Review: The Grove, Hertfordshire hotel review

Why book?

Countryside escapes that are both close to central London and take less than an hour to reach are something of a prized commodity for city dwellers. The Grove in Hertfordshire is such a thing: roughly 18 miles from London and situated across a sprawling 300-acre site. Featuring a plethora of attractions from its wellness facilities, numerous eateries and, of course, its sizable 18-hole golf course (where Tiger Woods took home the cup at the WGC-American Express Championship in 2006), it’s ideal for a countryside break to escape the bustle of the city.

Set the scene
It’s wildly ambitious to create a space that could appeal to families, golf enthusiasts, locals, Londoners and Hollywood A-listers alike, but the hotel’s sheer size makes it possible. The Grove is near the famous Warner Bros. Studio, so it attracts Harry Potter fans taking the studio tour and actors working at nearby Pinewood studios. The property has also undergone a sizable three-year refurbishment, with its new-look Mansion rooms and suites getting a serious upgrade that will definitely appeal to luxury-seeking guests.

The summer months are when The Grove comes alive due to the lauded Everyman outdoor cinema (access is complimentary for hotel residents), a 22-metre outdoor pool, an urban beach (complete with volleyball court) and plenty of outdoor space to recline and soak up a sliver of British sunshine. Being bored here simply isn’t possible; the range of activities you can partake in is exhaustive, and if archery, axe throwing or tennis isn’t the ticket, a sojourn to the newly renovated Sequoia Spa with Bamford treatments and its unique black-tiled ozone swimming pool might be. The gardens, designed by landscape architect Michael Balston, are festooned with curious modern sculptures and are absolutely worth wandering through. But one of the biggest selling points of The Grove is its staff; they’re welcoming, down to earth, unpretentious and clearly adore the property, which speaks volumes.

The backstory

The hotel's history is fascinating. Archaeologists have unearthed pottery dating back to the Bronze Age on the grounds, but Queen Elizabeth founded the house in the 16th century. By the 18th century, Thomas Villiers, who became the first Earl of Clarendon, acquired the property. He was visited by people like artist George Stubbs, known for his famous horse portraits, and Captain Cook who presented one of the subsequent Earls with a sapling of the newly discovered Black Walnut Tree, which still stands tall near the terrace. The house was a popular spot for Queen Victoria and other British aristocrats and often held decadent parties.

In the 1940s, The Grove became a wartime HQ for London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Underground bunkers for service vehicles and air raid shelters were built on the grounds, some of which are still on the property and can be viewed from the outside. In the mid-1990s, it was left in a decrepit state before being lovingly rescued and restored by Ralph Trustees Limited, who turned it into the hotel it is today.

The rooms

At times, the property feels like two different hotels. The modern West Wing has 189 rooms, decked out with a more brooding colour palette and modern aesthetic. But the mansion, which houses newly renovated signature suites and bedrooms, really dials up the wow factor. Each has ornate fireplaces, spacious rooms and curved bay windows with calming views of the grounds and Hertfordshire countryside.

The palette of cool neutrals and natural materials in these rooms creates an instant symbiosis between the outdoors and the mansion house. Martin Hulbert Design (the name behind Chewton Glen, Coworth Park and Cliveden) curated the rooms with beautiful simplicity, sourcing bespoke furniture and lovingly picked antiques. They’re a beautiful fusion of Georgian elegance with more modern rustic sensibilities combined.

Evidently, the Mansion suites are tailored to longer stays; one might imagine an actor staying here as they film their latest endeavour. There is a comforting, homely feel with plush sofas and beds with retractable TV screens at the foot, a handy dressing room and well-lit mirrored table (with ample space for a professional to set up their kit) and a large, open living room that feels cocooned away from the world.

Food and drink

There are numerous buffet and food station offerings served in The Glasshouse, The Grove’s flagship restaurant. Its orangery-style appeal offers a beautiful light-drenched setting, although the vast range of food feels a little over ambitious. The Stables restaurant is situated away from the main house with more of a gastro-pub feel, but it isn’t vastly dissimilar to The Glasshouse. However, there’s also a space for a restaurant in residence, which, in May 2023 is Indian restaurant and catering group Madhus, offering traditional Punjabi cuisine with an elegant ambience. You’d never go hungry here – the Sequoia Spa offers lighter, health-focussed bites; there are outdoor barbecues during the summer months and, for that quintessentially English touch, there’s also afternoon tea available in many of the property’s lounges and beautiful library.

The neighbourhood
The home county of Hertfordshire borders Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Greater London, so The Grove is excellently placed to appeal to a wide range of clientele. Of course The Warner Bros. Studio tour is a star attraction, but London’s closest indoor snow slope in nearby Hemel Hempstead also proves popular. There’s plenty of child-friendly activities in the area, from Paradise Wildlife Park to Willows Activity Farm.

For families

There’s plenty for children at The Grove, with adventure trails, lots of space to roam and a kids club open throughout the day for children from two to nine years old. Some rooms are more suitable for families (and pets) than others, so it’s worth asking for those when you book.

Eco effort

The Grove employs a number of sustainability strategies that are as impressive as they are extensive. The hotel supports local businesses and suppliers, has a focus on effective waste management and energy conservation, and uses rainfall compensation systems. Jemima’s Kitchen Garden allows chefs to pick fresh, seasonal produce on-site, and they produce their own gin and honey. The Grove was awarded Environmental Golf Course of the Year in the 2022 Golf Environment Awards, and they built wetlands to encourage local fauna as part of a local regeneration program. The social impact also extends to local charities who use the premises for meetings and the hotel donates 10% of profits from Cancer spa treatments to the Youth Cancer Trust.

Accessibility information

The Grove has several lifts around the hotel, and removable ramps can be installed if required. There are two fully accessible bedrooms (135 and 235) that have an accessible shower, a wider door, a lowered sink, grab rails and pull cords for assistance. Accessible toilets can be found around the hotel, including at the restaurants and golf club. At the spa, some lifts can take guests down to the basement and the lower spa level. The gym, pool (note that no hoist is available) and dance studio are accessible via the terrace and lift. There is also a fully accessible shower and toilet in the spa on the lower floor, and some treatment beds lower and lift.

Anything left to mention?
Their newly renovated Sequoia spa is a little tricky to access from the main properties. I could not find it beforehand and struggled to find my way out afterwards, so it could use some proper signage. It was crowded at times – getting a lounger by the pool was harder than anticipated. While this spa has well-administered treatments, its prices compete with those of larger, spa-focussed hotels with much more extensive facilities. But it’s always worth having a treatment during your stay to destress and relax, or to soothe your aches after a turn on the golf course.