Ageas will just Bowl you over

by STUART BRODKIN OUR two-night stay at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton proved a hit.

Not surprising as our suite overlooked the Hampshire county cricket ground.

The 171-room hotel has been built to blend in beautifully with one of the most modern and attractive grounds on the English cricket circuit.

For me, as a committed cricket fan, it was a joy to open the curtains in the morning and look out from our spacious balcony on to Hampshire’s green and pleasant land.

Sticking with the sporting theme, there is also a golf course and spa, popular with Hampshire cricketers and Southampton’s Premier League footballers.

The spa was officially opened by Catherine Zeta-Jones. She had a facial on its opening day and my wife followed suit during our visit, while I had a body massage, facial and head massage.

For those seeking a quick snack and a drink the Lakeview Bar is ideal. You can watch live sport or just gaze out at the view of the lake and golf course.

But if you want to make a meal of it, try the in-house Beefy’s Restaurant, which is named after Sir Ian “Beefy” Botham, the major shareholder in the venture.

Botham is a well-known wine lover, bon viveur, charity walker, TV personality and he wasn’t a bad cricketer either!

The menu is packed with steaks, including a 20oz Tomahawk Ribeye for £29.75, as well as some delicious fish dishes and vegetarian options.

As you’d expect from Sir Ian, who is a fairly frequent diner there, the wine list is extensive with very reasonable prices.