Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Laura Ashley The Manor

3 Oct 2013 by GrahamSmith

BACKGROUND

The iconic British homeware and fashion retailer entered the hotel realm on July 31 when it opened its first property in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Formerly the Edgwarebury hotel, it joined the Laura Ashley brand following a six-month refurbishment, during which the property remained open.

Laura Ashley The Manor

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

You may hear Laura Ashley and think chintz, but this is a stylish, modern property with a luxurious and homely feel.

Housed in a Victorian mock Tudor building set in four hectares of gardens, it features plenty of period details – the front door was originally part of the dungeons in Lewes Castle, while it's understood that the ornate Italian carved fireplace in the lobby contains some wood from a Spanish Armada ship. Much of the original dark wood panelling has been picked out in off-white, brightening everything and creating a fresher feel.

On being greeted by an immaculately attired doorman, you find yourself in a living-room style lobby with comfy velvet sofas – it feels a little like entering a posh relative's beautifully kept home. Virtually the whole property has been decked out in Laura Ashley's recent ranges – think subtle prints, plush fabrics, plenty of mirrors and good-quality wooden furniture. Framed vintage shots here and there hark back to the collections of yesteryear.

Reception is around the corner to the left as you enter, and the restaurant and bar are ahead, from where you can access the property's outdoor terrace and rear gardens – originally planned by W Innes Stuckey, these now feature a giant-size chess set. Staff are welcoming and helpful.

In 1989, a new wing was added with purpose-built bedrooms and conference space – this, too, has been fully refurbished, and the two buildings are linked by a covered walkway.

WHERE IS IT?

On Barnet Lane in Elstree, close to the M1, A1 and M25 and about 20km north-west of central London.

Laura Ashley The Manor lounge

The hotel's Buckingham Lounge

Barnet Lane is a busy road but once you turn off and make your way along the long, winding driveway through the grounds, you will feel at a remove from the outside world. Elstree and Borehamwood station is 2.5km away for links to London, and Stanmore is the nearest tube station, at 5km away. Heathrow airport is 29km away.

ROOM FACILITIES

There are 49 rooms in total, 13 of which are in the main house and the rest in the newer block. The categories are Standard, Superior, Feature, Deluxe, Junior suite and Premier suite (there are four suites in total), and they range in size from about 20 sqm to the 200 sqm Premier Mayfair suite. 

Each of the rooms has been individually designed by the Laura Ashley Design Service team. A couple I saw were decorated in what one might consider to be more traditional Laura Ashley furnishings, with bright floral patterns, but on the whole the rooms have a contemporary, stylish feel, with subtle colour schemes and prints.

They come with free wifi, workdesks, LED TVs with Freeview, tea and coffee facilities, complimentary bottled water, chocolate and biscuits, iron/ironing boards, safes and 24-hour room service. Deluxe rooms and suites have iHome docks, and suites have DAB alarm clocks. Xbox and Blu-ray players can be borrowed. Bathrooms have a combined tub and shower.

Note there is no air conditioning – I stayed on a warm evening and found it quite hot, but there was a floor fan to cool things down.

Three of the suites – Knightsbridge, Grosvenor and Mayfair – are located on the first floor of the main house off a parlour-style lounge. I stayed in the Knightsbridge suite, which was spacious and prettily furnished in shades of grey and mulberry, with blossom and check prints. It had a sitting area towards the window, through which there were lovely views down to the grounds and beyond.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

On the ground floor, the attractive, light-filled Cavendish restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves English and Malaysian cuisine – I had an enjoyable meal of Loch Etive smoked trout with watercress salad and horseradish dressing (£9), and sea bass with brown shrimp butter, samphire and seasonal vegetables (£25). I also had a good breakfast, which includes continental and à la carte options.

Laura Ashley The Manor restaurant

Dine in the Cavendish restaurant

A light menu and afternoon tea is served throughout the day in the Terrace bar, or in good weather you can sit out on the terrace – I had afternoon tea (£17) here on a glorious day, looking down on to the grounds and, far beyond, the London skyline.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

These are split across the main house and newer wing. In the main building, the lower-ground Arkley has daylight, direct access to the gardens, its own bar and a capacity of 70 delegates theatre-style. Dinners can be held in the Cavendish restaurant and adjoining Regency private dining room for 90 guests in total. The attractive Beaufort room seats 40 for dinner, and receptions for up to 150 people can be held across Cavendish, Regency and Beaufort.

There are also three smart meeting rooms in the newer wing, the largest holding 90 delegates theatre-style. All have daylight. The grounds can be used for teambuilding activities, and there is parking for 100 cars. 

LEISURE FACILITIES

None, though you could go for a short stroll in the gardens, or play the giant chess set. Aldenham Country Park is close by for lakeside walks, nature trails and family activities. 

VERDICT

Laura Ashley The Manor is more than just a showcase for the company's furnishings and homeware – it's a welcoming, elegant retreat for a relaxing break. The lack of leisure facilities is a downside, but the rooms are comfortable, the restaurant is impressive and afternoon tea on the terrace overlooking the grounds is a pure pleasure.

PRICE

Internet rates for a weekend stay in November started from £150 for a Standard Double room.

CONTACT

Laura Ashley the Manor, Barnet Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire; tel +44 (0) 20 8953 8227; lauraashleyhotels.com/themanorelstree/


Michelle Mannion

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