Hartwell House

César award in 1997

Set in 'beautiful grounds', this stately home is run by Richard Broyd's Historic House Hotels for the National Trust; Jonathan Thompson is the long-serving manager. It is 'highly recommended' by a visitor this year: 'The bedrooms are comfortable and well equipped; the four drawing rooms are sumptuous, and the food is excellent.' An earlier comment: 'The staff, from the manager down, were charming.' The elegant public rooms have fine plasterwork, marble fireplaces, many antiques. A staircase with Jacobean carvings leads to 30 bedrooms in the main house ('ours was the size of a tennis court'). Some of the rooms in a converted stable block are split-level. The chef, Daniel Richardson, serves British dishes in the candlelit dining room, eg, pork and sage risotto; paupiette of plaice with salmon mousse. The only let-down: 'Flabby toast at breakfast.' Various treatments are available in a spa which has a 'lovely' swimming pool. 'Good snack lunches' and dinner can be taken in the informal spa café/bar. Middlethorpe Hall, York, Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno, Wales (see entries) are also owned by the National Trust. (Zara Elliott)

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Visit the hotel's website for more information

Enjoy a Summer Saving at Hartwell House

Take advantage of a 25% saving on published room rates at Hartwell House in July and August. Ideal for those looking for a short break in the country yet only one hour from central London. Why not be spoilt by attentive staff, enjoy a game of croquet, have a glass of Pimm's on the terrace, sample superb food, relax in luxurious accommodation, and in the morning after a peaceful night's sleep and breakfast take time to explore the Spa. All of this for only £217.50 in a classic double room. Based on two people sharing and includes accommodation, free wifi, full English breakfast, use of the Hartwell Spa and VAT. Subject to availability, must be pre-paid and is non-transferable.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide.

  • Perhaps the best of the National Trust hotels. Very comfortable bedrooms. Beds turned down at night and made during breakfast. Excellent food. Lovely swimming pool in spa, and good snack lunch.Beautiful grounds. Floppy toast at breakfast. Tea on arrival at £5 a head seemed excessive.

    Zara Elliott, 04/09/2011

  • Terrific historic house and landscape. Very friendly service in contrast to some other grand hotels. But updating of bathrooms might be expected in a hotel of this standing. The Spa has a very handsome pool and it usually peaceful, but not as efficiently run or as welcoming as the hotel.

    richard mayou, 11/04/2010

Have you been there? Send us your review of this hotel.

Enjoy a Summer Saving at Hartwell House

Take advantage of a 25% saving on published room rates at Hartwell House in July and August. Ideal for those looking for a short break in the country yet only one hour from central London. Why not be spoilt by attentive staff, enjoy a game of croquet, have a glass of Pimm's on the terrace, sample superb food, relax in luxurious accommodation, and in the morning after a peaceful night's sleep and breakfast take time to explore the Spa. All of this for only £217.50 in a classic double room. Based on two people sharing and includes accommodation, free wifi, full English breakfast, use of the Hartwell Spa and VAT. Subject to availability, must be pre-paid and is non-transferable.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide.

Local attractions

Waddesdon Manor
Stunning house and gardens, with superb tea rooms, owned by the Rothschild family.
Stowe Landscape Gardens
18th-century gardens, with temples, lakes and valleys.
Claydon House
Splendid 18th-century English interiors in an idyllic country setting

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Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts the following discount vouchers:

  • Online vouchers

    These entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

    Print voucher

  • Book vouchers

    This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150. BUY THE GUIDE

    Buy the guide

Enjoy a Summer Saving at Hartwell House

Take advantage of a 25% saving on published room rates at Hartwell House in July and August. Ideal for those looking for a short break in the country yet only one hour from central London. Why not be spoilt by attentive staff, enjoy a game of croquet, have a glass of Pimm's on the terrace, sample superb food, relax in luxurious accommodation, and in the morning after a peaceful night's sleep and breakfast take time to explore the Spa. All of this for only £217.50 in a classic double room. Based on two people sharing and includes accommodation, free wifi, full English breakfast, use of the Hartwell Spa and VAT. Subject to availability, must be pre-paid and is non-transferable.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide.

Contact Details

Hartwell House

Oxford Road, nr Aylesbury AYLESBURY Buckinghamshire England HP17 8NR

Telephone

01296 747444

Website

www.hartwell-house.com

Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

Further Information

Bedrooms

46, 16 in stable block, some on ground floor, 2 suitable for disabled.

Open

all year.

Facilities

lift, ramps, 4 drawing rooms, bar, 3 dining rooms, conference facilities, civil wedding licence, spa (swimming pool, 8 by 16 metres), 90-acre grounds (tennis).

Background music

none.

Children

not under 4.

Dogs

allowed in some bedrooms.

Credit cards

Amex, MasterCard, Visa.

Prices

[to 31 Mar 2013] B&B £102.50-£350 per person, D,B&B from £125, set dinner £23.75, full alc £52, special breaks, Christmas/New Year packages.

GHG voucher offer

Buy the guide and claim 25% off B&B rates on certain dates