Beaverbrook

Why book?

Beaverbrook masters the blend of quintessential British finesse and modern hospitality. The tranquillity of its surroundings are indisputable and for anyone looking to get away from the city for a night or two, it’s the perfect place to unwind, both mentally and physically.

Set the scene

Beaverbrook’s main house and grounds were once home to Lord Beaverbrook (friend of Winston Churchill, no less), so there’s a historical element to it that attracts tourists as well as locals. Newer features, though, are what keep people coming back. The spa deserves a mention, as does Frank’s Bar, where cocktails are shaken to a backdrop of paintings by Victorian botanical artist, Marianne North, and velveteen bar stools overlook far-reaching views across the land.

The backstory

The original property dates back to the 1800s but additional “houses” have popped up among the grounds of late. The newest being the Village, where a boules pitch centres the courtyard and an old-school diner adds a nostaglic twang. The most affordable rooms are in the Garden House, while the Coach House is deluxe rooms and suites only.

The rooms

We stayed in the Village, which is a buggy ride from the main house. For a good night’s sleep, it’s ideal; imagine being cocooned in a cloud-like super-king with only the sound of stillness outside. Each room is themed around a famous British author. Take Tolkein, for example. The first-floor studio suite features framed book covers and a map of Middle Earth decorating its deeply coloured walls. There’s also a copy of the Hobbit on the bedside table just waiting to be read in the enormous roll-top bath. That is, of course, if you’re not surrounded by children – this part of the hotel is best enjoyed by families as its interconnecting rooms and modern aesthetic suit larger groups.

In the main house, interiors are traditional and pay homage to the building’s original high-ceilinged architecture and pillared staircase. Of all the rooms available, the Master Suite is the most luxurious. Here, a four-poster bed and full-length windows in the bathroom overlook Surrey’s verdant rolling hills, and the mini bar is included in the room rate – lucky, because staying in your fluffy white dressing gown might just beat getting dressed when it comes to priorities.

The food and drink

The star of the Beaverbrook dining show is the al fresco offering, where red and pink striped hot air balloons top tables and afternoon tea is served from the Japanese Grill. We bypassed this as kids aren’t allowed past 7pm, and enjoyed yet another buggy ride and dinner in the Garden House Restaurant which has an orangery-meets-country-pub feel but serves an array of scrumptious Italian dishes as well as monkfish and steak – both of which were sublime. Little ones are happy here too, as the atmosphere is relaxed, the kids menu is classic, and the service is personal.

Family friendly?

There’s no denying Beaverbrook has been curated with families in mind. It’s a members’ club as well as a hotel, and we noticed regulars in the pool during the allotted hours. There’s a small but well-run kids’ club by Sharkey and George, where genuinely lovely people run craft sessions, puppet shows, and video gaming slots. In the grounds, cycling and walking trails, as well as a wooden treehouse with swings and hidey-holes will keep the older ones entertained in fair weather. As always in the UK, pack wellies and waterproofs to embrace all the hotel has to offer.

The wellness offering

The spa is something of a marvel, and the specially designed Hut Treatment is – it has to be said – remarkable. Wrapped in a fleecy dry robe, I pad past the outdoor pool to a hidden cabin. My therapist washes my feet and starts by handing me a Tibetan sound bowl to hold throughout a short guided meditation, whereby the sound’s energy vibrations reverberate through my tensed up body. It might sound woo-woo but it’s not. This treatment is designed for those with busy schedules and busy minds, and it’s not long before all I can concentrate on is the effects of the biodynamic full body massage, which releases tension in muscles I didn’t even know I had (like under my collar bones..?) Despite the physical treatment being intense and effective in terms of muscular release, it’s the closing sound bath that really allows me to relax. For anyone yet to try it, this is a great alternative to an hour on the floor of a yoga studio.

Anything left to mention?

Don’t be deterred if you’re booking an adults-only escape. As amazing as this hotel was for families, I would have loved to have experienced it without children in tow. Sir Frank’s Bar in the evening followed by dinner at the Japanese Grill and a lie-in sounds like the kind of heavenly getaway I dream of.