两周前的周末我们去了牛津附近乡下的Stadhampton。酒店里自带三个餐厅，一个农场，一个宴会厅，静静的埋没在看上去平静的有点无聊的乡村小镇里。酒店“大堂”是一个改良过的伦敦标志之一红色双层巴士，第一次看到在巴士里办公的大堂接待，坐在改建后增添的天鹅绒沙发上，听着节奏轻快的爵士乐，噔噔地打着电脑，甚至让我都有点嫉妒他们的工作了。我们选择的是The Crazy Bear Hotel的一晚住房，外带泰式按摩和第二天的野外射击活动套票。整个行程简直是一个完美周末的样板。下午的按摩和下午“茶”就不用说，晚上的泰式餐厅大概是在英国吃到过最棒的泰国菜。
穿了圣诞打折时买的Hobbs连衣裙。Hobbs英国本土这个品牌，虽然平时基本走保守安全的设计路线，也广受英国中年女性喜爱。可是其实仔细看看，也能找到许多年轻可爱，别出心裁的款式。我本来不常穿连衣裙，可是这间羊毛的厚布料，和裙身上的流苏细节，让它在秋冬季节显得尤为得体。找链接的时候虽然连衣裙款卖完了，可是同样的半裙竟然还在打折区！其实半裙还能搭配出更多的方式，很值得看看。
// Harewood Skirt from Hobbs //
Heels
// Nude Court Heels(similar) from Topshop.com //
or
// Court Heels with Ankle Straps from Topshop.com //
Rings
// Cecile Pre-stacked Ring from V Jewellery on ASOS //
// Royal Sword Ring from V Jewellery on ASOS //
Not long ago, I had something close to the perfect weekend away at The Crazy Bear Hotel, Stadhampton. Reception in a red bus, massage, afternoon drinks, Thai food, flaming cocktails, indulging bath, leather flooring in the room perfect for dancing... which of your box hasn't been ticked? All mine are done!
We arrived to a spa treatment, which was performed by one of the most skilful thai masseuse I've ever encountered(and I've been to more than just a few around the world). My joints and muscle knots clicked away like a happy drum where her fingers touched. She didn't use much pressure, just hit the exact spots every single time. Magical! None picture was taken there, but I assure you it was the perfect way to start an afternoon. I felt like a new person.
After the massage, we went straight to the bar. The decor was full of old time glamour, almost a little decadent. The ideal backdrop to eat and drink and talk all your troubles away.
We had a decent(although debatable) amount of champaign at the bar and decided to leave the rest the bottle for dinner, and head to the room, which followed the same kind of vibe of the interior style in the bar.
The minute I set my eyes on the bathtub, there was no doubt that a soothing bath time was needed. The water tab was in the leather padded ceiling, and the overflow was designed the same way as a limitless pool.
Getting out of the bath(difficult that it was), it was almost time to get ready for dinner at the famous thai restaurant at the hotel.
I wore this little grey wool dress with fringe details from Hobbs, while the same style dress is not available anymore, I've found the skirt, which I'm sure when paired with a grey vest will look just the same. Plus you'll have the fun to mix it up with other style tops:)
// Harewood Skirt from Hobbs //
Heels
// Nude Court Heels(similar) from Topshop.com //
or
// Court Heels with Ankle Straps from Topshop.com //
Rings
// Cecile Pre-stacked Ring from V Jewellery on ASOS //
// Royal Sword Ring from V Jewellery on ASOS //
Took a short but completely dark walk from our building to the main, where the restaurant was situated in. Luckily we had our phones to lit the path.
The thai restaurant was on the lower ground, and looked a bit like an exotic cave.
Again, walls all padded with soft crushed velvets. Tables were borrowed from the middle east, golden trays on low tables.
I started off with a zombie, with flames.
Then the most impressive thai snack platter came. All the ingredients looked incredibly fresh. It was the most golden and perfectly cooked chicken satay I'd ever had in the UK. All the dipping sauces were homemade too. Each different dish had a particular sauce to go with, and the combinations created some of the most pleasant and authentic flavours I've had in a long time. Homemade pickles were provided to clear the palate after each dish too. If I was scoring, this platter would have been a perfect 10 out of 10.
Then came the mains, my braised pork belly with kailan, his thai duck curry, and a papaya salad on the side to share.
The flavours were amazing, I especially enjoyed the papaya salad. It was so appetising and refreshing, seasoned just on point. Of course, in no time everything was washed down with the red.
For the ladies, I'm telling you here, the background and lighting of this restaurant makes it perfect for taking pictures! When we were there as the last table of guests, I went a bit too happy snapping away in every corner of the room! So, just be ready with a empty tummy but a fully charged camera, and you'll have the best time there.
Did I tempt you to give this weekend break itinerary some thought?