Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa

expensive but lovely

Let it not be said that this is not an absolutely beautiful location - because it is. Luxurious, tranquil and oozing a very well to do feel. As looks go this is definitely when of the nicest places you are likely to visit. We visited one afternoon for one of their "Speciality Afternoon Teas"; a leaving treat for a work colleague. The cost of the afternoon was £29.50 per person, (including their discretionary service charge of 10%; which you only find out about if you download a sample menu prior to attending!). The menu consisted of: Freshly cut sandwiches Lemon Drizzle Cake Lemon tart Dome Apricot and Almond tart Macaroons, raspberry and vanilla Chocolate and Lime Log Chocolate and Vanilla Tart Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves Choice of Teas or Coffee The food was very nice (certainly very, very well presented), but definitely nothing special. Apparently people who have "Afternoon Tea'd" at the Aviator in Farnborough (for half the price), stated that the food there was far superior. The sandwiches were well........sandwiches!!!!!..... just cut into very easy to eat sizes with a nice filling of chicken or smoked salmon; very tasty but very simple. The cakes were a little too rich and heavy for a vast majority of peoples taste, and certainly for an afternoon tea and you where overwhelmed with large scones (which had not been cut into dainty afternoon tea size portions and which quite spoiled the overall look of the tea and certainly spoilt your appetite after eating one of them). The really disappointing thing from the afternoon was the feeling that the staff did not want you there. You felt you had to search for staff if you wanted anything (they were not at all attentive), and when they served you they couldn't wait to get away, even though the place was far from busy - although they still managed to find a place for the 10% service charge at the end of the bill. The other real disappointment was those members of the party who did not have tea to drink. As well as consistently having to ask staff for more tea because you had run out, those who had a coffee or hot chocolate were given one drink for the afternoon and if they wanted more they had to pay extra. Also the tea was basic English breakfast tea, if you wanted a speciality tea you had to pay extra (sometimes up to nearly £5 extra); which is another thing not clearly advertised on their website!. If this is going to be advertised as afternoon TEA, then surely you should be provided with plenty of it!! Unfortunately this afternoon turned out to be another example of “Rip Off Britain”, over inflated prices, based on a beautiful location for an underrated product. Many finer “Afternoon Tea” establishments in the area which will provide a better service, better food at a more affordable price.

We stayed at Pennyhill Park for our wedding night and had the most fantastic experience! It was the perfect end to a stunningly beautiful day.

We were welcomed at the reception by friendly and highly professional staff and we were thrilled to bits to be upgraded to one of the loveliest suites, where Johnny Depp has stayed the previous week apparently. It was absolutely huge with beautifully opulent decor, two chandeliers, a bathroom to die for an a private terrace.

We ate that night in the Latymer which was outstanding and fully deserving of its Michelin star. The service was discreet and spotlessly efficient. The food was magnificent, especially the foie gras starter. I think I said nothing but ‘Wow’ for about 5 minutes!

The following day we thoroughly enjoyed breakfast and then had a wonderful time in the spa which is truly excellent. It was quite busy but all the outdoor pools, steam rooms and jacuzzis are great fun and very relaxing.

All in all it was a superb experience – recommended without hesitation!

My first comment is that I didn't use the spa here and by all accounts its great so maybe I would have given a higher mark if I'd used it, but I've reviewed based on the room, the food, and the general experience of staying here.

The staff were all extremely friendly and helpful. The room was very big, had a tv and walk in shower in the bathroom, and our own piano in the sitting room. The food was perfectly nice, especially the smoked haddock soup amuse bouche.

So overall a good hotel. But for the price? Disappointing. Its the little things that make the difference when you get into this price range. The walk in shower lost most of its power when you turned the side jets on. It was also fairly tepid even when turned up to maximum. The building itself strayed a little too close to the tacky ski lodge look. The fan in our room was totally inadequate for a warm night. The bed dipped in the middle so we kept rolling into each other. The food was good but not amazing.

Little things like this add up. Must try harder.

I enjoyed this spa sooo much that I've been twice. This place is sooo relaxing and it's never overcrowded. The staff bend over backwoods to please and treatment are excellent. Am saving to go again

This has be the best spa I have every visited, the facilities are absolutely superb and exquisite. The most relaxing and exclusive experience I have had. I would recommend going for the "Two Treats in One Day" offer which includes afternoon tea, a beauty treatment and full access to the spa for £99. This is such great value and the best money I've spent to unwind and relax. I loved my experience so much that I'm taking another trip back to the spa this week.

Gorgeous retreat in Surrey, within easy reach of London. The England rugger buggers apparently use this place but don't let that put you off.

The rooms are the height of luxury. We stayed in a suite where the bed was massive, the bathroom opulent and the room bigger than some of the flats I've lived in.

The spa, which you get into for free if you're staying overnight in the hotel, features saunas, steam rooms, massage chairs and plenty of jacuzzis, pools and the like. You can pay for treatments, too, and I'm reliably informed that they are the business but if you're only staying for the one day, you should be happy enough larking around in the various watery bits like the outdoor heated pools.

The restaurant maintains the consistent feel of luxury, with a nicely obsequious staff paying just the right level of attention. We had the tasting menu here, including a very large cheese course (it took about 10 minutes for the cheese waiter just to describe what the various cheeses were), which left us barely able to walk back to our rooms. A bit of advice - if you're here for a - ahem - romantic weekend, you will not feel like doing much on your bed apart from laying on it like a beached whale, waiting for your gorgeous meal to be digested.

Highly recommended, and a surefire winner as a surprise weekend away for a loved one.