Sopwell House, St. Albans, review

Surrounded by 12 acres of lush rolling hills, Sopwell House is a tranquil countryside retreat within a renovated 300-year-old mansion.

But the luxury spa is the real reason people visit.

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Where is Sopwell House?

A few minutes drive from the historic centre of St Albans city, the Hertfordshire hotel is a 30-minute train ride from central London.

There’s parking on site or the train station is just over a mile away.

What is Sopwell House like?

The country-chic lobby sets the tone with a grand roaring fire, cushion-covered sofas and bare-brick wall embellished with deer and horse paintings.

Everything is modern, yet the hotel still manages to encapsulate a homely feel.

What is there to do at Sopwell House?

The Club spa is the star attraction here.

It was given a £14 million facelift a few years back and now features infrared loungers, a panoramic sauna and plenty of secret spots in a tropical-esque garden to curl up in with a book.

Visit in summertime and you could easily spend a whole day sipping on martinis, slumped on a sofa in your fluffy robe, sliding in and out of the pool.

A spa day costs from £125 including use of the facilities all day, plus afternoon tea.

What is there to eat and drink at Sopwell House?

The Brasserie does standard pub fare, only a little fancier.

We tucked into salt and pepper squid and Bloody Mary prawn cocktails, followed by Coronation spiced roast cauliflower served with cherry tomatoes, smoked aubergine and raisins.

There’s also a pan-Asian restaurant, Omboo, which was heaving on the Friday we visited with locals who’d come for the mouth-watering ginger-soy ribeye skewers, sashimi and King crab with yuzu sauce.

What are the rooms like at Sopwell House?

Book a Mews Suite, set a little further back from the hotel and accessed via a private gate, where you’ll get your own fireplace in a small cosy living room complete with brown leather armchairs, as well as ensuite bedrooms.

Mews Suite guests also get access to a communal garden with a hydro pool, as well as the exclusive members club spa within the main hotel.

Rooms in the mansion house are smaller, but no less smart. Expect uber-comfy beds dressed in neutral linens and accented by feature walls as well as a TV and bathroom filled with products from the spa.

How much is Sopwell House?

Rooms cost from £239 per night, including breakfast and dinner. Click here to book.

Is Sopwell House family friendly?

There are rooms that sleep families of four, but I’d ditch the kids for the weekend so you can take full advantage of the tranquil spa – pure escapism.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Yes, there are accessible rooms with special facilities.

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.

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