럭셔리 수상호텔을 통하여 우리는 과거의 기억들을 간접경험하는
색다른 재미와 풍부한 수변환경 속 안락한 휴양 공간을 향유하는
즐거움을 만끽한다. -럭셔리라.... VVVVIP만 이용 할 듯.-
18세기 중반, 나폴레옹의 해상공격으로 부터 영국을 방어하기 위한 전초기지, 해상요새는
이제 모든 화약류, 대포류가 제거된 채 귀빈들을 위한 고급휴양소로 리뉴얼 된다.
영국의 놀라운 장소로 불리우는 3개의 요새는 각각 박물관 및 유적센터로 또다른 하나는
27개의 객실과 스파가 구비된 럭셔리 호텔로 준비된다. 그리고 여기 스핏뱅크 포트 또한
8개의 침실과 각종 부대시설을 구비한 럭셔리 호텔로 제안된다.
고스트포트의 로얄클리던스 마리나 출국라운지에서 시작되는 이 여행은
배를 이용 호텔로 진입하게 된다. 이렇게 호텔에서의 시작은
1980년대에 건립된 등대에서의 드라마틱한 아침으로 부터 시작하여
유명한 스핀네이커 타워에서 즐기는 수영, 그리고 몸과 얼굴을 포함한 토탈 케어 스파시설
그리고 당구 및 포커를 즐길 수 있는 레크레이션 룸에서 즐거운 하루를 마무리하게 된다.
여기에 빅토리 바 또는 오피서스 메스 레스토랑에서 식사 및 가벼운 음료를 즐길 수도 있도록
준비된다.
럭셔리의 당위성을 넘어서 시간의 흔적들이 재현된 장소를 접한다는 즐거움이
가득한 곳이다.
reviewed by SJ
In the middle of the 18th century, Lord Palmerston ordered the construction of three Solent forts to protect Britannia's most important naval base against attacks from Napoleon the III’s navy. Some several hundred years later, in other words, at the beginning of the 21st century, Mike Clare,
former Chairman and CEO of Dreams Plc, has now removed all the ''guns''
and transformed these forts into exclusive island retreats. Having
stepped down from his post at Dreams Plc in 2008 (Britain’s largest and
most successful bed retailer since 1987), Mike Clare then
went on to form Clarenco LLP a year later, in 2009. The company which
boasts a large portfolio of iconic and unusual venues across the UK also
includes these three forts which are part of its ''Amazing Venues'' collection: Horse Sands Fort is a museum and living heritage centre, No Man’s Land Fort, once complete, will be transformed into a 27 bedroom Hotel & Spa and the much smaller Spitbank Fort (7,000sq ft) has already been transformed into an 8 bedroom suites luxury Hotel. Following a £3 million makeover, the Spitbank Fort offers its guests an exclusive and unique experience that they’re sure to be raving about for years to come.
With defense embedded in its DNA so to speak, the Spitbank Fort is sure to disarm any qualms as to why it shouldn’t be the luxury property of choice for those thinking of visiting Hampshire. The adventure begins when the fort's skipper promptly picks guests up from the departure lounge
at the Royal Clarence Marina in Gosport. Days at the fort itself begin
with an unforgettable breakfast served on the copper roof of the 1890’s
''Lighthouse'' with views over the Solent, Portsmouth, and the famous Spinnaker Tower followed by a bracing dive into the open air ''Hot Pool'' or a total face and body treatment at the Spa. If you’re fond of billiards or poker, the ''Recreation Rooms'' offer the perfect space to play for hours. Later on in the day, an aperitif awaits in the ''Victory Bar''
which is sure to whet one’s appetite for chef Nikolaus Boyle’s culinary
creations under the historic arched brickwork ceiling of "The Officer's Mess" restaurant. Afterwards, a range of digestifs can be enjoyed in ''The Fire Pit''
with its unobstructed views towards the Isle of Wight. And to follow?
Being lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea on a super-king size bed
in one of the previous gun emplacements which have been magnificently
transformed into sumptuous bedroom suites.
With nothing
left to defend except our desire to be whisked away on our own fort
adventure in one of the most unusual hotels in England, it’s safe to say that Mike Clare
and his team have created a highly imaginative property that has
definitely piqued both our interest and our travel imagination.
from yatzer