Originally published on Tuesday, 22nd March 2011

Park Life

Waldorf Astoria opens Syon Park

Sunday night marked the beginning of TOWIE’s second season which left viewers of the Essex-bound cast all wondering: as an upwardly mobile urban dweller, where does one walk one’s miniature pig when he needs a rural release?

Ridiculous pets aside, we’re always looking for good city-escape options that don’t end in jetlag. Whilst we love a bit of Babington and think Cowley’s C-Side pool can’t be beat, even these retreats feel a bit far for a quick getaway. We tried out The Grove and were almost run over by a convoy of footballers’ Lamborghinis. So we love the sound of the Waldorf Astoria’s new property, Syon Park.

Amazingly, it’s only twenty minutes from Knightsbridge (and no, not by chartered chopper, though the hotel does have a helipad), and set in 200 acres of private parkland belonging to the Duchy of Northumberland. Of the five restaurants we like the sound of The Capability named after the famous landscape artist, where Chef Lee Streeton (of Browns Hotel and Caprice Holdings) dishes out rustic, seasonal fare with ingredients grown on-site. There’s something a little whimsical about the Butterfly House in the lobby, accompanied by Brownie’s Sundae Bar and its sweet treats and tuck shop-style glass jars (which feels pretty on trend with Ferran Adrià’s new Barcelona restaurant ‘Tickets’ featuring a fairground-style dessert arena). Peacock Alley serves cocktail classics that you’ll also find at the Waldorf’s NYC branch (with crushed ice carved from a block behind the bar), and come summer, we reckon the Sun Deck Terrace overlooking the trout lake will be just the ticket for fresh mint mojitos. Go for the day, discover the secret garden gate, and enjoy the Kallima Spa’s bespoke prescriptions and pool, or make a night of it in one of the beautiful hotel rooms.

All this so close to home? Now all we need is the side of miniature bacon – and a leash.

Info
Syon Park, TW8 8JA
Rates from £319. 0207 870 7777
www.londonsyonpark.com