For me visiting hotels isn’t just an exciting part of my life, but it has become a genuine hobby. You learn lots of things when staying in hotels and you learn from many mistakes along the way too. The more time you spend at hotels, the more you also indulge in room service and utilising what your room has to offer. We enjoyed that to the fullest here at Sopwell House, practically never leaving our room – except for a very special dinner.
Check-in at reception was as swift as always and our bags were quickly taken away to our room. We decided to hibernate in the warmth of the reception area before seeing our room and tucking ourselves up next to the roaring fireplace. There are lots of little seating areas here where you can sit back and enjoy a spot of people watching as guests arrive through the main doors.
Delve a little further into this property and you’ll find it houses many more spaces and places to eat than its exterior gives away. A very well stocked bar, main fine dining restaurant, afternoon tea lounge and towards the back of the property a more casual bistro restaurant. There’s also a rather large award-winning spa which we later that day discovered is getting a multi million pound makeover – yet another excuse for us to return.
These gorgeous mews suites were designed by RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Gold award winner, Ann-Marie Powell and she’s turned these mews into something extra special. Enter through a private gate, stroll through the lush green gardens and step into your suite – ours was the Lavender suite.
Designed by an award-winning designer, our duplex suite was spread out over two floors and comes complete with its own mini ‘spa garden’. Step in through the doors of this suite and you’ll find a lovely lounge heated up by a roaring gas fireplace, cosy seating area, kitchenette and some lovely welcome treats.
Through to the bedroom we climbed the white washed staircase and into our cosy room. A large king-sized double bed (which was incredibly cosy), huge wardrobe space, desk area for writing, spacious en-suite shower room and some rather lovely views over the communal garden – perfect for finding that moment when the shared hydropool was empty for your own private use.
Heading back downstairs we turned that roaring fireplace up to full blast, especially as we were on our way out to enjoy our private hot tub and my gosh was it freezing outside!
And here it is, that stunning private outdoor cedar wood spa bath. We climbed in, taking our welcome snacks with us and a bottle of bubbles shortly arrived. It was so lovely and warm inside the tub and we spent probably far too long in it. To give you an idea of just how cold it was outside that day our ice bucket completely froze over within the hour trapping our bubbles in the bucket! Even our water turned into blocks of ice.
That evening we had dinner booked in the hotels main restaurant for their recently launched Gourmet Encounter evening. An exclusive banquet style dining experience hosted by renowned Swiss chef André Jaeger and Executive Head Chef at Sopwell House, Gopi Chandran. Five delicious courses, matching wine pairings and a few surprises along the way. Read all about my full dining experience HERE.
After dinner we snuck back into our mews suites and couldn’t resist a cheeky late night dip in the shared hydrotherapy pool. Accompanied by a glass of wine (or two) of course.
The next morning the other half spent an hour in our private hot tub with the newspaper, while I left him too it and enjoyed that hydropool all to myself. We then worked up our appetite and enjoyed breakfast ordered to our room. A quality full English, selection of pastries, juices and more preserves than we could ever need.
Once again we had such a lovely stay here at Sopwell House and those fond memories from my previous visit were only heightened on this return. Even just as we left I encountered a familiar face from my previous visit and we enjoyed a lovely little catch up. It just shows you the type of passionate people looking after Sopwell House Hotel. If you’re looking for the perfect stay just like we experienced and only one hour from London – you’ll find complete comfort here in St Albans.
NB: Our stay was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
I love everything about your suite! It all looks so lovely