HOT HOTEL
Rhinefield House, Hampshire
Rhinefield House, Hampshire
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? If, like me, your passions are the sea and the forest, this is the perfect location for an escape. Tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of the New Forest, this hotel is also just 20 minutes’ drive to the beach huts at Milford-on-Sea, or beautiful Calshot Beach. Offering the best of both worlds, you can go horse riding through the forest in the morning, then go paddleboarding in the afternoon. Originally built as a private country estate, the opulent Grade II-listed building and gardens were designed by William Henry Romaine-Walker and Augustus William Tanner in the late 19th century. The gardens went into decline after WWII but were fully restored in the late 1980s and can be enjoyed by hotel residents. There is an outdoor pool, extensive lakes and some lovely quirky touches that you can discover yourself! WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE? The traditional wood-panelled rooms in the original building have high ceilings, large bathrooms and huge comfortable beds. The rooms in the new wing are more modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the forest or gardens. BEST SEAVIEW? You can’t see the sea from the hotel but there are stunning countryside views here and the beach is just a 20-minute drive away.
HOW ABOUT THE FOOD? There are many great places to eat and drink at Rhinefield House, which include around the carp pond, complete with fountain, on the lawns in front of the main house, and inside the dramatic two AA Rosette Armada Restaurant, which is decorated with chandeliers, a vast marble fireplace and intricate wood panelling. You can also hire the stunning Alhambra Room for private dining and enjoy this copy of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, with its high-domed ceiling made from Venetian glass, mosaic floors and Kilim carpets.
The menu offers traditional, English fine dining with quality local ingredients. The
seared scallops with pea purée, roasted shallot and a parmesan crust were plump and succulent, and the fillet of hake with mussels, chorizo, new potatoes and samphire was delicious. If you have any room left, there’s also a divine selection of desserts, from strawberry mille-feuille to vegan chocolate and rum tart. Starters are priced from around £8, mains from £17 and desserts from £8. The service is excellent and the staff are welcoming and friendly.
ECO-CREDENTIALS? The hotel recycles all glass and cardboard, and paper is compacted on site. Other items, such as cooking oil, are collected by specialist contractors, as Hand Picked Hotels works to recycle and remove waste products generally.
HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT? There is a lift that connects the ground and the first floor of the classic rooms and a specially adapted room for wheelchair users.
WHAT WILL IT COST? The two-day Christmas package, including completely sumptuous food throughout, costs £1,200 per room.
HOW DO I BOOK? Call 01590 622922 or 0845 0727516 or visit handpickedhotels. co.uk/rhinefieldhouse.
Alex Fisher
@alexfishermedia