How To Have A Real-Life Luxury “The Holiday” Experience In Surrey This Xmas

Photo Credit: Exclusive Hotels

One of our all-time favorite films is “The Holiday,” starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two gals battling heartbreak who do a house swap. Winslet takes over Diaz’s Hollywood Hills power pad and in exchange, stays at a darling cottage in the English countryside of Surrey. Director Nancy Meyers actually constructed the house’s facade from scratch—sad news flash friends, it doesn’t exist!—but we have an equally impressive alternative should you decide to have the quintessential “Holiday” experience: Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa in Bagshot, a hop, skip and a jump away from Shere (where the movie was filmed) and Windsor, where the Duchess of Sussex—otherwise known as Meghan Markle—married Prince Harry this year.

Everything you need for a remote getaway is available here on 123 acres of glorious countryside land. Stay in one of the lavish suites, which are so large and spacious you might even feel a little lost. We adore the Twickenham suite—one of the rugby team-named rooms (which is apt, as the English rugby team practices here), which features an eight-man Jacuzzi overlooking the award-winning spa, high-beamed ceilings and a grand, four-poster bed. The Heywood is also a fabulous option. Located on the first floor in the original mansion house, guests of this suite can enjoy private cocktails or coffee from their private terrace, which overlooks the stunning grounds. In addition to lavish furnishings, there’s also glass roll top bath (which is obviously a plus for honeymooners). Guests of these suites are additionally offered a complimentary round of golf, 24-hour butler service, reserved premium parking and unlimited spa access.

Photo Credit: Exclusive Hotels

And then, the dining. A host of options including a sumptuous breakfast at The Brasserie, cocktails at The Ascot bar and afternoon high tea are highlighted by The Latymer, a restaurant which recently received a Michelin star status. Chef Matt Worswick offers bold flavors using locally sourced ingredients inspired by the seasons. An exquisitely prepared, elegantly appointed tasting menu of items like Colchester oysters with cured sea trout at Yorkshire rhubarb served with a La Galette Sancerre; celeriac with rémoulade, lovage and Australian truffle paired with a Vidal Chardonnay; poached pave of halibut with purple sprouting broccoli, smoked almond pesto and seaweed beurre blanc; and passion fruit cream, mango gel and coconut ice cream to finish the meal with a Royal Tokaji can be the meal that melts in your mouth. Served in an intimate and luxurious private room with wooden paneling, a beamed ceiling and rich plush fabrics throughout, The Latymer is an experience that should not be missed (especially now, as the sommelier somehow got his hands on a few bottles of a 1996 Chateau d’Yquem, which he’s selling by the glass).

Photo Credit: Exclusive Hotels

While Pennyhill Park is completely self-contained, there’s so much to do a guest will literally never be bored. As we mentioned, there’s 123 acres to explore, such take a walk and discover a plethora of wonders, including a secret garden, beautiful tree groves (one of which contains a 600 year old Cedar tree), decorative ponds and waterfall. There’s also a 3-hole golf course, a tennis court, bike rentals, pistol shooting, archery, a screening room for hire and croquet available.

Photo Credit: Exclusive Hotels

Any trip you take to Pennyhill Park—or anywhere in the adjacent area, really—must include a trip to the hotel’s spa. Without a doubt, hands down, we bow to it: this is the best hotel spa we’ve literally ever been to (and we’ve been to a lot). Spa treatments utilizes the fabulous Natura Bisse brand. Facials include the Inhibit Face-lift—an alternative to micro injections that treat lines and wrinkles and also leaves you with a super hydrated radiant glow. Following an intensive but delicate exfoliation, the products applied inhibit the contraction of facial muscles and soften existing wrinkles. The skin is also naturally plumped thanks to the filling effect of the activating massages and a repairing hyaluronic acid mask. This facial relaxes, fills, lifts and reforms the skin, leaving it smoothed and rejuvenated. The spa also offers Natura Bisse’s innovative Mindful Touch facials, 3Ds journey for your chance to travel to the future with a complete face, body and spirit overhaul.

Additionally, of course, the spa also offers elevated massages, scrubs, wraps, manicures and pedicures, holistic therapies like Reiki and reflexology, tanning, brows and lashes. But that’s not all: within the 45,000 square foot space, there are eight indoor and outdoor pools (one of which allows you to swim to underwater music); a sensory room with ‘stars in the sky’ lighting; experience showers (you haven’t lived until you’ve had ‘tropical rain’ pelt on you); herbal saunas and steam rooms; an ice igloo; hydrotherapy pools; a hot tub; laconiums; a tepidarium; and a plunge pool. It’s complete and utter bliss.

Photo Credit: Amy Murrell/Exclusive Hotels

For the more fitness inclined, head over to the spa any time of day to check out the absolutely state-of-the-art fitness suite. This is one of the best hotel gyms we’ve ever seen: it feels more like a private members-only gym than it does a resort facility. This beauty comes complete with a full range of world-class Technogym equipment, weights as far as the eye can see eco-friendly water options. There’s also an expert team of personal trainers on call and a Junckers sprung exercise studio with a 50+ classes such as pilates, Zumba and yoga to choose from. Even better, this gym utilizes the innovative ‘Mywellness’ system, which allows guests to save their workouts and access them anywhere they use their mobiles.

Photo Credit: Exclusive Hotels