We visited Oakley Hall Hotel on their gourmet break, wondering if it really was a special break or just another name for an ordinary dinner, bed and breakfast night away. We were delighted that it was a proper gourmet break.
The hotel is set in its own grounds a few miles from Basingstoke. It is the type of hotel and grounds that lend itself to weddings.
On arrival in our very pleasant room we found a half bottle of champagne on ice which we enjoyed sitting on the terrace outside our room. The ground floor room was part of an attractive courtyard area with private parking (accessed by using our room card). Our terrace overlooked the back of the hotel and the lawns. Access to the dining room was across this are and in through French windows. On a pleasant evening this was fine but I am not sure I would want to walk outside on a cold wet evening to get to the hotel bar and dining room.
The food was excellent – five delicious courses. This apparently is on a three week rotation so we are tempted to go back and try another menu.
Breakfast was good and cooked to order. It included items such as kidneys which are not on all breakfast menus (though my helping of them was rather small). The sausages were very good. The staff were from many different countries but all were friendly and helpful.
