Driving my 14-year-old Renault Clio up the verdant drive of this imposing manor house hotel, I was wondering if I'd taken a wrong turn somewhere near the M25. Would the crowd at this four-star hotel resort - with its three golf courses, 12 tennis courts and 462 acres of grounds - be as ultra-respectable as the facilities, and therefore look askance at my rather slovenly arrival?
Parking my faded belle in the ample car park, however, I noticed a refreshing mix of family cars in among the bankers' road toys. Happily, though Foxhills has all the qualifications for a stuffy traditional golfing retreat, it steers clear of pretension and seeks to attract family visitors and genuine sporting enthusiasts. And though the longer-term golf and racquet membership fees are eye-wateringly expensive (though it hasn't put off the 4,500 current members!) the "taster" golf and spa packages are better value with weekend breaks from £85pp per night including access to most of the leisure facilities.
The latest addition on the accommodation front is the wing of 28 so-called "studio" rooms, brimming with Canadian oak fittings and still smelling of freshly laid carpet. But don't be fooled by the name, though they may be minimalist in style they are lovely and roomy without a speck of chintz. This would be my choice for a stylish relaxing escape, though families with young children might prefer the cosier two-storey courtyard suites.
Indeed families, corporate visitors and child-free clients are all catered for sensitively, with kids-free times at the pool and geographically distinct zones of accommodation. Budding champions can attack the children's putting green, while over-13s can access the adult golf and tennis facilities. The resort runs summer tennis camps, and once the spa is overhauled in 2007, the current gym will be turned into a "children's house" crèche. For the more sedate, DVD players are currently being installed in all rooms, with complementary film hire. Meanwhile the more active can be let loose on the tennis, golf, gym, spa, swimming pools or adventure playgrounds.
Those after more old-worldly charms might opt for the cottage-style garden rooms complete with retro wireless sets (and I don't mean broadband) plus your own patio (on which to sip G&Ts, of course). Incidentally all rooms also have wireless broadband and Sky Plus, in case you were wondering, though the decor is far more homely than in many business-focused hotels.
Golf is, physically and spiritually, dominant at Foxhills. It has one nine-hole and two 18-hole championship courses - the 6,743-yard Longcross and the 6,892-yard Bernard Hunt - the latter named after the club's first head professional who managed a hole-in-one at the course's official opening. With £1.2m spent on irrigation and drainage alone these are people serious about fair play.
Anyone can see that the courses are superbly maintained, but as a comically bad golfer myself, I sought the opinions of others dedicated enough to plough around nine holes in the torrential rain which graced my visit. The verdict? "Beautiful striped fairways, excellent greens and nice botany", "challenging topography" and refreshingly "unstuffy" fellow golfers were all fully appreciated despite the downpour. I'm told there is even a "half-way" hut to refresh you part-way through your round.
Foxhills started life in the late 18th century as the country playground of MP Charles James Fox, who moved to the area with his mistress. Having left the capital after running up ruinous gambling debts and being shot in a duel, Fox took to gardening and had hundreds of trees planted in the area while he recuperated on the estate. The manor house itself was built after Fox's death. It served as a convalescent home during the first world war, and was bought by the airline Aer Lingus in the 1960s, which set about laying the first golf courses before selling up in 1983 to the current owner, Ian Hayton.
The property has retained much of the historic atmosphere and grandeur, with endless green views from the main house and the newest wing using carefully colour-matched bricks to blend in with the house. The airy drinks lounge is just the right side of prim, with its oil paintings, marble fireplaces and damask sofas. But the service when I visited was rather below par, with drinks taking half an hour to arrive and staff seemingly overrun with the volume of guests. Sunday lunch, however, was a delicious and fresh buffet in a tasteful and spacious setting.
I certainly couldn't afford to take up the country club lifestyle but I could stretch to a weekend of pretending now and again.
· Foxhills is in Ottershaw, near Woking, Surrey. 01932 704 500, Foxhills.co.uk. Double or twin "studio" rooms cost from £180 per night, excluding breakfast. A variety of weekend packages, giving you complimentary access to the health club and gym, swimming pools, tennis courts, croquet lawn and a green fee on the par-3 golf course, start at £85pp per night. Children under five go free, extra beds for under 12s charged at £20, adjoining rooms available. The individual pricing allows guests to opt for different activities during the weekend.
