An odd experience - perhaps we misunderstood what we were going to but it felt like we briefly joined a kids summer camp. There are children running and shouting around the corridors, the rooms have an institutional feel and are a little jaded, the service was manic with the staff constantly feeling like they were understaffed and no smiles which just made our expensive dinner and breakfast feel uncalming and the yoga mats were just dirty. On the plus side the food was good, the general concept is good but just feels it misses the mark in terms of quality given the price and it wasn’t the relaxing and fun break we hoped for.

In general, the place is less than satisfactory. The grounds are beautiful, but everything else is average. If you're a couple seeking a relaxing getaway from bustling London, I recommend avoiding school holidays and weekends. You'll encounter a different kind of busyness with unruly children and teenagers causing chaos around every corner, and no parents in sight to ensure they're behaving respectfully towards others. The Zebra restaurant was pleasant, but the food was not the most exceptional for the price, even though the menu's concept was good and executed well. Having experienced many sustainable restaurants in London that were much better and less expensive, I was left disappointed. The staff were a mixed bag, and I observed that the younger workforce seemed disorganized, lacking accountability and overwhelmed, but they were friendly nonetheless. The gym was alright, but quite basic. The arcade room was subpar, essentially a place for children to wreak havoc and destroy board games. The music room was equally disappointing. On a sunny day, it's enjoyable to have a drink outside. However, if the weather is poor, there's not much for adults to do. I had hoped that the place would feel like a Soho House or a high-end establishment, but in reality, much of it seemed cheap. The furniture wasn't well-maintained, the rooms were basic, and the carpets appeared dirty. Additionally, if you're seeking a decent shower, you're better off going to the gym rather than using the inadequate ones in the room. If you're looking for a romantic escape in Hertfordshire, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Mixed feelings. Something isn’t right about Birch, although it has so much potential. I do agree with some of the other reviews, it just seems like the bare minimum was put together for the project to survive. The food was good both at Valeries and The Zebra Club but the service was average. The activities were fun (foraging, soda bread making class…) but that was it. Birch is overpriced, there’s very little attention to detail and the marketing just makes it look so much better than it actually is. I really do hope Birch proves me wrong over the next few years because it has so much potential to be one of the very best escapes from London but is no where near it. Would I come back? I don’t think so. It’s just too basic. When they can be creating a magical experience out of the space, it seems like it’s the complete opposite.

Pros: Nice room, pottery and sound bath sessions were great, nice dinner at Zebra Riding Club, nice grounds, easy to get to from central London, great pastries from the bakery. Cons: Nowhere near enough staff and current staff need a lot of training, long wait for drinks and (below average) food at Links and Valerie’s, terrible shower. Not Birch’s fault, but there are loads of kids running around whose parents seemingly couldn’t care less what they’re up to. Really wanted to love it 😐

I have a mixed review for Birch. The building itself is beautiful but it has been cheaply renovated throughout which doesn’t reflect the steep prices. Think H&M furniture, cheap fabrics and stained carpets. My impression from their marketing is that it might be like Soho Farmhouse type hotel, but it lacks the investment in coherent design and overall direction to feel like ‘home away from home’ you might be expecting. It feels very temporary. The atmosphere of the hotel is also bizarre. They have several activities going on all at once which makes you feel like you should be doing something at all times (£35 p/activity) instead of actually enjoying the hotel itself, and end up feeling quite confused as to what you should be doing, and in our case it certainly wasn’t relaxing. It’s worth noting this might have been because it was the weekend and there were DJ’s till 2am & kids running around. Good points are that the main restaurant is in a beautiful room and the food is good. The Zebra Riding Club restaurant (more up market option on site) was unfortunately fully booked but I have heard very good things. The staff are also very friendly and happily compensate when service is slow and orders are forgotten. The gym is also bright with good equipment and much smarter showers than the ones in our room. This hotel might be appealing to some - good for kids to run around and attend classes to keep yourselves occupied. But if you want a relaxing stay in a well designed, up market hotel then you might want to look elsewhere. FYI - my sister kindly gifted me this stay as she couldn’t attend.

