Hartwell House

Hartwell House, one of England's stately homes, just forty miles north west of London, was restored between 1987 and 1992 by Historic House Hotels, also owners of Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales and Middlethorpe Hall in York. The house has both Jacobean and Georgian features with outstanding decorative ceilings and paneling, fine paintings and antique furniture in its elegant and spacious rooms. It has a remarkable history; it most famous resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, for five years from 1809. In 1938 the house and estate were rescued by Ernest Cook, an early hero of the conservation movement. The large and historic public rooms provide magnificent settings of great comfort for relaxing with friends and enjoying the imaginative cooking of our chef. The dramatic Gothic hall and staircase with its Jacobean carved figures lead to 30 superb bedrooms and suite, some named after the members of the Court of Louis XVIII. Hartwell House stands in 90 acres of parkland, landscaped by a contemporary of Capability Brown, with a lake spanned by a stone bridge, a ruined church and many 18th century statues and garden buildings. On the approach to Hartwell House, flanking magnificent iron gates is Hartwell Court containing 10 suites and 6 bedrooms, all decorated to the same high standards as those in the house. Many have gardens views and are ideal for guests seeking seclusion and privacy. Hartwell Spa is housed in a splendid building modeled on an orangey and contains a generous-sized swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, saunas and a well-equipped gymnasium. There are four beauty salons providing a wide range of treatments by highly trained consultants. In the gallery overlooking the pool is the Spa Buttery, an informal restaurant serving drinks and light meals throughout the day. There are two all weather tennis courts nearby in the gardens.