially for us by the friendly bar manager) and canapés in the bar, where the sommelier helped us to choose the perfect Portuguese red to accompany our meal.
One half of the Marryat Restaurant, which has held three AA Rosettes since the Nineties, is housed in a stunning conservatory overlooking the outdoor pool and grounds. At night it's a romantic, intimate space, with candles flickering on the tables and glinting on the sparkling glassware and silver, and pretty lights and white drapes hanging from the vaulted ceiling.
My starter of tian of Portland crab (from just across the border in Dorset) with spicy Madras crab cakes, a roasted mango puree, coconut and coriander was a delight to eat, while my husband's hand-dived Scottish scallops were faultlessly cooked and served in a classic partnership with cauliflower puree, crispy little cauliflower beignets and a parmesan velouté. The loin of Romsey lamb with a pistachio crust, crispy sweetbreads, rosemary polenta, a spinach and watercress roulade and a lamb jus was the winning dish at main-course stage, while my warm gooseberry and vanilla torte with lemon verbena ice cream ended things on a light note.
The next morning, we were woken from a blissfully long and peaceful sleep by the delivery of freshly brewed tea, with the added surprise of some homemade blueberry mini muffins (with juicy, real blueberries inside!). There were more of those muffins, larger ones, on the breakfast buffet, which had the most incredible selection of yummy morning foods I've ever come across. A homemade smoothie in a shot glass was brought to our table as a kind of amuse-bouche before we tucked into fruit compotes topped with yoghurt and crunchy granola, mini cinnamon Danish pastries and freshly baked croissants. From the menu we ordered the kedgeree, which was delicious. We certainly wouldn't be needing any lunch.
I can't think of a single thing about our stay at the Chewton Glen that wasn't perfect, and that had a huge amount to do with the staff, who were all so welcoming, courteous, helpful and professional to the last. Roll on our first wedding anniversary!
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QS (+44 01425 275341; chewtonglen.com). Room rates start from £269 per room, per night.
