With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and winter now in full swing, it’s that time of year when you can’t help dreaming about a luxury weekend escape. And The Langley Hotel in Buckinghamshire is the perfect couples’ retreat, offering opulent accommodation, mouth-watering cuisine and a truly next-level spa experience.
The former hunting lodge of Charles Spencer (a distant relative of both Princess Diana Spencer and Sir Winston Churchill), the third Duke of Marlborough, the hotel is located in Iver in the south of the county.
Part of renowned global hotel group Marriott’s Luxury Collection, this Grade II listed mansion which dates back to 1755, is set within the gorgeously green, 150-acre grounds of Langley Park, just a convenient 20-minute drive from Heathrow Airport. Plus, Langley train station is also just a five-minute drive away, offering easy access to both London and Reading on the Elizabeth Line.
The Langley is the perfect destination for urbanites who prefer their country houses to be luxurious, plush, ultra modern and offer more of an international feel to the traditional charm of British grandeur, and has the same feel and overall vibe of its sister hotel, the Wellesley in London’s upmarket Knightsbridge.
Owned by the founder of Arab Investments and leading hotelier Khalid Affara, who has spent tens of millions on restoring the building to its former glory, the hotel re-opened in 2019 following six years of work with Dennis Irvine Studio.
Hotel
First impressions count, and the main building is an architectural masterpiece. A double staircase in honey-coloured Bath stone leads up to the original front door, and with two curved wings and a huge listed cedar tree to one side, it makes for a spectacular arrival – not to mention offering the perfect backdrop for that Instagram-worthy shot. The large circular water fountain added an extra touch of class.
Inside, the hotel is rather spectacular; it’s open and light, with the use of quality materials evident and giving it a truly opulent and glamorous feel. It’s the very height of luxury, and will certainly appeal to the affluent international visitor.
The entrance hall features a stunning and intricate mosaic floor, beautiful bronze doors manufactured in Italy and a very modern reception desk. It really feels you are in more of a luxury hotel in the city rather than a traditional country house hotel.
Even though the décor has very little to do with the location, the reproduction portraits of the Spencer Churchill family certainly help to highlight the link to the buildings’ former roots and history.
Rooms and suites
The hotel offers 41 rooms and suites, all designed by Dennis Irvine studio and divided between the main house and Grade II-listed outbuilding, the Brew House, which is located just across the driveway. The Brew House has an intriguing history, having begun life as stables before later becoming a space for brewing beer – and its current iteration still features nods to its past.
The first-floor rooms in the main house circle the exquisite staircase, and there are further rooms in the former top-floor servants’ quarters.
I stayed in a Main House Junior Suite, where the décor continued with the international feel of the hotel and was plush, well designed and extremely tasteful.
I loved the high ceiling, sumptuous draped curtains, ornate fireplace, super soft carpet, delightfully designed furniture, wardrobes, bedside tables and the most comfortable king-size bed you could imagine. The large leather headboard added an element of glitz and glamour.
The slick marble bathroom boasted a large walk-in shower and Edwardian-style sink offered that real wow factor.
Technology was cleverly used throughout, with an easy-to-use temperature control and a massive wall-mounted wide-screen television, which offered a decent selection of channels.
Overall, the room was modern, spacious, comfortable and very upscale, but did not really tell the story behind the history of the house.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to the very height of luxury, then be sure to book the Duke of Marlborough Suite for your stay. Overlooking the grounds and the lake, this opulent space was once the bedroom of the third Duke of Marlborough, but has since been transformed into a spectacular haven for guests. It boasts three bedrooms, which is great if you’re visiting as a family or with friends, as is centred around an unusual octagonal lounge with a large bay window offering stunning lake views. All rooms in the suite feature unique, original features – such as the impressive crystal chandeliers by Bella Figura.
Rooms over in the Brew House are more characterful (less regal) and reflect the playful nature of former owners who brewed their own ferments.
The hotel is happy to accommodate well behaved dogs in the Terrace Rooms, located in the Brew House, and throughout the grounds. However, four-legged companions are not currently permitted in the main house.
