24-Hour Room Service: Broad House Hotel, Wroxham, Norfolk

By William Cook

Saturday, 19 April 2008

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Philip Search has spent his whole career in the hotel trade, and it shows. He started out washing dishes, at the age of 16, and went on to work for Marriott. Now, 25years later, he’s just opened his own hotel.

Built in 1700, the Broad House was a private residence until he bought it last year. Yet although he’s refurbished it throughout, with an emphasis on quality and comfort, it still exudes the relaxed, easy ambience of a traditional family home.

Philip lives next door, with his wife Caroline and their young son, and their proximity helps to give the Broad House a personal touch that most big chains lack. There’s nothing remotely corporate about their attention to detail, and there’s a real sense of continuity between their new business venture and the former owners, from the mature trees in the gardens to the names of the rooms. Consequently, though it’s only been open since September, this subtle blend of country estate and boutique hotel feels as if it’s already been up and running for several years.

The plush, cosy restaurant, Traffords, serves modern British food, supplemented by fresh vegetables from the hotel’s own garden, and an ambitious wine cellar.

With the accumulated warmth of three centuries of hospitality, this is a great place to spend a special evening, or a lazy weekend.

LOCATION

Broad House Hotel, The Avenue, Wroxham, Norfolk, NR12 8TS (01603 783567; www.broadhousehotel.co.uk).

Looking out across the woods and meadows that surround the hotel, it’s hard to believe you’re only seven miles from Norwich city centre.

Hidden within 24 acres of rugged parkland, and just a few minutes’ walk from Wroxham Broad, this elegant Queen Anne house is a super spot for woodland walks and boating.

The Broad is heaven for birdwatchers, and there are pheasants and barn owls in the nearby woods. You may even spot deer.

The hotel has its own jetty. For an idyllic afternoon out on the water, ask about a voyage on the Merlin, an exquisite Edwardian-style motor launch moored in the hotel’s boathouse.

Time to international airport: Norwich airport is only five miles away; Stansted airport is a 90-minute drive away. Better still, though, travel by rail. If you arrive by train to Wroxham station, Philip Search, the proprietor, will be happy to collect you in his beautiful 1957 Bentley – for no extra charge.

COMFORTABLE

With just nine bedrooms, all individually furnished in conventional, classic style, this feels more like a small stately home than an ordinary hotel. The atmosphere in the little bar and library is friendly and informal, but although the Broad House is homely, it doesn’t scrimp on creature comforts.

All the beds are at least king size, and the Trafford Suite boasts an emperor bed, measuring a sumptuous seven-feet square.

With period d�cor and flat screen televisions in the bedrooms, the overall effect is a discreet mix of old and new.

Freebies: Handmade Norfolk soaps, plus complimentary mineral water, fresh milk and Fairtrade tea and coffee in all bedrooms. DVD hardware and software is available on request.

Keeping in touch: Internet, fax and telephone, plus free Wi-Fi in every room.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Doubles from £130 a night, including breakfast. The five-course dinner costs £45 at weekends and £39 during the week.

I’m not paying that: in a quiet conservation area, just 10- minutes walk from Norwich citycentre, the George Hotel (01603617 841; www.arlingtonhotelgroup.co.uk) is a charming Victorian hotel with an award-winning brasserie restaurant. Doubles from £70, including breakfast.