HOTEL REVIEW
HOTEL REVIEW Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa New Forest, Hampshire As a Brit, I am truly in awe of my country and how many wonderful places there are to visit. There is so much to see and do, so it is really hard to prioritise what to do first, and it is not always the most known places that are the best to visit. So, when planning a weekend away, or something a little longer, don’t just focus on the more well known places, but look a little more off the beaten track. A few years ago, a place like the New Forest would have been considered a ‘best kept secret’, but over the last few years more and more people have discovered this beautiful National Park. Indeed, the New Forest was voted Number 1 National Park in Europe in the 2022 Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards, and came 10th Wordwide. This idyllic destination is only one and a half hour’s away from London by car or train, nestled between Bournemouth and Southampton, and is so unspoilt and tranquil, it makes a perfect place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The New Forest was created as a royal forest by William I (William the Conqueror) in about 1079 for the royal hunt, (as he wanted WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
to hunt mainly deer), and was allegedly created at the expense of more than twenty small hamlets and isolated farmsteads; hence it was ‘new’ in his time as a single compact area. This ‘new’ area now spans 219 square miles and is home to an abundance of wildlife, and is not only a National Park but also a UNESCO Heritage Site. Two little known facts that you can regale your friends with are that this is the only place in the UK where horses have right of way over all motor vehicles, (even on the main roads, so be careful as these animals are truly wild), and the second, is that it is the only place where you can find a New Forest cicada, the only cicada native to Great Britain. Just outside of the charming village of Brockenhurst, is Carey’s Manor Hotel, with its delightful mix of styles and character and all the class of the converted 19th Century hunting lodge interwoven with more contemporar y accommodation and a modern Spa. All the rooms are well appointed and offer guests the choice of character rooms in the Manor House, or more contemporary ones in the modern
extension, but whichever you choose, after a hard day trekking through the unspoilt countryside (or in my case soaking in the Spa), there is a warm welcome waiting for you back at Carey’s Manor. The New Forest is worth a visit in its own right, but when you can add in fine dining and the lure of a luxury Spa, the mix is surely irresistible? The SenSpa is not merely an added extra for hotels guests, it is a destination in its own right, with numerous treatments and an outstanding hydrotherapy suite. The SenSpa is an authentic Thai Spa with extensive facilities which cater for your total wellbeing, as it provides relaxation for the mind as well as the body. At the centre of the Spa is the 14 metre ozone treated pool, perfect for swimming or just splashing around in, and at one end tall glass doors afford you views of the Zen Garden, which, if it wasn’t the middle of February, would have been perfect for relaxing in. Off this pool, for those who are using the Spa, is the hydrotherapy suite. Entry is via a smart-band which unlocks the door to a huge spa pool. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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