Recommend a just-outside-of-London estate/foodie/spa/hotel thing

Hatter The Mad

Hatter The Mad

Hatter The Mad

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To the many foodie southerners here... I was wondering if you could recommend a nice hotel/spa set out in some gardens or countryside somewhere. One of those places that is all about lounging, spa-ing and eating amazing food.

I like(d) the look of http://www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk/ but unfortunately they are sold out. Danesfield has a supposedly amazing restaurant.

Not looking to head too far away from London (Surrey, etc).

Have any of you been lucky enough to visit and eat at one lately?

Thanks in advance!
 
It's my GF's 25th soon and i'm looking to take her somewhere nice. The place you suggested is full on the day I need, but I can get a room here, with breakfast and dinner...£450 for the one night :eek:

http://www.stokepark.com/index.html

It's 5* and it was the hotel that featured in The Bridget Jones Diary, Its in The Sunday Times top 10 most romantic hotels IN THE WORLD.


....but £450....and I have NO IDEA how to act round posh people :(
 
Andr3w said:
It's my GF's 25th soon and i'm looking to take her somewhere nice. The place you suggested is full on the day I need, but I can get a room here, with breakfast and dinner...£450 for the one night :eek:

http://www.stokepark.com/index.html

It's 5* and it was the hotel that featured in The Bridget Jones Diary, Its in The Sunday Times top 10 most romantic hotels IN THE WORLD.


....but £450....and I have NO IDEA how to act round posh people :(
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This looks perfect, good find! The people here wont be posh, don't worry. Just remember to act appropriately for the place - no rowdiness, scruffy clothes at the restaurants, mutual politeness :)
 
Heh....what if I order wine and they bring it to me and I have to do that 'smell and drink' thing with the wine, we went to a posh place on holiday where I had to do that....I panicked and just downed the wine and said 'yes'

:(
 
Stoke Park is very relaxed. I've played Golf there, and the staff were lovely. I recognised the place from two film scenes:

i) Goldfinger: They actually have the statue outside Odd-Job uses his hat to decapitate
ii) Layer Cake: The very beginning of the film where a Range Rover is racing down the track in between the courses with 'She sells sanctuary' in the background.
 
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Andr3w said:
Heh....what if I order wine and they bring it to me and I have to do that 'smell and drink' thing with the wine, we went to a posh place on holiday where I had to do that....I panicked and just downed the wine and said 'yes'

:(
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Well I am pretty sure most people get the wine thing wrong, too. They think they are tasting the wine to see if they like it or not - actually, the restaurant is just letting you test it to confirm that it is not corked.

If the waiter/wine steward is experienced and sees someone having a good taste and smack of the lips, followed by "that's lovely, I'll take that" they'll probably be rolling their eyes inside.

So, even a sniff will do if you don't want to wet your lips with it. If the wine is corked, you'll feel like you've just inhaled a load of vinegar and rotten wood so you won't mistake it.
 
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Hatter The Mad said:
Well I am pretty sure most people get the wine thing wrong, too. They think they are tasting the wine to see if they like it or not - actually, the restaurant is just letting you test it to confirm that it is not corked.

If the waiter/wine steward is experienced and sees someone having a good taste and smack of the lips, followed by "that's lovely, I'll take that" they'll probably be rolling their eyes inside.

So, even a sniff will do if you don't want to wet your lips with it. If the wine is corked, you'll feel like you've just inhaled a load of vinegar and rotten wood so you won't mistake it.
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In my experience, a good waiter will smell the cork before he even lets it near you, avoiding possible issues. But you're right, give it a good swill and a smell. I always laugh when I see people taking an age over it, especially with screw cap bottles :eek:
 
To see if it's corked? I'm guessing that means it hasn't been sealed properly by the cork? Therefore if it hasn't you would be able to smell it? (Stupid comment?!?)
 
Andr3w said:
To see if it's corked? I'm guessing that means it hasn't been sealed properly by the cork? Therefore if it hasn't you would be able to smell it? (Stupid comment?!?)
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_taint

Most often happens if the wine has been stored standing for too long (which lets the cork dry out and disintegrate into the wine). That's why wine should be stored on its side (so the cork is kept slightly moist) until close to drinking time.
 
Andr3w said:
Never knew that! See, this is why people like me should never go to places like Stoke Park :p

Have you decided on a place to go?
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Deciding between Stoke Park and Penny Hill Park today. Looks like it might be Stoke - I can pass on the the Michelin restaurant at Penny in return for what seems to be better value in general at Stoke.

PS: Don't forget, you're the guest, they'll work to make you comfortable and not the other way around. Table etiquette and all that is essentially no more than what would be expected of you at a Pizza Express (seriously). If any, 'posh' people go to places like this to vegetate and lounge around - you'll be surprised at how laid back it is. In fact, you'll be more likely to find it full of Essex ladychavs :p Forget about it all and just enjoy!
 
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I'm tempted to think sod it and just book a night there! One of their 'Celebration Breaks'. It's dinner and breakfast as well as champagne and chocolates in your room!

Think of the dirty shenanigans that go on in those massive bedrooms :eek:
 
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Going by the reviews - fantastic!

At places like this is it like in the films where you have to slip the fella that helps you with your bags and shows you to your room some money :o?
 
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