Billed as London’s country estate, at first glance The Grove doesn’t look like the kind of place that welcomes toddlers with open arms. It has a sweeping drive, palatial grounds, valet parking and a regular clientele that includes Posh, Kylie and Eddie Izzard. But from the moment the porter made faces at our three-year-old whilst taking our bags for us, it was clear that this hotel positively falls over itself to make parents feel at home.

This was the first time we’d taken our daughter Emily to a hotel since she’d been a baby. Back then we’d been pretty adventurous, going to Marrakech when she was just six months old. But we had to admit to being a little worried about how she’d behave. After all, this time she’d be in her own bed and not a cot – and, like most toddlers, she’s vocal about situations she's not enjoying!

We needn't have worried. Run by Matthew Dixon, who has three children of his own, The Grove pitches itself as a family-friendly establishment. In our bedroom, Emily was delighted to find a box of toys chosen for her age group as well as a cold glass of milk and plate of cookies.

All That Bling
As soon as we unpacked we set off to explore our surroundings. The hotel is decorated in what they call ‘groovy grand’ style. In short, it’s got more bling than you could shake a stick at. Be warned: this is not the kind of hotel where you can slouch around in leisure wear – bring your best outfits to keep up with the Beckhams.

Leisure is taken very seriously at the Grove; it has no less than three pools. The glossy black one in the hotel’s spa, Sequoia, is for adults and children over 12 while younger children and their families have an indoor pool, complete with toys, attached to the hotel’s nursery, Anouska's. There’s also an outdoor pool in a walled garden, which my husband, daughter and I spent much of the weekend in, floating around, feeling like lottery winners.

Time Out
One of the reasons we were here was to try out the Ofsted-regulated Anouska’s. Over the weekend, we left Emily in the care of countless nannies for an hour on Saturday and two on Sunday morning. At £5 an hour, this gave us a much-needed break, while Emily enjoyed a great playground complete with wooden fortress and as much painting, gluing and drawing materials as she could wish for. She was happy, we were happy. Who could ask for more?

Older children are also catered for and would love the Games Room, complete with DVDs and Playstation games, while there’s plenty of outside entertainment in the form of free bicycles, golf and tennis lessons, nature trails and treasure hunts.

Meals can be taken in the Glasshouse restaurant – a upmarket buffet restaurant, The Stables which has a wood-fired pizza oven, or the fancy alternative, Colette’s. If we had one quibble over the whole weekend, it was being stuck away in an alcove of an empty Stables when we gave Emily her supper there at 6pm.

Are You Being Served?
By and large, what separated The Grove from other hotels we’ve been to was the service. Nothing was too much trouble, particularly as far as Emily was concerned. Every member of staff, without exception, courted her approval over the weekend, asking her if she’d enjoyed her swim, or her meals. As the valet brought our car around at the end of the stay, I certainly felt like begging them to let us stay! As it was, we resolved to start saving straight away for our next visit!

Information
Deluxe rooms at the Grove cost £320 a night for two, room only. Leisure deals offer the best value – at £395 for dinner, bed and breakfast in a deluxe room. Babysitting costs £8 an hour and an hour at Anouska’s costs £5 per child.

The Grove, Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire
www.thegrove.co.uk

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