Tag Archives: United Kingdom

Amberley Castle. South Downs, UK.

Hotel of the Week, , , , , , ,

Amberley Castle is yet another winner in our United Kingdom special this month. The stunning castle sits on 12 beautiful acres of gardens and land – peacocks, alpacas call this castle home, too! Only a short drive from London and an even shorter one from Brighton, Amberley Castle is a unique and stunning place to retreat to.

This Castle holds amazing history inside of it, yet does not skimp on the luxury. It is absolutely the best of both worlds when it comes to mixing culture with the luxury you want on your vacation.

Each of the 19 rooms have unique qualities about them; no two rooms are the same in decoration and they are all designed to reflect the nature of the Castle’s origin over 900 years ago. All rooms have beautiful antique furniture and the finest fabrics, materials and fixtures.

If you are feeling like you want to truly experience the royal treatment, book the Bishoprics Suite. Or, if you want to make your stay as romantic as possible, opt for the Chichester Room, which is located on the top floor of the Castle and has a four-poster bed and the original fire place. All of the remaining Premier Deluxe Rooms are equally amazing, as is every single room in the Castle – they all even have whirlpool bathtubs, yes please!

The restaurant is located directly inside the Castle and hosts two rooms. Known for its impeccable cuisine, Amberley Castle serves wonderful food and is the number one choice among anyone in the surrounding area, residents and visitors alike. Dine in either the Queen’s Room or the Great Room, both of which date back to the 12th Century. If you go in the winter time, sit by the fire and warm your chilled bones, just like the Queen would.

Be sure to pack your play clothes because the property has a tennis court, a croquet lawn and an 18-hole putting course. Keep it British by venturing out in a hot air balloon or skeet shooting before your afternoon tea. One more insider tip: disconnect and leave your cell phones in the room, and your jeans, too. Embrace the Royal way, you will be glad you did.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Limewood Hotel. Hampshire, UK

Hotel of the Week, , , , , ,

Only an hour and a half from London, this trendy country style house hotel has a great mix of old and young. Whether you’re in town for a music festival or just popping in to have some tea, it’s definitely worth your time to stop by and take a look around. Rustic charm and natural lighting fill the entrance as you walk in. The lobby has a giant glass sliding roof  to make you feel as if you are constantly surrounded by open air and nature. Staying at Limewood gives you the peace and quiet of being out of the city with some color and party thrown in.

There are 8 different room types that range from Cosy to Forest Lodge. If you’re looking for country-chic, stay in the Forest Suite. If you’re looking for a cosy warm space, stay in the Forest Hideaway Suite that spans over two floors with a wood-burning fireplace. Lastly, if you want total privacy for you and a loved one or a family, stay in the Forest Cottages & Cabin, it’s the closest you’ll get to staying in an authentic cabin without going to the mountains.

The culinary masterpiece HH&Co, the hotel’s restaurant, is a relaxed, stylish and comfortable upscale restaurant, full of character yet unpretentious. The menu is Italian influenced forest dishes with English classics, which will remain constant and other dishes on the menu will change daily with forest and seasonality being the driver behind the menu’s style. Even if you’re not staying in the hotel, be sure to drop by at tea time for some seasonal teas and cake. The center of attention at the restaurant is the smokehouse, so if you can, stay for dinner, you won’t regret it. All the meats are cured for at least 10 days and they produce Chorizo, Lavender cured Loin of Pork, Pancetta, Coppi, among many others. 

Another place to stop by is their state-of-the-art 22,000 sq ft spa. There are 8 single treatment rooms plus 1 double treatment room if you’re traveling with a partner. Complimentary activities at the spa include the mud room, sauna, hydropool, and caldarium. Opt for the Bamford Body Signature Treatment or the Voya Lavendar and Seaweed Sugar Glow.

As they say at Limewood, “We don’t do average”.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.