FollowAs you probably know, I have a big imagination. Sometimes I feel my life is like a movie. When I travel places it hard not to compare them to things I have seen on the big screen. I’m sure I’m not the only one that does this.
Traveling to the United Kingdom definitely conjures up visions of movies for me. I have a thing for the English and their stories…let’s call it a small obsession. So, it was like a dream to have a city experience in London and then a country escape to Hampshire. For me, it was very much like James Bond meets Pride & Prejudice. I know you must be able to imagine what I mean but you might still wonder how this happened. The location is part of the reason, of course, but the bigger explanation was where I was staying.
In London I stayed at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Maybe you are familiar with this property, it opened in 1970 as Four Seasons first European Hotel. Renovated and reopened in 2011, it’s now sexy, sleek and understated. Four Seasons Park Lane is playful but all English.
Inspired by the 1930’s golden age of travel, the property’s color scheme is black with splashes of red and animal print. The house car is a Rolls Royce. The restaurant has a wall of wine – all available by the glass. The staff is impeccable. It feels like 007 will round the corner at any moment – most definitely luxurious and swanky enough for the likes of that infamous spy. The property has 193 rooms and an amazing restaurant and bar, Amaranto, which serves inventive Italian with English style. I particularly loved their extensive cocktail menu MMMM.
Not to be missed at Park Lane is their incredible spa. The views of Hyde Park are ALMOST as good as the treatments. Located in the center of Mayfair, Four Seasons Park Lane is the ultimate city hotel just steps away from Knightsbridge. Another notable perk to this property is their 10th floor lounge made available for guests with early morning arrivals. How lovely since I typically arrive in London at 6AM!!
In the country I stayed at the Four Seasons Hampshire, an 18th century Georgian manor house with quite the storied past. Located in the heart of Hampshire, Dogmersfield Park was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was the site of the first meeting between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Even Queen Elizabeth has visited this country estate. All I can say is it’s exactly as I would imagine a Georgian manor to be. Not only did I feel like I was stepping to a beloved Jane Austen novel, literally Jane Austen’s house turned museum is just 25 minutes away from the estate.
Everything at Four Seasons Hampshire is light and airy, decorated with classic English furnishings – sophisticated not stuffy. The 500 acres of this estate include a canal, incredible gardens, gorgeous sweeping lawns and stables. You can borrow a pair of wellies boots and wander the grounds, perhaps even read your favorite book under a giant oak tree. I was looking for Mr. Darcy to turn up at any moment and tell me “You have bewitched me body and soul”. WHAT??! Let a girl dream. Opened in 2005, the property has 133 rooms, 3 restaurants, a stunning spa and more activities to keep any active person busy.
I gave horseback riding a college try and loved it but if that’s not your thing then there’s tennis, golf, croquet, bike riding, fishing, falconry, the list goes on. The best news is Four Seasons Hampshire is a 1 hour drive outside London. ONE HOUR!! Or you can travel by train from London Waterloo to Fleet Station and take a taxi 10 minutes to the property. Recently awarded ‘England’s Leading Resort’ by World Travel Awards, it truly is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. Between the divine gourmet dinner with locally sourced ingredients to the mixology class and cocktail tasting, it was beyond perfection and I can honestly say I was quite at home at Four Seasons Hampshire and had no desire to ever leave.
I would typically say I’m a city traveler but wouldn’t change anything about my Four Seasons city and country getaways. Well, except not actually meeting James Bond or Mr. Darcy. 😉 Thank you, Four Seasons, for hosting me and giving me the opportunity to experience both. I cannot wait to return to both properties at some point soon.
PS – if you are looking for some holiday magic, Four Seasons Hampshire has all kinds of things planned for the Festive Season. Check out It’s a Wonderful Life at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire for details.
