Finding Pennyhill Park was easy – when I printed out directions from the
hotel’s website it offered a neat one-page document with regional and local
map and comprehensive directions. It’s a simple service, but thoughtful for
first-time guests.
There is a downside to browsing the website though – the disappointment on
arrival when you find that the beautiful ivy-clad façade of the hotel that
adorns the website is not the view that welcomes you. You only get a hint of
it through the trees and are instead greeted by an ugly electronic scrolling
sign set into a block of stone that presumably welcomes companies on
conference days.
The entrance too is a let down – it’s more mock than matured, and it’s the
modern annexe buildings and the vast spa that you see, rather than the older
part of the hotel. The handsome butlers in tailcoats don’t let the side down
though – with their crisp pink cravats and broad smiles, and once inside the
reception, you’re in country house hotel heaven.
The flagstone floors, oil paintings, rugs in deep colours, fireplaces and
quirky antiques such as a confession box, set the tone, although staff were
cheerful rather than formal, and within minutes we were shown our room.
Our room was a suite overlooking the spa and the lawns at the back of the
hotel. It was large with low ceilings and huge windows on two sides. We were
in a modern extension to the oldest part of the house, which actually only
dates to the 1920s, but the design was sensitive to the original.
The furniture was genuine though - numerous objects of polished mahogany -
wardrobe, dresser, desk, occasional tables and so on, trying to fill the
cavernous room, and a vast four-poster bed situated in the centre of the
room to dramatic effect. The overall effect was a touch of grandeur but not
so much that you were put off touching anything for fear of leaving
fingerprints or mug rings.
The bathroom had an attractive claw-foot bath and huge drenching shower but
the under-floor heating was a little too warm and didn’t seem to cool down
after I adjusted the dial.
There was a mini-bar and offer of free fresh milk and biscuits, bathrobe and
slippers and a teddy bear to leave outside instead of a “do not disturb”
sign.
We had our evening meal at Latymers, the smarter of the hotel’s two
restaurants that’s overseen by Michelin-rated chef Michael Wignall. The
décor is a touch more contemporary than the hotel lobby – and to my
surprise, the lavish wallpaper prints, bold artwork and spotted armchairs in
the lounge outside the restaurant worked well with the original features.
Here diners start with aperitifs and canapés before heading into the more
intimate atmosphere of the wood-panelled restaurant.
The tables around the edge are best for elbowroom and bagging the snug olive
green banquette seating – if you go for the full tasting menu it’ll be a
long (and sumptuous) evening, so its pays to be comfortable and out of the
way of the passing waiting staff.
The other diners were mostly couples on special evenings out and small family
groups who all seemed to be enjoying the food as much as we did – I didn’t
see a plate that didn’t go back to the kitchen clean.
The Tasting Menu offers nine courses for £78 per person but we opted for three
courses a la carte, which nearly topped nine with the canapés and amuse
bouche between courses.
We rang Malaysian Airlines re: a passenger’s peanut allergy and asked them not to serve peanuts on the booked flights. They’re not willing to do so, AND the passenger must get a doctor’s note, so they won’t be responsible should the passenger suffers. Do they not practice duty of care?
Terri Lo, Sevenoaks, UK
I stayed at Pennyhill and thought the Latymer meal was one of the best I have had in the last five years. Staff are all really friendly throughout the hotel, a rareity nowerdays. Spa is great , with a fantastic gym ( To work off Dinner)All in all10/10
Colin, Fleet, Hants