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The Master Builder's - Hampshire, England
About this Chic Retreat
The Master Builder's at Buckler's Hard is a small luxury hotel on Lord Montagu's Beaulieu Estate in the heart of the New Forest. This chic retreat is part of the Hillbrooke group, who have created 4 quirky, luxury hotels across the UK where traditional design meets contemporary style with an emphasis on great British cuisine. Situated in the 17th-century shipbuilding village of Buckler's Hard, the Master Builder's overlooks the waters of the Beaulieu River, and the area is perfectly suited to nature walks and tours of south England's top destinations such as Bournemouth, Winchester and Southampton. Guests are guaranteed a warm welcome from the friendly staff and at the end of the day, return for a romantic dinner in the restaurant, an informal bite with a pint of ale in the bar or a BBQ out on the waterfront lawns.
Accommodation
The Master Builder's at Buckler's Hard has 25 rooms divided into 'Very Nice' in the main house and 'Nice' in the annexe. Taking inspiration from the shipbuilding heritage of village, all of the rooms are named after ships built at Buckler's Hard by the Master Shipbuilder, Mr Henry Adams, former resident of this chic hotel. The 'Very Nice' rooms have all been individually-styled by interior designer Christine Boswell and sport a funky mix of contemporary and traditional furnishings where print wallpapers, woven rugs and artwork subtly clash, an informal take on traditional elegance. The design-process is thus, they start with the name of a ship, create an imaginative design, take these to Rajasthan and return with the beautiful bespoke furnishings that appear in each and every room. For real opulence, stay in the spacious Victorious room with its golden wallpaper, crown-inspired chandelier and grand fourposter.
The 'Nice' rooms in the Henry Adams wing have a simpler style, and are due for a similar treatment to the 'Very Nice' next year. All rooms have oversize-double or twin beds, flat screen TVs with DVD players & a choice of DVDs on request and en-suite bathrooms with power-showers & baths, Arcania bath products, bathrobes & towels.
Activities
The New Forest is a beautiful area to discover. Explore the nearby castles and award-wining gardens, take a picnic and cycle down to the beaches, play a round of golf on the local course or hire a canoe or kayak and take off down the river. The Beaulieu Estate houses the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu Palace House and there are plenty of activities for the kids, from the Victorian tour of Palace House where Victorian butlers and housemaids give an insight into their daily life, to go-karting, and take the chance to see the grounds from above on the mile-long Monorail.
However guests may wish to stay close to The Master Builder's and take a walk around Buckler's Hard before returning to the cosy bar for a drink by the open-fire or a quiet read in the sitting room.
Dining
With the more formal restaurant and informal bar, guests at The Master Builder's at Buckler's Hard can choose whichever suits their mood. The lunch menus are the same in both, but at dinner the restaurant caters for a more gourmet audience. All dishes have an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, with produce directly from the New Forest wherever possible. The modern British lunch menu includes pork pies, a smoked fish platter, rib-eye steak and warmed apple & pear crumble with ice-cream, and in the restaurant, game lovers can expect seasonal treats, for example the New Forest game terrine with pear chutney, salad & toast while vegetarians can enjoy Savoy cabbage, quince, wild mushroom and red wine sauce and there is a great wine list.
At breakfast, tuck into the buffet which has cereals, pastries, yoghurt, fruit, smoothies and juices and warm up with some porridge or cooked dishes from eggs benedict to a full English. They also serve a cheeky range of hangover drinks for those who stayed a little too late in the bar the night before.
Rates
Rates at The Master Builder's at Buckler's Hard are per room per night and include a full English breakfast and taxes. Halfboard rates include an additional 3-course a la carte dining room menu. Throughout the mid and low seasons, a Sunday night rate of GBP 50 per night applies for guests who have stayed on Friday and Saturday nights. Children are charged at an additional GBP 20 per child sharing a room with their parents with a maximum of 2. Dogs are allowed in certain rooms on request. A credit / charge card number is required to confirm bookings. * Special Christmas rates apply.
* Rates in GBP
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made 14 days prior to arrival will not incur a charge. Within 14 days of arrival, a charge of GBP 50 per night booked will be charged and will only be taken on the day that the guest would have left. If the room is re-let, no charge will be taken. No shows will be charged the full price of the booking. During Christmas and New Year, special ts & cs may apply.
Additional information
- Neareast Airport: Southampton.
- Distance from Airport: 40 minutes.
British Chic Retreats
25 rooms
Good for:
a charming village setting new the new forest, nature walksFacilites:
bar, car parking, gardens, pets allowed, restaurant, WiFi/Internet, child friendly, golf, weddingsRates starting from
GBP 130
per room per night
per room per night
Other hotels in UK
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- No. 5 Maddox Street, London
- Eckington Manor, England
- Crown at Woodbridge, Suffolk
- Jolyons Boutique Hotel, Cardiff
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