Reader's home of the month
This month's £150 Habitat giftcard goes to lindsaydglasgow's 'terrace on a teeny budget'...
Hotel of the month: Hotel Du Vin Poole
Get into the marine vibe in a manor house with an attitude in Poole...
WHY VISIT? Despite its French name, the Hotel du Vin chain epitomizes everything great about British hotels – it is grand, but fun; elegant yet laid back; classy but not intimidating.
The Poole branch is located in the 1776 house of a rambunctious local business man, and when you enter you can tell this was a house meant to be showed off. The grand private function rooms make you feel like a witty, whippet-thin Jane Austen lady, while the snug is the perfect place for a blazing fire and a digestif.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW The rooms are decorated in a naval theme, but not so that you drown among starfish and sailor hats. The colour schemes are calm blues and greys with wooden accents, creating an atmosphere where you can relax and take centrestage, rather than being overwhelmed by the décor. If you book the Dom Pérignon suite, you not only get two roll-top baths to take a tandem bath with a loved one, but a bed so big you can't really tell which way to sleep – we comfortably fitted a family of four into the bed to watch a DVD from the downstairs library after dinner.
THE TOWN Poole has a lovely old quarter with meandering cobbled alleys and quaint houses. If you're more of an action type, the luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker is in the harbour – never has so much horsepower been moored in one place.
DINING AND DRINKING Dinner in the bistro is gourmet glam but not stuffy. The serving staff are helpful and friendly without resorting to fake obsequiousness, and the food and wine well-thought out. We had simple asparagus and poached eggs and a cheese soufflé to start, followed by a truly tender rack of lamb and a whole roasted wood pigeon. Our sommelier, Igor, wisely chose a Domaine La Fage Côtes du Roussillon 2006 to go with these varied tastes and textures, which went down a treat.
Although you won't think it after a grand dinner, you'll be more than ready to tuck into breakfast the next day when you see the tempting buffet, and delve into some kippers so fresh they almost jump off your plate or a stack of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
OUR VERDICT For a glam weekend away which leaves you refreshed and reinvigorated, there is no better place than a Hotel du Vin.
HOTEL DU VIN POOLE WEEKEND ESSENTIALS
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HOTEL DU VIN POOLE SPECIAL OFFER FOR LIVINGETC READERS
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The Poole branch is located in the 1776 house of a rambunctious local business man, and when you enter you can tell this was a house meant to be showed off. The grand private function rooms make you feel like a witty, whippet-thin Jane Austen lady, while the snug is the perfect place for a blazing fire and a digestif.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW The rooms are decorated in a naval theme, but not so that you drown among starfish and sailor hats. The colour schemes are calm blues and greys with wooden accents, creating an atmosphere where you can relax and take centrestage, rather than being overwhelmed by the décor. If you book the Dom Pérignon suite, you not only get two roll-top baths to take a tandem bath with a loved one, but a bed so big you can't really tell which way to sleep – we comfortably fitted a family of four into the bed to watch a DVD from the downstairs library after dinner.
THE TOWN Poole has a lovely old quarter with meandering cobbled alleys and quaint houses. If you're more of an action type, the luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker is in the harbour – never has so much horsepower been moored in one place.
DINING AND DRINKING Dinner in the bistro is gourmet glam but not stuffy. The serving staff are helpful and friendly without resorting to fake obsequiousness, and the food and wine well-thought out. We had simple asparagus and poached eggs and a cheese soufflé to start, followed by a truly tender rack of lamb and a whole roasted wood pigeon. Our sommelier, Igor, wisely chose a Domaine La Fage Côtes du Roussillon 2006 to go with these varied tastes and textures, which went down a treat.
Although you won't think it after a grand dinner, you'll be more than ready to tuck into breakfast the next day when you see the tempting buffet, and delve into some kippers so fresh they almost jump off your plate or a stack of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
OUR VERDICT For a glam weekend away which leaves you refreshed and reinvigorated, there is no better place than a Hotel du Vin.
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