First impressions
Botley Park is part of the MacDonald Hotels group, a chain that has undergone
considerable investment in recent months, including at this property. The
total refurbishment, completed this year, means the disappointment of the
unassuming red brick two-storey façade is soon forgotten when you enter the
reception. Here two things impress, the modern-meets-classic décor, and the
attentive reception from staff. The décor is cleverly done - a chocolate
brown, claret, cream and taupe scheme pleases the boutique crowd, while the
traditional furniture styles and formality gives a nod to the hotel's
slightly older guests, who come for the golf and special occasions and
appreciate hotel policies such as the dinner dress code (no jeans, trainers
of baseball caps).
The hotel is well situated for Southampton and Portsmouth, as well as the New
Forest and Solent. It takes about 12 minutes to get to Southampton city
centre and the same to reach Southampton Airport Parkway, which is the
closest railway station.
Why it's special
The hotel staff are young, helpful and knowledgeable. Smiles and greetings
welcome guests throughout the hotel and nothing is too much trouble. There
are also nice touches, which differentiate this hotel from a group I had
previously associated with the conference market, rather than individual
weekend breaks. These nice touches include a range of fair-trade and organic
wines, toiletries made in Scotland and not tested on animals, and a
selection of freshly baked breads presented with the meal, cut from loaves
at your table and served with a choice of butter or oil and vinegar.
Hitting the sack
The colour scheme from the lobby continues to the 130 bedrooms, although the
adjoining hallways let the side down a bit because while the striped carpets
are pleasing, the signage is gaudy and dated. Nevertheless rooms have been
carefully overhauled and offer big beds, crisp white sheets, light-blocking
curtains, homely soft furnishings and all the necessaries such as iron,
hairdryer, minibar, tea and coffee (with fresh milk available), and trouser
press. The bathroom had an attractive monochrome cream and a fast-filling
bath and powerful shower. You could operate the towel warmer yourself, handy
for drying clothes after a soggy round of golf.
The rooms with the best views are those overlooking the golf course on the
first floor. When booking it would be advisable to check whether functions
are taking place, and to ask for a room a long way from the function suite.
Sampling the food
The evening meal in the Winchester Restaurant is offered as two set menus. The
three-course £26.50 menu is good value but the £39.50 a la carte (£33.50 for
two courses) is more imaginative. It starts with a tasty amuse bouche of
smoked trout, followed by the aforementioned choice of fresh bread. The
seared scallops with puree and tempura cauliflower, and curried mango was
excellent, with fresh scallops and a light tangy dressing (a cheaper set
menu option would have been ham hock terrine with tomato chutney).
My main of fillet steak with a selection of mushrooms was cooked perfectly
although too big to finish, and the pork fillet wrapped in bacon with
fondant potatoes and Jewish artichoke, from the cheaper menu, looked good on
the next door table. The portions were generous and it was only out of
indulgence that I had the pannacotta pudding, also very good, which is an
alternative to white chocolate and raspberry tart, on the cheaper menu. Then
there's the wine list, which had a good selection of wine by the glass - 21
in all, and nine wines under the organic, fair-trade heading, as well as a
wider selection by the bottle.
Breakfast, served 7am-10.30am at the weekends and until 9.30am weekdays, was a
good spread, although it'd need to be to justify the £15.95 price tag. There
was plenty of fresh bread and pastries, a choice of teas and cereals, and
nice yoghurt, only the fruit was disappointing as most was stewed or tinned.
The hot menu served good kippers and porridge among the usual options and
came promptly.
Access all areas
The hotel is accessible for wheelchairs and two bedrooms have been adapted for
wheelchair users. In addition leisure facilities can be accessed by
wheelchair users.
Added attractions
There is no shortage of leisure distractions at the hotel, making it a good
choice for active weekenders or families with kids old enough to enjoy a
pool. The hotel's 18-hole golf course is its crowning jewel, and has just
achieved Championship status. The 6,000 plus yard course has some attractive
water features and wooded sections and is mostly on even terrain, with the
exception of a dramatic sweeping fairway down to the 18th hole. There is
also a 12-bay covered driving range, two putting greens, a driving net,
practice area, pro shop and resident pro available for golf lessons and
clinics. A round costs £30 (£25 during the week) and you must bring your own
clubs - none are available to hire.
Apart from the golf course there's a gym, tennis courts, squash courts, pool,
steam room, sauna and aerobics studio. For less taxing pursuits, the hotel
has three treatment rooms, where Decleor treatments are available, including
massages, facials, non-surgical face lifts, and hand and foot therapies.
What we think
Food and décor defy the dull exterior (which is much more impressive when
viewed from the golf course), and the selection of leisure activities would
easily fill a weekend break.
Bottom line
Room rates start from £52 bed and breakfast per person based on two people
sharing, or £66 per person including dinner. Spa break packages are also
available.
Need to know
Botley Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Winchester Rd, Boorley Green,
Southampton, Hants, SO32 2UA, tel. 0870 194 2132 or 01506 815 142, www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/botleypark
