It's no secret that January is one of the gloomiest months in our calendar. Not only do we have a festive come down from all of the joy and merriment of December, but the days are also hideously cold, dark and wet. But this year, I decided things were going to be different; instead of hibernating and waiting for the storm to (literally) pass, I was going to embrace January as a time of renewal and rejuvenation - so a little spa weekend away was just what the doctor ordered. Cue Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa in Slough. Delightfully close to London (easily accessible by the Lizzie line and a quick cab) while also being delightfully not London, this hotel seemed perfect for my little girly getaway.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa
Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa was, interestingly, originally a hunting lodge for royal parties.
Need To Know:
- Address: Grove Rd, Burnham, SL1 8DP
- Area: Slough (we got the Lizzie line to Burnham, then ordered an Uber)
- Hotel Type: four-star, countryside, spa, dog-friendly, wedding venue
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: having had a lovely refurb in late 2024, Burnham Beeches Hotel had all the fixings of a traditional countryside hotel - such as charming dining rooms with panelled walls and windows overlooking the grounds - while also being chic and modern, thanks to a fresh lick of paint bringing bold colour schemes, and unique artwork adorning the walls. The place was also incredibly calming, with aromatherapy scents drifting through the nature-themed foyer
- Perfect For: couples getaways, girly staycations, birthdays, weddings
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: Deluxe Twin Room with breakfast (from £120), dinner (around £100 for two), treatments (£100 for two). Overall: around £320
Room Quality & Comfort
Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our Deluxe Twin Room (from £120) was simple yet wonderfully cosy; there was plenty of space for two, including a little table by the windows that overlooked the grounds and an adorable cottage (these looked so picturesque the following morning, covered in frost). The beds were as soft as clouds - we swaddled ourselves in our fluffy duvets after dinner, watching Taken (a strange choice for a relaxing night away, I know) on the wide screen TV, nibbling on the complimentary biscuits, before having an incredibly peaceful, soundless sleep.
Spa Facilities & Treatments
Treatments: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We were blown away by our 30 minute Drift Away Massages (£40 Monday - Thursday, £50 Friday - Sunday). The treatment rooms were spacious and calming, filled with gorgeous aromatherapy scents, and the masseuses were excellent; we both gushed about how they applied the ideal pressure and somehow found all the spots in our backs that needed loosening up.
Facilities: ⭐⭐
Unfortunately, the spa facilities (which are in the basement) were very tired; though we had no quibbles with the pool, apart from it being a little chilly, we found the steps up to the jacuzzi quite dirty, and the seating in the sauna looked like it was on the way out. We also found the floors in the changing room and on the way into the pool area very slippy, and strange that there were no changing rooms.
Dining Highlights
We were lucky enough to nab a window seat in The Arden Room, an intimately lit, beautiful space that felt cosy yet refined. Think vibrant decor, from the dark teal panelled walls and burnt orange velvet curtains to the Edwardian-style carpet.
Dinner: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The fried seabass (left) and the chocolate bomb dessert (right) were both delicious.
- Baked celeriac (£12.95) - my veganuary pal devoured this starter, which featured beautifully griddled, miso-glazed celeriac, topped with rounds of black garlic emulsion that acted like a flavour bomb with each bite, sitting in a pool of light coconut milk and herb oil
- Pan-fried seabass (£24.95) - a true delight, the seabass had perfectly crisp skin while being deliciously succulent, and came with a creamy miso sauce. The baby potatoes, which were midway between a boiled and roastie, and the samphire, were rich with Burnham Garden herb oil (they have an adorable herb garden out front)
- Dark chocolate bomb (£11.95) - this looked so delicious on the menu, we both ordered one; a perfectly spherical orb of chocolate arrived, and the waitress dramatically poured caramel syrup over the top, giving way to chocolate mousse, vanilla ice cream and brownie crumble. Yum
Breakfast: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The fry-up (left) that I went for was from the buffet, but you can also order one from the a la carte.
There was an excellent buffet spread in the bright and airy Brasserie 1727, available 7am - 10am (this was included in the price of our room, otherwise it's £14.95-£17.95), showcasing something for all tastes: piping hot, great-quality fry-up items, cereals, breads, pastries, cheese, meats, fruits and so much more, with a variety of hot drinks and juices to wash everything down.
Highlights from our stay include:
- Buffet fry-up, featuring perfectly cooked scrambled eggs (a rarity on breakfast buffets I find), thick herby sausages and the crispiest of hashbrowns, paired with roasted mushrooms and tomatoes, topped off by a generous serving of baked beans. Stunning
- Granola with Greek yoghurt, museli and berry compote
- The Vegan English (ordered off the a la carte); the scrambled tofu was a favourite, plus the beans, hash brown, mushrooms and tomato completed the experience
Our Overall Experience At Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had a really lovely time at Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa. I wouldn't quite call it luxurious due to some of the imperfections in the spa facilities, but if you're looking for a really peaceful time away with friends, family or your other half, it's perfect - not only was our room cosy and we had a great sleep, but we also thoroughly enjoyed our treatments, dinner and breakfast (I honestly think it might be one of the best breakfast buffets I've had). I reckon it would even be perfect for just a relaxing day out - with a treatment, dip in the pool and an afternoon tea. Delightful.
