Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire - EV Charging Policy Beggars Belief
I visited the Four Seasons Hampshire for lunch recently and discovered a policy so backwards it genuinely beggars belief.
The hotel has EV charging points on site. On this particular day, they were free and available - not a single car plugged in. Naturally, I asked whether I could use one while I ate lunch in their restaurant. The answer was no. Only hotel guests may use the chargers. I confirmed this not once but twice with reception, spelling it out clearly: "So you're telling me that even if a charger is free, and I'm here spending money on lunch in your restaurant, I'm not allowed to plug in?" Both times, the answer was the same. Yes, that's correct. Guests only.
And let's be clear - this isn't even a case of freeloading. The chargers cost £20 per session. I was perfectly happy to pay. They still wouldn't let me.
Let that sink in. In 2026, when every brand on earth is tripping over itself to signal its green credentials, when sustainability is the buzzword du jour, when hotels plaster their lobbies with leaflets about reducing carbon footprints - the Four Seasons Hampshire would rather leave its chargers sitting empty and earning nothing than allow a paying restaurant customer to hand over £20 to top up for an hour.
This isn't about revenue protection. The chargers were unused. It isn't about capacity. There was space. It's about a petty, gated mentality that treats a basic piece of modern infrastructure as some kind of exclusive perk for overnight guests, as though letting a lunch guest pay to charge would somehow cheapen the brand.
The irony is thick. You can almost hear the sustainability officer's PowerPoint presentation about the hotel's "commitment to a greener future" - a commitment that apparently stops the moment someone without a room key asks to pay £20 to use a charger that's doing nothing anyway.
For a hotel that charges premium rates and prides itself on service, this is remarkably short-sighted. The £20 I was happy to pay would have been pure revenue for a charger that was otherwise sitting idle. The goodwill generated would have been real. Instead, I left with a flat battery, twenty quid still in my pocket, and a distinctly unimpressed view of a brand that talks green but walks small.
If you drive an EV and you're thinking of popping in for lunch, don't bother. You're not welcome at the charger unless you're sleeping in one of their beds. Sustainability, it seems, is strictly for guests - and so is the right to pay for electricity.
1 star - and that's generous.
BB
Bunker Blake
Jul 17, 2026
Four Seasons Hampshire is one of the most distinctive country hotels I have visited. Set in a restored Georgian manor about an hour or two outside London, it occupies an exceptionally lush pocket of the Hampshire countryside. The property is entirely self-contained, with formal interiors and expansive grounds that make the transition from the city feel complete. Even the rooms’ older aesthetic felt appropriate to the estate and remained deeply comfortable.
Most of my stay unfolded under the pressure of a work trip. I was working my tail off, preparing a presentation, and spending long stretches inside, while constantly fantasizing about running along the narrow English roads beyond the property. In the limited downtime I had, I admired the gorgeous indoor conservatory pool, though I never found time to use it. The restaurants and service made the estate function as a complete ecosystem.
After working through the night, I gave my presentation and headed directly back into London. Pairing the stay with time in Shoreditch sharpened the contrast between an edgy urban neighborhood and the formal quiet of the countryside. Both experiences felt distinctly English, separated by little more than a van and train ride. That juxtaposition made me appreciate the range of the trip even more.
Next time, I would build in enough flexibility to properly experience the estate. The equestrian center, treetop courses, and falconry all sound like exceptional ways to engage with the grounds. I left knowing that I had seen only part of what the hotel offered, which is probably why the idea of returning has stayed with me.
SF
Sally Archibald Frulio
Jul 14, 2026
We fell in love with this property two years ago, and absolutely had to return back from the USA. It provides true serenity in an exquisite, remote countryside location and feels more like YOUR private estate away from the reality & hardships of everyday life. You're treated like royalty by everyone from the moment you arrive, and we've never been to a FS quite like it! We loved seeing families enjoying quality time with their children vs them all on their phones the entire time. There are endless acres of grassy fields and streams, offering activities like archery, skeet shooting, horse riding, a beautiful equestrian center, hiking, football, etc. And there are even secret gardens! The spa & pools are large, welcoming, and wonderful! Their restaurant, La Terrazza serves food that is so fresh & delectable it feels like you're in Italy 🇮🇹 within England! The room service breakfast remains one of our absolute FAVORITES of anywhere! We love staying here and attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed & look forward to bringing some of our friends/neighbors back with us from our home at the residences at the FS Scottsdale soon. A big THANK YOU Elliot, and his hard working staff for the exceptional experience once again. And for those of you who need to get some work done while enjoying your time here, the wifi is excellent!
