The Grove hotel

"The Grove, London’s self-proclaimed country estate, has played host to everyone from Kylie Minogue to Johnny Depp and its 300 acre grounds and world-class golf course have even attracted Tiger Woods. I love this hotel; it is an unashamed playground for the rich and famous, offering everything from croquet gardens to a summertime beach volleyball court-and all under the watchful eye of the resident 20ft topiary giraffe. My last visit here was like a celebrity safari, half of Eastenders had seemingly jumped on a soap-star express train straight from Walford to Watford!"

"The Grove has a reputation for celebs and big spenders (I saw half the Arsenal football team and Take That’s Mark Owen on my visit), but the owners have thought just as hard about keeping the little ones amused. The Stables or the Glasshouse restaurant, two of three at this former wartime HQ set in 300 rolling acres, have a superb attitude to miniature diners. If you’re sick of kids’ menus, let them order off the main menu for half the regular price (and its totally free for under threes) and when they’re done send them out to play on the mini-beach complete with sand, volleyball and beach huts. Bon appetit."

"Cycling in Hertfordshire: Team GB’s Chris Hoy joined his first cycling club back in 1992. Twenty years later and he’s Britain’s most successful Olympian of all time! Fellow cyclist Victoria Pendleton’s success is said to have attributed to the rise in the sale of women’s bicycles since the Olympics. Victoria trains six days a week working her way through weights, cardio and of course cycling. The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire certainly doesn’t believe cycling should be this hard. And if you’re not ready to invest in that state of the art bike you’ll be pleased to hear that every guest at this luxury retreat has access to their own free mountain bike hire. So don that lycra and explore the immaculate 300 acre grounds on two wheels – they even have a tandem for star-crossed cyclists!"

"Just twenty minutes from Euston The Grove is fondly referred to as London’s Country Estate. With an outdoor pool, beach volleyball court, table tennis in the potting shed and its elegant croquet lawn you can hold your own mini Olympics. Its playful contemporary style and chic spa attract reams of celebrities and with acclaimed chef Russell Bateman at the helm its fine dining restaurant, Colette’s, certainly gives the capital’s top eateries a run for their money."

"Hmmm, the kids have spent all day at Anouska’s kids’ club and yet they are still running riot, no problem, the hotel babysitter will take care of bedtime at stylish celebrity haunt The Grove so you can enjoy a romantic evening meal in Colette's followed by a nightcap drink in the Mansion lounges. Oh and fear not, on your return the little ones will be sound asleep – in the interconnecting room that is!"