Discovering bliss at the Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel

Box Hill, carpeted in green trees, looked resplendent as the sun shone down on it. This was a picture only Mother Nature could paint so beautifully, I thought as I sat blissfully taking in the scene as I tucked into a full English breakfast at the Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel in the North Downs. 

The buffet spread was impressive. I asked for poached eggs, well-done. They came just the way I liked them. Many five-star establishments cannot get this right.

The Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel

Serving up a taste of real England with a dash of French elegance, (Mercure is a French brand) this boutique-feel hotel has a relaxed atmosphere. The staff, mainly English, make you feel as if you are staying with friends.

A sense of history engulfs you as you walk through the door. The light and airy hotel cleverly makes a nod in its décor to its centuries-old roots. John Keats and Jane Austen were among the many authors and poets said to have visited. On the wall in the restaurant there is a quote from Austen's novel “Emma” citing a picnic on Box Hill. 

My room was spacious and pleasantly furnished with everything you needed including free wi-fi. The bed, decked out in crisp white linens was comfortable. The bathroom was spotless. Fluffy bathrobes and slippers were also provided. I had a balcony overlooking the garden and terrace. It proved to be an idyllic place to unwind with a cup of tea.

Emlyn Restaurant

I spent the afternoon doing the rather strenuous “Stepping Stones Walk” taking in the views of the Surrey Hills, tramping across uneven terrain as I climbed Box Hill, going down 275 steps through the yew woods to come down again and reach the River Mole and the renowned Stepping Stones that take you across the water. By the evening I had worked up quite an appetite. 

What a wonderful surprise the Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel’s Emlyn Restaurant turned out to be. It punches well above its weight for a chain hotel including some of those at the most luxurious establishments that I have visited. The service was excellent and not rushed.

The restaurant has a lovely intimate feel, despite it being quite a large room, and there is plenty of space between the tables. Under the auspices of chef Nick Sinclair, the restaurant dishes up, in his words, “honest food”. This is good British cuisine to which he has given his own contemporary and creative twists. Full of taste and flavour, the produce has been carefully chosen. Working with Surrey’s top artisan producers, Nick insists on getting the best seasonal offerings so he is constantly updating the menu. 

For main, I chose the lemon sole

A blended Marmite butter, one of the three that accompanied the freshly baked soda bread was innovative and that was before tucking into the amuse-bouche and main event. This dining experience was looking promising.

For starters, I plumped for the crab which came with Jersey Royals, radish, Cape gooseberry and sea vegetables. This was beautifully presented and tasted equally delicious.

There was a good choice of wines. The sommelier suggested that I try a glass of Denbies Rose Hill. The Denbies Wine Estate, the largest in England, is only a short walk from the hotel so well worth going to explore it as you will find quite a few gems here. This fresh easy-to-drink rosé bursting with juicy strawberry and raspberries with nuances of cranberries hit the mark.

For main, I chose the lemon sole which was served with apples, mussels, pancetta and cider. Having recently eaten out in so many restaurants where the portions have been so small  that I had to ask for more bread to fill me up, I ordered a couple of side dishes, sprouting broccoli and sautéed new potatoes.

How pleased I was when the dish was served. There on the plate was whole fish off the bone. With the trimmings there was plenty on the plate before I added the side dishes. The fish was meaty and succulent. The vegetables cooked to perfection.

This was washed it down with a glass of Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. A delightful blend of citrus and tropical fruit flavours, this zesty wine was an ideal match.

I could not find any room for dessert or so I thought until a tempting place of small sweet treats was placed in front of me. The petit chocolate marshmallow was, like the hotel, too tempting to resist.

By Daralyn Danns

Rooms at the Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel start from £114 per night based on two adults sharing. NB Rates can vary. (A heated outdoor swimming pool is available from May - October.)

For more information about any Mercure hotel and to obtain the best rate with an additional 10 per cent off, book direct at mercure.com

Spotlight on Dove Nourishing Care Shower Oil

I was first tipped off about Dove Beauty Bar many years ago by a leading dermatologist and have never looked back. 

Soap, I hear you gasp. This is a syndet – a synthetic detergent – and therefore a mild cleanser. Cocooned with moisture it is less harsh on the skin than traditional soap.

I have also used a lot of Dove body products. They are excellent value and keep my skin soft and subtle.

The new kid on the block is the Dove Nourishing Care Shower Oil (£4) which was sparked by the beauty customs of the Hamman in Morocco where a shower is considered therapeutic. I certainly destress in mine.

A cocktail of Moroccan Argan Oil and the prowess of Dove cleansing, this is great for dry skin. It has a gentle lather and helps to keep the skin beautifully hydrated. Just don’t turn up the temperature too high, you should use warm water not hot!

By Daralyn Danns

Colour mistakes that could age you

It does not matter what lotions and potions you put on your face to make those lines vanish, you could be making yourself look years older by not having the right hair colour.

Skin tone changes as we age. It will also vary from season to season, so if you are colouring your hair you need to ensure that your hue flatters your complexion. If it does not, you could be making yourself appear older than you are. The right tone and shade can instantly whisk away the years better than any beauty product can.

Courtesy of Windle & Moodie

“Grey hair is ageing,” says colourist Clara Ingesson at the highly-acclaimed Windle & Moodie in London’s Covent Garden. “Equally is going too dark which will emphasis lines and wrinkles. Also, whether you are blonde or brunette, you should not go too ashy. Going too light will make you look washed out and pile on the years.”

Often you hear colourists tell you as you age, if you are brunette you should go a shade or two lighter than your natural colour. If you are blonde, then you may need to go slighter darker.

“Forget rules,” says Clara. “Everybody is different. You need a colour that works for you.”

She does, however, stress that there are some guidelines. “You should not have a solid colour throughout. The ends need to be slightly lighter,” she advises. “You also need to have different tones running through your hair to stop it looking like you are wearing a wig.”

You need a colour that works for you

According to Clara, home colouring can cause a lot of problems. “People tend to take the colour through each time rather than only doing the roots. If your hair is porous, the colourant will grab the hair giving you a build-up making it darker and darker”, she says. 

Another no-no is brassy hair. Orangey-red undertones usually are not complimentary. You should also avoid having too many highlights. “A few are fine but when you overdo it, they make the hair look dry and damaged. Healthy hair has a shine to it,” adds Clara. A product such as Windle & Moodie Light Shine (£22, windleandmoodie.com) is great for adding a gloss to the hair without weighing it down.

If you are changing your hair colour, remember to take your eyebrows into consideration. When any white hairs appear, colour them with powder or a pencil.

“As you change your make-up every season, you may also have to tweak your hair,” advises Clara. 

By Daralyn Danns