About
The luxury boutique New Forest hotel, one of Britain’s Top Ten Hotels 2009 (Good Hotel Guide), Best Hotel in the South East of England (Tourism ExSEllence Awards) and one of the best new places to stay in the world (Conde Nast), Hotel TerraVina is owned and managed by Nina and Gerard Basset; Gerard was co founder of Hotel du Vin where he also created the Ecole du Vin.
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I had the very distinct pleasure of visiting Hotel Terravina on Sunday of last week and really needed to share with Nina, Gerard and the staff at the hotel how I felt about the meal and the experience.
I eat out a lot – I’ve been to some wonderful restaurants and I’ve stayed in some wonderful hotels. However, the striking thing about Hotel Terravina is the subtle way in which the service is delivered.
Now, I don’t mean that good service is all you get – far from in fact, but somehow everything is made to look effortless, even though you know it isn’t. It takes a lot of work and the highest calibre of staff to achieve, which Terravina achieves without doubt.
There’s a calmness present, a hush of whispers and happy people, but behind all of that is undoubtedly the hard work and effort that each and every person puts in to creating what is a wonderful atmosphere, a perfect service (yes I am saying perfect) and staff who are so hard working, they’ve obviously learned from the very best.
When you go to the Hotel Terravina, you don’t just get wonderful food, you don’t just get good service…you get an experience. In my mind this is exactly why the hotel has won so many awards and retains such an ardent fan base and if I’m honest, is sadly lacking in many places these days, who would do well to learn from the experts.
You could say that creating a lovely menu and having good service is something that all service related industries strive for and I have experienced this on occasion, but to actually achieve it in its entirety is really reserved for the chosen few.
When we arrived we were greeted by Gerard – not in an over zealous attempt to be friendly, but in a calming and welcoming way, that immediately had us feeling relaxed enough to enjoy what was one of the best meals I have had in a long time.
Nina was busy yet still found the time to greet us, which was a lovely gesture.
So, being no expert but enjoying the experience of eating out, I would recommend that anyone who is looking for good food and the kind of service from staff that is attentive and friendly, yet sophisticated and calming, Hotel Terravina is a place to visit – regularly!
You will not be disappointed by the perfection they have managed to create and I know that I will most certainly be returning again and recommending anyone who is looking for a place that’s special to drive to Hotel Terravina soon!