Chandler's Cross
Hertfordshire
WD3 4TG
UK
Hertfordshire
WD3 4TG
UK
Date: July 2010
Overall Little Jet Setter Rating: FIVE STARS
Hotel Class (as per http://www.tripadvisor.com/): 5 stars
The Room:
Size: Varies depending on room type - we were in the new wing (and by wing I mean enormous 3 story extension with millions of rooms). Lots of room for baby cot.
Cot: Proper Cot with full bedding supplied
Overall Little Jet Setter Rating: FIVE STARS
Hotel Class (as per http://www.tripadvisor.com/): 5 stars
The Room:
Size: Varies depending on room type - we were in the new wing (and by wing I mean enormous 3 story extension with millions of rooms). Lots of room for baby cot.
Cot: Proper Cot with full bedding supplied
Child Amenities: You can purchase a stuffed donkey called Earl Grey from your room. Lots of kids information and things to do.
Cleanliness: Clean and functional - nothing wow about the room.
Bath v Shower: Shower over the bath.
Location of Room: Sometimes you wanted to leave a breadcrumb trail to get you back to the spa or the reception or the way out. This place is huge, but the labyrinth did have good signage!
Noise: Very quiet even though we were overlooking the car park.
Cleanliness: Clean and functional - nothing wow about the room.
Bath v Shower: Shower over the bath.
Location of Room: Sometimes you wanted to leave a breadcrumb trail to get you back to the spa or the reception or the way out. This place is huge, but the labyrinth did have good signage!
Noise: Very quiet even though we were overlooking the car park.
Air Conditioning: Available, but didn't need it with an open window.
The Room Score = 3/5
The Grounds:
Buggy-friendly?: Very much so - wide, easy hallways and lifts inside, lots of smooth pathways for outside around the grounds and excellent walking/biking/buggy trails for taking in the out of doors.
Safety: You are coddled in a lovely setting with lots of secure grounds around the buildings.
The Room Score = 3/5
The Grounds:
Buggy-friendly?: Very much so - wide, easy hallways and lifts inside, lots of smooth pathways for outside around the grounds and excellent walking/biking/buggy trails for taking in the out of doors.
Safety: You are coddled in a lovely setting with lots of secure grounds around the buildings.
Shady areas: There are plenty of areas to sit in the natural shade under trees, or canopies and umbrellas around the outdoor pool. The grounds include a walled garden with games pitches, pool, beach volleyball court (and associated beach shack for drinks and food), greenhouse with louging areas and kitchen garden. Lovely.
The Grounds Score = 5/5
The Pool:
NOTE: there are actually 4 pools: 1 adult-only indoor pool in the spa, 1 adult only indoor vitality pool with water therapy in the spa, 1 outdoor adult and child pool in the walled garden, 1 indoor kiddie pool beside the kids club. Whew...I think I counted them all...this review will concentrate on the outdoor and kiddie pools.
Shallowness: steps on one side of the pool that allow for gradual entry. Lots of area around the pool both with paving stones and grass. Right next to the beachy area so should they get bored with the pool (as if), they can move to the sand.
Cleanliness: perfect.
Water Temperature: Warm and inviting - may be a bit chilly to sit outside in the UK on many a "summer" day.
Toys: allowed and supplied - within posh reason.
Safety: Wide areas around the pool, easy to see all areas.
Location within grounds: in the walled garden with a New England seaside feel to it.
Shady areas: Seating outside with umbrellas - loungers in the next door greenhouse for serious sloths.The Grounds Score = 5/5
The Pool:
NOTE: there are actually 4 pools: 1 adult-only indoor pool in the spa, 1 adult only indoor vitality pool with water therapy in the spa, 1 outdoor adult and child pool in the walled garden, 1 indoor kiddie pool beside the kids club. Whew...I think I counted them all...this review will concentrate on the outdoor and kiddie pools.
Shallowness: steps on one side of the pool that allow for gradual entry. Lots of area around the pool both with paving stones and grass. Right next to the beachy area so should they get bored with the pool (as if), they can move to the sand.
Cleanliness: perfect.
Water Temperature: Warm and inviting - may be a bit chilly to sit outside in the UK on many a "summer" day.
Toys: allowed and supplied - within posh reason.
Safety: Wide areas around the pool, easy to see all areas.
Location within grounds: in the walled garden with a New England seaside feel to it.
The Pool Score = 5/5
The Food:
Kid-friendly food: Absolutely - kids menus at the Glasshouse (buffet) restaurant and Stables (pub restaurant). You can ask for purees and special requests. Ice cream trolley around the walled garden. Snacks and drinks scattered near the pools and spa.
