Lime Wood Hotel

We were visiting the UK for the first time and attending a wedding at Lime Wood Hotel—and I have to say, this property was absolutely unforgettable. The charm, the service, the setting—it was unlike anything we’ve experienced during our two-week vacation across the UK. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed at the front entrance. Check-in was seamless, and we were able to head straight to our room, which was stunning. The layout was thoughtful, the space beautifully appointed, and we appreciated that a team member personally escorted us and gave us a quick tour. The touches of classic '80s music playing in the room, a well-stocked bar, and plenty of bottled water made it feel extra special. The food was equally impressive—from the elegant cocktail hour during the wedding to a delicious breakfast the next morning. Every bite was top-notch. But what truly made the experience so memorable was the team. Every single staff member we interacted with was warm, professional, and incredibly accommodating. They made us feel not just like guests, but like part of the Lime Wood family. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to explore the spa since we had an early departure—but we sincerely wish we could’ve stayed longer. This place is a gem, and we’re already dreaming about coming back someday.

For historical and professional reasons I know quite a bit about Limewood. As such I used to frequent the place on a fairly regular basis and was a big fan. Having said that, it had probably been a good couple of years since I had last visited. ||A group of us arranged to meet here on Saturday lunchtime. It was my girlfriend's birthday and we brought two of her young teenage daughters with us. Our friend who we arranged to meet therearrived with his girlfriend and a further friend. This meant we were 7 people in total, plus 3 dogs!||We knew that as we had left things late and not made a booking, plus with it being the ate August Bank Holiday weekend, this meant we were (highly) unlikely to get an outside table on the dining terrace, which we would need because of the 3 dogs (well behaved as they were).||As such, we were still happy to arrange meet at Limewood as there is the side outside terrace area where you don't need to book, but you can still be served drinks and order bar food from the bar food menu.||Whilst we were sat there the service here was excellent: both attentive and polite. ||So, when one of the team members approached us and said they had been able to make room for all 7 of us plus the 3 dogs, with a table on the dining terrace this was a real surprise and treat. ||The food was excellent, the service was as god as it gets, plus the team members looking after us arranged a little birthday surprise for my girlfriend. ||After lunch we retreated back to the side terrace for a few more drinks and we even played a few games of pool in the pool room just off the terrace. Note: there were plenty of other lawn games set up ready to play. So, all in all, an excellent visit. I am happy to report that Limewood remains a fantastic place to visit.||Minor epilogue to above review: turns out, which I didn't know until after lunch, that my friend's mate 'Paul, who played a bit of cricket', was Paul Collingwood (see photos). Perhaps some of the Limewood team may have realised this before I did ;)

This was our first stay at this hotel. We have previously stayed at other luxury hotels in the area but we enjoyed our stay here, despite the weather not being too sunny! Hotel is well placed for walks in the New Forest. The hotel is smaller than some (only 33 rooms) but this gave it a much more intimate feel. It has been beautifully converted and furnished. Staff were uniformly excellent. There is limited space to sit around the outdoor pool - but there are other places to sit in the grounds. We did not use the spa. Our room, a Forest Suite, was spacious and comfortable but oddly there was nowhere to store your clothes - maybe they expect people only to come for a couple of nights. English breakfast is good, with the bacon spectacular, but some extra choices (eg black pudding) would be welcome. Cold breakfast choices were pretty good - although it would be nice to offer pancakes or omelettes too.

We chose to sit in the courtyard for an early supper but still ordered a dish from the main restaurant to share as a starter. The flavours were just out of this world — pork and veal meatballs with breadcrumbs, translated from Italian.||For mains, £31 for steak and chips with two sauces included felt like great value. The chicken Milanese was simple yet delicious, and there were enough chips on my plate to share between us.||We spoiled ourselves with desserts too — the tiramisu was plated at the table, which was a lovely touch — and we each had a cocktail.||I’d rather save myself the disappointment of eating anywhere else and come here once a month, ride home (yes, we cycled there!) feeling happy and content after a meal I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Service and food: 100% first class.||Thank you to the team at Lime Wood!