JUST DON'T DO IT! Unless you have really low standards, please don't believe the positive reviews here. There are many aspects of the hotel that I might have tried to forgive had it not been for the staff and their general apathy and incompetence. We found out that in a previous life, the hotel had been a school and a hospital and to be honest it has done nothing to shake off the general feeling of a sad and very run down institution. And really, who want's to stay at an asylum?! There is no phone in the room to ask anyone a question. Instead they have a system of contacting the team via who WhatsApp. Had this worked, I might not have minded this, though I think this policy is not very friendly to older generations or even foreign visitors, not EVERYONE uses WhatsApp! ) Again, I wouldn't have minded if they actually responded to the messages. Both my boyfriend and I messaged them individually and it took them hours to respond and then, they didn't answer the question we had asked. For example, we asked if breakfast was included in our room rate and 3 hours later we were told the available times for breakfast. Not helpful. They say that this is so you are not disturbed during your stay. This is also why your rooms aren't cleaned, but to be honest, it just feels more like they can't be bothered with either and it's just a way of saving money. The whole place is run down, often with heavily stained carpets in the corridors. The lighting is poor, too bright and utilitarian so that none the common areas feel cozy or warm. Curtains are held back with string. The dining room floor and tables were strewn with the detritus of the previous guests with no attempt to clear up during the course of our meal with staff hanging about. We had to ask multiple times for a menu. Though we introduced ourselves when we arrived for dinner and said that we had reserved a table, but the staff clearly took no notice. The next morning I noticed that I had been charged a £40 no-show fee to dinner. I went to the dining room and complained and they apologised and said they would refund me straight away, but ended up taking another £40 off my card. This was over two weeks ago and I have still not had my money back despite emails and whats app messages telling me that they will pay me back. This, I really can't forgive. I am currently still owed £80.00. The grounds are not looked after in any way, with nettles and weeds far more in abundance than anything else. The bar in the hotel was sad and desolate. The one member of staff had no knowledge of any of the ingredients of his bar. It's hardly surprising, he looked about 16 and was utterly clueless. I took my drink back to be made properly, but it was still horrible the second time. I will say that our bedroom was okay, apart from the location. We were situated in the hub area. The bathroom was tired and you could the previous bathroom decoration was thinly veiled through peeling paint. But the room was large and nicely decorated (apart from the bizarre clothes stand that serves no purpose and just looks a bit odd) But we stayed on a Sunday night and on Monday morning, as we left our room for breakfast we were met by about 40 people on their laptops doing zoom calls etc a few meters away from our room. The hub area itself is odd with rooms that could be fun places to play and learn looking messy and sad. It continued the general theme of a tatty institution. There is a bar/cafe at one end of the hub which was supposed to be open during our stay (according to the plan we were given on arrival) but wasn't. It had the sad atmosphere of a deserted service station cafe with cheap mayonaise and ketchup sachets strewn about the place. There is no other, more apt word for Birch than ODD. It could be great but really needs so much more investment in both the room, grounds and mostly. the staff.

Been a member at Birch for 5 months, if you're looking for a co working space, I wouldn't recommend it. The hub is incredibly busy, especially with children during the holidays. Other rooms in the mansion house are usually booked out so it can be challenging to find a good space. If you are interested, it's lovely for the summer months and has wonderful grounds to walk around. Just note a good work environment.

A good getaway, but maybe skip the pottery. The stay itself was good, from the service to the rooms, fitness classes and grounds. Food and drinks were okay as well. We tried the pottery class, which in itself was good. But it took them 3.5 months to send you your items (we were told about 4 weeks). When they finally arrived, they were barely glazed at all. They sent us an extra cup that they made, which was nice, but also highlighted what glazing should have looked like - smooth and glossy vs rough, mostly raw clay texture and looks like it was from a British Museum exhibit.

Booked a table for lunch online asking for a corner seat as we had a dog. The request was completely ignored and we were seated in the middle of the room. Valerie's restaurant has unusual decor and looks tatty, particularly the floor which was worn and covered in paint marks. The table next to ours (after moving) had left over plates and crockery with food on the floor. I ordered a pork schnitzel which strangely arrived about 2 inches in thickness and was deep fried. It was tough and unpleasant to eat. Overall the experience was very dissapointing so I wouldn't reccomend unfortunately. We certainly won't be going back. Overall impression is a site and location looking tired and tatty.

