I just lately visited one of many UK’s greatest spas. It is excellent for {couples}, pals and even households.
The spa was among the best (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
Pennyhill Park is a luxurious five-star lodge and spa set within the countryside close to Bagshot, Surrey. Its historical past spans greater than 400 years, with the land first showing in information in 1609 as Pennyhill Discipline. In World Warfare I, the home and grounds had been reportedly used as relaxation lodging for navy officers, reflecting its proximity to coaching centres like Sandhurst. The home was reworked from a personal property right into a hospitality vacation spot in 1972, when it first opened as a lodge.
Since then, it has grown into the posh spa lodge and nation retreat recognized at present, combining its Victorian heritage with fashionable leisure and wellness services. It feels calm and personal, with lengthy driveways, timber, and quiet grounds that show you how to chill out as quickly as you arrive. Though the climate wasn’t on our facet and there was quite a lot of out of doors strolling, it was one of the best ways to spend a wet Friday.
There’s quite a few rooms to select from (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
The out of doors pool may be loved within the hotter months (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
ROOMS
With 124 characterful rooms and suites to select from, there’s a narrative behind each door at Pennyhill Park. No two rooms are the identical, but all mix a tasteful country-house attraction with fashionable consolation.
There are lots of to select from, together with Cubby Rooms, Cosy Rooms and Heritage Rooms. Heritage Rooms evoke a extra conventional nation home really feel, with basic furnishings, a separate bathtub and bathe, and loads of area to unwind.
Different choices embrace Comfortable Rooms, that are spacious and classy, with a separate bathtub and bathe in addition to a relaxed seating space. Visitors can select from Comfortable Twin Rooms, excellent for pals or household travellers, in addition to Luxe Rooms.
On the high finish, there are suites with much more area and particular options, resembling personal out of doors scorching tubs or huge jacuzzis in signature suites, providing an actual sense of luxurious.
Throughout all room varieties, you’ll discover snug king or queen beds, well-equipped loos with toiletries, in addition to tea and occasional services, a TV, free Wi-Fi and seating areas.
Our room was located a brief stroll from reception and featured a cushty four-poster mattress with a formidable open mezzanine, house to an enormous bathtub, a dressing desk, and a cushty seating space.
Some loos even provide options resembling underfloor heating, although the lodge had some points with this throughout our go to. Total, there’s one thing for everybody at Pennyhill Park, suiting pals, household, travellers and {couples}.
The spa has state-of-the-art services (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
The spa at Pennyhill Park was spectacular and enjoyable (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
DINING AND DRINKING
The lodge has two primary eating places, Hillfield and Latymer. The Hillfield restaurant has a farm-to-fork ethos and serves up lunch, afternoon tea and a extra informal dinner. That is the place company additionally take pleasure in breakfast, which was completely scrumptious.
I handled my mum to Pennyhill’s afternoon tea, which was totally scrumptious and moreish. Candy treats included a lemon macaron and a beetroot cake, however you may’t beat heat scones with jam and cream. The sandwiches had been significantly spectacular, and I used to be shocked to seek out out we may get a second, third and even fourth serving of the savouries. I’ve loved many afternoon teas through the years, and few provide extra savoury gadgets.
The opposite restaurant, Latymer, is extra formal and has been awarded a Michelin star and 5 AA Rosettes. Head Chef Steve Smith makes use of solely the perfect, sustainably sourced, seasonal components. Located in one of many oldest elements of the unique Pennyhill Park home, the restaurant is cosy with a contemporary twist. Menu gadgets included a tasty do-it-yourself crumpet topped with a light-weight coating of yeast extract and pickle. Steaks had been additionally on provide, together with a wide range of fish dishes.
The pear and honey parfait was a spotlight for me. Full with caramelised pear compote, caramelised aerated chocolate, honey tuille, together with a pear and tonka sorbet, this pudding was among the best I’ve ever had. Different pudding choices on the time of visiting included a salted caramel fondant, a pecan and pumpkin mille-feuille, and a plum and chocolate mousse.
You too can benefit from the tasting menu at Latymer in addition to wine tasting with the restaurant’s head sommelier.
The pudding choices had been all scrumptious (Picture: Sophie Harris)
Pennyhill Park spa attracts company from all around the nation (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
I would like to revisit in the summertime to attempt the out of doors pool out (Picture: Sophie Harris)
AMENITIES
The spa is the principle attraction and is without doubt one of the largest and greatest within the UK. It’s full of state-of-the-art services, together with natural saunas, a plunge pool, an ice room and expertise showers.
There’s an 80ft indoor pool heated year-round, in addition to indoor and out of doors scorching tubs. Even in winter, you may sit exterior in heat water whereas respiration within the cool, recent countryside air. The out of doors pool is open through the summer time months, and there are many loungers for company to chill out and benefit from the environment.
In case you fancy a therapy when you’re visiting, there’s a complete vary of massages, facials, and extra to select from, together with scorching stone massages, a mud expertise, and a hot-and-cold wellbeing therapeutic massage, to call just a few. There’s additionally a health club, every day health lessons, and loads of remedies to select from.
Visitors can even dine within the spa’s Thermis restaurant, typically utilized in spa-day packages, that means you may take pleasure in gentle meals and drinks with out leaving your gown or rest space. These wanting to take a look at Pennyhill Park’s spa can achieve this in quite a few methods. Choose from spa days and spa breaks, or you may even grow to be a member.
The facilities are limitless, and I stored discovering new areas of the lodge as I explored the grounds. Certainly one of my favorite areas was the drawing room, situated with an open hearth to maintain us heat, near the Lily Pond Terrace. This terrace space overlooking the lily ponds and the Surrey countryside was like no different, designed for company to take a seat exterior and revel in foods and drinks.
In good climate, it’s a spot to eat gentle dishes, snacks and drinks, and within the winter, you may anticipate fires, blankets and heat drinks. The Lily Pond Terrace can be used as a reception area for occasions and weddings, the place company can collect for drinks and socials outdoor, particularly after ceremonies.
The Lily Pond Terrace was one in every of my favorite areas (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
The lodge has a wealthy historical past (Picture: Pennyhill Park)
Pennyhill Park is a full-service luxurious retreat the place eating, wellness, health and out of doors rest mix with elegant rooms and top-tier service. The employees had been extremely attentive all through, and the restaurant service was faultless.
The property is sort of troublesome to navigate, so it’s really useful that company with disabilities don’t remain alone. Whereas our room wasn’t accessible, the lodge does have accessible rooms and all of its bars and eating places are situated on the bottom ground.
In case you ebook direct with the lodge, you’re assured the perfect worth, entry to all room varieties, prolonged spa entry, and a full English breakfast for 2 price £60.
If I may sum up my expertise in three phrases, they might be enjoyable, indulgent, and delectable.
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