I love London. I love it so much that I almost never consider heading out of the city. Except to spend a day out at The Grove, a 5-star luxury countryside that is only 20 minutes away from Central London.

Who could resist?

The history of The Grove dates back to the 1500s when the first home for the bourgeois of the time was made. Fast forward to 2023, The Grove marks its 20th anniversary as a hotel, and it does it in pure style.

A luxurious destination for those in the know, this grand hotel has lots to offer: four excellent restaurants, a delicious spa and championship golf-course. Not to mention that during summer both hotel guests and visitors alike can go to a a Secret Cinema in its gardens.

To celebrate the British Summer (or lack thereof), the hotel has created a little experience near its golfing grounds. A culinary exploration in a hot air ballon! Fear not, you will be staying in the grounds, but it will resemble as if you were headed to the heaven.

We took advantage that our dinner was on a Sunday and arrived early to explore the hotel grounds. We had a cinema session over tea time, cocktail hour at the Library, dinner in our hotel balloons and a night cap by the piano in the lobby lounge.

The exclusive balloon experience extends through the duration of the summer season, offering you an exquisite dinner tasting menu. Attended by servers elegantly dressed in black tie attire, the impeccable service perfectly complements the overall aesthetic, promising a truly delightful and memorable indulgence.

The seven course meal included a whole lobster to share between two and concluded with a delicious lemon tart and petit fours. As the night was coming to an end, the balloon lights lit up, and we sipped our warm drinks to the starlit sky.