The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire

Take the family's great holiday offerings

It is rare to come across a five star hotel that offers just as many facilities for children as it does adults. However, The Grove hotel in Hertfordshire provides the perfect combination.

In fact, during our overnight visit, our two boys-aged two and four-were so well catered for we didn’t have to lift a finger.

After a car journey of just 20 minutes from our North London home, our kids arrived refreshed and excited at the hotel. With an aim to review the hotel’s child-friendly amenities, I didn’t have to search far. For starters, with it being Easter bank holiday weekend, the boys couldn’t believe their luck when greeted by staff holding baskets of mini chocolate eggs. Once we had finally persuaded them away from the luxurious reception area, a real treat awaited them inside their room.

In a bid to attract more young families to visit the hotel, The Grove has certainly pulled out all the stops. Having booked a family interconnecting room, our boys were delighted to find a large toy box brimming with toys next to their beds. Whilst they occupied themselves playing and trying on their mini bathrobes we unpacked and marvelled at our luxurious surroundings.

As one of ‘The leading hotels of the world,’ The Grove is set in a magnificent 18th century house surrounded by 300 acres of countryside. Despite its plush interiors and grand design, it proved to be one of the most child-friendly hotels I have ever visited.

The Grove is truly a kid's paradise and boasts a first-class kid's club that is unlike any other I have visited before. It comes as no suprise that 'Anouska's', aimed at children aged three months to twelve years, recently received a glowing OFSTED report. Excellent staff and facilities, along with a fantastic programme of events, ensure the club remains at such a high standard. As well as an adventure playground, the club offers kid's activities such as juggling skills, kite flying and cooking. It also has its own indoor pool. Close by in the hotel's 'walled garden' area, is the recently-opened beach. New this summer, the beach area features a huge space of sand complete with volleyball court, beach huts and a kid's play area.

As we left the kids in the safe hands of the friendly staff, I headed off to the hotel spa to indulge in a couple of treatments. My husband meanwhile, unable to drag himself away from the 42-inch plasma TV screen in our bedroom, happily resigned himself to watching the football.

Having collected the boys happily from the club, we took them to the bedroom to get ready for supper. We were greeted by whoops of excitement as they arrived back to find room service had delivered them cups of milk and cookies to their room. It is special touches like these that prove the hotel has thought of everything.

Perhaps the most challenging time when holidaying with small children is getting them to sit long enough for supper. My main concern in dining in such sumptuous surroundings was that the boys would embarrass us by moaning or smashing a plate. Much to our surprise, they did neither as once again the hotel attended to their needs. As soon as we sat down, our hostess provided the boys with crayons and drawings of their favourite cartoon character. This entertained them long enough to ensure we all ate well, without a tantrum in sight. In fact, out of the hotel’s three main restaurant’s, two offer a fabulous children’s menu with a large variety of choice.

With children’s entertainment including a Punch and Judy show, bouncy castle and egg painting, The Grove proved a perfect trip for the whole family. It may be hard to imagine you can feel on holiday whilst down the road from Watford but having experienced 24 hours of bliss, I can honestly say you can.

The Grove hotel, Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire (www.thegrove.co.uk).