Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire
Stoke Park is quintessentially English and luxurious. I initially was concerned that the level of luxury was going to make it quite stuffy and was interested to see how they dealt with the children, 3 of them 11, 8 and 5 and their natural exuberance, but I needn't have worried. The staff were very welcoming and although we did not have the standard Aston Martin nobody seemed to care.
Our rooms situated in the Pavilion were fabulous and had everything that we needed and more! Beautiful decor, excellently furnished and extremely comfortable - the children loved the huge beds and the fact that they had their own interconnecting room with a TV at their disposal. Both suites had full bathrooms with showers and by 8pm Aaron and Katie had road tested both! The shower was a walk in 'wet room' so you can only imagine.....
We tried two of the restaurants and they were both excellent - Lee ordered from the a la carte menu from the main restaurant but we ate with the children in the Orangery. I could not fault the food, staff or service. We threw in the usual quirks that children do - can I have this but with/without this and in true tradition, is there any ketchup? All was dealt with, with a genuine smile. Lunch time drinks on the Saturday in the San Marco restaurant was much more casual and laid back - the children loved all that was on offer i.e. hot chocolate for the girls and the sports papers for Aaron. There was also a superb outside decked area - which would be glorious to enjoy in the sunshine.
The crèche facility, located in the Pavilion, was large, bright and airy. They tend to cater for paid sessions in the mornings only, and this is covered by fully qualified staff (crèche cost is £7 per hour) - but children are able to play in the crèche at other times of the day if they are supervised by their parents. This would be a God-send with small ones on a cold/wet afternoon and it is so well equipped. Other facilities in the Pavilion include the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, San Marco restaurant, Spa and Beauty Salon.
Outdoors there is a great children's play area equipped with good quality wooden apparatus which was duly tested and given a big thumbs up. Thoughtfully positioned nearby was a gazebo with table and chairs for parents to sit and relax while the children played. This is where Stoke Park excels; they are fabulous when it comes to the details. For those on the Golf course there is an outside bar situated through the French doors leading from the Orangery, golfers can sit outside and take refreshment on a lovely day - all waiter service, need I say more!
A fabulous walk around the grounds can be done with the children and details of this can be obtained from Reception - there is a map and directions. It would be worth a stroll as the setting is superb and I am sure that the grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown. There is a history to Stoke Park that can be documented from 1066.
It goes without saying that there is a top class Golf course on sight as it is a Golf and Country Club - but please be aware that children cannot play and those adults who do need to have a handicap. It is top flight!
There is a full range of activities on offer for children, as well as additional weekend and school holiday programmes, that may be pre-booked. For older children there are golf and tennis lessons ( tennis lesson from £35 and golf lesson is £25 for half hour. No age limitations) and also fitness classes (please note that children under 16 cannot use the Gym). Dance studios also have related activities on offer.
On Saturday morning for breakfast we were presented with two options, fully cooked with continental included or just continental. All was amazing, there was plenty of choice and three children's' different tastes were easily catered for. The relaxed breakfast room was overlooking the pool and of course the kids were desperate to try it out. Lee and the children had a great time in the pool while I couldn't resist simply chilling out by the decked area outside.
We left Stoke Park wishing our stay could have been longer. It is prestigious, sumptuous and luxurious, very welcoming of families, with first class facilities in all areas. With all age ranges catered for the choice is left to you - fun packed or pamper & relax. The hotel provides a well deserved treat for any family.
Thank you to Lesley Fairfax and family who kindly reviewed Stoke Park for Away with the Kids.