Five-star hotel opens luxury lodges in the trees (From Daily Echo)
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Ben Ainslie is special guest as Chewton Glen in New Milton opens luxury lodges in the trees
11:00am Sunday 16th September 2012 in News
By Chris Yandell, Chief Reporter, New Forest
The luxury lodges opened at Chewton Glen
GUESTS staying at a five-star hotel in the Hampshire countryside can now enjoy a taste of the high life – in more ways than one.
The Chewton Glen Hotel near New Milton has opened 12 luxury suites in six wooden lodges built on stilts.
Perched 20ft above the ground the romantic retreats offer the ultimate back-to-nature experience for those willing to pay £600 a night.
But as the price tag suggests the large, circular tree houses are regal as well as rustic.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with natural light and also provide guests with panoramic views of the surrounding woodland. The suites are also equipped with sun loungers and hot tubs.
However, the vaulted ceilings, log-burning stoves and large hardwood decks help them blend in with the surrounding treescape.
The official opening ceremony was suitably lavish, featuring fireworks and hot air balloon rides that enabled the 300 guests to view the woodland wonders from above.
Guest of honour was Lymington -based Ben Ainslie , the most successful sailor in Olympic history.
Chewton Glen’s managing director, Andrew Stembridge, said: “The inevitable restrictions of building in such a picturesque and secluded valley actually helped shape the design.
“Our strategy was to work hand in hand with ecologists, arboriculturists and the district council, and this ensured that everyone and everything was considered from the outset.
“Not a tree was felled nor a tree-root disturbed.
“Economically however the impact is massive. Last month we welcomed an additional 750 adults and 220 children to Chewton Glen because of the tree houses.”
Guests check in at the main hotel and then board a golf buggy for the short ride to the new facilities.
The suites have been built using sustainable materials and boast eco-friendly features such as solar panels, low energy lighting and rainwater harvesting.
Each suite has a small kitchen area where breakfast hampers are discreetly delivered in the morning via a secret hatchway without disturbing the guests.
Comments(17)
Torchie1
says...
11:52am Sun 16 Sep 12
Sovietobserver wrote:It's only an observation but I don't think you are quite seeing the target market.
No mention of any Butlins style fun and entertainment for the campers though, a bit boring for £600 a night.
Stillness
says...
12:18pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Sovietobserver
says...
12:20pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Stillness
says...
12:21pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Georgem
says...
12:54pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Sovietobserver
says...
1:07pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Will they get a kick out of some poor African pigmy on minimum wage crawling through a hatchway at 6am in the morning , balancing a plate of sizzling bacon, eggs , and beans on toast, on their head.
What do they get in the way of a souvenir for staying there for that money ? A free picture postcard of a rhinoceros perhaps with a caption Hi De Hi from tropical New Milton, wish you were here. No thanks !
Maine Lobster
says...
1:14pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Most us us will be worrying about the gas bill!
Georgem
says...
1:33pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Maine Lobster wrote:You mean you weren't already aware that the word "wealthy" actually describes someone who can afford to spend money on luxuries? Weird. I thought everybody knew that.
Just goes to show that there is an unaffected market for the wealthy. Expect your favourite merchant banker to be booking in soon.
Most us us will be worrying about the gas bill!
Stillness
says...
2:25pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Georgem wrote:I'll have to take your word for that George ;-)
The Echo appears to slowly be turning into the back pages of 'Fiesta', with all these adverts for adult services.
Georgem
says...
2:27pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Stillness wrote:Err, I only read it for the articles.
Georgem wrote:I'll have to take your word for that George ;-)
The Echo appears to slowly be turning into the back pages of 'Fiesta', with all these adverts for adult services.
Stillness
says...
2:30pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Maine Lobster wrote:HEY!!!! It is not nice to go around calling people that, everybody does it.................O
Just goes to show that there is an unaffected market for the wealthy. Expect your favourite merchant banker to be booking in soon.
Most us us will be worrying about the gas bill!
h sorry, you said bankers. My mistake. I should have gone to specsavers.
Stillness
says...
2:33pm Sun 16 Sep 12
IronLady2010
says...
6:15pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Stillness
says...
6:43pm Sun 16 Sep 12
IronLady2010 wrote:I'll start saving then :-)
I must admit they look lovely. Now to find the money for a weeks stay!?!
cantthinkofone
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6:47pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Shoong
says...
12:35am Mon 17 Sep 12
Maine Lobster wrote:True, why should people who have worked hard to get where they are have holidays with a bit of a difference?
Just goes to show that there is an unaffected market for the wealthy. Expect your favourite merchant banker to be booking in soon.
Most us us will be worrying about the gas bill!
This blatant exhibition of relaxing should be nipped in the bud before anyone else can enjoy the fruits of their labours.
Sovietobserver says...
11:12am Sun 16 Sep 12