The Tawny
Tucked away in the heart of rural Staffordshire, The Tawny describes itself as a ‘deconstructed’ hotel. This initially struck fear into the heart of me. That word – deconstructed – takes me back to the dessert course at a wedding sometime in the noughties - a poor banoffee pie that had been taken apart and served in three lonely little parts. But in the case of The Tawny, it works.
There are no hotel rooms, as such, instead a choice of 55 deluxe shepherds huts, luxurious treehouses, romantic boathouses, and extravagant ‘retreats’ await, all dotted around Consall Gardens Estate - 70 truly stunning acres of woodland, beautiful gardens, glistening lakes and secluded dells, all primed for guests to explore. The hotel’s bar and restaurant are housed in a strikingly modern, architect-designed glass fronted building, which sits in an elevated position overlooking the grounds.
Guests can get around on foot, via meandering pathways that weave amongst vast trees and sweeping lakes, or you can hop in one of The Tawny’s fleet of brilliant, chauffer driven electric buggies, which will take you to wherever your heart desires. Simply call reception 15 minutes before you wish you head off to the swimming pool, bar, or back to your room, and the ever-obliging buggy will come and pick you up.
We stayed in a Valley Treehouse, and ‘wow factor’ says it all. Camouflaged amongst swaying silver birch trees, tall ceilings, wooden beams and vast floor to ceiling windows gave the feeling of being as close to nature as humanly possible (I could watch the birds darting around the trees from bed), but sleek, modern interiors and pretty much every creature comfort imaginable provided a sense of playful, unadulterated luxury….
Review continued here. Published November 2022 on Essential Surrey & SW London.
