Evaluate: voco Lodge and Spa Winchester, UK

So, why the identify – voco Lodge and Spa Winchester? voco loosely interprets from the Latin for an invite and a coming collectively. And no, that isn’t a typo. voco, doesn’t need a capital letter. It’s as as a lot a frame of mind as a lodge.  A novel up to date identify, freed from grammar protocols and stuffy pretension.

voco Lodge and Spa Winchester has location, location and extra location going for it. Set amongst the inexperienced hills of the South Down Nationwide Park, this 131-bedroom lodge is inside minutes of historic Winchester. As soon as the capital of Wessex after which England; instrumental within the beginning of a nation. 

In October 2023, voco reopened after an eight month and £2m refurbishment. The Vacation Inn had a persona makeover and was reborn as voco Lodge and Spa, a classy vacation spot for rest and me-time. Work too, if you happen to actually should.

The welcome

Two employees await at reception to rapidly examine us in. All they want is a surname to find our reserving and make sure our restaurant reserving. Then we’re on our manner and within the raise. 

Coming into our room, a welcoming message on the 50-inch tv encourages us, as if we want it, to chill out. 

The room

In line with voco type, there’s a “come on in and feel at home” vibe to our Premium Room, which has calming gray/blue paintwork. These mild and soothing colors, with a sea-spray flourish of white, are picked up within the deep pile carpets. All cooled successfully, in humid mid-summer, by scrumptious air-conditioning. 

It’s a spacious, enjoyable room with strategically positioned ceiling spotlights and a modernist normal lamp which aspires to angle-poise standing, all deferring to a king-size mattress. Considerate design offers a protracted desk for working with a big oval mirror in order that it multi-tasks as a dressing desk too. There may be an in depth beverage tray, plus a Nespresso coffee-maker with a selection of capsules. 

There may be an in depth beverage tray, plus a Nespresso coffee-maker with a selection of capsules. 

The lavatory

A considerate design contact is that controls are positioned mid-bath so that you simply set the fitting temperature earlier than setting foot underneath the bathe. It’s additionally a deep bathtub for extra indulgent me-time. White towels and dressing robes are high-end, pristine and fluffy. Antipodes Fig and Feijoa toiletries present caressing pure, pure and vegan skincare.

The services

Kitchen 21 is known as after the now legendary 21-inch pizzas which can be the signature dish of the open plan kitchens.

Wooden texture partitions, terracotta planters, inexperienced banquettes and tan chairs mix to provide a reassuringly pure really feel to a light-weight restaurant the place tables are well-spaced. 

In addition to the core menu of steaks, burgers, hen and salads, a seasonal menu – assume seabass, vegan Thai curry, garlic and lemon pork chop – brings selection for the big numbers of normal diners staying on enterprise.

 Amongst the starters, a watercress soup provides a nod to Britain’s watercress capital, that’s Alresford, which is a mere 10 minutes drive away.  A black pudding scotch egg, yolk heat and runny, on a mattress of piccalilli with roquette, exhibits spectacular creativity. As does a Colado Mess for pud, tropically changing conventional strawberries with pineapple and including coconut ice-cream. A dish that’s a metaphor for voco’s angle. 

No shock then that breakfast is just about no matter you need it to be, grazing from the buffet or cooked to order. 

There’s extra indulgence and me-time on the ANA Spa, the place it’s advisable to guide upfront. Together with a way of wellbeing and calm, the spa delivers a Himalayan Salt Sauna, Sensory Bathe, Crystal Steam Room and Bubbly Foot Spa. 

Treadmills, bikes, ergo, free-weights, medication balls and even house to unfold out the yoga mats – the exceptionally well-equipped fitness center has all of it. 

The situation

Minutes off the M3, heading south from London to Southampton, voco is inside hanging distance of the south coast, the New Forest and all of Winchester’s points of interest.

Take a strolling tour of Winchester to be taught concerning the energy of the Itchen as a working river, as soon as powering 22 native mills, and to be given the “Wayfarer’s Dole”, a tiny cup of ale and a morsel of bread on the charitable Hospital of St Cross.

Or comply with within the steps of poet John Keats whose stroll from Cathedral to river to School is alleged to have impressed his to “Autumn Ode”.

Steam-tinged reminiscences of The Railway Youngsters are rekindled on the Alresford station on the Watercress Line. A railway that till its closure in 1973 was the primary leg of a journey that transported watercress to the nation. Now its cafe, platforms and the signalman’s vegetable patch nostalgically recall one other period.

The gorgeous city of Alresford with cafe and pub tables spilling onto the pavement, hanging baskets and a plethora of impartial store is probably some of the enticing of the market cities round Winchester.

Many occasions are main as much as the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s beginning on sixteenth December 2025. Literary pilgrims head to her headstone at Winchester Cathedral and the Jane Austen Home Museum at Chawston. 

Different good touches

All through, three birds convey vital paintings to the decor. A chatty and pleasant welcome is proven by the finch. Quieter, calmer owls symbolize in/room down time and flamingos, in public areas, mirror visitors’ social instincts 

LED lighting, timers for air-con and heating, and bedding created from 100% recycled supplies, all assist voco on its eco-friendly journey to sustainability.

Refreshed every day, the mini-bar consists of cans of Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, lager and Coca-Cola. 

The associated fee

From £250.00 per Premium room together with breakfast for 2 folks sharing the room.

The most effective bit

The bar and lounge areas are fashionable, refined, buzzy and welcoming; whether or not or not it’s for a morning latte or a night mojito, whether or not or not it’s for socialising across the cozy sofas, studying in one of many secluded armchairs or working at a high-level desk.

Decor is intriguing, with native touches, and blends up to date with cosy.

The ultimate verdict

voco, nonetheless no capital letter, is “reliably different” as its credo guarantees. Upscale however not stuffy. Comfy however stylish. High quality with out pretension. A comfy sanctuary however sociable too. 

voco is an irresistible idea not only for Winchester however one that’s spreading throughout continents from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis via Dubai to California.

Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by voco Lodge and Spa Winchester.