Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Brooklands Hotel near Weybridge has made a name for itself with its award-winning spa, elegant restaurant and bar and views across motoring history. Matthew Williams visits
There are surely not too many places in England where you can relax with a cocktail in a hot tub while watching high-performance cars slip and slide around a racetrack?
But so it is at the four-star Brooklands Hotel, near Weybridge, which is located just a wave of a chequered flag across the Mercedes-Benz World track from the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, Brooklands Museum.
In fact, as you step into the impressive art deco hotel foyer, the floor is designed to showcase where the original Brooklands finishing straight once ran.
The hotel's restaurant, 1907, is also named after the date that the racing circuit opened. It would host the first British Grand Prix in 1926, too. The racetrack that is, not the restaurant.
Fittingly, Brooklands Hotel makes a bold first impression – and, this year, it is celebrating its 15th anniversary, having first opened its doors in 2010.
We're greeted on a gorgeous late February afternoon by a friendly receptionist and then head upstairs to drop our bag off in our track view room for the night. A quick pitstop and we're off to the BSpa, which is hidden away on the third floor of the hotel.
Life's a beach at BSpa
A finalist in the 'Best Day Spa' category of the Good Spa Guide Awards 2024, BSpa is an intimate but suitably relaxing hidey hole, which offers the surreal juxtaposition of watching adrenaline junkies throw themselves around slick racetracks while you're blissfully soaking in bubbles.
The showpiece of the hotel’s facilities is undoubtedly the in-demand outdoor jacuzzi but there’s plenty more to discover, too.
There’s the Beach Bar with its Sunlight Therapy Room – don some shades, order an expertly mixed cocktail and relax. There’s the musical chairs of the communal Finnish and infra-red saunas; a Himalayan Salt Room; and a Steam Room - pick your favourite or enjoy a moment in them all with an ice-cold shower in between.
And it's also possible to book additional spa treatments, including facials, manicures, massages and body scrubs, in the luxuriously appointed treatment rooms.
Suitably refreshed and zen, we've just got time to head back downstairs and check out 1907's epically stocked bar before sitting down for dinner.
Eating out at 1907 restaurant
For an out-of-town hotel, the place is buzzing on a Friday night as the bartenders dance behind the honed granite bar mixing up a kaleidoscope of concoctions to order. Inspired by the glamour and elegance of the 1920s and 30s, it certainly feels like a destination bar come the evening whether you're looking for an ice cold beer, a bottle of fizz or an Espresso Martini or two.
We make the short journey from bar to restaurant and settle down into a quiet corner of 1907 – for such a large space, it has been cleverly designed to still feel intimate and, dare I say, romantic. There’s a bustling ambience that very much still gives you room to breathe.
As keen supporters of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, we order a couple of glasses of Greyfriars Vineyards sparkling cuvée – grown and produced on the North Downs slopes between Guildford and Farnham, and then shuttled the short journey up the A3 to Brooklands. It’s a pleasure to see a local tipple on such an impressive international wine list.
I’m incredibly tempted to try the restaurant’s ‘cook at the table experience’, which features 10z rump steak, duck breast and four king prawns to share and cook over a super-heated volcanic stone, but in the end we opt to trust the professional chefs and explore the a la carte options.
My wild boar pâté is packed full of depth and spiked with the zing of chutney and cranberries, while my wife’s king prawn udon noodles are an adventure of flavour.
For mains, while the dry-aged big cut steaks fight for our attention, we pick the trio of lamb (lamb chop, confit lamb belly and braised lamb shoulder), which is a meaty delight balanced with popping pomegranate, and the elegant pan-seared duck, a perfectly cooked classic.
All the while, a bottle of Primitivo di Manduria proves the perfect partner for 1907’s beautifully presented dishes. The restaurant has some pedigree as a home to excellent chefs and the current team is clearly on top form with friendly and attentive service to match.
To finish, a zestful Torched Lemon Meringue Tart and the Trio of Cheese (Black Bomber, Roquefort and Rosary Ash) provide a fitting finale to a truly fantastic meal. Thoroughly recommended.
Exploring around Weybridge
Finally, when the morning comes and after a hearty buffet breakfast, it’s back to reality - but the world really is your oyster from Brooklands.
The historic museum is obviously on your doorstep; you could be a racing driver for the day at Mercedes-Benz World; the floral delights of RHS Wisley are only a 15-minute journey away; the majestic Painshill landscape garden about the same… and that’s just a start.
We opt for a morning in the slow lane, with a stroll along the River Wey and a refresher among Weybridge’s independent shops. Any dreams of being Lewis Hamilton will have to wait for next time.
- Brooklands Hotel, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0SL. For more information, visit their website here.
- Share your favourite Surrey hotels, pubs and restaurants with us on social media at @visitsurrey and @foodchatmatt
What we ate
Starters
Wild Boar Pate with caramelised onion chutney, port-soaked cranberries and croutes, £12.50
King Prawn Udon Noodles with chorizo and sweet chilli sauce, duck gyoza, spring onion and chilli slaw, £13.95
Mains
Trio of Lamb (lamb chop, confit lamb belly and braised lamb shoulder) with mint labneh, pearl barley and pomegranate, £31.95
Pan Seared Gressignham Duck Breast with mini fondant potato, kale, sautéed girolle mushrooms, celeriac purée, pickled blackberries and port reduction, £30.95
Desserts
Torched Lemon Meringue Tart with lemon curd and meringue crumble, £10.50
Trio of Cheese (Black Bomber, Roquefort and Rosary Ash) with cheese, red onion and apple chutney, grapes and Miller’s toast, £14.50
Book your stay
From spa stays to dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as the Ultimate Brooklands Experience (which includes a driving experience), you can find Brooklands Hotel’s latest package offers here.
