Bonjour lecteurs! When was the last time you had a weekend away in the UK? We made it to Hampshire last weekend, where we had a lovely time. We made it to Basingstoke this time around. Our family stay at The Hampshire Court Hotel did not disappoint. Our weekend in the county of Jane Austen was l’excuse parfaite to explore this area full of histoire but also have lots of fun.
The Hampshire Court Hotel
Fancy a hotel close to Basingstoke’s town centre that’s also close to a quiet British village? Then The Hampshire Court Hotel is la place parfaite for you and your family to relax.
Less than 1 hour’s drive from London, the location is part of the QHotels Collection. It’s my favourite as everything is made for you to truly relax and enjoy yourself.
For a start, it features a great health and leisure club with 2 indoor swimming pools and relaxation room. But it’s also spacious and very welcoming.
L’Arrivée
As always, the M3 was packed, but we made it to l’hôtel right after picking him up from school on Friday night.
As soon as we arrived, we felt welcome and very much excited to be there. Check in was quick and easy.
The hotel was busy with a local pickleball tournament. The tone was set: the Hampshire Court Hotel is THE PLACE for any sporty family.
In between its 2 pools, its numerous tennis courts and it gym, it’s quite the location to feel good! Or like me, you can just enjoy a cheeky glass of wine in the sunshine…
Our Junior Suite
Worried you might not find a family-friendly hotel with great value? The Hamsphire Court Hotel has you covered from start to finish.
Our junior suite was super spacious and ready to host us with style. Au programme, a free mini bar (they know that mums can do with a drink in the evening!) but also the sofa bed nicely made up for him.
He was well excited to have so much space just for myself while I enjoyed having a room facing south. Also, j’adore our bathroom with everything we needed: a large bath as well as a shower and two sinks.
Now that’s what I call a comfy stay! The hotel knows how to put its guests at ease and you even have some fluffy bathrobes at your disposition may you want to make the most of the spa facilities.
Health & Spa Club
Bien sûr it was not long before Stanley wanted to check out the pool so we headed to the health & spa facilities. We were lucky because it closes down later during the weekdays (10pm).
We were barely at the hotel for an hour that we were all relaxing and splashing about in the pool.
Now, The Hampshire Court Hotel is even plus spécial. Indeed, there are 2 indoors pools with one restricted to under 16s. So that you can take it in turn and fully relax or have a proper swim. To be fair, it was not that busy so I stayed in the children-allowed version, but it’s quite nice to have le choix. Even better, there is even a sauna and a steam.
If you fancy some peace, I really recommend the relaxation room. It’s just lovely in there, beautifully decorated and I unwound for a bit with one of my fav podcasts in my ears.
Truly, The Hampshire Court Hotel has it all for you to have a fab time, kids-free or not!
The Food At The Hotel
It was not easy to leave the pool, but we made it to le restaurant for le dîner. The place was packed, but the service was excellent!
We were served straightaway and the food was quick to come. The whole team was very effective and I loved reading a book with a G&T before our meal.
Le restaurant is beautifully decorated with its subdued décor and yet again, very family-friendly!
The waiter gave Stanley an activity pack so that he kept busy while waiting for our food. Later on, he enjoyed one of his fav drinks with une pizza! La vie est difficile!
I really enjoyed my raviolis as well as some tempura squids. It was all délicieux and so was le petit-déjeuner the day after.
Sweet or savoury, whatever you fancy, you will have it all at The Hampshire Court Hotel. Au menu pour Stanley, a series of pains au chocolat.
Exploring Basing & Basingstoke
After a good night sleep and some yummy breakfast, we made it to Basing House as we have the National Art Pass.
Back in the day, the Tudor palace was home to the Paulet Family, but the castle was destroyed during the Civil War.
We enjoyed the walk to the barn and then a stroll through its beautiful gardens. It might be mainly ruins now, but it’s located in le village charmant of Basing.
It felt fabulous to have a stroll along the river, observing Nature. In between 2 sets of duckling and some dragonfly giving us a show, he was well busy…
After our visit, we stopped by the pub next to the river and fed the ducks. We spent the rest of the afternoon in town. Basingstoke is quite big and it was busy on a sunny Saturday.
Winchester & The Ivy
After a second night at the Hampshire Court Hotel, we spent the rest of the weekend in Winchester. Grumpy Boyfriend went to l’université there so we stopped by the campus to show Stanley.
It was memory lane on full blast for Grumpy and as we walked down to the high street, I took so many photos of cute English houses. While Basingstoke is plus moderne, Winchester has so much historical charm.
We then has lunch at The Ivy Winchester Brasserie and as always, it was stunning. I ordered a tartare steak, which was délicieux, as well as a cocktail from the summer menu. It was so lovely to eat by the window and see the world go by.
From the cathedral to the the historic main street, Winchester is very beautiful. Actually, it reminded me a bit of Canterbury in a way.
We also walked around Winchester Cathedral and relaxed for a bit at in Abbey Gardens. It’s such beautiful place! While he played with other children, I relaxed in the shade of the willow tree and even made it to the swings.
The Hampshire Court Hotel
We have stayed in many QHotels over the years and I must say that The Hampshire Court Hotel is by far my favourite. We truly had a beautiful family break there.
It had everything you need to have a great time with little ones. Stanley LOVED the pool and even if Water Babies classes took place at the weekend, we still had plenty of space to splash about and swim.
The staff was always on hand to help. From la réception to the restaurant and the spa, we felt welcome at all times.
Our family room also ticked the box and we loved the hotel’s surroundings. You are 5 min drive to the town centre, but also on the doorstep to some beautiful country villages. So take your pick, whatever experience you would rather have in Hampshire.
We might come to Southampton this summer and I would be curious to see more of this beautiful British county.
Prices for a family room start from £195.
Disclosure – We received a free stay in exchange for an honest opinion.
Fancy more family-friendly travels inspiration? Check out now my Eat & Travel page just for you.
