ROOM SERVICE
For fun, fine food and the warmest of welcomes, take these five hotels and inns, says Paddy Burt.
(Filed: 31/12/2005)
Although the following hotels and inns are very different, they have one thing in common: in 2005 we were made to feel welcome in all of them.
At The Nurse’s Cottage (Sway, Lymington, Hampshire; 01590 683402, www.nursescottage.co.uk) we meet a man who knows the art of cosseting. The Tony Barnfield experience begins in our room, where we think Christmas has come: there’s a bowl of fruit, biscuits and, in a small fridge, bars of chocolate and Mr Juicy drinks, all complimentary.
Everything on the dinner menu is either a ‘’British classic’’ or a ‘’house speciality’‘. No, it’s not haute cuisine, just good food served in a homely way.
In the morning, we discover that Tony thinks breakfast should be one of life’s pleasures: there’s cut-up fruit, bacon and eggs, proper marmalade.
“Brown or white toast?” he asks, adding: “Would you like it now or later?” …………………………….
