If there’s one thing that takes the edge off a relaxing spa weekend in the UK, it’s having to drive three hours on a traffic-filled motorway to get there. And starting in London, there are few country-house spa hotels which don’t require that.
So imagine my surprise and relief when it turned out that Google Maps hadn’t lied and a mere 46 minutes after leaving home, I was cruising down the tree-lined driveway to The Langley, Buckinghamshire.
Just outside Slough, the Langley is the latest opening from the Marriott's Luxury Collection chain — welcoming guests after five years in the making, including three and half years of painstaking restoration.
Much of the interior is from or uses the original house, given to the Duke of Marlborough by the royal family. The lobby floor dates back to 1760, the Brew House accommodation is housed inside the original 18th century building, while the gardens use the original designs drawn up by Capability Brown.
After being greeted by possibly the world’s most enthusiastic porter we were shown to our suite in the main house which consisted of three separate rooms: bedroom, lounge and a massive marble bathroom.
There are only 41 rooms in the hotel — you’ll find Hermes toiletries in all, while exposed beams contribute to a slightly more country feel to the rooms in the Brew House. There are even dog-friendly rooms with an outdoor terrace.
As listed buildings, the majority is restored rather than new, although the few additions include a top-of-the-range underground spa and fitness suite designed by celebrity trainer Matt Roberts, plus pools and a hammam.
The indoor pool area is especially relaxing: no jaunty music to accompany your swim here; just silence so you can relax to a soundtrack of the pool water gently lapping the edges of the jewel-toned, marble-lined pool.
The treatment rooms are equally silent and relaxing. I had the Sweetness in Bloom treatment which included a leg and foot ‘ritual’, a facial and one of the best back massages I’ve had in a hotel spa.
Emerging ready for drinks on the terrace, I found the first signs that the hotel was so newly opened — for just 30 days when I stayed. Staff were friendly and eager to help but it took a while for our drinks menus to arrive, despite being only one of a handful on the terrace.
Then there was confusion moving our drinks to our table in the Cedar restaurant, although dinner itself was a success, with lots of fish, vegetarian and vegan options as well as a vegetarian tasting menu. I should have been too full for dessert but thankfully not — I highly recommend the peanut and chocolate cake.
Breakfast wasn’t quite as impressive, with a very basic buffet of some chopped fruit, a few sad-looking pastries, cheese and boxed cereal. For £28 most guests would expect more for their money.
The a la carte looked more promising, but my tiny bowl of Bircher muesli left me hungry long before lunch time, especially disappointing given its £12 price tag.
But after another swim and a stroll around the grounds, I could arrive home (in less than an hour) still able to remember how relaxing the experience had been.
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