Sopwell House  

Tucked into 12 acres of gardens on the green outskirts of St Albans, Sopwell House sits minutes from St Albans Cathedral and a short drive to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. It’s an easy hop to London St Pancras and Luton Airport. A family-friendly country house hotel with 128 rooms and a stately Georgian vibe.

Once the Georgian country residence of Lord Mountbatten, the hotel blends period charm with modern comforts. There are 128 stylish bedrooms and suites (plus 16 Mews Apartments coming soon), all air-conditioned and equipped with flat-screen TVs, laptop safes, desks and bathrobes. Expect an opulent spa, tranquil garden views and a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere.

Wellness rules here: full spa with massages, body treatments and facials, sauna, steam room and a health club with a fitness centre. Guests can swim in the pool, picnic in the grounds, relax in two bars/lounges and enjoy 24-hour reception, free self-parking, laundry and accessible facilities. Wake up to garden mornings and unwind in luxe spa surroundings.

A strong events choice with 19 flexible function suites and winner of Best Independent Venue (2018). Complimentary wireless internet and business-friendly room desks and laptop safes make meetings easy. Express check-out, dry cleaning and a 24-hour front desk round out the services.

Two restaurants including The Brasserie serve international dishes alongside local flavours, plus a coffee shop for snacks. Room service is available during limited hours and a complimentary English breakfast is served (weekdays 6:30–10:00, weekends 8:00–10:30). Two bars offer relaxed drinks after a day exploring.