A country hotel within 1.5 hours London for v v v much longed for weekend?

[Myfirstcalendar]

So my lovely P I L have offered to look after our children so that my husband and I can remember what each other look like. We have Friday to Sunday. We want to make as much use of it as possible and would like to find a nice hotel with a not too long a drive of London. Budget is probably around £500 for two nights. Any Recommendations springing to mind? I would like to think that we are going to do cultural things during the day but I suspect we will just spend all day in our room revelling in the lack of children! Not that fussed on spa things etc - nice grounds would be ideal. Any recommendations?

Oxford?

Pennyhill Park
The Grove

Well - possibly - we met there but we were v poor so prob didn't experience the highlife (apart from the colleges.....). Actually it might be perfect - where is good there these days?

Down Hall is very nice. Not sure how much the rooms are though as I haven't stayed there for a while.

Norwich?

Sprowston manor and dunston hall hotels are both lovely and city centre only a short drive away. Lots of things to see (castle, cathedral and old and new shops etc).

www.cowleymanor.com
Also agree with Pennyhill but might be over budget.

Which side of London to you want to leave from, be aware that friday afternoon traffic can be awful.

The Bath Priory

Four seasons Hampshire - best hotel ever

Otherwise
Penny hill park
The grove

www.lainstonhouse.com/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/the_hotel.aspx is very romantic.

i think we are going to go down the Oxford route now! Great inspiration Pottering.

Although I do looove Lainston. Decisions......(penny hill out of out of our budget but looks gorgeous)

In Oxford I would look at the old bank although I haven't stayed

www.oldbank-hotel.co.uk

Friend tells me The Grove is soulless but I haven't been

I don't rate Cowley but it was some time ago I stayed

Which side of London are you leaving from, that makes a difference

Leaving from SW London. Prob quite late knowing jobs. But would so like to wake up on Saturday morning somewhere else.

I've always fancied the Malmaison in Oxford, the converted prison that looks like a castle.

2 nights makes a huge difference too IME, you'll have a lovely time!

Pennyhill Park.

What about somewhere like The Bingham?

www.thebingham.co.uk

IME you want to spend as little time as possible travelling (and getting out of london) and as much time as possible bring IN the hotel / bar / restaurant / bed

Fantastic suggestions- am off to check availability and anticipate it all lots more

LOVE the bingham

Oxford will take a while to get to from SW wont it?

I don't rate Pennyhill Park but it's ages since I stayed there

The Bingham is a bit close for rapid return - I would have proximity fear!

Stoke Place

I've done Old Bank and Malmaison in Oxford. Both are nice. Old Bank nicer for an old oxonian I think as I found it a little odd being in a part of town I didn't ever spend time in as a student!