Affectionately nicknamed London's country estate, The Grove is only 18 miles from the west end of London but is set in 300 acres of gorgeous Hertfordshire woodland. This hotel offers all the benefits of a luxury rural retreat without the hassle of hours of travel.
Formerly the stately home of the sociable Earls of Clarendon, whose guests included the likes of Queen Victoria, this 18th century mansion now draws the celebrity royalty of our times. On our visit, for instance, we were lucky to find a space in The Grove's car park at all, as an England national football team coach was taking up most of it. Then there was the risk of my wife bumping into Ralph Fiennes on the way to our Mansion suite — Kylie's favourite room, apparently — which we were relieved to get, as I'd earlier heard it had been reserved for President Obama.
Whether you're the Princess of Pop, The World's Most Powerful Man or a simple a normal couple slipping away for a weekend, The Grove has something for everyone. From the contemporary style and comfort of the modern West Wing rooms to the decadent luxury of the Mansion rooms, many with four poster beds and open fires, it's impossible not to admire the 'groovy yet grand' interiors by leading design practice Fox Linton Associates. Here, traditional antiques are juxtaposed with modern art and much of the original artwork displayed in the rooms and corridors throughout the hotel is that of German Object artist Volker Kuhn, with his off-beat interpretations of everyday life.
The Grove has ensured that their hip hotel approach embraces all of the family. For the children, there's Anouska's Kids Club, the hotel's own OFSTED-registered day nursery for ages three months and upwards. Activities such as cake decorating and teddy bears' picnics ensure that children are happily distracted, while parents can surrender themselves to one of the many ESPA treatments offered in the sleek surroundings of the award-winning Sequoia Spa, or play a round of golf on one of Europe's finest courses — the very course on which Tiger Woods won his 2006 World Golf Championship title, no less.
Eating at The Grove is another pleasure. There's fine modern dining at Colette's, where guests can enjoy dishes such as roast squab pigeon and truffle poached duck egg with violet artichokes, and then international cuisine served buffet style in the chic but relaxed Glasshouse. Or for a gastro pub-style menu try The Stables, housed in the converted stable block, where you'll find traditional British favourites such as fish & chips and game pie: it's also the perfect gourmet hide-out for golfers sheltering from the rain.
With its team of truly friendly, professional staff and illustrious guests, your stay at The Grove will be one to remember. Thankfully for me, the competition — Ralph Fiennes — remained nowhere to be seen.
The Grove, Chandler's Cross, Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG (01923 807807; thegrove.co.uk). Room rates start from £270 per room per night, including breakfast.
