The Solent Hotel and Spa is a 4 Star hotel in Fareham. Here’s what we thought of it ….
After a week in Aberdeen helping to look after my 15 month old grandson, I needed a little break. Dylan’s poor Mum is newly pregnant and suffering from morning, afternoon and night sickness. I feel for her, I really do as Dylan, though the most adorable child on this planet*, is on the go constantly.
In all fairness I had the most fantastic week with them but was equally happy to come home. So Friday morning Mr C picked me up from the airport and off we trundled down South. Ages ago we’d booked a night in a hotel in Fareham called The Solent Hotel and Spa. An afternoon of pampering and an evening of good food and drinks was on the agenda. I just needed to stop yawning. A week of super early mornings had taken its toll on me.
Solent Hotel and Spa
We’d actually been to The Solent 10 years ago for our middle daughter’s 18th birthday weekend so we kind of knew a bit about the place. The lobby was pretty much the same but the rooms and other areas had been refreshed since our previous visit. And judging by the various signs around, the Solent Spa is about to get a face-lift too.
Our room was quiet, contemporary and had a host of lovely little touches. Not least of which was a ‘proper’ coffee machine with fresh milk. I hate those little packs of UHT milk so this was much appreciated. No single use plastic in the shape of water bottles here either. The Solent provide a carafe in the fridge which you fill with fresh filtered water from the water dispensers on every corridor.
Love The Caudalie Spa Products
The Spa was uninspiring we felt. No room in the Relaxation Room for us to relax before our treatments. No room to chill afterwards either. In fact we both walked out of our separate treatment rooms and had to stand around aimlessly for ten minutes waiting for a bed or chair to become vacant. Mr. C. loved his Head & Scalp Massage however. He actually said he could have easily fallen asleep, which I feel is always testament to a good massage.
My facial, on the other hand, felt perfunctory.The therapist was quite rough I thought. Firm pressure is fine but this was beyond firm. She cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised my face but not in a gentle, relaxing way. Nonetheless my skin felt and looked smoother and brighter afterwards. The only issue really was that I didn’t feel pampered and spoiled. The ambience was right, dim lights, scented candle, softly playing mood music and great Caudalie products, so I can only put it down to the therapist.
The Terrace Restaurant at The Solent Hotel
I feel that we tried out the Spa at the wrong time to be honest. Half Term Friday was bound to be busy in retrospect. Still, the management should have a limit on numbers in the spa at any one time. The pool was packed when we wanted to go and we didn’t manage to fit it in the next day either. I’ll blame the Rugby World Cup Final on that though! It’s a proper-size pool so it’s a shame we missed out on it.
We ate in The Terrace Restaurant on the Friday evening and for me again, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Last time we came, I remember all of us saying how amazing the food was. It was disappointing that nobody offered us the bread basket whilst we were waiting for our starter. And when my asparagus starter did arrive it was unexceptional to say the least.
Once again though Mr C. came up trumps with his menu choices. He had the seared octopus in pimento, olive oil roasted potatoes, chilli, green olives and fried quail egg. He said his Chilli Crab and Prawn Linguine with lemon and fresh herbs was delicious too. Doesn’t seem fair to me, because I can only describe my Bavette Steak, Padron peppers and Patatas Bravas as bland.
Fab Full English Breakfast
The Solent excelled themselves when it came to the desserts. I genuinely struggled to decide which one to go for as they all sounded right up my street. Our waitress recommended the Seared Pineapple, Chilli Syrup with Coconut Ice-Cream and boy oh boy was it good! Mr. C loved his Baked and Bruled Rice Pudding with Grilled Figs too.
After a perfect night’s sleep, we went down for breakfast and I’ve got to say that the Full English was superb. Hot, plentiful, proper baked beans, locally-sourced bacon and sausages and a fresh out of the pan fried egg. They were a tad slow bringing the coffee buy hey it was good coffee when it did arrive so all was forgiven. We didn’t actually need the freshly baked croissants we scoffed down but don’t we all eat too much when we’re staying in a hotel? Or is that just us?
Solent Spa Refurbishment
If I needed a hotel in the Fareham area then I’d most certainly book The Solent again. Whether or not I’d return for a Spa Break remains to be seen however. We may well go back once the Solent Spa refurbishment is over to see if we just caught the place on a bad day?!
*It’s a Nan’s prerogative to boast
About Solent Hotel and Spa:
Solent Hotel and Spa offers luxurious accommodation in the town of Fareham in Hampshire. The spa offers a range of treatments, gym and pool to all guests. The AA Rosette dining room serves delicious Mediterranean dishes with the option of al fresco dining on the covered terrace. Also on site is The Lodge at Solent offering family friendly budget rooms alongside a pub with pizza oven and ice-cream parlour.