IT just goes to show Michael Winner knows a good thing when he experiences it.

The Sunday Times food critic is forever raving about how fantastic the Chewton Glen Hotel is, not just for its food, but its service, ambience and rooms.

And now it's official, thanks to the readers of upmarket magazine, Conde Nast Traveler.

In a glittering ceremony in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the country house-style hotel, which sits in an idyllic 130 acres of gardens, parkland and woodland in New Milton was named Best Hotel British Isles and, as if that wasn't enough, it was also ranked number two in the top 100 hotels world-wide.

Managing director, Andrew Stembridge, travelled to the Big Apple to collect the prestigious award on behalf of the hotel's owners, Martin and Brigitte Skan, and he was delighted that the hard work of all his team back home had been recognised in such a way: "This is a huge tribute to everyone who works so very hard at the hotel. We are very grateful to Conde Nast Traveler and its readers for these excellent awards.

"As Chewton Glen enters its 40th year of operations, it has always prided itself on exceeding the expectations of our guests from all around the world. We are thrilled to receive this award, which reinforces the standards of excellence and attention to detail for which we are renowned."

But we all know, quality doesn't come cheap, so how much exactly does Mr Winner and the likes fork out for a stay at Chewton Glen?

standard room, one night only from £205 to £310

top-of-the-range suite from, one night only from £580 to £805

dinner £59.50 per head

wine from £20 to £2,000!

First published: October 21