Written by Ina Yulo Stuve

As an avid traveller, I was well aware that once I became a mum, my years of jetting off on a spontaneous weekend trip would be well behind me. But when my daughter Cecilia was born late last year, I realised that rather than putting my suitcase away for good, I felt a deep desire to hold her hand and encourage her to go on adventures like those her dad and I have loved so much. Now, the practical side of me also knew that travelling with a newborn would come with its own share of challenges, and when thinking of our first trip away, I wanted to simplify things—where could we go that was easily accessible from London, offering both relaxation and a touch of pampering?

Staying at the Four Seasons Hampshire with a baby

The hotel

Spread out over 500 acres in the picturesque English countryside, Four Seasons Hampshire is stunning as it comes into view. Our drive from Southwest London took just under 90 minutes and just like that, the city hustle fades away as we’re swiftly welcomed by a team of doormen who gather our bags and show us to the reception desk. The front desk team greet little Cecilia by name and present her with her Four Seasons passport, a little booklet filled with activities to keep children busy—such as a game involving matching the staff member to the flag of their home country, encouraging them to engage with the hotel team—and the chance to collect stamps from different areas of the estate in order to receive a prize at the end of their stay.

The 18th century Georgian Manor is a sight to behold—the red brick building makes for a striking contrast against the lush green landscape of Dogmersfield Park. With horses trotting by and Highland cattle grazing in the background, it offers a picture perfect snapshot of laidback country living. Inside the hotel, there’s a nice buzz of activity flowing through the gilded corridors—couples checking in for a romantic weekend away, families pushing prams, a pampered pooch sitting at attention in the lobby, and business travellers finding a seat in the café.

Maps are laid out across different points of the estate to helps guests navigate through the vast grounds. The manor houses 133 rooms, including 22 suites, spread out across different wings. giving guests as much privacy as possible. The luxury spa features treatment rooms, an indoor/outdoor pool housed within a gorgeous conservatory, a fitness centre, and a family adventure pool called Sharkie’s Reef. During our stay, families were a familiar sight, and it was clear that guests embraced this. However, there’s no garish plastic kids’ furniture in sight—instead, children are treated as valued hotel guests, free to enjoy the same elegant facilities as their parents.

The room

We check into one of the Heritage Rooms, with romantic views over the estate grounds. The room features a countryside-chic design, blending rich dark woods with soft, muted green tones. A beautiful wooden crib is against a wall, next to a tall chest of drawers which makes for the perfect changing table. As we enter, one of the mirrors has a colourful greeting on it: “Welcome to Four Seasons Hampshire, Cecilia!” More little surprises dot the room: a teddy in a Four Seasons jumper on the king-sized bed, a pouch of Ella’s Kitchen fruit puree on the corner table along with some scones, organic bath essentials, and even a Tommee Tippee nappy bin in the gorgeous marble bathroom.

The food

Children of all ages are welcome at each of the restaurants and cafés, including the fabulous Drawing Room where guests can enjoy afternoon tea. All of the dining establishments are incredibly spacious and pram-friendly. Whether enjoying a meal at the Wild Carrot restaurant—get the signature braised lamb shoulder and the hazelnut choux for dessert, trust me–or a cup of hot chocolate while reading a book in the Library Bar, we never have an issue finding a place for our pram. Even better, fellow guests were always understanding, never making us feel uncomfortable when Cecilia cried. Many luxury hotels will have adults-only restaurants, but Four Seasons Hampshire has really created a seamless experience for every member of the family, no matter where they choose to dine.

Things to do

The English countryside offers a plethora of activities promising fun for the whole family, and Four Seasons Hampshire embraces this wholeheartedly. Aside from countless walks around the estate—make sure you pay a visit to the resident Highland cows—and traditional sports like clay shooting and fishing, the hotel has its own equestrian centre where aspiring horse enthusiasts can trot around the grounds to their heart’s content. For those who aren’t quite ready to saddle up just yet, we enjoyed simply saying hello to the friendly residents at the centre. From the giant Suffolk Punch to the tiny Shetland ponies, little jockeys have many new friends to meet and cuddle. The centre’s walls are also lined with educational displays, featuring everything from the parts of a horse to a glossary of common equestrian terms.

In a nutshell

One of the benefits of travelling with a pre-school-aged child is the ability to stay at luxury hotels off-peak. Top tip: Try to go while you’re still on parental leave and book a weekday stay. Some hotels present themselves as being family friendly, but at Four Seasons Hampshire, creating an unforgettable experience for every member of the family is in their DNA. Throughout our stay, little Cecilia was treated as a cherished guest just as much as we were—from receiving a plush toy as a welcome gift to staff thoughtfully seating us in the most spacious areas of the restaurant, every detail was handled with care and warmth.

fourseasons.com

Ina’s packing list

Our Joolz Aer+ pram was the perfect companion on this trip–lightweight enough so it didn’t take up much space in the car, but also sturdy enough (especially with the bassinet) to ensure Cecilia stayed asleep while we were in the fine dining restaurant. Having the Sleepytroll Gen 2 baby rocker on the pram helped her catch some Z’s too. When it came to proper bedtime, the new Love to Dream sleep machine was an actual dream as it doubles as a night light–less things to pack! Though we didn’t use the voice recording function, we really liked the different sounds available, so much so that one of them put us to sleep too! 

For more family travel inspiration, click here.