We had been meaning to visit for quite some time, and it absolutely lived up to our expectations. From the moment we walked through the door, we were warmly welcomed and well looked after. Despite arriving during a busy period, we were seated promptly, and the service provided by James and Tom was truly exceptional—friendly, attentive, and professional throughout. The food was absolutely delicious, showcasing both quality ingredients and expert preparation. A special highlight was the opportunity to meet the Head Chef, who took the time to say hello. He was as friendly and engaging as he is talented. Overall, it was a top-class experience from start to finish. We will definitely be returning and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and outstanding service. PS) The young man on Concierge equally was very friendly when we left. 👍👍

We stayed recently, myself and my two children.||We had a lovely time. For a start the location is amazing, so idyllic. The team at the hotel are extremely friendly, attentive and keen to help.||The restaurant is very good and overall a high end experience. ||We stayed in one of the cottages and it was special.||There was a minor issue when I checked out. These things happen, and without wanting to sound cliched, it’s what the team do to put matters right. They certainly did and I left with a very positive feeling that the hotel does care about its guests.||We will definitely return. Thoroughly recommend.

Had afternoon tea in this hotel and it was lovely and one of the best. The interior was beautiful, nice, and cosy. The trout sandwich and the fruit scones were standouts for me and highly recommended. The staff were friendly and helpful too.

This is a superb place, exquisite location and impeccable staff. So visiting the Hartnett & Holder renowned restaurant we were looking forward to the experience. First the price of things reflects it links to the Hartnett & Holder credentials. Whether that is value for money is for each to decide. The food for 4 was a bit of a mixed bag. The risotto and starters were good - the terrine which was a slice of upmarket pork and venison pie was enjoyable but not overwhelming. So having had the slice of pie I was looking forward to my ‘main course’ size gnocchi - which was a complete let down. A couple of dozen pasta and potato balls in a creamy pepper sauce with one crispy sage leaf being sold for £38 was a level of upscale inflation that I would have been embarrassed to serve at home for free. The mark up on wines eye watering extortionate, as with a bottle of sparkling water. The desserts were simple ice cream, sorbets and profiteroles for our order and were good palate cleansers. What made the occasion was the ambience and location - what was a complete let down the expectations we had for a Hartnett & Holder food experience - not bad, not exceptional but simply good - not so for the charges applied way beyond the underwhelming nature of the food. Would we recommend this place - yes. Is it value for money - no. Would we return ….. maybe.

Limewood offers a beautiful escape if you are anywhere in the Southwest of England. My favourite thing that limewood offers is its beautiful internal decor and external grounds. Once you walk in you will be impressed with their gorgeous fresh floral arrangements, the roaring fires, the detailed wallpaper, the plush furniture and the well curated artwork. I've never been lucky enough to spend the night but I can comment on their food in the restaurant. This past week I had their Easter set menu. I started off with their goat cheese plate. It was a beautiful soft cheese with fresh capers and other vegetables with pesto drizzled over it. It was beautifully presented and tasted light and delicious. It was one of those starters that gets you excited for the next course. For my main I had rare Beef. With every roast you have roasted vegetables- the beets were perfection- and Yorkshire pudding. I loved mine and I could not stop scooping veggies onto my plate. To top it off I had the chocolate mouse which was rich and smooth. With the country atmosphere, warm interior and delicious food you know I'll be back again. Just waiting for the next opportunity to justify it.

While the food is outstanding the service was beyond terrible. Chef would get 5 stars, staff would get zero. Arrived for our 6 pm dinner reservation at 5:50, we were asked if we'd like to have a drink at the bar. We accepted the offer and after 5 mins, ordered our drinks. 20 mins later, we hadn't received our drinks. Then 3 of the 4 drinks ordered arrived. We asked where the 4th drink (wine) was and told it would arrive shortly. Another 5 mins passed, asked again, said they'd chase it. Another 5 mins passed (30 mins now!) and we ask again, then told that the wine we ordered (which is on the bar menu by the glass) is in the restaurant, not stocked in bar. Another 5 mins and the wine comes out and we are told that they had to open a fresh bottle as other was corked. Okay-so now 35 mins in, all drinks at bar, 25 minutes past the time we were to be at table. The party decides to go to table, we bring the glass of wine with us. Told by server the table isn't ready. There are quite a few tables open. After a 10 minute meander around the gorgeous gardens and fish ponds, we ask if we can take a table inside, they immediately say yes. We sit. 5 mins passes and then menu arrives. Another 10 mins, then we get to order. Etc. We order a lot. Service is frighteningly bad throughout. The rest of the meal goes this way we were to order dessert but after wtg 10 mins to order, we decided against it and asked for check. Husband then goes to pay, is asked how the food was, he says "incredible" and the rest of his evening? "Diabolical" It's a shame that the restaurant couldn't get the service right. I overheard another table complain and another lady laugh when a server asked if she wanted to wait for her table at the bar "it takes at least 15 minutes to get a drink at this hotel!" We were considering this hotel for our family holiday, and needless to say, after tonight's experience, that will not be happening.

