Paul Revel OLD SWAN AND MINSTER MILL
THIS IMPECCABLY RESTORED DE SAVARY-OWNED PROPERTY is set in 65 picturesque acres along the river Windrush in the Oxfordshire countryside. The most historic part is the 15th-century Old Swan, where one former guest was Richard III, while the younger Minster Mill includes river-view conference facilities. The nearest railway stations are Charlbury (7 miles) or Oxford (15 miles), and it’s around 23 miles from junction 8 of the M40.
THE ROOMS: My Richard III suite in the Old Swan had plenty of historic character, including an original late-medieval fresco embedded in the plaster (discovered there by workmen during renovations) of the monarch’s ‘sun in splendour’ heraldic emblem. The cosy lounge area features squashy armchairs in houndstooth and tartan, complimentary decanter of sloe gin and (not-so-medieval) flatscreen TV with ‘smart’ connectivity, while the bedroom featured a large four-poster. Amenities include White Company bathroom products, bathrobe and hot water bottle turndown service. Some 44 of the 60 rooms and suites are in the Minster Mill. Standard rooms are
Minster Lovell, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 0RN • Tel: 01993 774441 •
oldswanandminstermill.com
quite small, but bright and airy with a modern Scandinavian feel, despite the English fabrics, and lovely river views. RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The Old Swan houses the bar, snug residents’ lounge, restaurant and vaulted dining rooms, with the air of an intimate, luxurious gastropub. The menu features tasty local seasonal produce, from Oxfordshire lamb and Wychwood Forest venison to crayfish from the river Windrush. The rates include hot à la carte breakfasts plus a buffet of fresh fruit, cereals and pastries. BUSINESS FACILITIES: Three main events spaces feature lots of natural light, Cotswold stone and reception/breakout
areas, and host up to 55 delegates, theatre-style. The extensive grounds provide opportunities for a range of team-building and incentive activities, including fly-fishing with the in-house ghillie, falconry, campfire evenings and bridge-building over the river. LEISURE FACILITIES: Pashley bicycles are available free for guests, and picnic hampers can be provided. There’s a tennis court and croquet lawn, and a small gym and spa. VERDICT: The relaxing riverside setting, excellent food and historic quirks, combined with modern meetings facilities, make this a breath of fresh air for corporate guests.
Tom Otley DELTA AIR LINES B757 business class/Philadelphia-London
DELTA LAUNCHED ITS DAILY Heathrow-Philadelphia route in April. Delta offers kerbside check-in at Philadelphia International’s Terminal E, although from next year check-in moves to Terminal D, which is where the lounge is and from where the flight departs.
CHECK-IN AND LOUNGE: Delta’s Sky Club lounge is a good size but at this time of day (it was a 6.10pm departure) it was packed, with few seats free. Hot and cold food was available, as well as drinks. On board, I was offered champagne or orange juice. THE SEAT: Delta has renamed its international business class product Delta One. There are several versions of the seat depending on the aircraft. The B757 has 16 seats in a 2-2 layout (A-B, C-D), each staggered and
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slightly angled toward the window. The leather seat is fully-flat. It features a Westin ‘Heavenly Bed’ duvet, and a Tumi amenity bag with Malin and Goetz products. Each seat has built-in power and a 16in screen with 18 live satellite TV channels and 350 films. SERVICE: Food orders were taken before we were airborne – dishes included beef tenderloin with béarnaise sauce, lobster macaroni cheese and asparagus, and grilled chicken with tarragon lemon sauce, roasted
Brussels sprouts and paella. I decided to sleep instead of dining. My neighbour’s food was served with much noise and laughter from the attendants, despite the fact I was lying down with an eyemask on and earplugs in. Eventually, things quietened down and I did sleep, although in the early hours I was disturbed by the crew talking loudly. I had also been told that I would be given a card detailing the arrivals facilities at Heathrow; however, when I asked about
this, the flight attendants knew nothing about it, and could not advise me on my options. VERDICT There’s a lot to like here. The fully-flat bed means you can get a good night’s sleep (which I did, despite the disturbances), and colleagues told me the food was excellent. However, the Sky Club was overcrowded, the bed itself not that comfortable, and the service patchy. Still, the new flight is to be welcomed for the competition it will give both American Airlines and British Airways.
BBT JULY/AUGUST 2015 83
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