Chewton Glen
New Forest, Hampshire
I was very sad to hear that Martin Skan, founder of Chewton Glen and one of Britain’s great hoteliers, died on Saturday 11 October 2025. Colleagues remember him as a true visionary with exacting standards and genuine warmth, which matches the spirit you still feel at Chewton Glen today.
Martin and his wife, Brigitte, bought the property in 1966 when it was a modest bed and breakfast. Over the next four decades they shaped it into an internationally recognised country house hotel, setting a benchmark for service, food and attention to detail. In 2007 they handed the keys to new owners, but the blueprint remained unmistakably theirs.
A life well lived, and a legacy that continues every time a guest arrives, breathes out, and feels at home on that green sweep of lawn.
A New Lease of Life
Chewton Glen is one of Britain’s great country house hotels for good reason. Set in 130 acres on the edge of the New Forest, a short walk from the sea, it blends style and polish with real warmth. The latest chapter is a standout refurbishment by London studio Goddard Littlefair, which has reimagined some of the rooms, the bar, Dining Room and drawing rooms with an elegant, lived-in feel. Think parquet underfoot, velvet sofas, handmade wooden tables, soft lavender and green tartans and herringbones, and open fires glowing wherever you turn. It’s sophisticated and classic, and it suits Chewton Glen beautifully.
From the moment you arrive, you’re met with friendly faces. Darcy whisked us in, the fires were lit throughout, and within minutes, the place felt like home. The bar, now a warm cocoon painted in deep burgundy with generously deep chairs, became our base for a pre-dinner martini and a nightcap. Georgie, on only her fifth day, was already mixing like an old hand, while charming Corrie mapped out the best beach walks.
By day, the drawing rooms hum along, and by evening, they gently shift up a gear. Zul appears as if by magic and runs the room with a sprinkle of magic, swapping morning pastries for afternoon cakes, then oysters and champagne, before a late-night cheese board appears. He has a sixth sense for what you need and makes a superb chai masala. The timing and effortless service are exactly what mark this hotel out.
Room 6, Jacob Faithful, is a handsome master suite facing the croquet lawn. Inside, it’s all soft, grown-up comfort: a separate sitting room, blackout curtains, pretty wallpaper, and a generous stash of complimentary hot chocolate, chocolate, nuts, crisps and an excellent selection of Birchall teas. The marble bathroom is large, with a bath (and an in-bath TV), a separate shower, double basins and a bidet. Turndown is timed perfectly, the big Hildon bottles are quietly replenished each night, and any sad-looking fruit in the fruit bowl is replaced. It’s luxury done without fuss.
Food is a double act. James Martin’s The Kitchen is your relaxed option, a short stroll or buggy ride past the tennis centre, woodland and helipad. It’s diner-style with an open kitchen and easy favourites: moules, burgers, a properly cooked steak, and a young, charming team who keep it all rolling. In the main house, The Dining Room, part of the hotel’s new look, is chic without being stiff. There’s a choice of the light, plant-filled conservatory or a cosier corner, marble and wooden tables, bucket chairs and sofa seating, and that soft, flattering evening light. Sole meunière, finished tableside in the traditional way, was a highlight, as was a T-bone to share.
In the kitchen, the tone is set by Executive Chef Luke Matthews, a long-serving talent at Chewton Glen who champions fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the estate. His brigade in The Dining Room cooks with confidence and clarity, with a nod to the hotel’s coastal-forest setting. A big part of that freshness comes from the grounds themselves. Estate Manager Darren Venables and his team run the walled and kitchen garden, which supply a generous haul of vegetables and herbs year-round. Wander by at dusk and you’ll see it strung with fairy lights, a lovely touch that hints at the care behind the scenes, and also a very romantic setting.
The spa at Chewton Glen has served generations of loyal guests and, while a little weary in parts, it’s holding up and is due an uplift in the next 18 months. Expect an all-British line-up on the shelves, including Oskia and the much-talked-about Decree masks, a heated indoor pool and hydrotherapy pool, a spa bar for smoothies and a proper spa lunch, plus a Technogym-equipped gym that looks onto the gardens. If you’d rather move outside, follow the trails across the estate or head down to the beach for an hour of sea air, enjoy a coffee in one of the cafés and head to Highcliffe Castle for a spot of culture. Back at Chewton Glen there’s a tennis centre with two indoor carpet courts and outdoor courts, plus that tempting croquet lawn for a little friendly rivalry or fierce competition!
Families, couples and corporate groups all fit here. If you’re planning a wedding, ‘Georgia Blacknell, the world’s best wedding planner, can arrange anything and everything for any size of wedding,’ says Deputy Manager Raymond Toulouse Lautrec, who has been enjoying his ‘temporary’ role for the last eight years. Chewton Glen can host ceremonies for 2-200 people in the grounds, house, walled garden or, for something truly memorable, up in one of the treehouses.
Chewton Glen has been loved for decades and is now quietly polishing its edges with a design-led refresh that feels entirely in keeping. It’s nourishing in the true sense: fire-warmed rooms, honest food, sea-and-forest days, and staff who genuinely love what they do. The kind of place that reminds you that exceptional British hospitality is alive and kicking and why British country house hotels matter now more than ever.
WHO FOR: anyone and everyone! Kid and child-friendly. The Treehouses are so romantic too, and perfect for honeymoons or a small wedding. There are dog-friendly ground floor rooms too!
Rating: Pretty close to perfection!