βOh, I spent lockdown with the England rugby team,β remarked our waiter, before proceeding to regale us with brilliant stories of looking after the teamβs food and drink requirements at Pennyhill Park in 2020, as he cleared away our lunch plates. Heβd noticed β as had most β that my partner was wearing an England rugby shirt and had asked whether we were on our way to watch the match β England v South Africa at the Allianz Stadium (formerly known as Twickenham!) later that afternoon.
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in southwest London, and the lunch we had enjoyed β crispy squid and mushroom pΓ’tΓ© followed by beef shin ragu and wagyu burger with truffle fries β was the perfect pre-match choice. Our table, overlooking the River Thames, was booked for 1.30 pm and the 1665 Brasserie restaurant at The Mitre Hotel in Hampton Court was buzzing.
Diners in tables of two, four and six tucked into delicacies from cauliflower popcorn to grilled seabream β with more staff to cater to our every whim than I can remember seeing in a very long time. As we left, a couple were tucking into scones and jam from a three-tier cake stand β afternoon tea is a gorgeous ritual here, too.
Iβm from the sticks, so an adventure up to London (albeit on the outskirts) is not only exciting but a reminder of how brilliant good service can be, and at The Mitre, service is outstanding.
Staying at The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court
But let me rewind. We arrived at The Mitre Hotel at 1 pm, several hours ahead of check-in (4 pm), but our room was already waiting for us. Weβd booked direct and were rewarded with an upgrade to a beautiful room on the ground floor with a free-standing, rolltop bath (upgrades happen more often than not if you book direct with the hotel, we were told on check-out, plus you get a free breakfast). Weβd parked the car easily in front of the hotel, without charge (itβs turning into my biggest bugbear, being charged extra for car parking at a hotel) and were each given a glass of crisp, fresh white wine while we checked in.
The dark wooden panelling of Grade II-listed Mitre Hotel instantly takes you back to the 1600s β 1665 Brasserie is named after the year the hotel was built, reportedly as a hostel by Charles II for visitors to Hampton Court Palace, which sits directly opposite, across the road. The corridors are a warren, but amply and warmly lit, perfect for a cold November day.
Our room, called Edward, was quirkily furnished with bold printed wallpaper, sumptuous velvets and patterned contemporary lampshades all with a vintage feel. The four-poster bed suited the room perfectly and certainly provided for ample rest that night after a busy evening at the rugby, and I loved the little touches such as freshly baked home-made shortbread, Kingβs Ginger liqueur, Bramley toiletries and β if weβd asked for them β complimentary tickets to Hampton Court Palace for the following morning.
Dining at The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court
We were so surprised at the early availability of the room, and enjoying the white wine from check-in, that we arrived late at the restaurant β of course, no bother at all β and were greeted, somehow, by name. I have no idea how the restaurant manager came to know who we were β I can only assume communication between the staff is excellent. We began the aforementioned meal with the Mitreβs signature honey tequila cocktails which I remembered from a previous visit to the magical Winter Terrace the year before. Just yummy.
Brasserie 1665 is one of a series of bars and restaurants cleverly squirrelled into The Mitre and adjoining the main building β from the Winter Terrace to the Boathouse to Coppernose CafΓ©, as well as private dining rooms. There are also 40 bedrooms, which I found astonishing, because at no point did we ever feel the hotel was busy β despite it being fully booked during our stay.
The train from Hampton Court to London is just 35 minutes (into Waterloo) and Heathrow is nine miles away, which makes The Mitre a perfect spot for overseas guests if youβre not, like us, simply luxuriating in a weekend in the big smoke. There isnβt a spa, per se, but thereβs a pamper room offering massages of 60 or 90 minutes β shame we didnβt have time!
On our return from Twickenham later that night, we were greeted again by name and wished a good nightβs sleep as we made our way back to the four poster. Too late for room service, and unable to find any eateries open late after the match, reception staff helpfully suggested we order something from Uber Eats which was remarkable, and very generous β I canβt help feeling some hotels, especially on the luxury end, might be sniffy about a late-night takeaway. But as usual, at The Mitre, nothing seemed out of place nor too much trouble.
After an indulging Sunday morning soak in the roll-top bath, we headed out for a bright and sunny walk along the riverbank the following morning, taking in some fresh air before tucking into a sumptuous breakfast buffet of yoghurts, cereals and fruits followed by classic eggs benedict in the sunshine-filled breakfast room. If you fancied a full English it was an extra charge β but avocados and eggs on toast, eggs Florentine or eggs benedict are included in the room rate, if you book directly rather than using a booking site (well worth remembering).
The final flourish of fantastic service came upon checkout. Cars had been parked two or three deep in the car park in front of the hotel, and mine was near the back, but when we came to collect our keys and pay the bill, the slot in front was magically free leaving us to head off for a spot of Christmas shopping without so much as a two-minute wait. The car park steward bid us a cheerful farewell as we headed off, and my partner and I felt genuine remorse that we werenβt staying a second night β a rare feeling for me as a travel writer.
All in all our stay at The Mitre was outstanding. At Β£200 a night for a basic room (B&B) I also feel it represents excellent value in outer London, especially in such a prime location. I really do genuinely look forward to visiting again.
The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court
Hampton Court Road
Molesey
East Molesey
KT8 9BN