Entirely disappointed following my visit for the second time to Birch where it feels like they aren’t quite sure what their operating model should be. I will point out we stayed in May 2022 and it was fantastic but this time it was miles from that. We came for a relaxing two day stay with my pregnant partner but despite pitching themselves as a well-being stay resort, they seem to also want to be a late nightclub venue with DJs playing till 1am and bars open till 2am with parties going on directly outside of the bedrooms. We complained first one the Friday night at 2:30am and received no apology from reception and then again we had to complain three times on Saturday night, who to their credit actually apologies and offered information on timings and shut the show down at 2am on the dot but this is not what I paid a significant amount of money for to rest and be woken continuously. Considering all the wildlife in Birch surely having DJs and late night drinking right next to the pens holding the sheep and chickens cannot be good. It is also bemusing at how dirty the whole hotel is now, the fan in the room was caked in dust which is surely a year old, stains are throughout the carpets across all the hotel (likely more evidence of their attempt to become a party venue). On checking out, when I was asked if I had a nice stay, which I responded to the young person working at reception that no I have had to make numerous complaints about my stay, their response was ‘no worries’. So no apology, or recognition on the fact that this has been an awful time staying here. The only positive we had was the breakfast and staff at Valeries, who actually asked how we were and delivered great service. One of the main reasons for our visit was to return to the Zebra Riding club restaurant after a fantastic time last year, as with the rest of the visit this was incredibly disappointing too especially spending £190 for two of us. Orders a tasting menu and matching wines but at no time had anyone explain the menu or why they went together, and we could hear the chefs talking to the servers saying they didn’t know what they were doing tonight which is why there was absolutely no flavour from the meal at all. From what could’ve been a perfect weekend away I am entirely disappointed after spending over £600 in two days there.

We actually arrived on the wrong day but the staff members kindly managed to rebook us so we could stay without recharging us. We were very thankful for that as it seemed like they were almost fully booked! The rooms were very modern/chic yet minimalist. Bathroom was functional and decorated with modern aesthetic but some of the workmanship of the finishes/fixtures could be more refined. One downside of the building is that depending on what room you have been allocated, it could be a lot of stairs to get to your room (if in the main building) or you could be lucky and be located on the ground floor. The building is aesthetically decorated with millennial retreat vibes, very different from your regular hotel which I liked. There were a variety of different activities available on site (some free, some paid for) and an outdoor lido. We participated in a painting class, free yoga and pottery class. I think the actual grounds/gardens could have been more landscaped or improved because it was mostly grass and has potential.

This is a review of it purely as a hotel. I stayed for one night and the rooms were sparse but OK and I got a good night's sleep. I think using it as an office or for a working trip would be great, but walking through basically an office with your stuff and having to walk back and forth through people working was an odd experience. The place seems lovely as a club with it's grounds and restaurants, so would be interested in coming back to experience it all.

Went there for a work offsite. Really odd choice. You’ll like it if you’re into hipster stuff. Avoid if you’re into comfort. Temperature was warm at the time but our working room had no air con, so it was impossible to think. And the toilets were what seemed like a mile walk away. There only seemed to be one toilet in the whole building. Room was decent, but no TV. Breakfast was okay, but don’t expect a buffet. Order only, which was very confusing in a big group.

We had a very good experience there. I had the pleasure of staying at the Birch Hotel in Cheshunt, England. This hotel is located just outside of London, but it feels like a world away. It took us only 30mins form central London. The first thing that struck me about the Birch Hotel was its location. The hotel is surrounded by a beautiful forest, which provides a sense of peace and tranquillity. I really enjoyed the in-house bakery and the friendly bakers who spent time explaining their job to me and my son. I enjoyed spending time in the Cinema room where we have been able to watch an amazing film selection. The service at the Birch Hotel was excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful, and they went out of their way to make my stay enjoyable.

We flew in to London and took an Uber straight to Birch. It was the perfect place to spend 2 nights recovering from jet lag. The restaurants and fitness classes do require reservations, so book those in advance as they fill up quickly. We didn’t know so we couldn’t get into a yoga class. The gym is amazing though. The Zebra Club experience was well worth the $. The massages were affordable (compared to costs of spa’s in the US). They don’t offer robes or slippers so wear comfy clothes. The rooms are small but clean. Staff was very friendly and the grounds are delightful! Plenty of areas to sit on the lawn or stroll. I also highly recommend the pottery class, it was so fun and relaxing. Jade was our instructor and she was a lovely balance of informative and fun. The whole estate is rich in color and a very unique experience compared to anything we have in the U.S.

Today we had the pleasure of holding our book club meeting at Birch Cheshunt. What an amazing place, the staff were so helpful and provided a first class experience. Big shout out to Janet, who took the time to show us around the facilities and share the history and concept with us. We completed the afternoon with a delicious dinner at Valerie’s. Food was fresh and absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to visit again , there is so much more to explore and experience.

