Luxury Hotel Review: Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf And Spa, England

Although options abound when it comes to seeking a romantic getaway in the English countryside, located a stone's throw from London Luton Hoo is is one which had piqued our curiosity for many years. Here’s why. 

• Location: Northeast of London in Bedfordshire.
• Accommodations: The hotel has an impressive lineup of accommodation options from Deluxe Bedrooms in various locations at one end of the scale, to Studios and Studio Suites, and Mansion State Suites in the main building. Every effort has been made to preserve or restore the original ambience of the mansion, which is reflected in the attention to detail in decor and furnishing of each individual room and suite.
• Dining options: A major part of the Luton Hoo experience is fine dining, whether you're enjoying casual fare at the laid-back, country style Adam's Brasserie, or relaxing with a high tea experience in the elegant drawing room, complete with silver cutlery, crisp white linen and the clink of fine bone china. An experience not to be missed is dinner in the resplendent Wernher Restaurant. Named for Sir Julius Wernher, who bought Luton Hoo in 1903 and transformed it into a historic residence befitting one of the richest men in England, it offers cuisine using British sourced ingredients and served with a modern twist (read our full restaurant review here).
• What else is there: The spa at Luton Hoo is an ideal place to wile away a few hours, or to pamper yourself into looking your best before a romantic dinner for two. It's tucked away in what was the original stables courtyard, with plenty of original features intact, including a beautiful oak framed indoor swimming pool with a view overlooking the woods. There is also a par 73 championship golf course designed by Mike Smith, and from the Country Club, other facilities include mapped walks, bird watching, jogging, clay pigeon shooting, and tennis. There's even a fleet of original London black taxis to transport you from the car park to the mansion.
• What’s nearby: You really won’t want to leave this all-inclusive paradise, set on 1,000 acres of land. 
• Why go: If you want to get away from London and enjoy some wide open spaces, and fresh country air without sacrificing on life's little luxuries, Luton Hoo is ideal. For a romantic weekend it has a stunning location and is a mansion in the truest sense, with silver service and attention to detail as standard.

The Space

Luton Hoo is a gorgeous, sprawling country estate nestling in pristine parkland, and a former stately home with a long history which has in recent years been lovingly restored to its former glory. Today it's an all-encompassing luxury resort, offering anyone seeking a romantic getaway the ideal combination of the countryside, a top class hotel, fine dining, quality golf and a full-service spa. Once you arrive, there's really no reason to leave, with every luxury provided in combination with a "Downton Abbey" ambience. From the moment you arrive you're well cared for, making it easy to see why Luton Hoo has a long reputation as a place which has welcomed heads of state and royalty, and has passed through a number of esteemed hands in terms of ownership. The hotel has also been featured in a number of famous television programs and movies, including Four Weddings and a Funeral and Eyes Wide Shut.

Where We Stayed

Our home for the night was an Executive Bedroom on the lower level of the Garden Wing, a newer building near the Spa facility, with twin beds which were arranged for us as a large double. The decor was very traditional with oodles of romantic appeal, including a rich blueish-green carpet, Regency style soft olive and pale green wide striped wallpaper, heavy tapestry drapes, and a tapestry curtain cluster draped from the ceiling behind the bed headboard. The furniture had antique styling, with combinations of warm and blonde wood, and comprising a dresser, a desk with a chair, a small table with two chairs where you could eat breakfast, and a coffee table surrounded by an easy chair and a couch the same colour as the carpet. A door lead out to a small private courtyard overlooking the gardens, with an iron filigree style table and two chairs. Facilities included a wall-mounted flat screen TV, and an electric kettle for making tea. The bathroom was spacious with a decor featuring plenty of warm cream marble, and it was fitted with a large walk-in shower, a good sized bath, and two pedestal basins recessed with a shelf and mirrors above them, with Molton Brown toiletries. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The stunning setting.
• The attention to detail from your room to the spa.
• Top notch food and service with a smile.

Insider Tips  

• Situated in the Parkland, Flower Garden and Clubhouse, the air-conditioned suites are perfect for anyone who wants a little more room, or is travelling with a dog. Ground floor suites have their own individual terraces with views over the beautiful unspoilt woodland.
• If you stay for more than a few days and want to explore beyond Luton Hoo you will need a car.

The Details 

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa is located at The Mansion House, Luton, Beds LU1 3TQ, www.lutonhoo.co.uk.