With the possibility of touring the New Forest area of Hampshire at any time you really must stay at the distinctive Marwell Hotel in the environment of Marwell Zoo, near Winchester. Met by a cheerful, smiling and ever-helpful staff we were immediately impressed.
Design built in wood you feel partly on safari as the rooms diverge off in sections from the main corridor. Ours was in the "Giraffe Pavilion" and a lovely light room with all facilities, with a walkway outside the building overlooking a restful, tree-filled area, where squirrels, pheasants and rabbits wandered about completely unfazed by any new "faces"! We also booked in for a one-and-a-quarter hour massage each which was applied by a lovely, engaging lady and was absolutely fabulous and relaxing.
The hotel also includes leisure facilities of an indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa pool and running machines, although it must be admitted the changing area is rather small.
This set us up for the evening meal in a 2AA rosette and this was a superb tasting menu, created by their executive chef, including a pre-desert desert. Lovely.
The Zoo itself is simply a short walk across the car park but we are leaving that for another day and another stay!
