“The following Monday would mark their first wedding anniversary. At Matthew’s suggestion, they were going to spend next weekend at a fancy hotel near Oxford.” (Lethal White, Chapter 18)
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a bit of a popular getaway in Lethal White. Not only does Jasper Chiswell’s wife, Kinvara, spend her birthday weekend there, but it is also where Matthew and Robin spend their one-year anniversary.
“Created by celebrated chef Raymond Blanc OBE, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is one of the country’s most cherished manor house hotels. We received two Michelin stars in 1984, the first year of our opening, and, remarkably, have held them ever since.
Surrounded by lawns, flower borders and orchards, our setting is postcard-perfect. But beyond the eye-catching displays are vegetable and herb gardens that provide the kitchen — and the acclaimed Raymond Blanc Cookery School — with ultra-fresh, organic produce. They guarantee our restaurant remains at the cutting edge of culinary excellence.” (Excerpt from belmond.com Visit their site for more information about Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons)
Fighting the guilt that had settled upon her since having to turn down Strike’s request to work, Robin and Matthew spend a rather miserable weekend at the beautiful and romantic Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Beginning their celebration by arguing about her job and lack of wedding ring (as she had been impersonating Venetia Hall before they left), the weekend didn’t improve as they ate their Michelin-starred dinner and walked the beautiful grounds.
“Robin woke on Saturday in the awareness that every moment in the hotel, every step through the beautifully cultivated grounds, with the lavender walk, the Japanese garden, the orchid and organic vegetable beds, was costing them a small fortune.” (Lethal White, Chapter 23)
“Robin wondered what it would be like to have a wedding day and honeymoon about which it was safe to reminisce.” (Lethal White, Chapter 23) Don’t worry, Robin. Something tells us you’ll get your happy wedding/honeymoon at some point.
Here’s a beautiful picture of the Japanese Tea Garden taken from their website.
Another lovely photo of their vegetable garden where Matthew and Robin would have walked.
Robin also remembers seeing one of the many beautiful suites while walking the grounds. Though she doesn’t get a look inside, the name of the suite, Blanc de Blanc, triggers a memory for her later during the Chiswell case.
If you’d like to see even more lovely photos or find out more information about Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, follow the link to their website here.
You can also find it on the map below.