Cliveden House

Lovely experience! The spa therapist Amber took a great care of me! I had a wonderful time there!

After a disappointing initial experience at Cliveden House (outlined in my previous review), we were invited back by the hotel following a lengthy and complex complaints process. I have to say that their willingness to listen, respond, and genuinely improve our experience deserves recognition. It is rare to see a hotel take feedback so seriously and make such a concerted effort to ensure a guest leaves with a completely different impression. I must say that our return visit could not have been more different. From the moment we arrived, the care, attention, and professionalism we experienced completely transformed our impression of the hotel. We arrived mid-morning and were greeted warmly at the front door, which immediately set a welcoming tone. We were then ushered over to Caroline, who would become an integral part of making our stay so special. Our check-in was seamless and incredibly well organised. Caroline personally walked us to our room, showed us around, and made sure we were completely settled. She even gave us her direct contact number should we need anything during our stay — a thoughtful touch that made us feel genuinely looked after. Shortly after we arrived in the room, a bottle of champagne was delivered, which was a very welcome surprise and a lovely way to begin our stay. We were fortunate enough to be given a Hot Tub Deluxe Double Room, and it is nothing short of spectacular. The room is spacious, beautifully appointed, and immaculately clean. The bathroom alone is extraordinary. The bath is reason enough to book this room. However, the real highlight is the private terrace and hot tub. We visited in January during freezing weather (it was even snowing at one point) so unfortunately we couldn’t make full use of the terrace. The difference between the cold air temperature and the hot tub meant it cooled slightly quicker than expected, so we couldn’t stay in as long as we would have liked. Nevertheless, it remains an incredible feature of the room and would be absolutely perfect in milder weather. If you’re looking for privacy, relaxation, and a little indulgence, this room is certainly worth considering. We spent the majority of our time enjoying the spa facilities, which are truly one of the highlights of the hotel. Holly, the spa manager, is an absolute credit to the establishment. The spa itself is beautiful, spacious, and thoughtfully designed so that even when it’s busy it never feels crowded or overwhelming. The facilities are exactly what you would expect from a five-star hotel; clean, well maintained, and relaxing. On a few occasions, the indoor jacuzzi temporarily exceeded 42°C and had to be closed briefly for safety reasons. However, the staff were extremely attentive and quick to address the issue. In fact, it was reassuring to see how carefully the team monitored the facilities to ensure guest safety and comfort. The spa staff work tirelessly to keep the space immaculate, constantly replenishing fresh towels, water, and ensuring everything remains pristine throughout the day. Although we didn’t initially dine in the spa restaurant, a member of staff overheard me mentioning how much I love carrot cake. To my surprise, they went out of their way to source a slice and personally let me know I could come and enjoy it when I had time. This small but thoughtful gesture perfectly sums up the level of attentiveness we experienced throughout our stay. Breakfast deserves special mention. The dining room itself is breathtaking, overlooking the beautiful gardens of Cliveden, making it one of the most scenic breakfasts you could possibly enjoy. Even though the restaurant was very busy during our visit, service remained efficient and well managed. There is a substantial amount of choice on the menu as well as the buffet selection, and the team are incredibly accommodating. If there’s something you would like that isn’t listed, they will happily find a way to prepare it for you. One morning we opted for room service breakfast, which turned out to be a wonderful experience. The menu is almost identical to the main restaurant offering, and our food arrived promptly at the allocated time. Everything was beautifully presented and allowed us to enjoy a slower, more relaxed morning without needing to rush down to the restaurant. Portions are generous, perhaps even slightly too generous for those of us who hate leaving food behind, but the staff are very understanding and there is absolutely no pressure. What truly stood out, however, was our experience with the in-room dining team. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the gentleman who assisted us, but he was absolutely fantastic. He took the time to carefully talk us through the menu and explain the ordering process, ensuring we understood everything clearly. No question ever seemed too much trouble, and he approached every interaction with patience, warmth, and genuine enthusiasm. Over the course of our stay we had several conversations with him, and he was consistently kind, attentive, and incredibly professional. At one point he mentioned that he was a little shy and still developing in the role, but honestly he is already a tremendous credit to the hotel. The level of care he showed was exactly what you would hope for in a hotel of this standard. We made sure to mention him during checkout because staff like him truly make a difference to a guest’s experience. I sincerely hope that feedback makes its way back to him, because he should feel very confident in the job he is doing; he really was brilliant. Although we didn’t dine in any of the hotel’s main restaurants during this visit, we chose instead to venture into Marlow, which offers plenty of excellent dining options nearby. That said, the dining options within the hotel itself looked wonderful and we certainly wouldn’t hesitate to try them on a future visit. The grounds of the estate are also spectacular. Even in the middle of winter, walking through the gardens and overlooking the Thames is incredibly peaceful. There is a real sense of history and grandeur about the entire property, and it is easy to see why Cliveden has such a famous reputation. Finally, I must mention Caroline again, who truly made our stay exceptional. She is an absolute credit to the hotel and someone who clearly cares deeply about guest experience. Not only did she welcome us personally when we arrived, but she went above and beyond throughout our stay. She arranged a quiet workspace for me outside of our room so that I could work for a few hours in peace, which was incredibly thoughtful. She also took us on a historic tour of the hotel, something I would strongly recommend to anyone staying here. Cliveden has such a fascinating history, and understanding it adds another layer of appreciation to the experience. Caroline’s passion and knowledge make her the perfect guide. During the tour she even showed us one of the incredible suites upstairs, which was fascinating to see and gave us a deeper appreciation for the hotel. Anything we needed, Caroline made happen. She is genuinely one in a million, and Cliveden House is extremely lucky to have someone like her representing the hotel. Our return visit completely restored our faith in Cliveden House. What could have remained a disappointing experience was transformed into a genuinely special stay thanks to the care and dedication of the staff. It’s clear that guest experience truly matters here, and we left feeling relaxed, valued, and very much looking forward to returning again.

A 5 star hotel that is actually a 5 star hotel snd then some. We have been to 10+ Relais & Chateaux properties across the US, Europe and Canada and this one is overall the best we’ve encountered. The service level is completely above and beyond and hotel is incredibly well-staffed. We arrived incredibly early for our check in because our flight was switched to an earlier one, and expected to have to entertain ourselves and figure it out for a few hours. The staff were so accommodating in helping us store our bags and use the spa before we got to our room. We felt like we got a whole extra day of enjoyment from the property from being able to do this. Grounds are absolutely sending even during an off-season time where not everything is in bloom yet. Some furniture and finishes are a bit worn but I don’t see this as a negative as it is part of the character here with high quality furniture pieces that are well cleaned and taken care of over time. Since the cliveden national trust itself hosts many visitors to see the gardens, I was curious how the hotel would manage making it clear that the building itself is only for hotel guests or those dining at the interior restaurant. They do a good job of making this clear just from the setup of walking in it is clear that the beautiful lounge/parlor is not available to the public grounds visitors.

We attended for a spa afternoon. The treatment from Erin was lovely highly recommended, I came out feeling so refreshed. Naresh from the spa kitchen was so nice and attentive. The reception staff are all lovely Shannon and Lisa both very friendly and attentive. Everyone made sure our afternoon was relaxing and enjoyable. I would highly recommend the Spa facilities.

We enjoyed an afternoon champagne tea at Cliveden, it was faultless, from the welcome at reception to all of the staff who gave us the best experience. The whole tea is well crafted, expertly executed and perfectly presented. If you are at a loose end one afternoon you wont be disappointed. Nothing is too much trouble. Thanks Ben for the added mirth and coronation chicken :)