We recently stayed at Four Seasons Hampshire and had mixed feelings about our experience. The property itself is beautiful, and the activities were genuinely enjoyable, which is why it’s disappointing that the service fell so far below the standard we expect from Four Seasons.
Our experience started poorly at check-in. The staff member who checked us in, Wasiq, made unnecessary comments that made us feel uncomfortable. He was dismissive, unwelcoming, and lacked professionalism. We were also never given a tour or introduction to the resort, its facilities, or the available activities. At a luxury resort like Four Seasons, guests are normally welcomed properly and given an overview of the property, so this was surprising.
After check-in, we called the manager to explain what had happened and how uncomfortable the experience had made us feel. Only after that conversation did they arrange for Wasiq to give us a tour of the resort. While we appreciated that management responded, this should have been done from the beginning rather than only after we had to raise the issue ourselves.
While not every staff member was unfriendly, some employees we interacted with came across as unwelcoming and lacked the warmth and attentiveness we normally associate with the Four Seasons brand.
One of the most disappointing experiences was with our horse riding booking. We had originally reserved it for 1:00 p.m., but the resort changed it to 12:00 p.m. without informing us until the day of the activity. This left us with a scheduling conflict because we already had a shooting activity booked at 11:00 a.m. The concierge reassured us that arriving slightly late would not be an issue and escorted us to the stables. However, the staff there were rude and only allowed us to ride for around 10 minutes, saying we were late, even though the delay was caused by the resort changing our booking. We appreciated that the concierge acknowledged the situation and removed the charge, which was one of the few moments where we felt genuinely looked after.
Another frustrating experience was at dinner. We had reserved a specific table and confirmed it with the restaurant multiple times before arriving. Despite arriving on time, another family had been seated there. We were given several explanations, including that they had been dining for a long time, yet their table only had bread and butter, suggesting they had only just been seated. What made this even more frustrating was that earlier, at breakfast, we had asked to sit at a specific table and were told it was unavailable because it was reserved. It was disappointing that our own confirmed reservation was not treated with the same respect.
We’ve stayed at several Four Seasons properties around the world, and this was by far the weakest service we’ve experienced. The communication, attention to detail, and overall attitude of some staff members simply did not reflect the high standards the Four Seasons brand is known for.
That said, the resort itself is stunning, the grounds are beautiful, and the activities made for a memorable stay. We truly enjoyed the property itself, but we hope management addresses the service and communication issues so that the guest experience matches the quality of the resort.
AH
Andrew Hughes
Jul 3, 2026
Our recent stay at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire was truly unforgettable, marking both our wedding anniversary and our babymoon before welcoming our first child later this year. It was a celebration we'll cherish forever, and the entire team made it feel incredibly special from beginning to end. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine warmth (and we're not referring to the remarkable UK heatwave that happened to coincide with our visit!). Every interaction felt personal and heartfelt. The concierge made arranging our transportation completely seamless, and the reception team welcomed us with such kindness, even surprising us with a breathtaking suite upgrade that immediately made us feel at home. Throughout our stay, every member of staff we encountered was exceptional. Whether enjoying breakfast and dinner in the restaurants, taking private tennis lessons, trying our hand at clay pigeon shooting, or simply passing through the grounds, every conversation was met with warmth, professionalism, and an authentic desire to make our stay memorable. The estate itself is simply extraordinary. The beauty of the property extends far beyond the manor house, with acres of rolling countryside that invite you to slow down and explore. Our evening walks through the fields became one of the highlights of the trip. Watching deer emerge from the woods, seeing baby calves grazing in nearby pastures, and adding several new bird species to my life list made each walk feel like a small adventure. Those quiet moments together, surrounded by such peaceful scenery, are memories we will treasure for a lifetime. What impressed us most was how effortlessly the hotel balances understated luxury with a genuine sense of comfort and belonging. It never felt formal for the sake of being formal; instead, it felt welcoming, relaxed, and thoughtfully curated in every detail. This was far more than simply a hotel stay—it became part of one of the most meaningful chapters of our lives. We arrived as a couple celebrating where we've been together and left excited for the new adventure that lies ahead as a family. We already find ourselves looking forward to returning one day, this time with our daughter, to create a new collection of memories in a place that has already become incredibly special to us. To everyone at Four Seasons Hampshire, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and hospitality. You helped make our anniversary and babymoon everything we had hoped for and so much more. We cannot wait to return.