Food and drink
The hotel is a haven for foodies looking for a high-quality culinary inspired break.
Cedar, the hotel’s very plush fine dining restaurant, blends the charm of traditional British cuisine with some stunning Mediterranean-inspired flavours, to create dishes that are fresh, feel healthy and delicious but simply presented. Cedar overlooks the park and is dominated by gold and mirrored glass ceiling lights, which helps to create a sophisticated feel, and a spectacular setting to enjoy a lunch or evening meal.
Meanwhile, a quintessential afternoon tea is served in the rather exquisite Drawing Room. Both offer outdoor settings, with terraces that overlook the lake and estate grounds.
At the heart of the hotel’s culinary offerings is head chef Alfonso Allocca. He draws from his deep-rooted passion for Italian cooking while celebrating the finest locally sourced ingredients, with his approach to food grounded in the belief that the very best dishes start with the freshest produce. His menu at Cedar certainly reflects this ethos, with each dish carefully crafted to offer not just flavour but a sensory experience.
Successfully capturing the spirit of European cuisine, the menu featureds many influences from France and Spain, and the best of Italian flavours at its heart, all made with ingredients sourced from local suppliers based in and around Buckinghamshire.
For starter, the beef tartare was a delicious way to kick off the meal. Aged beef fillet is served with capers, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pickled Tropea onion, a dehydrated egg yolk and vegetable julienne. A beautifully presented dish, the beef was perfectly chopped and melted in the mouth, while the Worcestershire sauce added a nice amount of heat and the egg was light and creamy, helping to ensure a well balanced, well seasoned and very tasty version of this classic French dish.
For mains, I opted for the zuppa di pesce. This rustic Italian seafood stew/soup was packed with mussels, clams, gurnard and king prawns, served in a tasty broth enriched with datterini tomatoes and a selection of herbs. A seafood delight that packed a real punch with the rich tomato sauce adding great depth and flavour. A toasted crostini would have been a welcome addition, but overall a very comforting Italian fish soup that will make you feel like you’re feasting on the Adriatic coast.
For dessert, there is no better way to end than with an authentic Italian Tiramisu. Cedar’s version was made up of coffee-dipped homemade ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and grated chocolate and was light, creamy and highly addictive. Simple, but very delicious.
It’s all very accomplished cooking using some fantastic produce, but perhaps lacks the wow factor to achieve a Michelin star – something that I personally feel a hotel of The Langley’s standing should be holding, and especially if it wants to become one of the best luxury hotels outside of London.
Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable three-course meal that was certainly worthy of at least two AA Rosettes. Personally, I would have loved to have seen the addition of an amuse–bouche and a pre-dessert, as I feel this would have elevated the meal and added an extra layer of sophistication to the entire dining experience.
The sommelier was knowledgeable and a real asset to the hotel, with his wine recommendations working perfectly with the dishes throughout the meal, and the service was polished and attentive without being too over the top.
Breakfast is also served in Cedar and offers all of the usual options such as the full English, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and eggs benedict as well as some international dishes. It was all very pleasant, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The ornamental library-lined Churchill Bar’s offers an all-day dining menu with all the usual British classics, and features plush leather armchairs that offer the perfect spot to sink a cognac or sip on a glass of Champagne. Rare cigars are kept fresh in a custom humidor if you’re so inclined, too. With an exclusive, private feel, it evokes the aesthetic of a traditional country home, featuring tartan inspired carpets and an impressive portrait of Churchill himself displayed above a restored fireplace.
Interestingly, Churchill was a distant relative of the Third Duke of Marlborough who called The Langley home, and he is known to have named his daughter Sarah, after the Duchess.
Facilities
The Langley’s piece-de-resistance is undoubtedly its impressive, state-of-the-art subterranean spa, which spans 1,600sq ft and includes a 16.5 metre, infinity-edge indoor swimming pool, extensive thermal area, five dedicated treatment rooms, a private VIP suite and a ladies’ thermal suite – a whole area devoted to women only.
