BACKGROUND The property is owned by Sir Peter Michael, a keen wine-buff who owns a number of vineyards in California and produces his own wine which is served in the Donnington Valley’s on-site restaurant. The five-star sister property the Vineyard at Stockcross, a few miles away, is also part of the Peter Michael Collection. The original hotel in Donnington was built in 1991 and had 58 rooms and a 12-hole golf course, but a new wing was built in 2007, adding 56 rooms, a spa and an 18-metre swimming pool. The golf course was also redesigned and lengthened between 1998 and 2000 to create an extra six holes, and while it is the shortest course in Berkshire, it is the most challenging.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? A modern low-rise red-brick hotel on a quiet road with plenty of parking space and overlooking fields at the front and a golf course at the back. As most of the hotel is either newly built or has seen a £14.5 million refurbishment, the décor is fresh and contemporary. However, the reception area and Bar Mezz have not yet had a facelift so still retains a more traditional flavour. There is plenty of dark wood furniture and flooring, a log fire, comfy armchairs and sofas, dusty stag heads either side of the bar and an unusual high angled timber roof.
WHERE IS IT? About eight minutes’ from Newbury station (£7.50 in a taxi) which is connected by frequent trains to London Paddington station (a 50-minute journey). Newbury is just under 60 miles from central London, off the M4. Newbury is 96km from central London, off the M4, and 85km from Heathrow airport.
ROOM FACILITIES Rooms on the ground floor have patio access while those on the first floor have a small balcony. Most of the Executive rooms (available for a £25 upgrade) are on the top floor and have views of the golf course at the back. All bedrooms are decorated in cream, white and oatmeal with splashes of red, green or beige in the curtains, upholstery and cushions.
Amenities which come as standard include wifi internet access (£8 for one hour/£15 for 24 hours), laptop safes, a fridge with free milk and mineral water, air conditioning, marble bathrooms, tea and coffee-making facilities, flatscreen TVs (press the “text” button on the remote control to change it from black and white into colour), a telephone, a hairdryer and a trouser press.
My Executive room was larger than the average Classic room and also featured a DVD player and access to a free DVD library in reception, as well as complimentary internet access and a morning paper, a robe and slippers, an iron and ironing board, and a separate bath and walk-in shower (they are combined in the Classic rooms).
There is a room service menu and minibar packages are available on request if you fancy a drink or snack in your room. A living room area was to one side of the bed with a sofa facing the TV and coffee table topped with a small stack of magazines (Field Sports, Top Sant and Mon Plaisir, the Peter Michael Collection publication). The only problem with this layout was that you couldn’t watch TV comfortably from the bed.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS The stylish Winepress restaurant on the ground floor opened in March 2000 and has two AA rosettes. It serves a mixture of modern and traditional international dishes using fresh, locally sourced produce, and occupies the main floor as well as a raised balcony area beneath the roof. A hot and cold buffet breakfast is served here from 7-10am on weekends, as well as lunch from 12-2pm, tea from 2-6.30pm and dinner from 7-10pm.
The highlight of this eatery is no doubt the wine list, which offers over 30 wines by the glass, and a friendly, informed sommelier who will help you choose one of the 350 vintages that will best suit what you are ordering to eat. I enjoyed a very nice Domaine William Fevre, 2006, Chablis (£9.15 a glass) with my tomato, basil, mozzarella and yellow pepper terrine (£7), followed by a glass of the Quinta do Crasto 2005 from Portugal (£6.75) with my spinach, celeriac and mushroom lasagne (£14). Portions aren’t big so I managed to sample a small selection of cheese and biscuits after.
In the adjacent Bar Mezz, guests can order snacks, light meals, coffee and pastries throughout the day. The atmosphere and service is relaxed, and popular with families at weekends. I tried a wrap, which was a bit bland, but the fish and chips looked appetising.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The Donnington has 11 function rooms, the largest of which has a capacity of up to 140 theatre-style. The octagon-shaped Greens room is attached to the restaurant and has lots of natural daylight, is decorated in murals by a local artist, and is ideal for private-dining parties of up to 50 people.
LEISURE FACILITIES On the ground floor, to the left of reception, is the swimming pool and lounge area with floor-to-ceiling windows, along with a sauna, steam room, spa bath, aroma room and monsoon shower, and the gym, which is fitted with Life Fitness machines and Vibra Plate technology.
Upstairs are the seven rooms where guests can experience anything from a one-hour 40-minute Holistic Back, Face and Scalp Massage using Espa products (£88) to a 25-minute Golfer’s Foot Ritual (£30). (The spa and health club are open 7am-7pm at weekends.) Speaking of golf, the 5,801-metre par 71 course has green fees of £25 at the weekend and Snelsmore House, a Grade II Listed Victorian clubhouse. Guests can also arrange to do fishing and shooting and picnic hampers can be provided if exploring the local area.
VERDICT A great place for a peaceful weekend getaway, with an 18-hole golf course and excellent spa facilities, as well as the chance to try some very good wines by the glass in the restaurant.
Fact file
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 111 rooms over three floors in three categories – Classic, Executive rooms and suite.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The complimentary wifi, the DVD player and free DVD library were plus points, and the views of the golf course and peace and quiet made it very relaxing. My room was also near the spa so it was easy to pop down there in my robe and slippers.
PRICE Internet rates for a Saturday-night stay start from £119 for a Classic room. Check the website for offers.
CONTACT Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa; Old Oxford Road, Donnington Newbury; tel: +44 (0)1635 551 199; donningtonvalley.co.uk
Jenny Southan
