The Luxury Hotel Near London You Need To Visit
Created in partnership with THE GROVE
*for*... A COUPLES BREAK
For a hotel that’s less than an hour from London, The Grove feels worlds away from busy city life, hidden in sprawling greenery and over 300 acres of land. Perfect for a romantic weekend away, the family-run hotel has everything you need for a special stay, from numerous dining options to luxury suites you won’t want to leave. The hotel recently underwent an extensive refurbishment, and has the chic interiors you’d expect from a top country hotel. Rooms are set across the West Wing and the Grade II-listed mansion, which overlooks the landscaped gardens. Each one is individually designed, while bathrooms have freestanding baths and Bamford toiletries. For a special staycation, Mansion Suites take things up a level with complimentary cocktails on arrival, a minibar stocked with Bollinger, and the option for an in-room massage. You can even call your own Mansion Experience Host to have free pots of Hackney Gelato delivered to your room. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the hotel has a relaxed vibe so you can really switch off.
Year-round, guests can play on the hotel’s championship golf course, relax at the spa, and enjoy outdoor pursuits like archery, axe-throwing and laser clay pigeon shooting. During the warmer months, the hotel opens its walled garden, where you’ll find the tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool. Plus, there's the option to enjoy a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride over the Hertfordshire countryside – a magical way to remember a special staycation.
*for*... A SPA WEEKEND
One of the hotel’s main draws is its newly refurbished award-winning Sequoia Spa. The space is home to a 22m black mosaic-tiled pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room. There’s also a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, relaxation areas where you can doze off or read, and 18 treatment rooms where therapists offer an extensive list of treatments, including facials, massages and reflexology. We recommend the spa’s signature massage; created by its therapists from the Philippines and Thailand, it uses both Eastern and Western massage techniques. The spa recently partnered with Bamford to offer soothing products to help you unwind and leave feeling restored. Plus, The Grove offers various spa day packages – which include use of its facilities, lunch at Sequoia Kitchen and Walled Garden access – but an overnight stay is the perfect way to make the most of everything on offer.
*for*... A FOODIE STAY
The Grove has one of the most impressive dining offerings of any UK hotel – you might have seen content creators on social media raving about the diverse selection. The Glasshouse is a five-star buffet restaurant with world cuisines. You’ll find live-action food stations showcasing British, Japanese and Italian dishes to name a few. There’s also a seafood station, a salad bar, a charcuterie and cheese station, and an impressive dessert bar with fruit and indulgent puddings. Elsewhere, The Stables has recently been refurbished with light and bright interiors to reflect the modern menu. The à la carte restaurant overlooks the golf course and serves breakfast through to dinner, with a separate children’s menu. Expect crowd-pleasing dishes made with the best seasonal and local produce. Finally, there’s Madhu’s, where guests can enjoy an authentic Indian dining experience or high chai afternoon tea. Bringing a taste of New Delhi to the British countryside, it serves beautifully presented Indian classics alongside a separate kids’ menu.
The Grove is also planning a range of foodie experiences and pop-ups over the summer. From Saturday 25th May to Sunday 1st September, guests can sit in a hot air balloon in the Formal Gardens for a special dining experience, created in partnership with Feast on Cloud 9. Here, you can tuck into a nine-course tasting menu or afternoon tea. Then, from 22nd May, the hotel will welcome award-winning Turkish restaurant Skewd, with a menu of Anatolian-inspired dishes from mezes to kebabs. Bookings can now be made.
*for*... A FAMILY STAYCATION
Children won’t want to leave thanks to the various activities on offer – and there’s plenty to keep adults occupied, too. The Grove has its own Ofsted-registered kids’ club for ages two to nine, with a lodge and private garden where they can enjoy arts and crafts, story time, outdoor play and more. There’s also a babysitting service so you can enjoy an evening off and head to the spa or enjoy dinner. Plus, little ones can also get around the estate in their very own mini Land Rover replica – think exploring Asher’s Woodland in a 30-minute 'driving' session. Meanwhile, older kids and teens can be kept busy with bikes rides (you can hire bikes, e-bikes and helmets) axe throwing, archery lessons, laser clay pigeon shooting, off-road driving experiences and woodland hawking to get up close and personal with birds of prey. Elsewhere, kids will love exploring the 300 acres – think swimming in the outdoor pool, playing on the beach in the Walled Garden, or having a golf lesson.
Over the summer months, the hotel has numerous events to look forward to, including sporting camps with ex-Premier League players and current rugby players, outdoor cinema screenings hosted by Everyman in partnership with Discovery, lunchtime barbecues, and various dining experiences for kids.
*for*... A DAY TRIP
There’s a lot to experience at this luxury hotel, but you don’t have to stay overnight if time doesn’t allow. Easily reached in under an hour from London, you can visit for lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants. The Grove is also home to one of the best championship golf courses in the south east. The course is in pristine condition and staff can help with equipment hire – we like the sound of the day package that includes breakfast and lunch in between play. You can also visit for a relaxing spa day or enquire about membership for access to the spa and all its facilities.
Getting There
The Grove couldn’t be much easier to reach – it’s just 20 minutes from London Euston to Watford Junction, followed by a ten-minute taxi ride from the station. You can jump in a cab outside the station or phone the hotel to arrange a private transfer. From central London, it takes about an hour to reach the hotel by car, while London’s major airports are all within an hour’s reach.
Visit TheGrove.co.uk
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