NOTE: See review edit that appears after this original text.

Couldn’t fault this hotel - it is set in beautiful grounds, and has buildings to match. We stayed in the Courtyard Garden part of the complex which is a newish building but still retains the charm of the rest of the hotel. The Oakes Grill (I think that’s how it’s spelt!) was lovely, and when I said my steak was a little underdone (I had asked for well-done) they apologised and gave us both free desert!

A walk through the secret garden is recommended, as is room-service breakfast, complete with silver (or stainless-steel!) trays!

As a local getaway break for us it’s fantastic. A little pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for, and for a lot of this year they are offering two nights for the price of one over the weekends!

**

EDIT: I’ve downgraded this to 4-stars. I went for a second stay and was not nearly as impressed as the first time.

On arrival we found we were staying in the Manor House itself (dating back to 1890 when it was rebuilt in a Jacobean style - which is a shame as I’m sure the original buildings would have been much nicer to have preserved, but that’s the Victorians for you with their new ages of technology and industry). We were quite pleased though as we’d not stayed in that building before.

When we walked in to the bedroom we were really disappointed. It smelt musty, was cold and small, with only a double bed unlike the super-king we got in the other wing. The decor and furniture were tired and meant it was a marked difference from the Courtyard Garden rooms.

The view was nice, with the top of the old buildings to the right and the driving section of the golf teaching area to the left. Even this was hampered by the fact that on the ground floor was a rear doorway used by staff, staff who argued with each other at the top of their lungs.

That night we went to the Oakes Grill again. Not so good either, it was a buffet. With that plus a bottle of wine we came out having spent £100. It was nice, but not worth that much, and by virtue of not wanting to appear like pigs you can’t pile your plate high, so end up hungry and drunk!

We were booked in for another night, but I wasn’t happy about staying in that room again (bear in mind this is a £200 a night room), so I politely talked to the front desk manager and asked if there was something else available. He was very nice, and very helpful and apologised profusely, and we duly got moved (by porter in a golf cart!) to a new room in the Garden Courtyard. This was what we were used to and enjoyed our second night a lot more for it. However, had we not known the Courtyard Garden rooms existed I don’t think I would have stayed.

Marriott Hanbusy Manor is a country club and golf resort in Hertfordshire. It’s not far from London and is a lovely place for a weekend break. It’s a also a very popular wedding venue - understandable since it is set in a traditional country manor with glorious gardens and a very posh feel. The local village is very traditional and is a nice place to wander. The rooms are enormous and very luxurious and comfortable and the health club has a jacuzzi and sauna where you can let all your tensions ebb away. A perfect weekend break!