We stayed at this hotel, golf and spa resort as a middle stop before our drive up to Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxford. Having played the Old Course in Scotland, we had hopes of playing their championship golf course, The Grove, which was host to the WGC-American Express Championship in 2006 (won by Tiger Woods). Unfortunately, the British weather set in…cold, damp and raining. Oh well, maybe we’ll just enjoy a nice brunch and take a peek around the course.

We stayed in a Deluxe Room in the West Wing, which was a good 365 ft² (24 m²). The room even came with a huge 42″ LCD TV!!! There were also nice design touches everywhere, from “Hee Haw”, the stuffed donkey, on the desk to the transparent tables in the hallways stuffed with all sorts of things – feathers, rubber ducks, chicks, you name it. Very chic. In one corridor, even the internal piping were “framed” as artwork.

The Sequoia Spa was a relaxing break for R while waiting for C to arrive from Hong Kong. He was lucky to get an empty slot as it was the Valentine’s weekend. Don’t know if it is as busy on normal days, but we would definitely book ahead next time to avoid disappointment.

We were pushing our luck with the weather. It was the same if not worse the next day. We asked the attendant at the pro shop and he kindly let us walk the back nine before the early players made the turn. The course was very well manicured and it was a shame that we weren’t able to play. We’ll definitely have to come back one day. Their signature hole is the Par 3 13th. Although with the elevated teeing ground, the hole plays longer than it seems and with bunkers protecting the green, par would be a good score here.

Brunch was at The Stables Restaurant, so named as the space was actually horses’ stables under the previous owner. We ordered the Stables fish & chips and an Eggs Royale (Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon). Being in England we had to have fish & chips, but this was HUGE! We thought we were in the States… There was some water probably due to condensation that made the bottom a bit soggy. The Eggs Royale however, were superb – runny, just the way we like them. Paired with salmon, it was a perfect match. We could tell as C wolfed it down in an instant.

We’ll be back soon, hopefully in milder weather.

– 18/20

The Grove
Chandler’s Cross
Hertfordshire
WD3 4TG
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 1923 807807
E: reservations@thegrove.co.uk or tee.time@thegrove.co.uk
W: www.thegrove.co.uk

100213 The Grove - West Wing Deluxe Room

100213 The Grove - "Butterfly" artwork in the room

100213 The Grove - West Wing Deluxe Room

100213 The Grove - "Hee Haw" stuffed donkey

100213 The Grove - Bathroom with more art pieces

100213 The Grove - Simple & elegant light switch

100213 The Grove - "Do Not Disturb" with a twist

100213 The Grove - Lighting in the staircase

100213 The Grove - More art pieces in the corridor

100213 The Grove - Chicks fill the transparent table

100213 The Grove - Closeup of the chicks

100213 The Grove - Internal pipes framed as artwork

100213 The Grove - Entrance to the golf at The Grove

100213 The Grove - Entrance to the golf at The Grove

100213 The Grove - Golf course Hole #11 (Par 5)

100213 The Grove - Golf course signage to tee boxes

100213 The Grove - Golf course Hole #13 (Par 3)

100213 The Grove - Golf course Hole #17 (Par 5)

100213 The Grove - Golf course Hole #18 (Par 4)

100213 The Grove - 2006 WGC-Amex Championship

100213 The Grove - Sequoia spa for ultimate relaxation

100213 The Grove - Gardens around the hotel

100213 The Grove - Gardens around the hotel

100213 The Grove - Gardens around the hotel

100213 The Grove - The Stables bar area

100213 The Grove - The Stables restaurant area

100213 The Grove - The Stables Eggs Royale

100213 The Grove - The Stables Fish & Chips