Proximity of restaurant to rooms: It could be a hike as the place is enormous. However, it is all indoors down corridors, and rooms could be very close by.
Kids in the bar: Allowed everywhere!
High Chairs: Yes - in abundance.
Will they do purees?: Yes - they make a point of mentioning it so you don't need to guess.
Access to milk or formula: You are on a large property, so no access to outside shops, but there is an extensive kids facility and milk and formula are available.
The Food Score: 5/5
The Location:
Access to local restaurants and bars: You don't come to the Grove to leave the property. Watford isn't far, but why would you dream of going there? 3 Restaurants on site and light fayre at the pool and spa.
Buggy routes: Have buggy will travel.Will they do purees?: Yes - they make a point of mentioning it so you don't need to guess.
Access to milk or formula: You are on a large property, so no access to outside shops, but there is an extensive kids facility and milk and formula are available.
The Food Score: 5/5
The Location:
Access to local restaurants and bars: You don't come to the Grove to leave the property. Watford isn't far, but why would you dream of going there? 3 Restaurants on site and light fayre at the pool and spa.
Drives: About 10 minutes from Watford where the train can take you in to central London in 25 minutes Close to Heathrow Airport. Gatwick would be easiest via the train versus a substantial 1.5 hour drive.
Taxis: The hotel has a car service with taxi-equivalent prices to take you where you need to go.
The Location Score = 4/5
The Baby Services:
Babysitting: Yes - minimum 3 hours
Kids Club: Yes - Anouska's Kids Club is an amazing size for a hotel-only creche. It is OFSTED registered, so conforms to all kinds of rules and safety. They have baby rooms and toddler rooms with dedicated staff.
Laundry: YesTaxis: The hotel has a car service with taxi-equivalent prices to take you where you need to go.
The Location Score = 4/5
The Baby Services:
Babysitting: Yes - minimum 3 hours
Kids Club: Yes - Anouska's Kids Club is an amazing size for a hotel-only creche. It is OFSTED registered, so conforms to all kinds of rules and safety. They have baby rooms and toddler rooms with dedicated staff.
Fridge: In room
Amenities: The White Company Products for Mum and Dad.
For Mum and Dad: The spa. Oooohhh the spa. It is lovely and complete with everything you could think of. Very relaxing and quiet and lots of options from massage, beauty, steam room, sauna, water therapy, pool...the list goes on. Bikes are also available to hit the trails. 18 Hole golf course (when we were there Colin Montgomerie was playing...can't be that bad a course then!). Fancy dining at Colettes allows children...but perhaps this should be a special place for you instead?
The Baby Services Score: 5/5
General Comments:
The Grove is a lovely place for family fun. It is NOT a boutique hotel. If you prefer a more intimate experience, this is not it. However, they do have a wonderful setting, ammenities, and style that makes it a world away from a big chain hotel. It is very well kitted out for events - from weddings to corporate retreats - so you can imagine that there is an enormous amount of space, staff and rooms. The chilled out chic style still seems to seep through. It isn't cheap - but they do some deals to cater to various interests.
Amenities: The White Company Products for Mum and Dad.
For Mum and Dad: The spa. Oooohhh the spa. It is lovely and complete with everything you could think of. Very relaxing and quiet and lots of options from massage, beauty, steam room, sauna, water therapy, pool...the list goes on. Bikes are also available to hit the trails. 18 Hole golf course (when we were there Colin Montgomerie was playing...can't be that bad a course then!). Fancy dining at Colettes allows children...but perhaps this should be a special place for you instead?
The Baby Services Score: 5/5
General Comments:
The Grove is a lovely place for family fun. It is NOT a boutique hotel. If you prefer a more intimate experience, this is not it. However, they do have a wonderful setting, ammenities, and style that makes it a world away from a big chain hotel. It is very well kitted out for events - from weddings to corporate retreats - so you can imagine that there is an enormous amount of space, staff and rooms. The chilled out chic style still seems to seep through. It isn't cheap - but they do some deals to cater to various interests.
Funky plexiglass cases are dotted around the corridors - check out the two pics below - if you go - try to find them!
This may also be one for a Mum's getaway or a Dad's golf break. The Grove caters well to the whole family...but you may feel like you want to keep it all to yourself.
Overall Score = 27/30
This may also be one for a Mum's getaway or a Dad's golf break. The Grove caters well to the whole family...but you may feel like you want to keep it all to yourself.
Overall Score = 27/30
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