If you are looking for a tranquil spa break from the bustle of everyday life and the noise of the city, there are stunning views and an indulgent stay waiting for you at the Burnham Beeches Hotel. Located just a stone’s throw away from Central London, I hopped on the Elizabeth Line with my friend, Harshita Sharma for a quick spa break and a weekend getaway.
The four-star Georgian hotel and spa is located in the heart of Buckinghamshire. Nestled amidst misty woods and set against the backdrop of lazy fields and rolling hills, Burnham Beeches Hotel is a brilliant location to relax, whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, a cosy girls’ night, a wholesome mini vacation for the family or even a wedding.
Since is it situated very close to Heathrow and London city, the commute is a breeze and strategically convenient if you want to club a city break to explore either Windsor or London as part of your visit to the hotel – which is exactly why what we did after the stay, got the train to Windsor!
A retreat immersed in nature
Once we arrived at the hotel we were escorted to our room, a Twin Beech Room, ideal to be shared by two people. The facilities and furnishings were impeccable as the room came fully equipped with a two windows overlooking the woods and the gardens, a round table and armchairs beside them, everything you need to make a hot drink, a desk space and a bathroom fitted with a shower and a bathtub.
What further elevated the experience for me was the small details that went into decorating the room, all of which embodies the essence of a nature-inspired stay, be it the framed print of an extract from the “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray in the room or the leafy motifs that adorned the curtains, welcome card and other accesories that were part of the decor.
Depending on who you are travelling with you can choose from a range of rooms available at the hotel. You have the Nest Double Rooms, Beech Double Rooms, the Hive Family Rooms, the Oak Character Room with its stunning forest inspired wallpapers and natural touches or the Canopy suites for the views and perks like luxury bath robes, queen-size bed and a Nespresso machine.
But if you’re feeling particularly fancy, the Hotel’s Clifton suite which is also their biggest room is sure to be a memorable treat. Retaining the grandeur of the original manor house with the luxurious interiors, artistic wallpaper, spacious proportions, the charming four-poster bed and a quaint round dining table overlooking the lawns, everything about this room feels like old-world royalty. The ornate bathtub that sits on one side of the room is just the added cherry on top. It’s no surprise that this is also their Bridal Suite.
The hotel is also dog-friendly and they offer several accessible ground floor rooms with a selection of spa treatments that can be brought directly to your room.
Experience dining in pure tranquillity
The nature-inspired theme continues on to the hotel’s halls, common spaces and dining areas as well where we were first welcomed for an Afternoon Tea at the Evergreen Tea Room. The teal-coloured interiors decorated with framed prints of botanicals, fauna and vintage accessories creates a soothing ambieannce speckled with old worldly grandeur. Once our teas and cake stand arrived, it was easy to picture the legacy of this tradition this room would have stood witness to since the early 19th century when the local aristocracy would gather for tea as part of their daily routine.
Fast forward to present day, our refreshments were served on gorgeous cutlery, all adorned with floral and botanical motifs and our cake stand arrived with a selection of homemade finger sandwiches, tarts, hot scones and delicious cakes. My favourites were the scones and clotted cream – the flavours were perfect, and Harshita was a fan of the carrot cake, which was especially well crafted with the dainty carrot decoration on top.
There is also the Verdure Lounge Bar if you fancy a quick cocktail before dinner. The lounge with its beautiful interiors, regal walls, cosy armchairs and a fireplace is nothing short of splendid. There is also The Den which is perfect for a relaxing evening, sipping your favourite drink, indulging in a game of pool or sitting down with a friend for a wholesome evening of good conversation and entertainment.
The Brasserie 1727, accentuated with minimalistic wood furnishings an black and white checkered flooring which adds to the appeal of the relaxed dining area is where dinner is served. After a relaxing evening spent enjoying the leisure facilities at the hotel, dinner was the perfect time to unwind over conversation and good food. I have to mention the staff do a brilliant job of familiarising you with the seasonal dishes on offer.
I went for the King Prawn & Chorizo Linguine which was creamy, flavourful and topped with fresh basil, while Harshita opted for the Chicken Medley which she thoroughly loved as well. For dessert, we settled on the Dark Chocolate Bomb which also comes with a stunning presentation. With hot caramel poured over it, the dessert opens up to reveal chocolatey goodness, garnished with fresh strawberries.
The Arden Room is also great for a more traditional and formal dining experience. The following morning breakfast was the picture of serenity. We were sat at a little table by the long windows with a stunning view of the gardens. There had a gorgeous spread of Continental and English breakfast with vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Rejuvenate at the Soul Spa
The Soul Spa at Burnham Beeches is exceptional when it comes to offering a truly luxurious spa experience. I had a full body massage booked with therapist Guppi who was wonderful as she explained what the treatment entailed, what areas would be targeted and regularly checking in if I was comfortable throughout the process.
The space in itself was set up to create a tranquil ambience with the large bay windows and a stunning bathtub positioned at the centre for an elevated look. The massage table and work area was drenched in the warm glow of dim lights and a soothing fragrance.
Equipped with an indulgent selection of Temple Spa products, Guppi began to work her magic with oils, relaxing gels, aromatherapy and lotions. Every muscle in my body was relaxed, and my mind was at ease as I walked out of the massage room. They offer a wide range of spa packages for half-day breaks, dusk and dinner experiences or mini staycations like this.
Apart from the spa and treatments, the hotel also has an impressive set of leisure facilities ranging from a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym. The size of the sauna was the only space with some scope for improvement that I noticed as it could feel bit tight with 3 or more people. While I was getting pampered at the spa, Harshita chose to go for a morning swim after which I joined her at the sauna, followed by some time in the steam room, which was particularly exceptional as they had also infused a very mild, but invigorating fragrance into the steam which amplified the overall experience for me.
For those who want to dabble in a bit of outdoor time while they are here, you also have a bike hire service if you wish to take some time to cycle around the countryside and take in the fresh air and relaxing views. There are also tennis, paddle or pickleball courts if you fancy a quick game. For just £30 per person, you’ll receive everything you need to play comfortably, including a bottle of water and a towel, which is a great deal. For an additional £10, you can also enjoy 2 hours of access to the pool and jacuzzi as well.
Experience the festive splendour of the Georgian manor
With Christmas and New Year celebrations just around the corner, if you fancy some time away for a festive treat, Burnham Beeches offers a variety of holiday packages and events you can be a part of. From 21st December to 30th December, you can now get a whopping 30% off on your stay with them.
30% off
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If shorter getaways are more your cup of tea, you can head to the hotel with your little ones for a festive Afternoon Tea with Santa which features all their seasonal specials, from Christmas sandwiches to festive dessert. This will be followed by a gift for the children straight from the North Pole!
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You can also come in early to catch the festive lunch or the Christmas Day Spectacular which is a luxurious 4-course spread. There are New Year eve events as well to look forward to at the hotel this year.
Overall, our experience of staying at the Burnham Beeches Hotel and Spa was spectacular, from the leisure facilities to the spa treatments, we were very well pampered. Every space is well maintained, and the staff do a brilliant job of organising everything and making sure you are well-attended during your stay. So, if you are looking for a luxurious getaway with your loved ones, Burnham Beeches Hotel is the place to be.
Akhila Thomas is a digital writer at Yours.co.uk and her areas of interest are beauty, fashion and wellness. She has previously written for magazines like Leftlion, Women’s Health and t’Art and worked extensively with art, culture, fashion and social media trends. She also likes to travel and explore new cultures and cuisines.