Lime Wood is a beautiful, boutique hotel, nestled against the New Forest. The rooms are spacious, and you can book an entire two story cottage if you like. Many of the rooms have their own terraces. And from several you can walk right out your door and into the forest. The staff are plentiful, and they go out of their way to do almost anything you need, and in a timely fashion. Everyone working here takes a very personal interest in the happiness of the guests. From the chef Alex, who will tell you about where the eggs come from (in addition to making them perfectly), to Max the barman, whose name is on the door to the bar. Even the products in the bathroom were lovely. It's a great place for a romantic getaway, or a family trip.

I went here for a business event, we had a room hired out downstairs that doubles up as a snooker room. We were there for a few hours and had a fantastic lunch. The dinner was amazing and the wine complimented it perfectly. The staff were great, really happy, friendly and chatty. We had a tour of the spa afterwards and that place is heavenly! They have a membership available, which is £150 per month or £100 if you join under a corporate. They have a state-of-the-art gym, pool and a wide range of spa options. If you get the opportunity to eat or visit here, do. It's got a hefty price tag but worth it if you're looking for a treat.

We went for our 40th anniversary. Wanting to sample much of the menu we had the tasting menu with wines to match. We were greeted and shown to the bar where drink orders were taken by a waitress and we were offered nuts and olives. There is a wonderful selection of gins which must be tried. We were told our table would be ready when we were. There was no rush to get us into the restaurant which meant more time to sample the gins! We were shown into the restaurant, seated, introduced to our waiter and the sommelier. First course was home produced air dried hams and salami accompanied by a very dry sherry - great union. Second course was a sheep's milk cheese salad - something I would never order from a menu but delicious - accompanied by a Riesling from Washington State - again a perfect match. Third course was a wonderful crab ravioli accompanied by a red wine that I cannot remember except that is was quite light - the ravioli was the star of the meal. Fourth course was duck served with an Italian Sangiovese based wine - quite like a great Chianti but not from Tuscany - a perfect match again. The fifth course was a chocolate mousse accompanied by a Tokay - for a chocoholic like me that was perfection. After the meal we were served two slices of cake - not that we had room for such - with our coffee. On the plate, in chocolate writing was 'Happy Ruby Anniversary'. We asked to meet the chef and were shown into the kitchens and were able to thank the chef and his team, plus the restaurant staff for a wonderful dining experience. Why there is no Michelin Star I no not know but there should be. We look forward to a return visit in the not too distant future. Not cheap but highly recommended for the special occasion.

As you drive South of London you pass through the highly-protected New Forest. This is where Alice and Wonderland meets Lord of the Rings and ponies and cattle wander at will. It is in this magical place that you find Limewood. Staying in an ancient English forest channels all your inner Robinhood. It's a rich collaboration of creative talent at its best. There's even an herb house spa, garden and food bar aptly named Raw and Cured, which offers delicious, natural and healthy food, including freshly made salads, cured fish and meat from Lime Wood's own Smoke House. Get into the wild and turn that lemon week into Limewood. http://www.lalatravels.com/2011/05/inner-robinhood/

Very noisy place. Full of children and babies. Rooms not very impressive. Spa leaves a lot to be desired. Best thing about this place is the location, you can have some lovely walks in the New Forest. The Hartnett restaurant is also quite good. However this place is way overpriced. Far too expensive for what it offers. Especially if you compare it to other hotel spas that are of a MUCH higher standard and still not as expensive. All in all, we had a very disappointing stay here. Can safely say we will never visit this place again.

This review is for the retaurant and not the hotel itself. As you drive up the long drive you cannot fail to be impressed by the setting and splendour of the house and once inside the feeling is maintained - the decor is refined elegance and one of absolute luxury. The staff are plentiful and friendly and eager to please. And you'd be right if you were sensing a 'but'! Lime Wood is a place you go to be pampered and expect the highest quality of everything but unfortuntely our expereince was that although the staff were friendly, the pace of service is slow (10mins for a drink to arrive when sat in the bar, an unusually long time between courses) so be prepared to have time to take in the surroundings!) and the food itself would say was v good but not memorably good (apart from the soufle desert). It's not cheap (£150 with wine for 2) and we expected more. Would we go back? This may sound hypocritical, but we probably would, but would be no more than a once a year special occassion. The setting does make up for a lot.