DONNINGTON VALLEY HOTEL & SPA
Newbury, Berkshire
Where and why: Nestled in glorious Berkshire countryside, the hotel and spa is immaculately presented.
We stayed in a spacious executive room on the ground floor, with sliding doors leading to a patio. Free wi-fi was included, as was bottled water and milk in a fridge.
We made full use of the spa with swimming pool, aroma room, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. The Sonoma Aromatherapy full body massage cost £82 each for 55 minutes.
There’s an extensive choice of other treatments, as well as nail care and spray tans. An impressive gym is also available. On the menu: Bento Boxes provided a delicious, filling and healthy lunch poolside.
In the evening, the Winepress restaurant offered a terrific menu. Tempting us were the likes of duck breast, pork tenderloin and roasted stone bass. We both plumped for the crispy egg and asparagus starter (£10.50) and it was just a few more dots of chive oil short of
Rooms and the spa are ideal for a relaxing stay
being a triumph.
For mains, the sirloin steak (£32) was top drawer, while my partner’s lamb rump with chimichurri (£25.50) was as tender as you’d like. We couldn’t manage puddings.
As you would expect from the restaurant’s name, there is an extensive wine menu available. The house red, Tierra Antica Merlot (£28), paired perfectly with the red meat. The breakfast buffet offers full English as well as plenty of pastries, cereals, fruit and juices.
While you’re there: A 10-minute drive will take you to charming market town Newbury, home of the famous racecourse and Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey.
Wake-up call: Rooms from £139, room-only, or £149 B&B. donningtonvalley.co.uk
By Mark Lundrigan
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