Babington House - an alternative view of celebrity country house hotel
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Stars, media darlings and very rich people spend their weekends in the wilds of Somerset
Several times now I’ve spent ferreted through the high hedged lanes of Somerset for the so-called chic media hang-out of Babington House.
It makes me feel like giving an alternative opinion because this trendy off-shoot of the Soho House empire gets a lot of favourable press.There's even a positive review here in thetraveleditor.com/.
But the HQ of this empire, Soho House is a strange cramped club in central London frequented by media types. I’ve always found it unfriendly and elitist. And another off-shoot is Shoreditch House in the ‘new’ East End. It's even cooler because it’s in an old factory. I found the bare concrete and exposed plumbing even less inviting. Cool? It's downright cold.
But Babington House has become even more famous than its city sisters as it offers itself to the general public as a country house hotel for short breaks. And it gets acres of press coverage. Not surprising when a high proportion of the members are journalists and other media bozos are wooed with freebies. High profile events like Zoey Ball’s wedding to Fatboy Slim have helped too.
So can I just point out that it’s expensive, difficult to find, a long way from anywhere interesting (apart from my house, which is a short drive away) and one of those style-over-substance places that deserve to be exposed every now and then. You probably won't find it horrible or have a lousy time but it’s not as half as good as a proper country house hotel. Look at its local rivals like Lucknam Park, Homewood Park, Bath Priory or Thornbury Manor. The food is certainly not a patch on any of those.
The interior style is something you’ll think is cool… or pretentious. There are chatty, casually-dressed staff and a nice garden, but nothing to make you feel really special. The urban décor and modern boutique bedrooms seem out of place among the muddy farms. Of course, you may spot a bit-part actor or a second division writer (or even a non-league one like me) but I usually find that just makes me feel less significant rather than more. And when someone really famous is there like Zoe and Fat Boy you probably won't get in to see them anyway - I was turned away at the gate that weekend.
Off Hatchet Hill , Babington, Somerset, UK
Contact tel: +44 (0) 1373 812266, fax: +44 (0) 1373 813866
Cost standard double room: £200 - £500 per night
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, creche/listening service, room service
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Read another review of Babington House on TheTravelEditor.com
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