Overview

This is one of the top hotels we invite you to go and visit, our highly recommended 5* plus hotel, and we have three parts we have reviewed for you to read, as this is such a wonderful experience, one we will never forget. Part one then will advise you about our absolutely wonderful lunch here in the Hillfields bar lounge. Part two takes you on a trip through the hotels gardens. Part three was for my husband, the highlight, of being shown around the most appealing, wonderful Spa that the hotel is famous for, luxury at its best. Do please read these three parts and see what life is really like for those who can enjoy life to the full. Driving through rolling Sussex countryside led us to the 123 acres of a most elegant 19th century house, dating back to 1849, offering luxury at its very best. The country house was built by James Hodges, who lived here, while also spending 7 years in Canada while he directed the building of Victoria bridge, near Montreal, before coming home again to his delightful house. He died in 1878, and the house was sold to Louise Schott, who came from a family of merchants, but he himself becoming a banker. On his death, his working partner Louise Floersheim lived here, and in 1903, he extended the house, using Bath Stone, and adding an Orangery. He passed away in 1917, but his wife Julia (nee Baddeley) continued to live here until 1922. Then an engineer Sir Lindsey Byron Peters lived here, he married and had three children, but the family moved out in 1933. In 1935 the new owner Colin Goldsworthy Haywood developed the formal gardens and a delightful terrace. He never married and remained single for the rest of his life, living here for almost 40 years until his death in 1971. During 1972, the country house opened its doors as a hotel, then in 1981, new owners bought the house, and it was to become known as “Exclusive Hotels and Venues” founded by Giuseppe Pecorelli, until his son Danny Pecorelli took over, and this was the first of his Exclusive Hotel chain, and what a fine job he has done with Pennyhill Park, and his other 5* hotels around the country. Interestingly, during 1999 they built a training pitch here for the England rugby team, who went on to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Today it still plays a part in the National teams training facilities at St George’s park. Pennyhill Park itself is only a 10 minute drive from Ascot, and just 20 minutes away from Windsor castle. This is to some extent a dog friendly hotel, where your canine friends may join you in one of the bedrooms, but do inquire before booking a room, as then your pets may be allowed into the reception and lobby areas. Accessible rooms are available, but must be pre-booked, and from what we have seen of the hotel, we know the rooms will be a delight and disabled friendly. We will never be able to afford an overnight stay here, as a top class hotel deserves its high charges, so our review cannot include disabled rooms, but our experience of reviewing over the decades will give us enough confidence to recommend a stay here as we know you will be well taken care of. OUR REVIEW Having just come off the A30 and entering Pennyhill Park through its lovely gateway, it’s just a short but beautiful drive passing many very old trees as you arrive at the arched gateway which looks so appealing (photo 1) then a few more feet and through another arched gateway (photo 2) will get you to the main entrance, where we found the one and only disabled bay (3) right by the entrance. Being pushed over a level tarmac and paved path took us toward a beautiful heavy wooden double push door that awaited us (4) and into the entrance (5) leading to the Hillfield restaurant, and your immediate thoughts are opulence. The doorway ahead led us into the Hillfield bar lounge (6) a delightful area. We sat in the bar lounge, very comfortable and a most pleasing deco (7) you feel at once you will be pampered here. The counter ahead was being prepared for light snacks, and this is where you order your drinks, beverages and light snacks (8) but of course a waitress will be over long before you have to trouble yourself. We enjoyed a beautiful light mid day snack (photo 9) with a delicate glass of fresh Merlot, all elegantly laid out in very pleasing surroundings. By our side a doorway awaits where you will be escorted to your table in the Hillfields restaurant, (10) and into the exquisite dining room for your afternoon lunch (photo 11). Here in the opulent restaurant the perfectly prepared buffet style dishes (12) will tempt to tickle your taste buds (13) Along by the reception in a lovely corridor (photo 14) are the toilet facilities, beautifully tiled wall and flooring in a reasonably spacious toilet, toilet with a grab handle available for you, (15) and if you need to, you can get your wheelchair inside and spin around. As we investigated the hotel, we found one of the delightful lounge areas, to sit with a cocktail perhaps (photo 16) or close by a lovely small cosy sitting area by a welcoming fire, (17) heat radiating from its fireplace. Then another beautiful passageway (18) which lead us out to the views over the gardens (19). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS about part one of our review of Pennyhill Park. If you feel in need of a bit of luxury, this hotel is a must. Throughout it is wheelchair friendly, the deco is delightful, and our one thought was, Opulent. We most highly recommend you visiting for its sheer pleasure, and afternoon lunch will be delightful.

Transport & Parking

The A30 leads to a beautiful driveway that awaits as it leads to the archway and pleasing gates ahead.

Access

Although only one disabled bay, it’s right by the hotels entrance, and other bays are very handy anyway. The entrance into hotel is on the level, with a push wooden door that’s easy to use. Being so excited to view this beautiful hotel, we forgot to check if lifts are available, but all we needed to see was on ground floor level anyway.

Toilets

There is a public disabled toilet for you, close to reception entry, very clean and nicely tiled out, with grab rail, and if you have to, you could get a wheelchair inside.

Staff

Very friendly, willing and able, nicely attired.

Photos