Reviews
FROM FAR LEFT: Mark Hix’s personal touches abound in themed nautical and hunting rooms.
De tails hix townhouse 1 pound st, Lyme Regis, England +44 1297 442499 hixtownhouse.co.uk THe IT Verdict Hix Townhouse is the
Hix appeal O
Settling in quickly turned into a game of
Townhouse guests get a 10 per cent discount.
exploration. Rooms at Hix are stocked with
Oyster and Fish was rammed when we visited
a carefully curated collection of provisions
over a spring bank holiday weekend and
including both sparkling and still water, local
the only table available was a bar counter
snacks, wine and a note with instructions
downstairs with a view of the kitchen.
to help yourself to toast and tea in the cute
The Kitchen Table, as it’s aptly named,
communal kitchen downstairs. Surprise
gives diners the chance to chat with the
house that aren’t individually themed and
– a Hix cookbook tops the breakfast table
restaurant’s chefs and watch as fresh local
was complete with a test in
at the young, flashy and food-conscious set,
designed by Hix. ‘Why not just finish the
(and is available for sale at reception).
seafood is prepared and sent up to the eaters
manoeuvrability that even a
Mark Hix’s first hotel near his hometown in
job?, ’ we couldn’t help but think. Room
contortionist might find tricky. “OK
Dorset courts an obsessed-with-the-visual
five is a decent-sized space with a corner
the breakfast table, though, because at Hix
experience to the next level and adds a
– so we need to both get inside with
crowd. Having been purchased and re-opened
window that looks over town to the ocean.
you’d be crazy to not take breakfast in the
personal touch to a stay at the Townhouse.
both the bags,” I said approaching the room.
as a boutique bed and breakfast just last year,
The décor is a simple collage of pink and
throne-like king bed that’s worth booking
To those in London that boast of dining at
“Then we’ll close the outside door, move back,
the Hix Townhouse’s rooms are designed
gold pillows, headboard and matching lamp
an extra night alone for. The complimentary
one of Hix’s urban spots, visitors to Dorset
and open the inside door.” Since we wouldn’t
with themes according to the new hotelier’s
shade. A shiny chandelier over the bed
meal is delivered daily in a big picnic basket
can respond by detailing a stay in the
get to the Georgian house on Dorset’s seaside
interests like hunting, gardening, sailing and
strays just a step too far towards overkill.
to each room at 8:30am and quickly becomes
chef’s hotel and a meal in his kitchen.
until late in the afternoon, after reception is
fishing. With lighting features made from
closed, we received an email and a phone call
blowfish bodies, nautical-knotted bed posts,
bright, but not thanks to the burnt-out light
detailing how to unlock the front door with a
wooden walls, red leather Chesterfields and
bulb that is normally controlled by a pullcord
code and where to find our room key. Though
plentiful stag heads, this place begs to be
across from the toilet. Fresh grey tiles line the
directions on how to squeeze our bodies and
Instagrammed by anyone with the know-how.
walls and the rain shower (some other rooms
Like his trendy London restaurants aimed
We mastered the doorway maze and
The room’s small bathroom is modern and
boast bathtubs) is stocked with high-quality
neglected (we had an ‘ah ha’ moment later).
climbed the art gallery of a staircase to
toiletries. The back of the door brandishes two
It’s all part of the old house’s quirky charm.
room five – one of just two rooms in the
plush white bathrobes, just begging to be worn.
www.internationaltravellermag.com
That book was the only thing that graced
Images courtesy of management
ur arrival at Hix Townhouse
bags through the conflicting doorways were
56
A chef’s creative powers are put to work on a curious new hotel in the pretty English town of Lyme Regis. Is it a recipe for success? Words Elspeth Velten
the highlight of our stay. There’s muesli,
above. A meal taken here pushes the Hix
Almost every bit of produce on the menu
yogurt, fresh milk and apple juice and a
here comes with a cited local source and
selection of sweet and savoury pastries that
tips a nod to seasonality. The table water
included in-season rhubarb corn muffins
is filtered in-house, the same place where
and flaky English asparagus tarts.
the restaurant’s salmon is lovingly smoked.
There’s no restaurant at the Hix Townhouse
The place is a foodie’s dream, and a logical
but, conveniently, the restaurateur’s Hix Oyster
– even necessary – accompaniment to a
and Fish house is just a short walk away and
stay at the delightful Townhouse.
perfect base for those looking to explore Lyme Regis and Dorset’s beautiful Jurassic Coast, with an edge that almost makes the hotel a destination in itself. • Location 9/10 The hotel’s centre-oftown location is extremely convenient, and the noise of the busy street below is easily forgotten. • Style/character 8.5/10 The old house’s charm is allowed to shine through in its design-focused rooms. But two themeless rooms suggest an unfinished job. • Service 9/10 We had everything we needed to show ourselves in the front door and up to the room when we arrived. Breakfast was delivered as described and reception was open – and friendly – when we checked out in the morning. • Rooms 8/10 Details in the room needed some attention. Lightbulbs were out in the bathroom (and the staircase) and a pullcord for the light in the bathroom was visibly grubby. Rickety, crooked lamps were easy to ignore. • Food and drink 9/10 Our breakfast hamper was delivered on time, and contained all we needed to enjoy a lazy morning in bed. • Value for money 9/10 For $190 per night, we enjoyed a bright, clean room, a more-than-comfortable bed, a view of the ocean and a delightful delivered breakfast. However, that price did not come with the hotel’s novel Hix design.
A ll iT r e v ie ws a r e conducted a n on y m ously a nd ou r writers pay their own way – so we e x perience e x act ly wh at you wou ld.