The New Forest has become something of a regular escape for me. This was my third visit, but my first time staying at THE NICI New Forest, and it's safe to say the wait was worth it. If you're looking for a summer escape that gives you the best of coast and country without having to choose between the two, this is the one to book.
Setting the Scene
THE NICI New Forest sits on 23 acres along the banks of the Lymington River, with far-reaching views stretching out across the Solent. The whole resort takes its inspiration from the relaxed sophistication of the Hamptons, but rather than losing itself in that American East Coast fantasy, it grounds everything firmly in the English countryside around it. The result is effortless East Coast luxury meeting proper New Forest beauty, and a setting that manages to feel like both a coastal retreat and a rural hideaway at the same time, which is a harder balance to strike than it sounds.
Where to Stay
There's a lovely variety of accommodation on offer, from the Sea View Suites through to more spacious apartments for those travelling as a family. Throughout, the interiors lean into that coastal-cool aesthetic that runs through the entire resort, understated, textural, and easy on the eye rather than shouting for attention. Our room had its own terrace with sun loungers, which turned out to be one of the nicest surprises of the stay, perfect for a quiet coffee in the morning or simply relaxing with a book in the afternoon sun. We were in room 714.
Eating and Drinking
Elms Café is the all-day social hub of the resort, serving everything from nutrient-rich breakfast bowls to more indulgent comfort-food favourites. It's the kind of place you find yourself drifting back to more than once a day, whether that's for a slow breakfast or a coffee break between wandering the grounds.
A special mention has to go to the Caesar Salad, made table side, which was genuinely sensational and worth ordering on its own merits.
Come evening, Martha's takes over. It's upscale without being stiff, built around produce-led seafood and locally sourced ingredients, and the food across the board was really fantastic. It quickly became my favourite part of the stay. My best memory from the whole weekend was sitting outside at Martha's in the late afternoon, drink in hand (a cream tea does the job just as well if you're more like my other half), watching the light shift slowly over the grounds as everything settled into golden hour. It's the sort of moment that sums up exactly what this kind of stay should feel like.
A Brilliant Base for Exploring the New Forest
One of the things that struck me most about THE NICI is just how well placed it is as a base for exploring the wider New Forest. You've got the resort's own 23 acres to wander, with landscaped gardens rolling down towards the Solent, but step beyond the grounds and there's a whole world to discover. Lymington is only a short trip away, with its cobbled streets, active yachting community, independent retailers and a buzzy market well worth timing your visit around. From there, the New Forest National Park itself is right on your doorstep, with its ancient woodland, open heathland and famous free-roaming ponies all within easy reach, along with the wider coastline towards Beaulieu, Brockenhurst and the Isle of Wight ferry crossing. Whether you want a lazy weekend that never strays far from the resort or a base to explore further afield, THE NICI works brilliantly for both.
Family Friendly, Dog Friendly
This is very much a resort designed with everyone in mind. The spacious apartments make it an easy choice for family escapes, with room to spread out rather than being confined to a standard hotel room, and the grounds give little ones plenty of space to run around safely. THE NICI is also dog friendly, and it showed, I loved seeing all the various dogs enjoying the grounds throughout the stay. It's the kind of detail that makes a resort feel properly relaxed rather than just ticking a box.
What's On Site
There's already a gym up and running for anyone keen to keep up a routine while away, and an indoor pool, outdoor pool, spa and tennis courts are all due to open soon. It means there's already plenty to do, with even more to look forward to on a return visit.
The Verdict
A cosy night's sleep, a slow morning with breakfast at Elms Café, and more champagne back at Martha's as the day winds down. I truly felt like I had the perfect reset weekend here, and I'll definitely be back. If you're looking to holiday in the UK this summer, THE NICI New Forest is utterly gorgeous, and exactly the kind of stay worth booking before the season gets away from you.
