Hartwell House is one of England’s finest stately homes and is situated in the beautiful countryside of Buckinghamshire. The hotel is set in over 90 acres of garden and parklands with magnificent views of wildlife, including the estate’s grazing cows and quacking ducks.

The architecture and interior designs are remarkable and flow throughout the home including the external Jacobean and Georgian facades, while Hartwell House’s most famous resident being Louis XVIII the exiled King of France who lived there for 5 years.

Every room has its own unique character and story with rococo ceilings, antique furniture and paintings and no details spared. I was amazed at the abundance of history this beautiful home has and if you wish to learn more, you can fulfil your experience at Hartwell by opting for a history tour which is fascinating including the real secrets of this majestic home – guaranteed to make your whole experience even more meaningful.

From the moment I stepped through the door I knew this hotel was going to be out of this world. The meet and greet made me feel like royalty, the helpful gestures of taking our luggage to our room allowed us to peruse around the house at our leisure.

I felt right at home soaking up all the historical architecture and stories. It’s fascinating to hear who the residents have been over the years and now it is under the ownership of the National Trust.

After settling in we headed up the feature staircase that has beautiful hand-crafted wooden statues. We were staying in The Queens Room, No. 12 and wow this room is incredible! Having stayed in many luxurious hotels, I can honestly say that it is the best room I have ever stayed in – everything about it was pure perfection.

Once belonging to the Queen of  King Louis XVIII, you can just imagine how impressive it would be. The room was very generous in space and seating, along with the enormous royal four poster bed – style I could absolutely get used to! The views overlooked the gardens with the cows and bridge in sight, with a luxury cushioned window seat asking its visitor to sit and pause for a while. We were spoilt with two wardrobes, a dressing table, drinks station and a high end finished marble bathroom with the biggest bathtub I’ve ever soaked in – I nearly disappeared!

We freshened up in time for Afternoon Tea and loved that we could choose which rooms we wanted to be seated in. We sat in the window seat of the morning room, watching the wildlife outside whilst soaking up all the glorious original features in the grand room. There’s even a photograph of the Queen Mother on the sideboard showing her visiting Hartwell too.

There was a delicious list of teas and drinks available alongside the scones, cakes, sandwiches and quiche. The food was very flavoursome with one of our favourite pieces being the tomato quiche.

After devouring cake, tea and scones, we strolled around the gardens as they really shouldn’t be missed. The sun was out as were the ducks, following the path in a circular loop around the house to show it from all the angles. If the weather turns to rain on your visit, reception have wellies and umbrellas for guests to use so you can still roam around the historical estate.

Next it was on to some TLC at the Hartwell Spa, where you can indulge in a treatment or a relax by the pool. There is also an outdoor lounging area, every little detail has been thought of! The tennis courts are in the nearby gardens and equipment can be provided. And did I mention the beautiful path of flower meadows which you can walk along on the way to the spa. It’s like a painting.

The atmosphere at Hartwell House is extremely relaxing. You can browse the dinner menu in the comfort of the luxurious furnished rooms whilst enjoying a pre-dinner drink and once dinner is ready to be served, you’ll be seated in the dining room where the team will serve you professionally and attentively.

The menu holds a good selection of meat, fish and vegetarian options for everyone and the olive bread for absolutely amazing – a definite must-try.  Of course, we mustn’t forget the incredible dessers including hand-crafted chocolate which was so delicate.

The morning after was like waking up in a dream. Imagine being King Louis’ Queen – waking up here every morning – such a lucky lady! A fresh cup of coffee was enjoyed whilst watching the sunrise. I must add that the bed and pillows were so soft and comfy, as I think it is very important for a good night’s sleep!

Once dressed and ready we wandered down to the dining room where we were welcomed with a continental spread of deliciousness in the grand hallway. We chose a seat and were waited on with the breakfast menu along with beverages and fresh juice.

I didn’t want our stay to come to an end, it was such a beautiful experience – like escaping into a dream world! Perfect for celebrating a special occasion with family or friends or just because you feel you deserve a treat, Hartwell House is easily accessible by car or train with many exciting locations near by including the famous Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor and if you like a little shopping Bicester Village is close by.

Find out more about Hartwell House, by visiting the website.