Tag Archives: Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf

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At the weekends, Canary Wharf is a very different place. Gone are the bankers and their briefcases, instead a strange ghostly silence falls over this financial district. One place, however, is still very much alive and ready to give you an unforgettable weekend.

It was pouring with rain when we approached the grand Four Seasons Hotel. All I wanted was a warm place to relax and a glass of fizz in my hand. Thankfully this hotel provided both within moments of stepping inside.

A speedy check-in meant we were inside our executive suite without delay, admiring London’s overcast but enchanting skyline and enjoying the comforts of our Four Seasons bedroom.

Luxury is evident in every detail. Executive category rooms are spacious corner suites with striking riverfront views of the Thames. At 56 square metres, they offer the privacy of a separate living room for entertaining or meetings, with plenty of space for relaxing too. Our bedroom was particularly impressive, an inviting king size bed, numerous plush pillows and an epic flatscreen TV. An adjoining full limestone bathroom featured a big bath, separate power shower and (L’Occitane) toiletries. As a taster before our Italian cooking class, Head Chef (Moreno) had left Mediterranean tasters and gifts in our living room. The bruschetta and breadsticks wrapped in Italian ham were particularly appetising, a hint of what was to come with our pasta cooking course and our delicious meal at the hotel’s Quadrato Restaurant.

Guests of Four Seasons Canary Wharf can enjoy a variety of top-notch extracurricular activities including free access to the high tech Virgin Active gym (complete with impressive indoor infinity pool leading out to the Thames), a lovely piano lounge with live sport for the men and cocktail lists for the girls, not to mention a calming, petite spa for the ultimate relaxation. We were lucky enough to experience a couple’s massage – a pleasant start to our Sunday morning. With the sun rising over London, the views from here were even better. Using aromatic essential oils, two therapists gently and effectively kneaded away all tension in our backs. The treatments here are revitalising and stress relieving – ideal as an energising wake up in the morning, or to help you wind down after a busy day.

Breakfast is an array of foodie delights, continental or full English, whatever you feel like. I particularly enjoyed the do-it-yourself juicer which enables you to create your very own exotic drink. I can also highly recommend the delicious french toast and pancakes from the a la carte menu.

We were sad to wave goodbye to Canary Wharf, jumping on the conveniently located, charming clipper boat back to central London. I’ve always thought of this area of London as a suits only professional playground, but the Four Seasons Canary Wharf proves itself a luxury hotel for both business and pleasure.

More information and book here: www.fourseasons.com/canarywharf

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Four Seasons Bistro, Hampshire

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There are two restaurants to choose between whilst staying at the Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel; the ‘Seasons’ Restaurant, which offers a fine dining experience  or ‘The Bistro’, providing an array of British classics in a more relaxed, informal atmosphere. Arriving at the Hotel in what felt like Baltic weather conditions, there was nothing we wanted more than some good British grub to warm the cockles, so the Bistro suited our needs perfectly.

We were warmly welcomed by the staff and asked whether we would like to eat in the restaurant or in the more relaxed bar area. I think it is always nice to be given this choice, and I expect eating in the bar is a popular choice for business workers that stay during the week and families with young children who would like to dine in a less formal setting.

Within minutes of sitting down, we had been given large flutes of Louis Roederer Champagne and offered a selection of home made breads of which the fresh white roll with olives was my favourite. To start I chose the Caramelised onion and Gold Muddler local ale soup, served with welsh rarebit. The soup was incredibly fresh, with the right level of sweetness and the cheesy rarebit complimented the dish perfectly. Milly opted for the Warm Laverstoke buffalo mozzarella wrapped in pancetta and served with a black olive tapenade and sun dried tomato crostini. We both agreed that this was the winner out of the two, and the dish was demolished between us.

For main course, to satisfy our meat cravings I chose the Laverstoke Park Farm beef burger and Milly went for the Casterbridge sirloin steak. The burger arrived stacked high, layered with bacon, aged cheddar and crisp salad. The meat of the burger was finely ground and full of flavour, however if I was being fussy I would have liked it slightly rarer.The accompanying chunky chips were crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just the way I like them and some of the best I have tasted in a long time. Milly’s steak was served medium with a hot peppercorn sauce and skinny fries.The meat was incredibly juicy, tender and intense in flavour and the peppercorn sauce gave a lovely kick to the dish.  Now I am not a skinny fries kind of girl, but Milly assured me that these were incredibly good and continued to pick at them despite her repetitive announcements of being ‘so full’. In the end we had to request they were taken away so we could save room to squeeze in dessert.

Dessert was an easy decision as the waitress was passionate about one particular dish – Apple Pie with cinnamon ice-cream and hot caramel sauce. Luckily we had decided to share as the portion was huge and plenty for the two of us. The pie was comforting and wholesome, homemade and delicious, the ideal winter pudding. The cinnamon ice-cream was smooth and creamy and was beautiful served in a thin wafer basket. And the hot caramel sauce… wow… this was so good and disappeared in seconds. The waitress must have noticed and brought us another jug of the hot sticky heavenly stuff, which allowed us to both practically drown the apple pie. A cup of fresh mint tea concluded the meal wonderfully.

I would highly recommend the Bistro restaurant to anyone staying at the Four Seasons. It provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed and unpretentious meal, yet still retaining the air of sophistication that you would expect from a hotel in this class.

More information here.

www.fourseasons.com/hampshire/

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Susie Hemsted.

Four Seasons Hotel and Spa, Hampshire

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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