Nestled in the Surrey Hills about an hour from London, you will find the Beaverbrook estate, the former home of Lord Beaverbrook, now turned into a luxury hotel. This historic hotel has kept up with modern times, blending old and new with an eclectic design that nods to the past while adding a sophisticated air to the present. The icing on the cake is that this property is extremely family-friendly without sacrificing aesthetics or luxury, making it an excellent choice for luxury family travelers.
THE PROPERTY
The sheer size of the property is quite overwhelming. From the moment you enter and drive a long path through the golf course to the main house, you quickly realize how expansive the lot is. But this seclusion makes your stay feel much farther from the city, as you're surrounded by nature with very little ambient light. As soon as you walk into the lobby, the decor hits you like a breath of fresh air. Designed to perfection, it's a very welcoming start to your trip. The staff is efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable, making check-in a breeze.
The hotel consists of several buildings, each separate from the others. You will find a spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools, pickleball and tennis courts, a kids' playground and treehouse, many walking trails, a kids’ club, several dining options, lounge areas, and an expansive open grass area where kids can run around and play games.
Because the property is so expansive and spread out, you can borrow a buggy for your stay to drive around yourself. We stayed in The Village, which offers family-friendly suites, and it is a good distance from the main house, about a 7-minute buggy ride. I can’t imagine staying here without borrowing a buggy unless you want to be at the mercy of the staff calling them to drive you everywhere, but if that's your speed, you will love being chauffeured around.
If you choose to go for a walk, the hotel can provide muck boots because it is England, after all, and you will more than likely encounter some rain during your stay. We didn’t mind the rain at all, as it added to the charm of the hotel.
THE ROOM
The hotel has 4 buildings you can stay in, all offering family-friendly accommodations. We stayed in The Village in a Family Studio Suite, which we really loved. They have whimsically designed, family-friendly suites full of books, treats, a toy car the kids can ride, and the cutest bunk beds I ever did see. Our kids loved the room so much that playing inside it was one of their favorite parts of the trip. I was enamored by the decor; it felt fun yet refined and sophisticated, adding a nice coziness to the space. The bed was so comfortable, and the blackout curtains were amazing; we slept in every day, and it felt so good to get a good night's sleep. In the mornings, you can opt for breakfast in your room from an assortment of choices, including the most delicious flaky buttery croissants that rival the best bakeries in Paris. I will dream of them for days to come. To add to the room's storybook feel, the walls are adorned with pages from children's books, a very nice touch.
THE CINEMA
Beaverbrook has a beautiful cinema from the house's original build. It feels like walking back in time in the coolest way. Lord Beaverbrook received the wall sconces from the Empire State Building when it was first being built. The cinema has hosted many celebrities of its time, including Charlie Chaplin, who premiered many of his movies in the same room. The hotel shows three movies each day, catering to audiences of all ages. The first afternoon showing is for young children, while the last one of the night is geared more towards adults and teenagers. They serve fresh popcorn, and you can even order drinks to be served to you as you enjoy the movie.
THE FOOD
On the property, you will find numerous restaurants to choose from. We had the pleasure of eating at The Dining Room and Mrs. Beeton’s.
The Dining Room is an upscale Japanese restaurant that only allows children until 7 pm, then turns into a cigar room. If you want to go with your children, you must reserve a table by 6 pm. I think it’s well worth visiting with the kids, as my girls loved their meal. They offer a kids' meal bento box with sushi, popcorn shrimp, edamame, and a choice of main; we opted for the teriyaki salmon and rice. As for the adults, the a la carte menu leaves nothing to be desired. The sushi was exceptional, and my husband's favorite was the sea bass. I also had the most interesting dessert of my 39 years. Inspired by Winston Churchill, they served a smoked chocolate cigar filled with caramel, paired with whiskey ice cream. It's obviously meant to mimic a whisky and cigar, and it does an exceptional job. The cigar is lifelike, with almond-crumble “ashes” set in a glass ashtray, along with a whisky glass of ice cream. The cigar is actually smoked and contains nicotine, and yes, it’s real whisky in the ice cream. At first, the pairing is hard to place on the tongue, but with each bite the flavors come through, and you start to appreciate it. It quickly grew on me, and I appreciate the chef’s creative choices. It’s a must-try if you dine here.
As for Mrs. Beeton’s, this restaurant is in The Village and caters more to families. The energy is laid-back, but the food doesn't suffer. We enjoyed our dishes here, too. They have coloring for the kids and a kids' menu, and the sea bass we ordered was excellent. We ended our meal with fun, decadent desserts that were quite delicious. If you love milkshakes, they also have fun and interesting flavors to try.
THE POOL & SPA
The hotel offers 3 on-site swimming pools. They include an outdoor, indoor, and children’s pool, all heated. A heated outdoor pool is an unexpected treat in England, so you can swim year-round. The spa is in the same building and is absolutely stunning, offering various treatments you can book throughout your stay. In the area, you will find a shop selling all the spa products they use, plus stylish loungewear and gifts. For breakfast or lunch, there's an on-site restaurant, so you don’t have to leave the building. You can literally spend a whole day in this section of the hotel and have a glorious time.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
For a luxury property, the number of family-friendly activities is surprisingly generous. They offer everything from a cinema showing children’s and family movies to an outdoor playground and tree house. The kids club is equipped with games and toys, plus video game consoles for older children. They also offer outdoor activities and games for children, such as giant Jenga or croquet. As mentioned, they also have an outdoor kids’ pool. Sharky and George run the kids club and can take children on adventures around the hotel, offering activities like bug hunting and den building. If you opt for the family package, they offer free tickets to nearby attractions like the Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo, which is a really fun day for kids. You will not be short of ways to entertain your kids here and have fun as a family.
We had a wonderful stay at Beaverbrook, and it's become one of those places where we can see ourselves staycationing with the family often. Each season, they offer different activities, such as ice skating in the winter, so you can have a new experience every time you visit. If you’ve been wanting to visit the English Countryside but don't want to venture too far outside London, this is the perfect option for you and your family.
See pricing and availability at Beaverbrook HERE