There's something about the name Dorset that instantly makes me think of ace things: The Archers, sunshine and seaside fun being in the top 3, throw in a luxury spa hotel, a fishing trip and cooking masterclass from incredible chef Alex Aitken and Dorset will now forever more be my favourite little county (don't tell Kent or Somerset).
Just a couple of miles up the Jurassic coast from Bournemouth lies the hidden treasure that is Christchurch and nestled on the waterfront is the Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa.
I was there to check out their "Catch It, Cook It, Eat It" breaks which sees you taken under the wing of the completely charming chef patron Alex Aitken for 2 days (he catered Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum's wedding you know). We arrived on the Friday evening and were shown to our rooms over looking the beautiful harbour. Huge beds, flatscreen TV, showers big enough for two (always a bonus) and mini bar stocked with beautiful wine, beer and juices, hello! There was even a little Krups coffee machine in the wardrobe (which took about 10 minutes to figure out how to use - top tip: err... fill water tank first) and free wifi so you can "check-in" on Facebook and make all your friends super jealous.
Super massive comfy beds and what a view of the sea meeting the sky! |
Amazing seafood, cheese soufflé and kickass espresso martini |
An al fresco breakfast overlooking the water put paid to any lingering blurriness as I tucked into a feast of fruit, pastries, smoked salmon and the creamiest most buttery hollandaise ever. Definitely ready for
Have breakfast on the terrace looking at this view...err yes please |
We headed out with Alex on board Offshore Rebel skippered by the lovely Jamie. Before becoming a chef Alex worked as trawler man so he knows his fish which meant we were in very good hands. There were 8 of us on our trip and only 3 had fished before but Offshore Rebel is equipped with hightech fish finders so prettty much as soon as we dropped our lines in the mackerel began to jump on! Jamie and Alex went round taking the fish off the lines and putting them in the water tank and sometimes we were reeling in lines with 4 fish wriggling on them - it was ACE.
Jamie helping take mackerel off the line, a dog fish and all our fishy bounty |
Once back to the hotel we quickly changed and headed for our seafood masterclass on the terrace. Fishing was thristy work and therefore cold ciders and champagne went down a treat as Alex showed us how to prepare our catch.
Our catch is ready to be given the Alex Aitken treatment |
BBQ, tempura and ceviche mackerel and smoky dog fish cassoulet |
The Upper Deck bar and restaurant, ace place for espresso martinis! |
I really did fall completely in love with the hotel, the food, the location and the fishing, in fact once I checked out of my room I went for another wander to the quayside and ended up off on a second fishing trip! This time however I was able to take the fish home with me. Don't worry if you think you'll be a bit crap at fishing, there were two 5yr olds out with us on the second day and even they caught plenty of fish!
Gorgeous beach huts (one sold for £170,000!) and yep a dog on a board |
Their Catch it, Cook it, Eat it" package is an absolute BARGAIN too, from just £125 per person per night you get:
- Two night stay in one of the inland rooms
- Dinner allowance of £30 per person on your arrival night in the new Upper Deck Bar & Restaurant
- “Catch it, Cook it, Eat it” with Alex Aitken - fishing trip & cooking your catch with our award-winning chef
- "Bring me food” tasting menu at the Upper Deck Bar & Restaurant on the second night
- Full English Breakfast each morning
- Full use of the Harbour Spa, excluding treatments
- “Catch it, Cook it, Eat it” with Alex Aitken - fishing trip & cooking your catch with our award-winning chef
- "Bring me food” tasting menu at the Upper Deck Bar & Restaurant on the second night
- Full English Breakfast each morning
- Full use of the Harbour Spa, excluding treatments
AMAZING huh? I really want to go with a group of friends and it would be perfect for a hen weekend! GO (and take me with you!).
I was a guest of the Christchurch Harbour Hotel who also supplied the first photograph at the top of this post
I LOVE a beach hut.
ReplyDeleteThey were super cute
ReplyDeleteJust reading this makes me smile - sounds like a wonderful place ( and is that...sunshine?!)
ReplyDeleteIt was sunny every day! I came home a very bright shade of pink
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fab review - this sounds amazing, but I need help please! I just rang up and tried to book but they said it was a one-off and won't be happening again. Do you know if that's right?
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