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Elysium Magazine searches high and low to provide the perfect location for a relaxing weekend for the discerning gent. In the run up to Christmas getting time in to unwind is a must, luckily we are surrounded with luxury accommodation to ensure every need is catered for. This month we were invited to the quaint town of Lavenham, around 2 hours from London, and the luxurious Swan Hotel and Spa. A beautiful hotel, which is steeped in history, oak fires raging with a relaxing charm to immediately ensure you were to have a relaxing stay.<\/p>\n
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Greeted by friendly staff we were made to feel comfortable with a tour of the deceivingly large venue. A number of relaxing lounges, a very comfy pub and a bistro and fine dining restaurant \u2013 all under one roof. We were shown to a heritage room, fitting in with the ambience of the hotel within the main residence. The character of the room was apparent throughout, the furniture, fittings, bathroom and decor. All authentic and homely. A great start to our rested and recharged weekend.<\/p>\n
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Dinner was served in the Gallery Restaurant, already awarded two AA Rosette stars, we were welcomed for canap\u00e9s in the lounge. The waitress providing an overview of the menus available and specials from the chef. The atmosphere was charming, a pianist set the tone for the evening and the dim lit ambience was perfect for those looking to celebrate a special occasion with a loved one.<\/p>\n
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Diving straight into the menu, we started with the Confit pork cheek with piccalilli and pea shoot salad. A perfectly presented dish that was artistically put together by the chef. The fresh starter was exactly the introduction we were expecting, local produce expertly put together with care and attention.<\/p>\n
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The main had to be the Roast cannon of Suffolk lamb, hot pot, plum pur\u00e9e and barley jus. A succulent piece of lamb that simply left us wanting more. A fine dining experience that got better as we went along the culinary journey. We could tell, in the busy restaurant, that many locals were frequently visiting their favorite restaurant. A fully booked evening demonstrated the Gallery was certainly the place to be if in Suffolk.<\/p>\n
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The evening ended with a Lime and vanilla cheesecake with summer berry garden. An interesting take on the traditional cheesecake, deconstructed to perfection. A great way to end the evening \u2013 scoring perfectly on every course.<\/p>\n
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Weavers House Spa is only six months old but is very well established in Suffolk, with waiting times for appointments around 2 weeks. The spa area has the essentials and caters for relaxation \u2013 the staff are great at making personal recommendations to the treatments ensuring you get what you want from the experience. A relaxing experience or a chatty makeover \u2013 how ever you like it.<\/p>\n
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We were lucky enough to try the Drift Away experience and the popular Go Guy. The consultation was evidence of the expertise of the staff, despite challenging them with considerations for allergies to skin treatments and stress levels, alternatives were recommended and acknowledgment maintained to ensure the a continuous and relaxing experience. It was certainly easy to see why it was so popular with the residents of the hotel and locals from Lavenham looking for a relaxing place to settle for the weekend.<\/p>\n
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The Swan at Lavenham has the perfect combination of relaxing hotel, premium service and luxury setting. The fine dining restaurant was what you would expect from a luxury restaurant and the overall experience was certainly more value for money then the large hotel spa offering similar services just outside London. The Spa is a must for anyone planning on staying at the hotel, the Go Guy is the perfect recommendation for the discerning gent.<\/p>\n
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