The Hotel
Ston Easton Park is a luxurious hotel nestled away on the outskirts of Bath. The original house reportedly dates all the way back to Tudor times and with the building as it is today erected around 1739, the east and west wings were added in towards the end of the 18th century. The Hippisley family were the first to make this grand house their home back in 1544 up until 1956. Ston Easton Park has changed hands many times since 1956 and eventually in 1982, Mr and Mrs Smedley opened the house as a hotel to the public. It’s a truly unique place which is steeped in so much history – you feel like as though stepped back in time as royalty. Location wise it’s truly mesmerizing. The house sits within lush green parkland which were designed in the 18th century by famous architect, Humphry Repton. Inside the house is full of beautiful communal spaces, giving you the option to relax in the drawing-room over a pot of tea, take a book in the library or enjoy a slightly more convivial and elegant atmosphere in the saloon. The dining room however makes for a truly astonishing evening. The resident canine, Oscar is a fabulous animal to be around too. He waddles around the hotel meeting and greeting people as if he rules the house – which I think he probably does. In fact Ston Easton Park loves dogs and even offer packages for both you and your canine – meaning no unloved kennels are ever needed again.
The Grounds/What To Do
As for the grounds – well they quite literally took my breath away. When architect Humphry Repton put his plans in for the parks landscape in the 18th century, he aided in turning this house and its ground into something truly spectacular. The lush parkland is compromised of 36 acres managed by head gardener Steve Hargreaves and Dale Toten who keep this place looking crisp and clean throughout the year. The grounds are also home to a rather large Victorian walled garden which supplies the kitchen with around 60% of fresh produce. Even the flowers from the grounds are used to decorate the inside of the hotel. Aside from the many walking trails Ston Easton Park has to offer, Farringdon Park is also located close by which boasts a 27 hole golf course. The City of Bath is also located only 11 miles away from the hotel and is home to the famous Thermae Roman Baths – perfect for those chilly winter days.
The Rooms
We stayed in one of the hotels State Rooms, which is the largest the hotel has to offer and looks out from the front windows over the hills and towards the City of Bath. The main feature of our room was the incredibly opulent bed, which waking up from and peering out across the mattress felt like I’d woken from a dream inside a lavish palace. When they say it’s like something straight out of Downton Abbey – they weren’t joking! The room was equipped with a small flat screen TV (which we never used), small wardrobe, single-seater desk for writing, lounge chair, coffee facilities, complimentary dressing gowns, slippers and a well-selected stock of magazines. Newspapers can of course be requested for morning delivery. What I love most about this room is that it has something to look at in every corner. From the well placed mantle piece ornaments and gorgeous wallpaper, to the old-fashioned chamber pot which pulled out from the side table. Selection of toiletries in our bathroom were excellent and looked great, filled with all the aromas you could hope for. I felt the bathroom was perhaps the least attractive part of our room but it offered everything we needed.
The Spa/Gym/Health & Fitness
Ston Easton offers a selection of treatments which are performed by well-respected therapist, Deb Hughes. All treatments can be taken in the hotels tranquil treatment room or in the comfort of your hotel room. There may be no leisure facilities on site at Ston Easton but even if there was, you wouldn’t need them. The hotel has such vast grounds to explore and the fresh country air is as pure and relaxing as it can get.
The Food & Drink
While the hotel impressed on all counts, the food and drink offering was no exception. The exquisite food here at Ston Easton Park is served in the stunning Georgian oak-panelled Sorrel Restaurant and its menu overseen by head chef, Daniel Moon along with the talented kitchen staff. Daniel works very closely with local suppliers and the garden team in order to utilise all the fresh produce from the Victorian gardens. After dinner head to the saloon for drinks poured off the trolley while taking in the hotels grandeur. Breakfast the following morning was served in the same room. You can read all about my dinner experience HERE.
The Verdict
As far as luxury hotels go, Ston Easton Park is truly in a class of its own. It oozes style, class and good old British authenticity. My experience of hotels in Bath or as a city is very limited but I’ve no doubt Ston Easton Park is one of this areas finest hotel and restaurant. If a country retreat alone, as a couple or with the dog is what you’re after – I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. From the fairytale bed, to the ageing squeaky wooden floors and tranquil cascading River Norr running through the grounds – it all makes for one hotel stay you’ll never forget.
Ston Easton Park
Bath
Somerset
BA3 4DF
UK
Tel: 01761 241 631
