A City Experience & Country Escape in the UK with @FourSeasons

As you probably know, I have a big imagination. Sometimes I feel my life is like a movie. When I travel places it hard not to compare them to things I have seen on the big screen. I’m sure I’m not the only one that does this.

FSUK

Traveling to the United Kingdom definitely conjures up visions of movies for me. I have a thing for the English and their stories…let’s call it a small obsession. So, it was like a dream to have a city experience in London and then a country escape to Hampshire. For me, it was very much like James Bond meets Pride & Prejudice. I know you must be able to imagine what I mean but you might still wonder how this happened. The location is part of the reason, of course, but the bigger explanation was where I was staying.

FPO_LON_362

In London I stayed at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Maybe you are familiar with this property, it opened in 1970 as Four Seasons first European Hotel. Renovated and reopened in 2011, it’s now sexy, sleek and understated. Four Seasons Park Lane is playful but all English.

photo 1-2

Inspired by the 1930’s golden age of travel, the property’s color scheme is black with splashes of red and animal print. The house car is a Rolls Royce.  The restaurant has a wall of wine – all available by the glass.  The staff is impeccable. It feels like 007 will round the corner at any moment – most definitely luxurious and swanky enough for the likes of that infamous spy.  The property has 193 rooms and an amazing restaurant and bar, Amaranto, which serves inventive Italian with English style. I particularly loved their extensive cocktail menu MMMM.

FPO_LON_430

Not to be missed at Park Lane is their incredible spa. The views of Hyde Park are ALMOST as good as the treatments. Located in the center of Mayfair, Four Seasons Park Lane is the ultimate city hotel just steps away from Knightsbridge. Another notable perk to this property is their 10th floor lounge made available for guests with early morning arrivals. How lovely since I typically arrive in London at 6AM!!

HANT

In the country I stayed at the Four Seasons Hampshire, an 18th century Georgian manor house with quite the storied past. Located in the heart of Hampshire, Dogmersfield Park was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was the site of the first meeting between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Even Queen Elizabeth has visited this country estate. All I can say is it’s exactly as I would imagine a Georgian manor to be. Not only did I feel like I was stepping to a beloved Jane Austen novel, literally Jane Austen’s house turned museum is just 25 minutes away from the estate.

photo 2-6

Everything at Four Seasons Hampshire is light and airy, decorated with classic English furnishings – sophisticated not stuffy. The 500 acres of this estate include a canal, incredible gardens, gorgeous sweeping lawns and stables. You can borrow a pair of wellies boots and wander the grounds, perhaps even read your favorite book under a giant oak tree. I was looking for Mr. Darcy to turn up at any moment and tell me “You have bewitched me body and soul”. WHAT??! Let a girl dream. Opened in 2005, the property has 133 rooms, 3 restaurants, a stunning spa and more activities to keep any active person busy.

horse

I gave horseback riding a college try and loved it but if that’s not your thing then there’s tennis, golf, croquet, bike riding, fishing, falconry, the list goes on. The best news is Four Seasons Hampshire is a 1 hour drive outside London. ONE HOUR!! Or you can travel by train from London Waterloo to Fleet Station and take a taxi 10 minutes to the property. Recently awarded ‘England’s Leading Resort’ by World Travel Awards, it truly is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. Between the divine gourmet dinner with locally sourced ingredients to the mixology class and cocktail tasting, it was beyond perfection and I can honestly say I was quite at home at Four Seasons Hampshire and had no desire to ever leave.

I would typically say I’m a city traveler but wouldn’t change anything about my Four Seasons city and country getaways. Well, except not actually meeting James Bond or Mr. Darcy. 😉 Thank you, Four Seasons, for hosting me and giving me the opportunity to experience both. I cannot wait to return to both properties at some point soon.

PS – if you are looking for some holiday magic, Four Seasons Hampshire has all kinds of things planned for the Festive Season. Check out It’s a Wonderful Life at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire for details.

14 Comments

Filed under hampshire, london, swanky luxe stays, travel, united kingdom

14 Responses to A City Experience & Country Escape in the UK with @FourSeasons

  1. Oh wow what a gorgeous place! I would never want to leave!!!
    Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted…Las Vegas, Nevada: Day 3My Profile

  2. Wow, these seem to be stunning Four Seasons properties. Staying on Park Lane, Mayfair is something we can only dream of. Very exclusive!

    Glad you had a great time on your trip to our fair country.
    The Guy recently posted…The Smallest Kingdom In The World – Island Of Tavolara or Isola TavolaraMy Profile

  3. I’m a sucker for a Four Seasons but this one looks especially lovely! I love how English it looks. The cocktails look amazing! I’m bucket-listing this bad boy!
    Travelingpanties recently posted…Luxury Disney World: What VIP Tour Services Offer and How Much They CostMy Profile

  4. I’ve had a minor British obsession develop over recent years so I devoured every word of this post! I’m dying to get to London and so want to experience the English countryside. And falconry?! I want to go now!!
    Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted…Could we be the very first #GwOGuestTester Family?My Profile

  5. I hate reading these posts because they always make me so jealous. You had the Captain and falconry. You got me with horses and delicious cocktails. We declare that you take us with you next time!

  6. James Bond meets Pride & Prejudice? Where do I sign up!? Except if I left without Bond, I don’t know if I could take it!

    PS You look fabulous on that horse!
    Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted…A Little London Love.My Profile

  7. Ummm horseback riding in the countryside? Ok and yes please.

  8. I really like hotels who can take care of an early arrival. Glad this one was ready for Lola!
    Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted…Love Shopping? I Have a Grand Bazaar for YouMy Profile

  9. This reminds me of the beginning of the movie the Song Remains the Same by Led Zepplin. They show members of the band driving around their country estates in these classic automobiles. Looks beautiful.
    Traveling Ted recently posted…That time at the Chicago Marathon photo essayMy Profile

  10. What a cool picture of you on horseback! I only know London, as far as the UK is concerned, but would love to experience the English countryside someday.
    Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted…No Ordinary Park Bench: Virgin Atlantic’s street campaign in NYCMy Profile

  11. Not much not to love about Four Seasons properties… Hope to visit these on my next trip across the pond….And you might need to edit the world “small”, (comma on the outside as the English prefer it) a small obsession with England and English….?

    Stay Anglophile, Craig
    Craig Zabransky recently posted…Sunset Sunday-A Sunset in Marathon, New YorkMy Profile

  12. i love that you went horseback riding, you look so cute!! wish we could have seen this one with you. xo
    the lazy travelers recently posted…foodie break: felice 83My Profile

  13. Oh how I would love to step into a Jane Austen novel! (Sorry, that’s me off in a daydream now…)
    Clare recently posted…On Hoarding Holiday Brochures and Childhood DreamsMy Profile

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge