A staycation summer means many are heading for a family retreat to the coast, down to the likes of Devon and Cornwall, but Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire offers something a little different, finds Emma Robertson
With the lighter nights and warmer temperatures settling in, we headed a mere 18 miles out of London and into the rolling hills of the Hertfordshire countryside for some local escapism.
After just a 45-minute drive, we pulled up at The Grove, a five-star family-friendly retreat ? and within minutes of arriving, we started to understand why it has been dubbed ?London?s Country Estate?. Formerly the private home of the Earls of Clarendon, the elegant mansion boasts historical charm and character in abundance, and has been lovingly restored into 215 luxurious bedrooms and suites, with an award-winning spa, championship golf course and array of exclusive dining restaurants. Having recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, carefully designed by award-winning interior studios, Martin Hulbert Design, the hotel promised a warm combination of traditional features with luxurious modern furnishings.
We stayed in one of the hotel?s newly renovated Family Rooms, offering interconnecting spaces ? ideal for a larger family ? with the option to request additional cots, bunk beds and even toy boxes if needed. Located in the west wing, the suite transported us into the English countryside outdoors.
The calming neutral tones with seasonal green and rich sepia created a bright and a...