STANWELL HOUSE - Under New Management & an overnight sensation!
Ex Rhinefield pair triumph!
Ex Rhinefield pair triumph with their own show!
Only a few months ago, the previously known ‘The Stanwell House Hotel’ was acquired by Robert Milton and Victoria Crowe with the backing of successful local entrepreneur Tony Jones. What has happened there since they took over is nothing short of remarkable. Already re-branded as ‘Stanwell House’ and given an image overhaul, the place is absolutely humming; with bookings almost doubled and two newly established and individual restaurants ‘Seafood at Stanwells’ and ‘Simply Bistro/ Fine Bistro’ regularly fully booked and the talk of the town.
Robert Milton was previously the General Manager of Rhinefield House where his unparalleled energy, experience and professionalism was legendary and though some may say it is no surprise that he and Victoria have been able to turn this place around in such a short space of time, it is still nevertheless pretty impressive.
We had an LDC evening out the other night and upon more than one recommendation we booked a table for twelve in the seafood restaurant which is located at the front of the hotel and where previously it had been closed off from the High Street in favour of a closed bar area, it has now been re-opened back onto the street welcoming people like us in not just from the lobby but straight into the restaurant as well.
Typical of the new approach, we immediately felt welcome and enjoyed a couple of aperitifs at the bar before sidling off to our beautifully prepared table which had been laid out in a private area of the room. As a fish fanatic, when the menus arrived I was in seventh heaven. Skilfully crafted by the new lovable giant in the kitchen whom everyone, even Robert and Victoria, respectfully refer to as ‘Chef’, the menu offers ‘Seafood Temptations’ and a cheeky ‘Bit on the Side’ either as starters or as tapas style dishes as well as a handsome selection of main courses from Lobster, Bouillabaisse and Sole to fun favourites like the Fisherman’s Pie and Monkfish Burgers. We were on a roll that particular night, so fortunately for me, the table was soon awash with all manner of delights, from oysters, prawns and octopus, to lentils and chorizo, breads and olives and more. The house white also started to flow and I can genuinely say it was becoming one of the best nights I’ve had out in Lymington in a while.
Just when I started to scour the table for more and realised the plates had been ‘adiosed’, I was presented with my Monkfish Burger which, though I had failed to persuade anyone to share a Lobster Seafood Platter for two was still very welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed. Were I to have had any room left for desert, it would have been the Lemongrass Pannacotta, but instead, by then I needed a hit of espresso to launch me up off my chair into the gardens where we enjoyed a quick nightcap before going our separate ways. I must take this opportunity to apologise to one guest who very graciously despite being kept awake by us, popped his head out of his room and said ‘I know you’re trying to keep quiet, but it isn’t working!’ I hope we didn’t upset his sleep too much.
They always say the devil’s in the detail and it is here where they are particularly talented. For instance a cappuccino in the delightful gardens or conservatory is now accompanied by homemade biscuits; the once pathetic hand dryers in the bathrooms have been changed for ones that actually dry your hands and some fancy new technology means that you no longer have to queue at reception to pay your bill. All the staff, many of them new, are attentive, enthusiastic and very professional and though I probably shouldn’t say it, I personally find it much nicer being in a place when they are all without exception well presented and attractive. That is certainly true here and of course feeling that they are part of an increasingly successful business all adds to the positive ‘vibes’ now flooding through the building.
I’m told that to compliment the new logo, menus and forthcoming brochures, the outside of the building is having its long awaited facelift in September which was the earliest it could be done without inconveniencing existing bookings. Similarly, though nice touches make the rooms much more appealing already, they too will gradually be updated on a continual basis.
If you don’t live in the area and are pondering a visit from out of town, I can thoroughly recommend Stanwell House, whether for a romantic weekend away or for a trip with the kids and the dog. The Lymington Market on Saturday is one of the best in the country and you are on the doorstep of both the New Forest and the Solent where the variety of activities and cultural options are almost limitless. If you happen to be staying elsewhere then the two restaurants are now probably amongst the best available and are open seven days a week. The ‘Any Time’ menu is available all day and includes morning coffee and afternoon teas as well as sandwiches and baguettes and on a sunny day the gardens are a great escape away from the hustle bustle of the high street for a quick glass of champagne or two.
The other day I watched a wedding at the hotel in the Conservatory which is licensed for civil ceremonies and was almost tempted to do it again it was so appealing. The very nature of the hotel and the organised chaos inherent in that environment reminded me of Italian weddings where everything is quite informal with the kids running round and yet everyone has a beaming smile on their faces and simply relaxes and has a ball. The marquee looked absolutely stunning laid up for eighty guests and I would love to be a guest there one day if anyone’s thinking about it.
So in summary, I must say that I’m dazzled by the energy that Robert and Victoria posses which reminds me of some of my high-flying corporate American friends who never stop and think sleep is for wimps. What they have done in such a short space of time is truly unbelievable and though they’ll of course quite rightly say it’s a team effort, one can only imagine what they might achieve moving forwards. Not only did we have a great meal there, as one of Lymington’s oldest and best known full-sized hotels, I’m particularly pleased to see it in the hands of people who look set to put it seriously on the map of the country’s very best boutique hotels and add just one more big reason for people to come and spend their money here!
As always, don’t take my word for it!................... JS
Call 01590 677123 and see if you can get a table now!
or
See the new website @ www.stanwellhouse.com
STANWELL HOUSE
High Street
Lymington
SO41 9AA
To Download Menus in .pdf format, please click the relevant link below!
Seafood Menu - Click HERE
Bistro Menu - Click HERE
Any Time Menu - Click HERE
