Tag Archives: afternoon tea

Four Seasons Hotel and Spa, Hampshire

Posted on by

I spent less than 24 hours at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire, but my mini-break here felt like a week long holiday. This restored Georgian manor house an hour outside London is easily the most homely of the Four Seasons I have stayed at, blissfully blending English country living with 21st century modernity.

Driving up the bumpy driveway, the epic building looked like a palace ahead of us… impressive in size but utterly charming in character. Comprising of several different wings, it can be difficult to navigate your way around, although the obliging staff are more than happy to assist, escorting you back to your room, or elsewhere on site. There is an abundance of fun, exciting and indulgent things to do at Four Seasons Hampshire, suitable for all the family. There are a few activities I would particularly recommend:

1.Going for a bike ride round the countryside. Bikes, maps and water bottles are available free of charge from the hotel. The knowledgeable staff will advise you on a route and send you merrily on your way. Despite the freezing wind we loved our ride, spotting lots of amicable animals on our journey and travelling down past a very pretty river. It was idyllic and very invigorating to get some fresh air in my lungs! There are several little pubs to discover but sadly on a Tuesday the local was shut.

2. Returning back after your exercise fresh faced and ravenous, the special afternoon tea is the ideal sustenance. A delicious cake stand of classic English filled sandwiches, warm home baked scones and divine miniature cakes and pastries… a treat for all the senses.

3. If you’d like company the hotel dog is available for walks, just ask at reception. Welcoming one and all, dogs are even allowed to stay at Four Seasons Hampshire, a fact that astounded me. The staff deep clean the carpets after each furry guest ensuring the room is in tip top condition before the next visitors arrive.

We were staying in the amazingly spacious Park Suite. It was magnificent, fit for a queen, with luxurious fabrics, numerous amenities and heavenly views of the expansive grounds. Decorated in muted beige and cream, it had an instantly calming effect; we sat in our grand living room sipping the chilled champagne and munching on chocolate coated strawberries, both left kindly in our room for us.

Down duvets and pillows top the beds, a Nespresso machine for caffeine kicks and silky soft slippers and towelling robes for wrapping up in. You won’t want to leave the room – we delayed our departure to spend more time lazing around, watching the big flatscreen tv and flicking through magazines. The rooms at Four Seasons Hampshire are blessed with glorious light, making the private accommodation the ideal place to work, sit or just relax all day. If you feel like venturing out there are plenty of lovely communal areas like the splendid library to explore.

Our suite had one full marble bathroom and one guest powder room. The main bathroom was spectacular, glistening and shining with a huge bath and rain-shower, a separate toilet and two massive his and her sinks. Sparkling mirrors and super soft towels are also on offer.

The spa alone is reason to visit… a huge luxurious fitness and beauty centre with every facility imaginable. Lavish but lovely with thoughtful touches evident everywhere. I was lucky enough to experience the popular Pure Radiance Facial, the perfect pick-me-up to refresh and add a glow to tired winter worn skin. This hour long treatment is soothing and sensual for the face, using the gorgeous ESPA products, it revitalised me for the week ahead. After my treatment I went for a long swim in the indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool before enjoying the sauna and steam rooms. The spa is kitted out with every essential and luxury you could ever need… and I understood quickly how so many can spend the whole day here.

There are various dining options available… the prestigious and smart ‘Seasons’ restaurant, the more relaxed Bistro and Cafe Sante the health conscious lunch choice at the Spa. We tried the Bistro for supper, which was good enough to deserve a separate review! Breakfast the next morning was also served in this large room. We enjoyed an exquisite array of continental treats, tiny pastries and fresh juices, warming roasted coffee, french toast and waffles. We felt completely spoilt by the staff who managed to provide us with everything despite the inconvenient power cut! Needless to say it was all delicious, particularly the homemade options.

After a full and fabulous day of relaxing and refreshing, eating and exercising, it was time to leave Hampshire and our favourite new hotel. Just a short distance from London, but feeling far far away from busy city life, Four Seasons Hampshire is the perfect place for a short getaway.

More information and book here.

www.fourseasons.com/hampshire

Bettys Tea Room, York

Posted on by

Bettys Tea Room is an institution in York, a beautiful cafe where you can enjoy the finest tea and cake.

Mentioning my upcoming visit to York, many friends recommended Bettys, reminiscing about this family run business with genuine fondness. The first Bettys opened in the fashionable spa town of Harrogate in 1919 and since has grown to six tea rooms (with shops) across Yorkshire, plus a cookery school and a home delivery service.

I visited the main branch of Bettys in York, situated in the heart of the city in St Helen’s Square. The elegant building demands immediate attention, with the ground floor adorned with huge curved windows. Inside the beautiful wood panelling and ornate decor reminded me of Breakfast at Tiffany’s… a golden era of vintage sophistication. We were sat upstairs in the aristocratic Belmont Room, where you can book for the afternoon tea at weekends. Here a pianist plays familiar classics and guests chatter while sipping from their china cups.

