As autumn's chill descends and daylight dwindles, many Londoners dream of escaping to sunnier destinations. Yet paradise might be closer than you think, as I discovered during a recent spa getaway just thirty minutes from the capital that felt like heaven on earth.
A Picturesque Countryside Retreat
For a well-deserved break from London's hustle, my mother and I checked into the Crowne Plaza hotel, perfectly situated between the charming market town of Beaconsfield and Buckinghamshire's Gerrards Cross. The journey proved remarkably straightforward - just twenty minutes by train from London Marylebone Station followed by a ten-minute drive.
During the car ride, we found ourselves surrounded by expansive green fields and beautiful autumn trees displaying vibrant yellow and red foliage. Upon arrival, the hotel's grandeur immediately impressed us, featuring an elegant water feature and contemporary fairytale mansion architecture.
The exterior beauty was merely the beginning. Before we even entered the building, we spotted guests emerging in plush white robes, their faces radiating pure contentment and relaxation. The lobby continued the wow factor with sophisticated contemporary design, highlighted by a striking red tree that created the perfect photo opportunity against neutral tones.
The hotel's delightful scent deserves special mention - it felt like stepping into the freshest floral perfume shop, immediately setting a luxurious tone for our stay.
Luxurious Accommodation & Dining
We were fortunate to stay in one of the property's newer rooms, which featured two double beds, both bath and shower facilities, a large flat-screen television, tea and coffee station, courtyard views and those coveted white robes with matching slippers.
A standard bed at Crowne Plaza costs £94 per night, while a standard double room with two double beds and courtyard view is priced at £218. The hotel offers several packages, including a Friday Night Package at £134 featuring a complimentary cocktail with live entertainment, breakfast and late checkout until midday.
The dinner, bed and breakfast package represents another option, costing £191 and including breakfast plus a three-course dinner from either a set menu or the restaurant buffet. Our spacious room could comfortably accommodate a family of four and came immaculately prepared with numerous amenities including dental care supplies, hair dryer and iron.
The stunning bathroom featured a solid wooden sliding door, large rain shower head and mirror with three lighting settings. Ample towels were provided alongside luxury-smelling soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. While our evening shower delivered only lukewarm water, the morning brought properly hot water.
Sleeping proved an absolute highlight. Despite usually struggling in unfamiliar beds, the mattress struck the perfect balance between firmness and softness. The thick yet lightweight duvet provided warmth without restriction, creating the perfect conditions for sinking into the enormous bed.
The restaurant matched the hotel's visual appeal with contemporary design featuring luxurious touches in autumnal neutral and earthy tones. We began with beef, pork and caramelised onion meatballs (£10.50) and crispy salt and pepper chicken wings (£9.50). While portions were modest for the price, the meatballs delivered succulent, tasty bites that outshone the wings.
For main courses, my mother selected glazed confit pork belly (£19.95), rating it 7/10, while I chose steak frites (£24.95), scoring 6/10 due to somewhat tough beef. Our dining experience totalled £90 including two glasses of wine but excluding dessert.
The breakfast undoubtedly represented the culinary highlight - an unlimited full English breakfast alongside pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt and additional items. This was complimentary with our accommodation package, though non-package guests would pay £18.95 according to Expedia.
Divine Spa Experience
I firmly believe everyone should visit a spa at least once, despite the cost, as it offers self-care levels you never knew you needed. Fortunately, Crowne Plaza provides complimentary spa access for hotel guests, including entry to the spacious swimming pool, heavenly jacuzzi, piping hot sauna and steam room.
Day access without overnight accommodation starts at £49 per person, though the autumn escape package at £75 includes a two-course lunch and complimentary candle to take home.
The jacuzzi became my personal highlight - my first ever experience transformed my perspective on relaxation. The fast, powerful jets felt wonderful against my back while the warm, bubbling water created the sensation of a luxurious bath.
We were fortunate to experience 55-minute Swedish massages, revealing surprising tension and knots in my twenty-something body. The process involved undressing to underwear and lying face-down on the bed with heads positioned through a designated opening facing a soothing candle display.
Gentle, calming music allowed minds to drift into tranquillity while therapists showed incredible consideration for my mother's fractured hand and joint issues. The experience proved particularly poignant for my mother as we lost my brother last year - she mentioned feeling as though grief was being lifted from her body during the treatment.
The massage completely centred me, serving as a powerful reminder to care for my parents as much as they care for me. The therapist recommended massages twice monthly, noting that "stress is a killer," though at £95 per Swedish body massage, this frequency might prove financially challenging for many Britons.
After our treatments, we retired to the relaxation room in our robes, sharing genuine impressions while I enjoyed chilled water and my mother sipped herbal tea. With phones set to do not disturb, we experienced perfect tranquillity and much-needed emotional release.
This autumn spa escape demonstrated that sometimes the most enchanting getaways don't require passports or long-haul flights - paradise might be just thirty minutes from your London doorstep.
