One laudatory review of Rowland and Mary Leach’s West Stoke House commented ‘to describe this as a bed and breakfast would be like calling Harvey Nichols a clothes shop’. This is an entirely accurate statement, but doesn’t really begin to come close as to why West Stoke House is such a splendid place to visit.
Located a couple of miles away from Chichester, the house itself is a beautiful Georgian mansion that the Leaches have decorated in exquisitely tasteful style throughout, with the eight comfortable and well-appointed rooms all boasting nice touches such as antique writing desks and superbly relaxing leather armchairs, as well as large and luxurious beds. If you never ventured out of your room during your stay, it would still be easy to recommend the hotel, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t take advantage of the superb Michelin-starred restaurant, which boasts superlative cooking from Darren Brown, a former chef at the Lanesborough.
Some of the highlights on the short, well-constructed a la carte include crab and lobster lasagne, remarkably gamey, rich venison and some exemplary foie gras. The wine list offers a number of well-chosen bottles at sensible prices, including a stunning 2007 Marcel Langoux Pouilly Fume and an equally good 2007 Blind River Pinot Noir from Marlborough. The staff are charming and ever-willing to please – none of the usual stuffy formality here – and you are all but guaranteed a wonderful time here.
West Stoke, Chichester PO18 9BN. www.weststokehouse.co.uk
