I went to Pennyhill Park for a weekend away and discovered that I was travelling with the VIP. Beverly, my dog, received her own detailed letter. I had fresh flowers and champagne, so I can hardly complain, but there was something wonderfully amusing about a hotel making such a fuss of my four-legged companion.
Set in Bagshot, Surrey, it combines a country-house setting with extensive grounds, individually designed bedrooms and a spa that could comfortably become the main event of your weekend. For Londoners looking for a change of pace, it makes a very tempting proposition.
At the heart of the estate is a 19th-century, ivy-covered house, surrounded by 120 acres of parkland and gardens.
With Beverly along for the weekend, the outdoor space was particularly relevant. The hotel’s 12 designated dog-friendly bedrooms open directly onto the grounds, a practical arrangement that anyone who has negotiated corridors and lifts for an early-morning dog walk will appreciate. The hotel also provides a dog bed, towel, water bowl and treat. Dogs can accompany their owners in the Drawing Room and Hillfield Bar, too.
A detailed letter addressed to Beverly was such a lovely flourish. It made her feel included in the occasion and gave the welcome a sense of humour and affection.
The accommodation gives guests plenty to choose from, with 124 individually designed rooms and suites.
The room categories span different moods. Heritage Rooms favour traditional character, while Comfy Rooms offer a more contemporary style. Luxe Rooms include both a bath and shower, providing the pleasing possibility of making an event of doing very little.
Then there is the spa.
The facilities include a 25-metre indoor Ballroom Pool with underwater music and fibre-optic lighting, plus a heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool reached through a swim-through entrance from inside. There is also an 18-metre open-air pool.
Beyond the pools are hot tubs, herbal and dry-heat saunas, steam rooms and colder options including an ice igloo and plunge pool. For those whose idea of relaxation involves less temperature-related bravery, the tepidarium offers heated ceramic beds. There is also a quiet room with basket beds for resting between experiences.
The food is excellent at Pennyhill Park, and the service was seamless from start to finish at the Hillfield restaurant.
The spa has its own restaurant, Themis, where robes and flip-flops are welcome.
What I enjoyed most about my weekend was the way the personal touches complemented everything the hotel offers. The grounds, food, accommodation and spa give you plenty of reasons to choose Pennyhill Park. Fresh flowers, champagne and a thoughtful welcome give the visit its own character.
It was a wonderful stay, and one I would happily repeat. Next time, I will simply accept from the outset that Beverly is the principal guest.
I am there to carry the luggage.
