THE LOWDOWN

Just off the M27 in Whiteley between Southampton and Portsmouth, next to the Whiteley Shopping Centre the modern, four-star Solent Hotel and Spa is a surprisingly bucolic spot. If you enjoy a weekend walk, there’s a nature trail heading out from the grounds through mature woodland and ancient meadowland. Manor Farm Country Park and Titchfield Nature reserve are also both close by.

Part of the Daniel Thwaites group and popular for weddings, business travel and leisure stays, there’s plenty of child-friendly touches that make The Solent Hotel & Spa a good pick for families. Likewise, canny cruisers can use it as a jumping-off point for Southampton docks, around eight miles away, with dedicated cruse and stay packages.

A two-phase refurbishment in 2018 saw Solent-themed nautical nods added in the updated rooms and restaurant. In 2020, the Solent Hotel & Spa cut the ribbon on a major spa refurbishment, a big draw for leisure travellers and day guests.

THE VIBE

Despite walking a red carpet (yes, really) through the main entrance into a large, open-plan reception with a grand staircase, the vibe at The Solent Hotel & Spa is purposefully relaxed and modern. Stepping onwards to the adjacent Terrace restaurant, there’s a large glass wall of wine (big tick) displayed at the entrance with light, unfussy décor stretching into the attached conservatory area and outdoor seating.

The main hotel has 117-bedrooms spread over several floors so expect a busy vibe here, especially at weekends, but there’s plenty of relaxed, friendly staff to point you where you need to go.

THE SPA

In dire need of a massage, the pool and spa are our first port of call. Staying with our daughter, Miss Six, pool times are more restricted to allow adult-only sessions but Mr. Muddy and I manage to fit in a swim and a turn each in the jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms before checking in for our pre-booked treatments.

Scooping two major gongs for Best Spa Manager and Best Health and Fitness Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2022, if you’re too close to check in, the afternoon tea and treatment spa days and post-work twilight spa experiences here are definitely worth a look.

After the usual spot of form filling, we take turns having what turn out to be super-relaxing Caudalie massage in one of the eight treatment rooms.

Ready to spa in a fluffy white ‘V I Little P’ robe, Miss Six has an appointment at one of the mani/pedi stations, where she’s treated to a special pink lemonade cocktail and a few bites of my chocolate brownie as her fingers and toes are painted a very on-trend, Muddy Stilettos-esque hot pink.

Also in the spa area, we spy a really well-decked out gym and timetabled fitness classes. And if you’re sans enfants and fancy it, for an additional charge you can book an hour slot in the gorgeous outdoor hot tub in the meadow (along with a bottle of bubbles on ice). Winner.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Suitably pampered, it’s off for dinner in the AA Rosette-rated, British/ Mediterranean-themed Terrace Bar & Grill where there’s a live singer singing tunefully and unobtrusively.

Good value at three courses for £10, Miss Six picks hummus and crudites, a sizeable burger and fruit kebabs with chocolate dipping sauce from a menu of child-pleasers.

Seafaring Mr. Muddy starts with tasty whitebait with garlic aioli, which passes muster, but the clear winner from the starters is the crispy-coated smoked haddock fishcake with clam chowder, diced potato and samphire. Delicious.

On to the mains, we’re just as pleased with well-cooked brill with seaweed potatoes and mushrooms – perfect with a fish-friendly glass of viognier our friendly waitress finds for us on her tablet. Our other main is spiced monkfish tail served baba ghanoush, lemon couscous and cardamon and lemon yogurt topped with a prawn cracker-style crisp. Tasty – if a touch ostentatious.

For pud, it’s black forest gateau with blackberry puree and white chocolate cream and a showstopping dulce de leche millefeuille.

If you prefer things a little simpler, the restaurant also has burgers and steaks on the menu. And also part of the Solent Hotel & Spa, head next door to Parson’s Collar pub in the 54-bed three-star Lodge for a relaxed menu of pizza and pub-style fare.

STAY

Refurbed to a good standard with fluffy robes, large beds, White Company smellies in the bathroom, pod-style coffee machines, chunky biscuits, fresh milk and a fridge to keep it in, we soon feel at home in our ground-floor room, close to the spa.

Miss Six gets her own gigantic cookie on a special plate, a drink and snack and a fun activity pack that keeps her busy all through dinner.

Breakfast is served in a slightly chillier room adjacent to the main restaurant, but we soon warm up with hot coffees and our pick of a great choice of cooked-to-order breakfasts including a full northern (a nod to the Thwaites heritage) and a well-executed poached eggs royale.

DOG FRIENDLY

Yes – but book ahead. There are three dog-friendly rooms in the main hotel and seven in The Lodge, each with a cosy doggie bed, bowl and dog biscuit. Dogs aren’t permitted in the restaurant but are welcome in the bar area.

OUT AND ABOUT

A five-minute walk or two-minute drive from Whiteley Shopping Centre, The Solent Hotel & Spa is close to Porchester Castle, Manor Farm and the River Hamble Country Park as well as some great beaches at Hill Head and Lee-on-Solent. Family-friendly attractions like Marwell Zoo and Itchen Valley Country Park are under 30 minutes’ drive, as is the brilliant Hambledon Vineyard.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Couples spa breaks and spa days with friends outside the New Forest. Families are also very well catered for at The Solent Hotel & Spa.

Not for: A room with the view – some rooms here don’t look out on anything at all. Ground floor rooms are convenient but can be a little noisy at night if there’s a wedding at the hotel.

The damage: Rooms start at around £140 for a double, including breakfast and spa access, currently on offer in the hotel’s winter sale. Child stays cost an extra £30 per child, per night including breakfast. In the restaurant, starters cost from £8 – £11, mains are £14 – £26 and puddings are around £8.50. A 25-minute Caudalie back massage costs £45 from the Taste of Wellness spa menu. The V I Little P mani-pedi is £30.

The Solent Hotel & Spa, Rookery Avenue, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AJ. Tel. 01489 880000.

Review: The Solent Hotel and Spa, Fareham

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