Review of Asperion Hillside Guesthouse, Surrey, England

> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: Asperion Hillside

Asperion Hillside has a touch of luxury and sound environmental credentialsThe place
Asperion Hillside is an independently owned boutique guesthouse in the Surrey countryside, within close distance from Guildford and Woking. This is an ideal spot for a short weekend getaway in the country to recharge and enjoy the abundance of walking routes surrounding the hotel.

The rooms
There are 15 stylish and comfortable rooms, most of them garden-facing. Our room had a classy four-poster bed with dark wood antique furniture and vintage black & white framed photographs above the bed. The bathroom was modern with a rustic twist, with a bath and organic plant-based toiletries. The room overlooked the peaceful landscaped garden with a pond, wooden gazebo and wooden table and chairs for lounging in the summer.

The food
Rest your head in this classic and sophisticated bedroomAsperion Hillside has its own simply decorated restaurant that serves seasonal, local and organic produce where possible, open Monday through Thursday only. There’s a beautiful garden where you can sit and enjoy your organic treats. We were there on a Friday, so Ivie at reception recommended a lovely local gastro pub ‘The Jolly Farmer’, only a mile up the road. Breakfast was served in the dining room, and again most of it was organic and locally-sourced. I had tasty organic oak-smoked salmon and organic free-range eggs from a local farm and Ben had an English breakfast with sausages from the local butcher. There was also a spread of seasonal fruits and organic yogurt and cereals.

The activities
If it’s walking you’re after, there are plenty of marked country paths you can follow near the hotel. At reception you’ll find a detailed folder with all kinds of activities to do in the area: walks, National Trust properties, local farm and crafts shops, gardens, castles and the list goes on.

What makes it green
The owner, Manny, is very committed to making a difference and has a clear vision to make his hotel as green as possible. Their gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme is well deserved: the electricity is sourced from a green energy supplier, they use eco-friendly cleaning products, all toiletries are organic and all their food is organic and/or locally-sourced. We were impressed with their organic honesty bar for that late night tipple, including organic vodka, gin, wine and ale, as well as fair trade and organic snacks.

Take time out to enjoy the serene and relaxing garden and Koi pond.Top tip
Although the hotel is in the small village of Worplesdon, it is on a relatively busy road so I’d recommend asking for a peaceful garden-facing room.

Verdict
A welcoming guesthouse with a touch of luxury and sound environmental credentials within close distance to London, making it the perfect countryside retreat.

Getting there
The nearest train station is at Guildford. It's 45 minutes by train from London to Guildford, followed by a 10 minute taxi ride or a 20 minute bus ride (bus 28 from the bus station) that will drop you off in front of the hotel. Ask the bus driver to stop at ‘Worplesdon post office’, the hotel is literally across the street.

> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: Asperion Hillside