Page 5 - Enjoy-it 2024

“Lime Wood – well, it’s family isn’t it?”
“Yes it is.” I firmly agreed with my new friend as we leisurely swam together in the bright indoor pool, bathed in natural sunlight through the glass roof, and in a gentle spring breeze through the bi-fold windows, opened to the great Hampshire outdoors.
Our chat was mutually complimentary; how wonderful the staff, how professional the offering and how Lime Wood becomes a way of life to its hotel regulars and health club members.
I’m a mere thrice-a-year guest and still have the same sentiments, Lime Wood is so relaxing and so very special. Everyone can visit, and the team instantly instils an air of ease, they are seamless in their welcome, and their advice which makes your day a whole lot better; be that through the incredible treatments on offer, the exceptional food from Raw and Cured or from encouraging one to make the most of the gym, the hydrotherapy suite (peeping into the New Forest), with its spacious sauna and steam rooms and the 16m heated pool or the outdoor hydro plunge pool. All of which are serviced by luxurious changing rooms with showers, baths and Bamford products.
Time flies at Lime Wood so arrive bright and early, set the tone for the day and eagerly await a well-deserved lunch – in my case after a century of lengths, and in the case of my guests after a morning in the sun, dipping in and out of the plunge pool, and catching up over a chilled bottle of Hampshire’s own Hambledon sparkling wine! That’s the way to do it...
Lunch is always a treat in Raw and Cured, there are plenty of tables to choose from, overlooking the pool, the prep area, at the bar, outside in the new covered extension and in the garden under the watchful eye
of indigenous wildlife... and the team. The menu is thoughtful and as healthy as you like... We indulged in
a couple of powerful cold press detox smoothies; The Yellow One – with apple, lemon, ginger and turmeric and the Heavy Metal – loaded with spinach, dates, banana, coriander, apple and Willy’s ACV. And R&C energy balls – they’ll prepare you for anything!
We shared plates of pear, rosary goat cheese, crushed hazelnuts, lemon and watercress salad. Italian tomatoes with basil, pinenut salsa and buffalo mozzarella and homemade soda bread with fermented fennel, kefir butter with labneh. Also, Kentish chickpeas with fennel seed and chilli braised kale, hazelnuts and tahini, and from one of the hotel’s close partners, Four Acre Farm in Ringwood, a radish salad with labneh, pomegranate and za’ tar. Four Acre Farm is a small community-lead farm which works alongside chef Luke Holder growing exquisite produce specifically for the hotel.
Our al fresco lunch was rounded off with hemp, date and banana brownies, just magnificent!
The service is a delight, from the welcome in reception to the assistance in the changing rooms, everyone has the Lime Wood touch. This speaks volumes for the exceptional recruitment processes that the company has in place and for the management team that has never
in my experience failed to impress with the standard of service delivered with humility and professionalism.
After lunch we enjoy pre-booked spa treatments, a massage, pedicure and a facial, all of varying durations.
We re-group in the sunshine by the plunge pool with a last glass of Hambledon to discuss our day. It is impossible to rush at Lime Wood, and with the ever- evolving treatments and beauty partners one can experience something new on every visit.
One such introduction is the Re-Root Creative Retreat at Lime Wood, guests are invited to unleash their inner creative during a retreat or workshop guided by the rhythm of the seasons, each one taking guests back
to their roots and reconnecting the mind and body
with nature. There are many Re-Roots to choose from, including residential retreats, just another example of the brilliant initiatives designed by the Lime Wood team, adding to its catalogue of wellness opportunities!
Driving away from Lime Wood on a summer’s evening, through the meadows and along the meandering drive towards the New Forest, its ponies and the route home – we just want to turn around.
As one of the team said before we left.
“Why not stay? I’m sure we’ll find you a beautiful room in the hotel...”
Why not indeed?
That’s for next time...
Lime Wood, Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7FZ
023 8028 7177 www.limewoodhotel.co.uk
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