Fredrick's Hotel, Restaurant and Spa

 

 

Fredrick's Hotel, Restaurant and Spa

Shoppenhangers Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire, SL6 2PZ
Tel: 01628 581000
www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk




After a work week from hell, the coldest spell of weather from Siberia for years and the prospect of spending the next two weeks Christmas shopping against the backdrop of a credit crunch there are certain key words that bring a smile to your face.

Entering the reception of Fredrick's Hotel, Restaurant and Spa early on a Friday evening in early December Sue and I encountered those very words.

"Welcome, please let us take your bags to your room whilst you enjoy a glass of champagne," were the very words from the charming lady on reception, greatly appreciated and accepted with extreme gratitude.

What an opening, those few words lifted the stresses and strains of the past week away in a flash, instilling in the guest a feeling of tranquillity and calm with immediate effect. But then that's what this hotel is all about, it provides a shelter from the outside world for as long as you can bear the luxury, attentive service and warmth of the personnel who obviously take great pride and pleasure from their responsibilities.

Stress removal is an integral part of the mission statement from this long established retreat in Maidenhead, a very short distance from the hustle and bustle of the M4, reality and the hectic lifestyle that comes with those who still in employment in these troubled times.

Our base for our escape from reality was the Royal Ascot Suite, a tastefully furnished suite, beautifully furnished and complete with every modern convenience for the traveller or occasional visitor. We also enjoyed a private balcony overlooking the golf course, a wonderful and changing view early on a frosty Saturday morning.

An immense bed sat in front of a huge wall unit with glass fronted shelves and cupboards. Immaculate furnishings with pure style, designed with comfort in mind, be it for us, with an overnight stay, or for those guests staying for longer periods with the hotels serving as the ideal base to travel from and explore the many attractions in the area. Television, wireless internet access (free) and hairdryers, trouser press, ironing boards, this could really be described as home from home. The highly comfortable sofas added greatly to the versatility of the room.

The bathroom was little short of magnificent. Who said so?

She who must be obeyed said so, in no uncertain terms, her love of bathroom has grown over the years, and with that appreciation for the finer side of things has grown her demands. This one ticked every box, twin sinks, large shower, huge bath, an excellent selection of toiletries as well as a veritable mountain of rich fluffy cotton towels and immense heated towel rail, an ideal combination in the cold winter months.

The hotel prides itself on its food, and quite rightly, it is a centre of culinary excellence and style run efficiently and professionally by Brian Cutler with eighteen years of dedicated service behind him in the hotel kitchen. The expanding list of awards and accolades merely support and underline the continued quality of ingredients, teamwork and motivation of Brian and his excellent team
A glass of Perrier Jouet Champagne and a chilled Sauvignon Blanc enable us to sip while selecting, a wonderful period in any evening where the twin pleasures of sipping wine, or in the case of Sue, her champagne, and mentally tasting the range of dishes from the menu before the young lady arrives to take ones order, sheer heaven. Even more so when a selection of amuse bouche arrive, with goats cheese, salmon and spinach providing us with a trio of temptations, I tried all three, Sue two, not being a lover of spinach.

Full marks!

A fresh crab and avocado salad for Sue and I selected the salad of quail with peach and rosemary chutney, unusual for us both to succumb to salads but, pacing ourselves over the evening, it was a sound and appropriate start to the evening.

Tables were filling quickly, with residents and visitors alike giving their menus serious inspections and deliberations. By seven thirty the place was busy, and it was not difficult to see why. The passing plates bore testimony to the longevity of the chef and his team, bright, fresh of colour and bringing pleasure to the recipients.

Our salads reflected all that is Brian, his mission statement and his approach to the culinary arts. Fresh, colourful, a fusion of flavours and textures these two salads were superb, so much so I felt that they would be ideal summer main course lunches, to be enjoyed in those few days where the sun shines brightly and dining on the patio seems quite natural, a veritable world away from chilly winds, snow and weather direct from Russia. Still, we can but dream!

Our chosen wine, supported by a couple of bottles of sparkling water, was Yalumba Shiraz Viognier, with Sue in the selection seat but pleased with her choice as she tasted the wine. The wine list is nothing short of impressive, with prices to suit every pocket, including the very deep ones which cause me to have a sharp intake of breath. This one came into the highly affordable range, even more so in a culinary environment like Fredricks.

Our culinary evening continued with the arrival of a Dover Sole and my Roast Saddle of Berkshire Down lamb, both exhibiting the halls marks of the kitchen, stunning ingredients carefully selected and matched on the plate but a great deal more. The plates were a picture, one to appreciate in the eye as well as in taste. Stunning dishes, perfectly presented and with a taste to remember for many months afterwards.

Desserts and coffees followed as did a glass of malt which we took to our suite, after all this was an evening to savour, in an environment a few minutes from the M4 but in an oasis of tranquillity, a quiet, calm and culinary inspired heaven behind the gates that kept the real world at a distance.

Sleep was totally undisturbed, no noise, no cars roaring past in the middle of the night and no rowdy guests struggling to find their rooms. This was pure calm, with the added bonus of my ordered newspaper arriving early, providing me with silent news of the outside world beyond the boundaries of the hotel. It was difficult to believe that there was life outside our closeted life of luxury where little was out of reach, and any requirement was only a call away.

Reading my newspaper with a welcome early coffee I was able to gaze longingly over the golf course which runs along the side of the hotel, the grass is always greener on the other side, in this case quite literally. They were looking in my direction with a touch of jealousy in their eyes, but then that's life!

A cooked breakfast with fresh orange juice and coffee followed by ten minutes on my laptop, checking if the world outside has stopped for the weekend and we were off to visit nearby Marlow for a walk and a touch of retail therapy.

Returning with a couple of hours saw us prepare for our treatments, and the chance to see firsthand the Spa and its facilities, and what an impression it made. Sat on the loungers reading one of the many magazines on offer I was admiring the pool, part inside and part outdoor. Intrigued I slipped into the water and swam towards the glass doors which, as I approached magically opened and allowed me to swim outside, a wonderful feeling with the warmth of the pool water contrasting with the chilly outside temperature, measured at one degree centigrade!

Swimming on my back keeping just below the water this was my idea of heaven, more so as I gazed to the skies where distant planes were arriving and departing from Heathrow.

Returning to the treatment rooms we were treated to our treatments, for Sue the best pedicure she has ever enjoyed, and over the years she has enjoyed her fair share of such treatments. The quality of her pedicure matched the excellence of the food we enjoyed, and that is no small praise indeed. I enjoyed the delights of an hour long body massage, ensuring I lost some of the knots and tightness reflecting weekly work in education, and ensuring that my relaxed state of mind lasted beyond our check out time from Fredricks.

And that was worth its weight in gold, just like Fredrick's!

Alan McColm

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