Stoke Park, Stoke Poges

Set within 350 acres of historic Buckinghamshire parkland and gardens, Stoke Park combines sumptuous luxury and refinement with some of the premier leisure and sporting facilities in Europe. The history of the property extends to the Norman Conquest in 1066 and was bequeathed in a direct line of descent for 515 years before finally being sold to the Crown. More recently, Stoke Park is famous for having been featured in a wide array of films, including one of the most memorable games in golfing history when James Bond defeated Auric Goldfinger on the course in the 1964 film. The course was again used in a James Bond film in Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997. Stoke Park also featured in big budget films such as Bridget Jones's Diary and Layer Cake.

Stoke Park employs everything one could possibly desire in a hotel. There are three separate restaurants to cater to your culinary wants: Humphry's Fine Dining Restaurant, The Orangery and San Marco - each featuring an independent type of cuisine and atmosphere.  Humphry's deserves a special mention. The setting is nothing less of opulent, the historic, grand room has found a suitable foil in head chef Chris Wheeler, who has crafted a fascinating menu of Modern British cuisine (for which the restaurant has earned three AA rosettes). The spa features eleven treatment rooms with an enormous suite of packages running the gamut from facials and body treatments to more esoteric options like lava shells and CACI treatments. Visitors can be assured that they will be receiving the finest spa service in the country.

The 27-hole golf-course is one of the most desirable venues for play in Great Britain. Created in 1908 by the feted golf architect Harry Colt, it's a veritable work of art - with PGA Professionals on hand to offer personal lessons. It's also home to Boodles, Britain's finest exhibition tennis tournament, which takes place on Stoke Park's six Wimbledon specification grass courts. However, there are thirteen tennis courts, three indoor carpet courts and four artificial clay courts. As with the golf course, LTA Professionals will be available for anyone interested in instruction.

Stoke Park boasts 49 exquisite bedrooms complete with HD TV, iPod docks, WiFi, minibars and mood-lighting. The marble bathrooms have heated floors, cast iron baths, power showers and luxury skincare products. There's quite a dichotomy in the offerings available. Guests can either choose between a more traditional area of the manor or the newer, more contemporary Pavilion Rooms near the spa. There are a number of cosy bars interspersed throughout the property. Simply put, Stoke Park is one of the most idyllic retreats that are easily accessible from London and well deserving of its five Red Stars. There aren't many hotels in England that can match the service they provide.

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