Travel 41 The cool hotel guide
Transcription
Travel 41 The cool hotel guide
the times Saturday January 23 2016 CHRIS TAYLOR So what’s the food like? It’s excellent. Ray Maddox, a former head chef at Langan’s in Mayfair, runs the kitchen — and his experience shows. His style is to “keep things simple”: dishes include taleggio risotto with parsley cakes or monkfish sautéed with garlic, raisins and pine nuts. My orange and rocket salad starter with toasted pecans and goat’s cheese was first rate. The roasted pheasant main course with chestnuts, sautéed apples, savoy cabbage and fondant potatoes was one of the best dishes I’ve tasted this winter — while the cinnamon pear cake with vanilla fudge sauce was a treat. I ate in the conservatory, where purple tulips poked out of Marmite jar “vases” on tables. Three courses are from about £25. The cool hotel guide Dial House, Reepham, Norfolk T his stylish new eight-room hotel is in a prominent spot in the quiet market town of Reepham, about a dozen miles northwest of Norwich. It’s in a red-brick building dating from 1721 that was once home to the Bircham family, who were wealthy local landowners and brewers. It comes with a Grand Tour theme that is designed to create a connection with the house’s Georgian heritage, when travelling took off (mainly among upper-class men). Rooms are named Raj, China, Africa and Italian Palace. While this might sound OTT, the owner has struck the right balance between quirkiness and comfort. In a nutshell Dial House is the latest project from Iain Wilson, who runs Byfords, a restaurant and “posh B&B” in Holt, north Norfolk. His other interests include a wedding venue with restaurant in Norwich and a pub-hotel near Holt. He took over Dial Travel 41 House, which had been a pub, 18 months ago. There is now a laid-back restaurant with antique furniture (much of which is for sale), a lounge and high-quality rooms, which opened in September. What are the rooms like? The top-floor Raj room has exposed beams, a carved-wood bed and elephant sculptures, plus a large marble bathroom with a stand-alone tub. The Natural History room is entered through a door hidden in a cabinet of travellers’ curiosities. The Africa Room and the Need to know Tom Chesshyre was a guest of the Dial House (01603 879900, thedialhouse.org.uk), Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4JJ; B&B doubles from £155; no wheelchair access room; single occupancy discount of £30; no dogs allowed Who goes there? Expect to see foodies and walkers: there’s plenty of nearby countryside to explore. Stephen Fry is said to have worked briefly in his youth at the Old Brewery House pub — as Dial House once was. China room are decorated according to their names: masks, vibrant patterns and a bath-tub in the bedroom in the former, and willow and bamboo pattern wallpaper and a fine china collection in the latter. The Orient and the Print Room are the smallest (from £155 B&B). All other rooms are from £170 B&B. Rates are £20 more at weekends. Which is the best room? The ornate Italian Palace room is biggest but the Natural History feels special as it is hidden away. What else is there to do? Explore Norfolk (visitnorfolk.co.uk). The highs, the lows, the verdict Nine out of ten Great food, comfortable rooms, enthusiastic staff . . . this is a fine new hotel (though the price tags on the furniture are a bit off-putting). Tom Chesshyre Do you agree? Suggest hotels or get in touch: [email protected]