Last week, Brent from our team had the opportunity to attend a familiarisation (FAM) trip to Frensham Pond Hotel & Spa in Surrey, hosted by Classic British Hotels. Staying overnight on the 22nd May, the trip gave Brent the chance to experience the hotel first-hand and explore everything the venue and surrounding area have to offer.
Arriving at Frensham Pond Hotel & Spa
After travelling down to Surrey, Brent arrived at the hotel just after 3pm, ready to check in and escape the heat of the day with a well-earned drink in the bar.
Following check-in, Brent and his mum headed to their room to drop off their bags and settle in. The room itself was beautifully presented and immediately made a great impression.
With some time before the evening’s activities, they explored both the hotel and the surrounding area, finishing with a relaxing moment outside overlooking the pond and watching the boats on the water, a peaceful setting that perfectly reflected the atmosphere of the hotel.
Meeting the Hosts and Exploring the Hotel
Later in the afternoon, the group met with the Classic British Hotels representative and other FAM trip attendees before being taken on a guided tour of the property by Roberto.
The tour provided a detailed insight into the hotel, its facilities, and the history behind the venue. Roberto’s passion and knowledge really shone through and helped bring the hotel’s story to life.
Dining Experience
Dinner was served in the hotel restaurant, where guests were given the opportunity to sample dishes from a new menu the hotel was preparing to launch.
Brent chose the smoked trout starter with a poached duck egg and watercress hollandaise to start. Then the Porchetta with mashed potatoes and red wine jus for main and finished off the meal with the half board of cheese.
“All parts of the food were amazing, well worth going just for the food alone.”
Relaxing Evening and Local Attractions
After dinner, the group spent time in the hotel lobby enjoying drinks and informal conversation with the hosts and fellow attendees, before retiring for the evening.
The following morning began with breakfast featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which really made the difference.
After checking out, they visited the nearby Sculpture Park, located just five minutes from the hotel. Set across two acres of woodland, the park features over 1,500 sculptures from local artists and provided the perfect way to round off the trip before heading home.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the experience, Brent said:
“I would definitely recommend going down to the hotel if anyone wants a couple of nights to de-stress and relax. A big thank you to Liz and Roberto for the opportunity to experience the hotel, somewhere I wouldn’t usually think to travel to.”
A huge thank you to everyone involved in hosting the trip and providing such a warm welcome throughout the stay.