It was a crisp late October morning and not yet properly light when we pulled up outside reception at Old Thorns. The festoon lights were still on along the front of the building, the car park was quiet, and the stone lion by the door had the place to himself.
We were there to collect a client for a business trip into London. One way, an early start, and a working day waiting at the other end.
An early pick-up from Old Thorns Hotel & Resort
Old Thorns is at Griggs Green, just outside Liphook, set in 400 acres of Hampshire countryside on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Most people know it for the golf course, the spa and its weddings. It also has plenty of meeting and conference space, so we see business travellers there as well as weekend guests.
Why we arrive before you need us
For an early collection we like to be outside in good time, with the car warm and the screen clear. On a cold morning that matters. Nobody wants to start a working day standing in a hotel doorway watching for headlights.
The reception at Old Thorns has a wide turning area right outside the door, so luggage goes straight from the lobby into the boot and we are away within a couple of minutes.
Getting into London on time
One practical advantage of Old Thorns is how close it is to the A3. You are on the main London to Portsmouth road almost as soon as you leave the hotel drive, and it takes you all the way to the edge of the capital.
The harder part is the last few miles. A hotel in Mayfair needs a different approach from an office in the City or an address near Westminster, and the A3 is busy on a weekday morning, as anyone who uses it knows.
That is why we ask for the full destination address and the time you need to be there when you book. The pick-up time is worked back from that, with allowance for the traffic we expect at that hour, and we check the route again before we set off.
One way is fine
This was a single journey. We took our client into London and that was the job done. You do not need to book a return or a full day to use a chauffeur, and plenty of our work is exactly this: one journey, done properly.
If you do want collecting later, or on another day, we can arrange that at the same time. We collect from hotels across Hampshire for the airports too, as we did on this run from Burley Manor to Heathrow Terminal 3.
Questions we are often asked
Do you collect from hotels outside Southampton and the New Forest?
Yes. We are based in the Southampton and New Forest area, but we collect from hotels and homes across Hampshire and the neighbouring counties.
Is the London Congestion Charge included?
If your pick-up or destination is inside the central London charging zone during charging hours, the charge applies and we show it clearly in your quote. At the time of writing it is £18 a day, with a reduced rate for electric cars such as the i7.
How early can you collect?
As early as you need. Early starts are a normal part of our week, and we would rather build in time than rush.
Request a quote or book your journey
If you are staying at Old Thorns, or anywhere in Hampshire, and need to be in London for work, we would be glad to help. Let us know your pick-up address, destination, date, passenger numbers and luggage, and we will come back to you with a price.
Telephone: +44(0)3333 444 018
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447554496186
Email: enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk
Request a quote: https://www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk/contact-plus-chauffeurs
Online booking: https://www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk/bookings
