HOTEL STAY: HECKFIELD PLACE

Our first hotel review and what a hotel to kick it off with!!

A few weeks back, one of the TTLW duo was treated to a birthday staycation at Heckfield Place, a hotel we’ve had our eye on for a couple of years which would seem like a long time but the hotel has only been open since September 2018 after a delayed grand opening by six years. The hotel's owner, billionaire Gerald Chan, couldn’t allow the refurbed manor house to open until everything was perfect and he definitely got it right. You’ll see pieces of vintage furniture and artwork from his very own collection dotted around the hotel.

You know you're off to a good start when the moment you park your car, the doors are opened, bags taken to your room and a hot towel and welcome drink are in your hands within minutes of arriving. We were able to check into our cosy room a few hours early which gave us more time to start exploring and relaxing. The house is set within 400 acres of grounds and farmland, the hotel offers Hunter wellies and raincoat to all guests but lucky for us the sun was shining so we grabbed our trainers and set off. We wandered the walled gardens, woodlands and home farm where you can see where all fruit and veg comes from. The hotel encourages you to head down to home farm and pick the in season fruit to enjoy as you walk, we also saw the rows of sunflowers that had recently bloomed and been beautifully arranged in every room of Heckfield by their in house florist. Come 4pm the hotel offers guests afternoon tea which is included with your rate. We enjoyed a slice, or two, of deliciously light carrot cake washed down with a cuppa. Afternoon tea can be arranged for non guests which is served in the greenhouse set among the walled gardens.

Pre-pandemic Heckfield had two restaurants open, Hearth and Marle but for the time being Hearth has been closed down so we headed to dinner at the latter. Marle has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the grounds and woodland which allowed us to spot a deer or two whilst we ate. We shared burrata and prawns to start followed by roasted lamb, grilled aubergine, crispy wild garlic potatoes and greens for mains all washed down with a bottle of english sparkling rosé. The menu is constantly changing as to what is available from the estate, a true farm to plate service. We finished the evening sitting out on the patio overlooking the perfectly manicured grounds with a cocktail or three from the Moon Bar and as dusk loomed the fire pits were lit so we could carry on enjoying our evening outside. Don’t forget to check out our other favourite hotel restaurants here.

We stayed in the ‘friends room’ which was beautifully laid out with all the amenities you need. TV, mini bar, beauty table, walk in shower and the comfiest bed we’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping in. The next morning we headed to the gym, booked in advance due to covid so we had the whole place to ourselves, and then walked to breakfast back at Marle and sat out on the terrace as the sun was shining. Breakfast is included with the room rate so we took full advantage ordering, eggs, courgette fritters, fresh fruit, sweet pancakes and healthy smoothies to replenish our energy post workout.

After lounging on the patio deck chairs and enjoying the sun we picked up our pre ordered picnic and lay out behind the house and filled our bellies once again with the boujiest BLT sarnie, fresh fruit and cheese, biscuits and honey, from their own hives (!!) which was the snack we never knew we needed. The idyllic picnic was the perfect end to our short but sweet stay.

Heckfield will most likely put a dent in your wallet but we cannot fault our stay, from the decor and food to the friendliest most helpful staff we’ve ever encountered, this hotel is worth every penny. We will definitely be returning to check out the cinema, spa (which is currently under construction) and hopefully Hearth restaurant.