A Romantic Getaway For My Birthday

With my birthday being 4 days before Christmas we usually have a very low key celebration, and I have to admit the older I get the less I really bother with it preferring to spend time with my family instead of heading off out for a meal etc.

Back in the summer I actually won a competition run by The Player, it was a competition I came across on Twitter with the prize being a nights stay for 2 at Hanbury Manor with dinner and breakfast included.

I was over the moon to have won this because it was where Paul and I stayed when we got engaged back in 2005 and somewhere I love to visit when I can afford to. When I was a nanny (prior to having my own kids) the family I worked for had gym membership here which included a nanny pass so I was able to take their children whenever I wanted to use the swimming pool.

I had also been on a fantastic spa day with my sister here last year enjoying 2 wonderful treatments each and I took my dad for an afternoon tea here fr fathers day.

Knowing I had won this wonderful prize my sister suggested she look after the kids for my birthday and we book in for a birthday treat, and what a treat it was.

Upon arrival we were told we had been upgraded for our stay which was such a wonderful surprise. On entering the room it certainly had that wow element and we took no time in getting settled in and cracking open some celebratory champagne which I had kindly received from Aldi as a birthday gift. Pink champagne is one of my all time favourites and this was exceptionally lovely.

The room was amazing and I couldn’t wait to jump into the huge bath, it’s a luxury for me to enjoy a hot bath – the kids always tend to try to jump in, add their toys and basically do their best to ruin my chilled and peaceful vibes the best they could.

After the luxury of enjoying a nice bath we were met by a knock on our door and presented with a wonderful birthday cake to share, well I scoffed the lot if I’m honest but it was my birthday. The was very little phone reception in our room and no Wi-Fi and for once I really didn’t care – with my job I hate being cut off and need to have access to the internet if I am away usually but I happily shut my phone in a drawer and ignored it!

We took a lovely stroll around the beautiful grounds before heading to the bar before dinner.

For dinner we left our phones in our room and actually enjoyed a wonderful meal, I had a chilli linguine and Paul opted for steak and for dessert we both opted for making our own sundaes before heading back to the bar for a while.

Our stay was wonderful and to make the most of it we opted for room service breakfast meaning there was no rush to get dressed. Paul went for the full English option while I choose my favourite eggs benedict.

With no rush to check out I was able to head down to the pool for a swim in the pool I knew so well from my nanny days. I really should have tried on my costume before heading out though as it’s become a little on the tighter side, rookie error there! I have been browsing Simply Beach for a new one and this is the swimsuit I currently have my eye on ready for our next holiday in February.

Its forgiving in all the right places and features underwire which after breast-feeding 2 children is always handy and sadly rather needed.

The pool is a lovely size and so warm too, I remember having the choice between this pool and the local one near where the children I looked after lived and this won hands down everytime, of course the loungers for reading my book were used far more during this stay than my working days allowed and I was able to use the steam room while here too.