If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury, a home away from home and the feeling of being the King of the world, then I have found the place for you! Stoke Park Country Club, Spa and Hotel is all of this and more. Oozing history in every room of The Mansion there’s no place more traditional that I have come across on my travels.
The background of Stoke Park is simply fascinating; with links to the Penn family whom Pennsylvania in America once belonged to, the Earl of Huntingdon, and Sir Noel Mobbs to mention just a few years of history entwined with the golf club, now over 100 years old, being appointed the best in the country, and the spa one of the top four in the world.
Over the more recent years the hotel has played roles in Bridget Jones’ Diary, Layer Cake, Goldfinger, and many more well known films. It is home to many stars including Jonny Depp, and the likes whilst filming over at Pinewood Studios.
The grounds appear to be never ending with a stunning bridge built by Humphry Repton, a Championship twenty-seven hole golf course, four all-weather tennis courts, six Wimbledon specification grass tennis courts, a heritage walk and one of the longest drives I have ever witnessed!
In addition at all of this, in 2008 The Pavilion was built, a contemporary twenty-eight hotel rooms and suites, the incredible, award winning Spa, Salon and state of the art Gymnasium. All rooms have under floor heating, a Nespresso machine, and all the most up to date technology. These room couldn’t be any more different to those in The Mansion, therefore giving you a great choice of rooms!
The room in which we stayed in was quite simply out of this world, a four poster bed that was fit for royalty, a sofa that was so huge you got lost in, a fire to keep us toasty through the snow, and décor that instantly made you feel at home. If my bedroom at home looked like this, I’d never leave it!
The bathroom was also extremely large with his and hers sinks, a free standing bath, a luxurious shower and the coziest of dressing gowns.
After arriving we stopped for a small spot of lunch in The Orangery that was just awesome, and certainly got us eager for dining in Humphry’s, the restaurant within The Mansion that holds three Rosettes, serving the best of British Cuisine. And oh my, the food was some of the best I have ever eaten. Beginning with Pan-fried Scallops with Celeriac Puree,Crispy Pancetta and Caviar, and the partner in crime having Streaky Bacon, Confit Quail and Pistachio Terrine with Madeira Jelly and Toasted Pain Poilane, the bar had been set very high for the next two rounds. Not surprisingly that bar was more than met with Pan-fried Pave of Halibut with a Leek, Butternut Squash and Sorrel Risotto, and Marinated Artichokes, and the partner in crimes Roast Tournedos of Beef with Bone Marrow, Horseradish Mash, Wild Mushrooms and ‘Shardeloes Farm’ English Red Wine Sauce. It was actually disappointing when the food came to an end despite knowing an incredible desert was to follow.
Humphry’s ‘Snickers’ consisting of Milk Chocolate and Peanut Mousse, Salted Chocolate Caramel, Caramel Foam and Peanut Tuile was heaven on a plate. Yet again a wave of sadness washed over me as the last spoonful entered my mouth, ‘Why did this have to end?’ I thought to myself!
After climbing the stairs in The Grand Hall back to our room we watched Bridget Jones’ Diary, from the DVD collection we had access to courtesy of the hotel, to really get into the Stoke Park feel of things! With the fire roaring and the wooden shutters closed our room became the ultimate haven of luxury.
Having to drag ourselves from the comfort of our room and down to breakfast seemed like the mightiest of chores until the breakfast menu was placed infront of us. We filled ourselves to the brim, yet again, with free range sausages, eggs, perfectly crispy bacon, and cereal coated in natural yogurts. This made the plans of playing tennis just a mere dream we had had on the previous day!
We took a walk around the grounds in the thick snow and we were certainly in a winter wonderland of our own, making return back home one of the hardest tasks I’ve had to overcome. One thing I know for certain, I will be returning, I have a tennis match to play!
Disclaimer: This was offered to me by their lovely PR team.
I'm Squibb Vicious, better known as Haydy!
Happiest with a craft beer in hand, eating til my heart is content or exploring somewhere new.
Here you can read about my adventures!