It was difficult to resist the champagne version of the tea… for an additional £7 you receive a glass of Hebrart Premier Cru or Moutard Rose Prestige Champagne. To accompany our food, we tried three of the more subtle teas: Ceylon Blue Sapphire, China Rose Petal and Bettys Tea Room Blend, each with its own delightfully delicate flavour.

Three tiers of treats arrived shortly after the drinks…

Sandwiches filled with smoked Scottish salmon & cream cheese, roast Yorkshire ham & mustard, roast free-range chicken breast with tarragon mayonnaise and free-range egg mayonnaise & cress.

Freshly baked sultana scones with strawberry preserve and Yorkshire clotted cream.

A selection of handmade miniature cakes.

The sweet items were better than the savoury. I have to admit I wasn’t a big fan of the sandwiches, that though fresh, were rather uninspiring, lacking moisture and seasoning. The scones were absolutely divine, soft and delicious, especially good once topped with the jam and thick cream. The cakes were the highlight, unsurprisingly, an assortment of beautiful classic creations from the pastry chefs.

Whether you pop in for a quick cup of tea or spend hours over an afternoon meal, Bettys Tea Room is the first thing to put on your York visit itinerary, and the last thing you will forget.

More information here.

www.bettys.co.uk

Thanks to East Coast Trains and www.visityork.org

East Coast operates 72 services each weekday between London King’s Cross and York. Customers travelling First Class can enjoy East Coast’s complimentary food and drinks offer, plus unlimited Wi-Fi. Advanced return fares, booked online at www.eastcoast.co.uk: start from £26 Standard Class or £79 First Class. Times and fares can also be found via 08457 225225 or from any staffed stations.

Viva Forever cocktail party with the Spice Girls, Harvey Nichols

Posted on by

I made the decision not to blog on my birthday. The 5th February was going to be my day off, that is until I was invited to a private party in Harvey Nichols. My thoroughly modern alter ego sprang back into action and I replied to the invite with a resounding YES.

A select guest list made its way up to the fifth floor of Harvey Nichols. It was only midday but heels were out in force, make-up applied and best party frocks zipped up – this was not an ordinary lunchtime cocktail party. In the smart bar champagne flutes awaited in a rainbow array and photographers lingered. With cocktails and cake, we all celebrated the new Spice Girls inspired mixtures which accompany the hugely popular Viva Forever themed afternoon tea. Girls gossiped and tottered about exchanging excited opinions on their favourite flavours.

The five show-stopping cocktails are all Champagne based and created by Fifth Floor Bar Manager, Dominic Jacobs, with each drink highlighting the Girls’ most famous traits.

Tied up in individual bows, from Union Jack to leopard skin, the VIVA FOREVER! cocktails are priced at £14.50 each and available until the end of April.

Baby Spice – Peach puree and fresh strawberries, Harvey Nichols Champagne
Ginger Spice – Domaine de canton ginger liqueur, rose syrup topped with Champagne
Scary Spice – Fresh chilli, lychee liqueur topped with Champagne
Sporty Spice – Amaretto, curacao bleu and lemon juice topped with Champagne
Posh Spice – Apricot brandy, sugar cube soaked in grapefruit bitters, topped with Champagne

The new cocktails accompany the VIVA FOREVER! Afternoon Tea, available until the end of February. My favourite was the exotic Scary Spice variety with lychee and chilli… a sweet drink with a spicy kick. The Baby Spice cocktail is a simple fruity cocktail and the Posh Spice recipe offers something a little more sophisticated.

To eat, the luxury department store has created food and drinks with specific references to each of the five girl’s personalities:

Ginger and lemon layer cake with Union Jack decoration
Scary chilli chocolate roll with leopard printed chocolate discs
Zesty and energetic orange chocolate chip cake pop, inspired by Sporty’s love of Chupa Chups
A Posh Victoria sponge shopper
A sweet and innocent vanilla and raspberry mousse presented in a baby bottle

Alongside these sweets, afternoon tea guests are given cured beef and onion chutney poppy seed bagels, smoked chicken and carrot roulade, creamed smoked salmon on pumpernickel bread, an egg mayonnaise bridge roll and homemade winter spiced and plain scones with Champagne strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Writer and Producer of the show Jennifer Saunders and Judy Craymer attended to celebrate the cocktail launch, as well as most of the cast of the musical. Everyone was most excited to witness the arrival of the pop group themselves. Geri, Mel B, Emma and Mel C all honoured us with their presence, making the gaping hole for a missing Victoria Beckham very obvious.

It was a girly event – a feast of fun, food and cocktails and an opportunity to taste the imaginative Viva Forever afternoon tea. The perfect party for my 25th birthday, and an epic celebration of girl power.

More information here.