Stanwell House Hotel - Hampshire

14/15 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9AA
+44 (0)1590 677123
www.stanwellhouse.com
Review by Patricia and Dennis Cleveland-Peck

The hotel is conveniently situated half way up Lymington’s wide High Street which leads down to the marina and the Solent and even before we entered Stanwell House, we had fallen in love with the town. Our welcome was warm and our initial impression was of a small hotel with a big character.

To reach reception we passed a tiny bar and snug (open 24 hours) tucked beside the front door while beyond, extending towards the garden was a long glass-roofed conservatory with comfortable wicker chairs, which was busy with people relaxing over tea and cakes.

The hotel has a colourful history. In the 18th century it was owned by General James Wolf who in fact spent his last night here before his departure in 1759 to Quebec where he defeated the French and secured that part of Canada for the Crown. Later it was a finishing school for young ladies and then a Solicitor’s before becoming a hotel in 1945.

Our room, one of the Garden Suites, was magnificently decorated in what I can only call ‘modern baroque’ style: lots of chromium and silver- painted furniture, big mirrors and sumptuous floor-length curtains at the three French windows which opened directly onto the garden. The big bed was to be blissfully comfortable with a wonderfully light duvet – one of the best we’ve slept in.

The bathroom, with big walk-in shower and bath was equipped with all the expected unguents and fittings – including rather special waterfall taps. There were bath robes and slippers in the wardrobe, 26” flat screen TVs in both bed and sitting room, free wi-fi, an iPod, complementary mineral waters, coffee and tea (lots of types) and even a notice saying that fresh milk was available on request.

We asked to see some other rooms and found they all had similarly striking décor, some with the same baroque feel but dark wood, some with four posters - all individually styled to a high standard and all with impeccable bathrooms and comfortable beds.

Not only is Lymington on the edge of the glorious New Forest but it is blessed with a bountiful supply of tempting shops which, after settling in, kept us busy until the smell of the sea drew us down to the marina where it was pleasant to watch to sunset.

Our appetites sharpened, we returned to prepare for dinner which we took in the Seafood restaurant. Here one can choose from the designated Seafood menu or the Bistro menu or combine the two. Each has 5 starters and 5 main courses. Also available is an 8-course tasting menu (at a very reasonable £48.00) or a Tapas menu with 14 ‘Seafood Temptations’ (at £5.95 each). We were immediately impressed by the scope of these menus and with our heads reeling with such possibilities as Lymington Crab Ravioli, Ham Hock and Foie Gras Terrine, Quenelle of White Crab Meat, Creedy Carver Duck and the Stanwell House Signature Dish of Truffled Hens Egg Velouté, Wild Mushrooms, toasted Brioche and Pancetta Crisp – to say nothing of a wide selection of meats and fish - it was incredibly difficult to arrive at a decision.

Eventually we settled on the Seafood Platter for Two (at £50.00) having skipped starters on hearing from our helpful waiter that it was ‘big’. It was in fact enormous - and magnificent. It consisted of a lavish pyramid of lobster, crab claws, mussels, clams, cockles, oysters, crevettes and langoustine all piled high on ice with lemon and little dishes of mayonnaise and tartare sauce on the side. Eaten with a variety of breads this was a veritable feast of intensely fresh flavours. We lingered long and messily (thank goodness for finger bowls…) enjoying every mouthful. Too replete for pudding we finished with out favourite digestif Irish Coffee, which was well prepared.

Breakfast however, was somewhat underwhelming. The food itself; fruit, cereals ad cold meats on the buffet, followed by the cooked breakfast of local sausages, bacon, eggs, black pudding, tomato et al, was all of good quality and well cooked but the service was haphazard – our toast arrived when we had almost finished and the coffee was poor – we asked for a stronger brew which was readily supplied but was equally tasteless. The room itself was a tad characterless too – we noticed some other people decamping to the brighter Conservatory and wished we’d done the same.

This, however in no way detracted from our overall impression that Stanwell House Hotel is a not only a little gem, but when one considers the charming town, the sea and the surrounding forest, a little gem in a perfect setting.

Prices start from £89-£265.00 per double room with breakfast or £139-310.00 for dinner bed and breakfast. There are many events and special offers.