Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008 - (Page 35)

own private paradise. Along with the pool, the newly renovated treatment rooms feel very private and not at all cookie cutter; staff exude a deep professional pride in what they do, along with a genuine solicitude. Tip: The new unisex skin treatments by Linda Meredith are the most coveted items on the spa menu as they can only be had in London and at Chewton Glen. Linda’s ministrations are the talk of the town and the favorites of footballer’s wives and other celebs who often lounge in the spa, wrapped in waffle robes. For more active body work, the tried-and-true sport of the upper crust, croquet, is very much on offer. The huge outdoor croquet lawn is spiked with rings just for this purpose. Guests particularly enamored of this very English country-house sport can even stay in the Croquet Lawn wing, where 10 new rooms will be added in 2009. (Tip: This wing is great for families because many of the rooms will connect, allowing adults the luxury and privacy of a suite, and extra space for kids.) A stroll down to the seashore, via a scenic wooden path that leads out onto the seafront at Highcliffe-On-Sea, with a private trainer is also a great way to explore the area and exercise at the same time. If it’s action you want, what could be more “country-house chic” than clay pigeon shooting—also available by special arrangement with the general manager. After all that activity, guests can picnic on the lawn, Brideshead style, with a hamper from Executive Chef Luke Matthews before retiring to their luxuriously appointed rooms or suites, all bookable on the GDS. At Chewton, every room has a view. Some are garden rooms, with small verandas in front, RICH DÉCOR gives each room a warm country feel. BATHROOMS are a stamp of modernity at the eminently rustic-styled property. others have white wrought-iron balconies. All of them open out onto the ancient oaks of the New Forest, which fringe the property on all sides. Tip: The Bronze Rooms are not suites but feel like them. They are large, roomy and have the best power showers this side of the pond (along with Molton Brown shampoo). If your guests want more room, the Masterman Ready Suite has its own rooftop sun deck, along with an extra bed in the lounge area. Note: Contact Sales Director Emma Underhill (eunderhill@chew tonglen.com; 011-44-1425275-341) if your guests have special needs, such as rooms for children or handicap access (the hotel has a special portableaccess tool that makes every room in the house available). Rooms, including the new rooms being developed for 2009 in the Croquet Wing, are designed by Anita Rosato, who tells Luxury Travel Advisor that guests at Chewton Glen want a dream weekend, so expectations are extremely high. Although the area of the New Forest (Chewton Glen is on the edge of the New Forest National Park) is full of good restaurants, clients should book at least one night into Chewton’s restaurant, where the wine-and-food pairing dinner is an experience not to be missed. In fact, many local-landed gentry are members of Chewton’s “Dining Club” and come to the restaurant as a destination dining experience regularly. You might be seated next to a Lord or Lady as you feast on local game (yes, there is game in all this greenery) fish and other New Forest specialties. The wine cellar is huge and world-renowned. Our meal—and night—was made as we watched the sun dip through the greenhouse glass of the enclosed restaurant. Note: Private helicopters can land on the grounds, but for those who would rather fly into Heathrow, the airport is only an hour and a half away. —Gretchen Kelly www.luxuryta.com September 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 35 http://www.luxuryta.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Provence India Alvear Palace Hotel Oceana Santa Monica English Country Houses Chewton Glen Summer Lodge Chilston Park Hotel Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago Park Hyatt Milan Intercontinental Montelucia Jackson Hole World Cruises French Riveria Spas Voluntourism Vacations Signature Travel Network The Pulse Profile Luxury Travel Expo Sightings Source List Leaders Speak

Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008

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