A beautiful four star hotel surrounded by 400 acres of picturesque Hampshire countryside, Old Thorns Golf and Country Estate has a reputation for indulgence and it’s easy to see why. Catering for romantic breaks as well as luxurious family or group holidays, this hotel and spa offers an abundance of activities and experiences within its carefully constructed walls…

The hotel

In addition to its stylistic beauty, it is the hotel’s range of accommodation that makes it such a welcoming destination for all. Luxurious rooms and suites in the main hotel, to four bedroom apartments and innovative Eco-pods within the hotel grounds mean that not only is it an ideal escape for romantic breaks and mini moons, but also for group getaways with friends and even a family holiday.

The location

Situated in the South Downs National Park, Old Thorns is cosseted amidst the rolling hills of some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. Within easy reach of the South Coast, as well as being only one hour by car from London, it has every opportunity to explore the surrounding area and to access for a speedy mini break. The hotel is also nestled into the folds of its own golf course, officially opened in 1982 by Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Isao Aoki and Bill Rogers, a joy for those with a passion for the sport.

The restaurant

There are a number of foodie options available at the hotel. For drinks there is The Atrium Champagne Bar and the Sports Bar, both with very different atmospheres, as you might expect, but popular in equal and resplendent measure. It is the Kings Restaurant that is the main drawcard however, offering fine dining amidst characterful architecture, while the Sunday carvery and afternoon teas are highly recommended.

The spa

The spa is very much the jewel in the crown of the hotel. Vastly spacious and offering a wealth of facilities, there is a 26,000 sq foot gym with magnificent views as you jog along on the treadmill. There is also a crystal clear 20 metre swimming pool and sliding doors onto a beautiful terraced area, a sub-tropical bubble pool, a steam room, sauna, foot spas and heated loungers, 15 treatment rooms, a relaxation room and a private balcony for spa guests. In addition to a collection of treatments offered by Decléor, OPI, Sienna X spray tans and HD Brows, the spa also has its own Medi-Spa - the hotel’s exclusive aesthetic clinic providing rejuvenating and enhancing treatments.

The verdict

The beauty of this hotel is not only in the wonderfully high standards of everything they have to offer, but in the variety that makes it so appealing to so many different people. It is most obviously a wonderful place to go for a romantic escape, but the opportunity to stay in apartment or eco pod accommodation, as well as the wealth of space and number of treatment rooms in the spa makes it ideal for groups of friends as well!

Top tips

• Make your spa break an overnight break so you can really make full use of the spa experience.
• Stay in an eco pod for a really quirky twist on the traditional spa break, especially if you’re visiting on a hen do!
• The spa offers some really beautiful treatments, so if you usually opt for the same thing every time, take this as an opportunity to try something different!

VISIT OLD THORNS GOLF AND COUNTRY ESTATE