Designed by the respected Dennis Irvine Studio, it combines striking design elements with world-class facilities. There’s a mixed thermal area, where the main swimming pool is heated to 30 degrees, and a hammam where guests can enjoy either Turkish or Moroccan hammam treatments which use steam to perform a traditional cleansing and relaxation ritual.
The salt-infused steam room and Himalayan salt sauna offer a rejuvenating experience, too, while the vitality pool is a great way to round things off, with powerful jets that pummel and massage the body to aid relaxation and blood circulation.
The benefits of cold water therapy are well-documented these days, so it was great to see an ice fountain offered as part of the set-up where guests can brave a cold plunge between thermal treatments (if you’re brave enough).
But the real star of the show has to be the female-only thermal area. I couldn’t use it myself, of course, but I could certainly appreciate it for the unique offering that it is – and so too, no doubt, will the hotel’s female guests. Despite having visited many luxury hotels around the world, it’s the first time I’ve ever come across such a thing, and with a soothing rose quartz steam room and samarium plus a vitality pool with heated loungers, it would be the perfect spot for indulging in a relaxing spa weekend if you’re a group of female friend or family members – or to simply unwind in the utmost of peace and tranquility whilst enjoying some alone time.
The spa offers a range of indulgent treatments that can be booked in advance and are based around lavish Sisley products for the face and body, and Margaret Dabbs for the hands and feet.
It’s the very embodiment of modern-day luxury and opulence, and undoubtedly the hotel’s biggest asset. Not only does this have to be one of the very best hotel spas in the UK, but apparently it’s also the largest.
The Langley also offers a beauty studio where guests can enjoy a range of beauty treatments including manicures and pedicures, as well as a hair and barbering studio and one of the most advanced fitness centres in the UK. Boasting cutting-edge cardiovascular equipment, custom-designed exercise and health tools and standout feature “Prama” – a state-of-the-art interactive floor and wall, designed to enhance speed, agility, and power – this is no ordinary hotel gym, so if you’re keen to keep up your fitness regime during your stay, then you’re in exactly the right place. It was hands down the best hotel gym I’ve ever been to – and again, that’s saying something.
To do
Outside of its health and wellness facilities, the hotel offers plenty more for guests to enjoy, including a tennis court and a six-seat cinema, which makes for some really exclusive-feeling film viewing.
With acres of tree-lined tracks and footways, the Langley Park and the surrounding area present countless opportunities to explore and wander from the beaten path and immerse yourself in nature, and outdoor activities including falconry, archery and shooting can be arranged via the hotel’s concierge.
Resident pygmy goats Nutmeg and Cinnamon live within a spacious enclosure on the property, and if you’d like to go and meet and feed them then this can also be arranged. The apiary, down by the lake, is also a must visit, and here, the beehives filled with honey bees produce honey for use in the kitchen and for guests to purchase. The beekeeping efforts here also help with the pollination of local wildflowers, ensuring that the countryside continues to burst into colourful bloom again each springtime. And plans are afoot, I’m told, for a beekeeping experience to be made available to guests in the near future.
If you’re planning on visiting The Langley with children and aren’t sure how you’ll keep them entertained, then you’ll be glad to know that the hotel partners with premium children’s entertainment company Sharky and George, who are based on site and on hand to entertain children over five each day. Activities vary depending on the season, but include fun outdoor pursuits like den building and treasure hunts when the weather permits.
In a nutshell
A beautifully restored, 18th-century Palladian-style mansion, The Langley is perfect for couples looking for a romantic break but also good for families with young children.
A great countryside escape on the edge of London offering one of the best hotel spas in the UK, it’s the perfect choice for a weekend getaway. Staff are warm, enthusiastic and engaging and nothing was too much trouble, so you can be sure you’ll feel thoroughly welcome.
Factbox
Double rooms from £520 in low season; and from £541 in high. Breakfast included.
Located in: Langley Park Country Park
Address: Avenue Dr, Uxbridge Rd, Iver, Slough SL3 6DU
Phone: 020 7236 3636
Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/loniv-the-langley-a-luxury-collection-hotel
