Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross
Formerly the Bellhouse, the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross retains a country hotel ambience.
The 138-bedroom four-star hotel, spa and events centre is located at the base of the Chiltern Hills within easy reach of the centre of London. An imposing white building which says “up market Home Counties country retreat”. You could just imagine a Bond Aston Martin pulling up in front for an 007 assignation in this rather grand property nestling in splendid wooded grounds.
But once inside, the state of the art £20m makeover hits you with full force. Not a jarring shock, but a considered remodeling of a rather elegant establishment. The lobby has three dedicated desks to speed your check in and out. The spacious lobby with high ceiling and copper light fittings gives a flavour of the rather smart and stylish multi million pound refurbishment.
Directly behind the reception is to be found the Club Room which offers a quiet and comfortable lounge space for guests. Drinks and nibbles are available 24 hours, and a full range of alcohol with accompanying fresh snacks is served from 5-7pm
The room for Lussorian’s stay was a superior offering complete with Espa toiletries and LED smart TV.
Configured in an L layout, the immediate impression was one of a well thought-throughout plan to design for comfort. The colour palate of the interior did not shy from colourful splashes. Eye catching colourful cushions were arranged on sentry duty in front of the pillows. Another welcome and notable touch was the linen, from sheets to towels – a quality offering. The generous dimensions of the bathroom gave the room a real upscale air enhanced by an equally generous array of shampoos, creams and conditioners. Crowne Plaza had certainly given the make over team instructions to make the transformation of the room upmarket.
There was also attention paid to the day to day needs of the traveller. Teas and coffees were on offer next to the desk. A comfortable armchair afforded the opportunity for guests to take a moment to relax with a soothing beverage. Guests can also avail themselves of a complimentary snacks and drinks in a well stocked mini bar. All the contents are included in the room rate.
The hotel’s 1269 bar and restaurant takes its name from the year that neighboring town Beaconsfield secured a market charter for the trading of livestock. This sets the tone for a menu which is a groaning table of fresh produce. The 1269 Restaurant specializes in livestock, game and butcher-style dishes. Signature dishes created by award-winning head chef Dean Crews, previously of the Charing Cross Hotel, include Buccleuch Estate Beef, aged for 28 days in 1269’s in-house ageing room and cooked authentically on a charcoal Josper grill and 1269’s speciality cured smoked salmon. Designed by SuperFutures, the team behind Chotto Matte and Barrafina, the statement pieces of the restaurant include a freshly hung meat display, a Whisky vault and a bourbon focused drinks menu to rival any London bar.
After being spoilt by the chefs and staff of the 1269 a visit to the spa in the morning only seemed prudent. Wave Spa and Wellness Centre offers a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat with 15m pool, sauna, steam room and five treatment rooms including a Rasul Mud Therapy room. On offer are a full range of treatments – all you would expect in a smart establishment – the difference here is that grooming and massages are offered in the most peaceful and leafy surroundings. For the discerning consumer of wellbeing this a moment of wellbeing well spent.
Lussorian took the quickest route to reversing the calorie intake with a swim in the pool. Situated in the corner of the hotel, the floor to ceiling windows offer a wonderful view of the parkland setting. Overlooking the pool is a jacuzzi, which was a delightful place to rest up between laps, and take in the graceful surroundings of the newly transformed Crowne Plaza. Those in search of a weekend retreat which offers food, drink, and the full range of spa treatments will find a visit to Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross more than fits the bill.
