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Bowood Hotel and Spa, a luxury destination hosting a championship 18-hole
golf course and spa, was an ideal choice for our two-girl road trip to the
Wiltshire countryside and (more importantly) for a shopping spree in Bath.
BEAUTIFUL BOWOOD
First impressions count, especially when two important days of your life are going to be in the hands of people who are there to make it as relaxing as possible.
We knew we were heading somewhere special when we approached the impressive gated driveway that would lead us to the Bowood Hotel and Spa. We arrived in the dark yet we were still in awe of the dramatic entrance and the anticipation of a warm welcome.
Being near to the M4 makes travel from Wales easy to this epicentre of some of the UK's best places of interest, including the 2000 acres of the Bowood House Estate, owned by the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. It was to offer us the perfect country hideaway combined with our need to be pampered city slickers. Now, all the flowery language and journalistic adjectives in the world won't do justice to our short break experience, so I'll keep it simple because that's exactly what it was. In effect I'll summarise in three words - unobtrusive, uncomplicated and accessible.
Everything from the bedrooms to the lounges and restaurant were well appointed and impressive enough. Our every need was attended to, yet there was one thing missing - and in a good way I hasten to add - and that was the overt overuse of pomp and ceremony (apart from a hint of it at afternoon tea). It was just what we needed at that time - a quiet haven of relaxed efficiency and excellent service that needed no excessive grandeur or boutique fixtures and fittings to dazzle us.
The hotel is recently built in keeping with local land and architecture, as is the interior, which has been designed by the Marchioness of Lansdowne to combine modern with traditional. Yet it was the staff (with no single exception) who made our stay so perfect and everyone, irrespective of where you bumped into them, was smiling, friendly and professional. We commented on it between us to the extent that we were shocked at how we've become conditioned to accept poor service as the norm in the UK, with good service being something of a rare surprise!
To our minds this is a country house hotel with a conscience and it's going places. It's a great place to unwind if your time is limited and you want to maximise the opportunity to enjoy yourself in the rural landscape, places of interest and shopping. Here's our pick of the best bits..
■ Spectacular views of the golf course and parkland from our bedroom, the Spa and Restaurant.
■ Our pampering Spa morning which included a few lengths in the infinity pool, jacuzzi and sauna followed by blissful Sundari facial and massage using natural plant extracts and essential oils to impart the aforementioned blissful state.
■ Pre-dinner drinks and canapés in The Library.
Expect...
■ A deserved two AA Rosettes for excellent cuisine from Executive Chef Chris Dawson and an attention to service detail by knowledgeable staff both in the fine-dining Shelburne Restaurant and the more informal Clubhouse Brasserie.
■ An outstanding team led by visionary General Manager Ben Danielsen who invests in the performance and training of his staff.
■ Free entry to the Bowood House Estate, Rhododendron Gardens and Adventure Playground during the opening season of April to November.
Big plans...
■ To expand the Spa and develop ecological best practices to run the hotel almost totally sustainably.
■ For more Food and Drink awards, including a Michelin star.
Perfect for...
■ Weddings, events and corporate.
■ Romantic getaways.
■ Families and children.
■ Girls' pamper breaks.
■ Weekend leisure breaks.
Activities...
■ Golf.
■ Outdoor Adventure Playground and family team-building events.
■ Wet-weather games room.
For an extra special (re)treat try the Queenwood Lodge for the ultimate in service, complete with a butler. Dinner, breakfast and afternoon tea is prepared by your very own chef, making it ideal for exclusive family retreats, girls' spa breaks or for anyone who wants to chill-out in the intimacy of their own space, yet benefit from the hotel and spa facilities.
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SISTER MAGAZINES
 
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