Pennyhill Park Surrey

I was taken to the brasserie restaurant at Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa two weeks ago for a birthday treat. Turning off the main road into a private drive, you are reminded of old English films and the cut glass accent that 'one' spoke with. The driveway has the infamous speed bumps along it in order to stop people going too mad which is good and it also gives you the time to look around at the gardens and enormous rhododendrons which are everywhere - they were in bloom when I visited so made quite an impact. There is a very large car park and we had no problem with parking and we then made our way to the house itself which is a beautiful old building set in the countryside and its own golf course. I think the house must date back to the 1800's and really is very special. We ordered a drink at the main bar and this was carried out to a table on the terrace along with some olives etc and then we made our way back to the bar and waited to be called to dinner. The lounge area is large with very comfortable furnishings and a grand piano was being played which added to the calming ambience. About five minutes later we were told that our table was ready and we could go through to the brasserie. We had our pick of the tables as the restuarant was quite empty so we chose to sit in the big bay window which over looked the spa complex and outdoor pool. Our coats were taken and we were handed a coat check ticket and we were then given the menus and wine list. The brasserie menu is not extensive but there is enough choice so that you're not disappointed. The wine list also offers a lot of choice and we opted for a nice red. We decided to share a fish starter which was gorgeous along with some lovely home made bread. The steak I had for the main course was superb and cooked to perfection. We also chose to share a salad and 'three cooked chips' - these could have been fantastic but were unfortunately let down by the fact that they came served covered in salt which was very over powering. We both ordered a desert even though we felt stuffed. My partners soufle was very nice indeed but again I was disappointed with the crumble desert. I chose it because it contained rhubarb and strawberries which are two of my faviourite fruits. The fruit itself was very nice but the crumble topping was very disappointing and was basically a hard round biscuit placed on top of the fruit. Dinner was followed by coffee and petit four's.The staff were amazing and the food on the whole was good, just let down by a couple of small things which would not put me off from eating there again. What was missing was the ambience in the brasserie restaurant itself. The staff were keen to tell us that it had recenlty been refurbished but to be honest I think they could have done more to ensure that it fitted with the grandeur of the rest of the old house better. The wall and ceiling lights were hideous and did not fit the surroundings at all. It could be that the atmosphere that evening was not as good as it could have been simply because the restaurant was not busy.Overall I came away with mixed feelings. The staff were very attentive and are what you would expect from a five star establishment and the old house really is the ideal romantic retreat or infact wedding venue. I was just a little let down by the food and the melding of new and old architectural ideas which just didn't quite fit right in my opinion.On the whole, I would recommend the venue to people and I would eat there again. I would also like to try the spa as I have heard every good things about it and would really like to try the Latymer restaurant... maybe next year I'll be treated again!

I stayed at Pennyhill park for the weekend. It is a gorgeous hotel set in lovely grounds with a tennis court, spa and two restaurants. The hotel itself is pretty big, more your sprawling country manor than your boutique hotel. The spa itslef is lovely there are several sifferent steam rooms and saunas, an outdoor jacuzzi, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool - the indoor one has underwater music! As well as all the usual treatments. It's not cheap but they do some quite good deals. The brasserie restaurant is ok - not great but ok, and the Latymer has just won a michelin star. the rooms are clean and large with lots of amenities. If there is one thing that lets Pennyhill park down slightly it is the size of it means that the staff are somewhat overstretched. All in all though, a fab weekend, i'd definitely stay again and have no qualms in recommending this hotel.