UK hotel of the month
We've been trying not to mention those dreaded words "credit crunch" - but seeing as a lot of us have been having to tighten our purse strings recently, it's worth noting you can still have a fabulously indulgent weekend in the UK at a price that won't break the bank. Puh - who needs Paris?
One of our favourite British seaside towns - Broadstairs in Kent - has just become even more appealing, thanks to the arrival of an up-market boutique B&B. Just a pebble's throw away from the beach, Burrow House has three guest rooms - two with twin beds and one with a sumptuous antique French double bed.
And as with all the best hotels, it's the little details that make the difference. On arrival, you'll be offered a complimentary drink of your choice in the residents' drawing room. All bedding is 100% cotton, while the pillows and duvets are filled with duck and goose down. And all rooms have wireless internet access.
But what really makes Burrow House worth a visit are its special gourmet weekend breaks. The highlight is a five-course feast, rustled up by a London head chef who has cooked for heads of state, movie producers and many members of the Royal Family.
A sample menu? Wild mushroom risotto with roast lobster tail infused with truffle oil; roast fillet of venison with a port wine and damson jus, served on a parsnip purée with a medley of seasonal vegetables and potatoes; a selection of local farmhouse cheeses served with quince jelly and oatmeal biscuits; a plate of exotic fruits glazed with a Sauterne sabayon and brandy snap basket filled with a passion fruit sorbet; followed by freshly brewed coffee and petit fours. Hungry yet?
The gourmet weekends cost £155 per person - and also include a champagne canapé reception and delicious full breakfast, as well as accommodation and dinner. To find out more, go to www.burrowhouse.com.
