Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

The room was spacious, breakfast was excellent and the staff were friendly. Still, children were all over the buffet, touching the food and plates, which did put me off eating. In general, the place seemed much better suited to families, and it got loud and chaotic at times. The upkeep also fell short. There were stained carpets, trolleys left in rows in the halls, and plants in the pizza restaurant that looked dead or diseased. The spa felt like a shabby public swimming pool. At dinner, Wild Carrot was disappointing, with prices far too high for the quality. The thermostat stayed bright at night and had no night mode, so I had to cover it with masking tape to stop it being adjusted. At this price, a few simple cloth covers should be manageable. Check the final bill carefully. They tried to add questionable discretionary charges. We were visiting for a particular occasion, as we do each year at a different hotel. Last year, a similarly priced place decorated the room with bunting and balloons, set up a popcorn machine and snacks, and left custom party games. Here, someone mentioned at check-in that popcorn would be put in the room, but even that small gesture never happened. I wasn't expecting a big display, but it added to the sense that this felt like a four-star hotel presenting itself as five-star. I left disappointed. The stay did not do credit to the brand.

The people made this stay memorable. Togo and Khayal were especially kind and attentive, and Rohith looked after us at Wild Carrot. I didn't get the names of the door staff, but they were wonderful too and made us feel welcome throughout. Plenty of other team members were just as lovely, even if I can't remember their names as well as I remember their service. My best friend and I were upgraded when we arrived, which was a lovely surprise, and the room had a beautiful view. We also enjoyed the spa. There was a wide choice of cuisines, and everything we ate was delicious. A truly lovely visit, and one I’d happily recommend.

I really needed a break from London, and staying at the four seasons Hampshire felt like a breath of fresh air. The welcoming, kind service set a great tone throughout, from Raya the guest experience host to Trevor at afternoon tea and Jack at the restaurant. I felt relaxed and would love to return.

The food was a real treat, from pizza at the Italian to wild carrot and the buffet breakfast. It is pricey, but I thought it was worth it. There’s loads for children too: the kids club, stamps to collect around the hotel with a surprise gift at the end, The shark pool, kids bath robes, Christmas cookies, and free meals at wild carrot for children under 5. We missed the other activities because it was wet, so we’ll have to try those next time. We stayed for our anniversary and were thrilled to get a surprise room upgrade. We got married here four years ago and had the best wedding team then, and the service was just as good on this visit. It felt like a home away from home. Even with over 100 rooms of guests, the service was personal and attentive, and the staff made us feel special. They helped with our bags, knew our child’s name, and offered water for the drive home. When nearby work left the hotel without water for about 30 mins, we found around 6 extra bottles in the room at turn down that evening, without needing to ask. Those details make FS Hampshire stand out from other five star hotels. The Christmas trees and lights made the place feel magical, and the decorations were beautiful and creative. Thanks to the whole team, from the front door staff to everyone behind the scenes, for making our anniversary weekend special. We already miss it and can’t wait to come back! Xx