Beautifully situated in the former manor home of the third Duke of Marlborough lies The Langley — an exclusive five-star hotel with an incredible attention to detail. The hotel lies within Buckinghamshire’s spectacular Langley Park, a mere 40-minute drive from London. From sophisticated rooms and suites to comfortable lounges, The Langley is a place like no other, and just a stone’s throw from Pinewood Studios, one questions whether or not high-profile celebrities have used this incredible hotel as a base.
What’s more, you don’t even need to leave the complex to enjoy a taste of the countryside with bikes on loan offered to guests, and panoramic views of Langley Lake can also be enjoyed from the outdoor swimming pool and the terrace of the bar. With bags taken off your hands on arrival, the reception staff are delighted to help you in the grand entrance hall with original mosaic-tiled flooring and an elaborate floral display below the grand staircase.
The hotel has just 41 plush bedrooms, which are split between the former hunting lodge of the third Duke of Marlborough and the Grade-II listed 18th-century Century Brew House opposite.
Room offerings include Classic, Brew House Deluxe, Main House Deluxe, Main House Suite, Main House Deluxe Suite and more. They have all been meticulously restored with modern furnishings alongside historic features.
My hotel room, number 25, was absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t fault anything about the decor or cleanliness. The attention to detail was immaculate, with luxurious toiletries on offer to use throughout the stay, as well as a spare bath mat and complimentary water.
Other features of the room included a large smart TV screen, a large wardrobe, robes and slippers to use throughout the stay, a mini bar, and a safe.
The hotel is home to a stunning restaurant called Cedar with perfectly crafted cuisine if you’re after something more formal, but lighter options are available in the hotel’s bar area, The Churchill Bar. Cedar captures the spirit of European cuisine, featuring many influences from Spain, France and Italy, all sourced from local suppliers based in and around Buckinghamshire.
A destination in its own right, Cedar had an extensive menu with starters including polenta with mushroom cream, roasted pumpkin and seeds, or pan-fried scallops served on a bed of pumpkin cream, crispy pancetta, lemon balm sponge and salmon caviar. Other options included carpaccio di manzo, delicious 28-day dry-aged beef fillet carpaccio, mascarpone truffle cream, toasted hazelnut, truffle shaving and gold leaf.
The starters were absolutely incredible, with the service quick and efficient, and the waiters made the experience very pleasurable by even propping my handbag up on its own stand to avoid it sitting on the outside floor.
The main course menu was extensive, and you can find a sample one online to check out the offerings, but a few included grilled sea bass, dry-aged beef fillet, a rack of lamb and more. The beef fillet meal, which was served with roasted roots, melted in the mouth and was delicious. Pudding options included tiramisu, which tasted homemade and was incredibly indulgent.
When morning arrives, breakfast is served in the same restaurant, where both continental and cooked options are available for guests. It’s not a buffet, though, with staff working hard to serve hotel guests. Options included a full English breakfast, avocado on toast, French toast and more, but I opted for blueberry pancakes with clotted cream and maple syrup, which was delicious.
The service was incredible and the hotel staff made sure you had everything you needed with no ask ever too much.
I also had to experience the lunch menu while I was there, sitting outside The Churchill Bar, overlooking the stunning grounds. I opted for a steak sandwich, which was served with delicious chips on a bed of salad, and it was delicious. Mocktails, cocktails, and an extensive alcohol list are also available, but I stuck to an iced coffee, which was quick to arrive.
The Langley Spa is one of Europe’s largest indoor spas in a hotel. It features a 16-metre marble-lined swimming pool, a plethora of thermal facilities, and a menu of custom treatments.
The changing rooms were like no other, with private showers and changing rooms, as well as grand areas with mirrors to apply makeup or do your hair. They were incredibly clean and tidy, and staff worked hard to ensure the towels were replenished.
The spa's facilities include hammams (with various bookable body rituals), vitality pools, a pink Himalayan salt-walled sauna, a large jacuzzi, and relaxation rooms.
The spa also has spacious treatment rooms where therapists offer a comfortable setting for individuals or couples. I experienced a relaxing facial and back massage, which was tailored to my needs, and I’ve never felt more relaxed or comfortable. After the hour, I was taken to the relaxation room, which had calm music, hot tea, and beds to wind down.
What’s more, the spa is home to a ladies-only thermal suite where visitors can immerse themselves in the rose quartz steam room and samarium or float in the vitality pool. The Langley Spa also offers a private VIP suite, offering the utmost privacy and allowing users to unwind in uninterrupted seclusion.
The hour I spent relaxing by the outdoor pool after visiting the spa was like no other. Ice lemon water was on offer, as were fresh towels if needed. The heated pool was necessary on a cool April day, and the sun loungers weren’t too close to one another either. The pool setting is gorgeous, overlooking the rear of the hotel, the grounds, and the lake just behind the pool.
Beauty-wise, you’ll find a hair salon, a slick gym where you can work out alone, book bespoke training, and group classes.
The hotel's location is perfect: It is 0.5 miles from the main nearby road, making it a quiet escape. There’s also lots to do in the area, with Black Park opposite and Windsor just down the road, as well as easy access into the capital.
However, I felt the hotel had absolutely everything you needed, and for a one—or two-night stay, you really don’t need to leave the hotel if your aim is to relax.
It’s hard to describe how incredible this hotel is, and the attention to detail was off the chart, compared to other hotels I’ve stayed in. The hotel staff couldn’t do more for you, the food was faultless, the spa was stunning, and the rooms were cosy and comfortable.
Due to only having 41 rooms, each guest is really well looked after, and it’s easy to see how this hotel has gained five stars.
The hotel isn’t cheap, nor are the food or spa treatments, but I would say every single price is justified and reasonable due to the level of service you receive.
Prices vary depending on which day you visit and the time of year. Click here to book a stay at the Langley.
Or, if you wish to compare prices, click here to look at prices on Booking.com.
