Chewton Glen Hotel

Chewton Glen may be the country-house hotel against which to measure all others. The location is spectacular, occupying 130 acres of parkland at the edge of the New Forest (once the hunting ground of Norman nobles, later the refuge of smugglers carrying Continental contraband). As scenic as the surroundings may be, many guests may never get to see them — the hotel is luxurious enough that to tear oneself from the grounds requires a supreme effort. The exterior may be simply that of a very big house in the country, but within the walls is a completely modernized luxury hotel. Those in search of authentic 18th-century interiors may be disappointed, but those who prefer comfort to rickety (however authentic) furnishings will be delighted. They simply did not make suites (and especially bathrooms) this large in the old days. And space isn't the only luxury — the huge windows offer views of the grounds that are breathtaking enough to compete with the satellite TV and Bang & Olufsen entertainment centers. Perhaps an excellent meal is enough to lure you from your room; The Dining Room offers a quintessentially English dining experience, with a menu that celebrates old Chewton Glen favorites while also embracing new flavors based on the best seasonal ingredients. And across the estate is The Kitchen by James Martin, where guests enjoy lunches or cooking classes while chefs develop menus and pick fresh ingredients from the garden and greenhouse. In keeping with the theme of decadent relaxation, and carrying on the Roman bath tradition in the South, is the Chewton Glen Spa — one of the best in England, and a consistent award-winner. There’s a dizzying array of treatments on offer.