Having tea and coffee equipment is now so universally standard that the executive committee at Chewton Glen Hampshire, a mile from the south coast of England, wanted to go beyond the norm.
For the past couple of years, therefore, complimentary “hospitality trays” are quickly brought to anyone who requests them.
A solid wood butler’s tray, with end handles and liner, is personalized as per guest requirement — shown is a tea tray, with electric kettle, mugs and spoons, a selection of teas, wrapped brown and white sugar lumps, sweeteners and a tin of mints. There is always a flower in a stem vase.
The 72-room property, which dates back to 1732, is on 130 acres in the tourist-friendly New Forest. It is owned by Ian Livingstone, whose London & Regional portfolio also includes Iconic Luxury Hotels, of which Chewton Glen Hampshire is a member (others include Cliveden House and the Lygon Arms).
The hotel’s head housekeeper, Sarah Ware, says that there is, if anything, less work to trays rather than the previous set-up, but the main thing is she wants guests to be happy and enjoy their stay.
Recently arrived Chewton Glen General Manager Andrew Cook, is, indeed, very enthusiastic: “Hospitality trays provide our team with flexibility to personalize depending on guest requirement, and we receive very positive feedback as a result,” he said. That feedback is so enthusiastic that from the end of this month every room will automatically have a complimentary hospitality tray, with tea as shown, but guests are still invited to say what extras, say, coffee supplies, they want.