Not made for couples without kids. It looks great, but the whole experience is not generous. The concept serves as an excuse to disregard comfort, especially in the rooms. The rooms are small with a bed and that's it, I would have liked a kettle. Staff is very nice but untrained and easy mistakes are very common. The place is conveniently located close to London, a few more guidance around walking trails etc would have been nice.

The beds are so big and so comfortable! Our bed had a firm mattress and I slept like a baby. The room overlooked the meadow and we were woken up (at a sensible time) every morning by the sheep baahing. Only downside was no fan in the room during a mini heatwave-I understand the building is old and aircon would be difficult. Staff are friendly and get things done quickly. The food is delicious! There is so many things to do and places to explore, and I appreciated the hands off approach of the staff so it didn't feel like a holiday camp. Setting is glorious. Trees and meadows and a banging lido!

Didn’t have a shower as the bathroom was a wet room and worse than most hostels I’ve been too! Felt gross just going in there to brush my teeth and the toilet even had skid marks! Great idea and the grounds are pretty but for £180 a night I expected a decent bathroom. Better off to go down the road to the travel lodge.

What to say about birch. It is a lovely setting entirely let down by incompetent management and staff. As an expensive hotel you would expect good service, WRONG! We stayed for 2 nights and no attempt was made to make up our room. Trying to get service at the main restaurant was like pulling teeth, slowly. The reaction of surprise and anger at simply asking for water or an item of food was intense. One night we made the catastrophic error of asking for two drinks, off our server went… 20 mins passed and rather than our order we got to watch her walk, bold as brass to a car and drive off… suffice to say we understood that drinks were not incoming. It gets worse…. When we collared another vanishing artist / waitress to our shock she was actually competent and bought said drinks with a refreshing apology and and said it was on the house… so far so average… but on leaving to our very expensive room (nil A/C and a pathetic wheezing fan in lieu) we were chased down; the first pro active thing the staff had done, and challenged rudely about running off on the bill. We got a limp “ok” on informing her we had been told it was on the house ending our disappointing night. Or so we thought except at 1am we were awoken by the loudest party apparently held immediately outside our window which was open due to the aforementioned lack of A/C. The members, of which there are far too many, are the cherry on the cake, they are essentially upper middle class hippies of the most fart huffing and annoying kind. In summary its terrible value for money and management is dire.

Haven’t stayed there myself, just visited friends for New Years and what a great little gem just outside of London! Such a chill vibe, dog and kid friendly, just very relaxed. Good space/house, perhaps it’s not luxury but that’s probably not why people stay here. Big open spaces - and the food at the Zebra riding club was very good as well! We were these during a big NY bank holiday weekend and at that time, it did seem very kid and dog orientated so if you don’t have one of those, it might not be for you. I have a dog and my friends have a kid, and we love a relaxed atmosphere so it worked out perfectly for us!

The Travelling Booth spent the weekend at Birch and I have to say, we had a super fantastic time! From the welcome we got from the various heads of department we bumped into, to the lovely team working the floor at Valerie’s, to the team on the bar, and all of the cleaning staff, and everyone in between, every interaction was lovely. Clearly, judging by some of the other reviews this place is not for everyone. It certainly was the right place for us. From the fantastic food served at the restaurant Valerie’s, most of which has been grown in their market garden on-site, or reared in the fields nearby, to the cold (cold water swimming is great for the health!) lido this place is superb. We also had a super deep tissue massage, with James in the wellness centre. This place is not The Ritz, nor does it claim to be, it does what it does, very well and with a real kindness that is hard to manufacture. The Travelling Booth will certainly be back, and we will be recommending Birch to all our friends, family and colleagues. Thank you Team Birch. Keep doing what you are doing. Big Love The Travelling Booth

It's a good concept, a hip hotel for those who enjoy doing different activities and work. There are not many places to relax apart from the pool, which is very busy all the time and small compared to the size of the hotel. Also, the service is not great, a lot of cancellations, delays and poor structure in the rooms (no ac, broken sink). The experience was good, but I'm not sure if I would come back.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Birch for a sudden business trip. I loved the details put into the place as each venue is a feast for the eyes! Due to the nature of the visit, I did not get to check out all of the offerings (such as the ceramics or baking courses), but if I had the time I would have made 25 loaves of bread and 35 flower pots! I found it easier to be active and engaged with what my company was hoping to achieve with this trip because of the comforts of Birch. Everything was stunning and I can not wait to be back!

We had a wonderful stay at the Birch over the weekend. We loved the chilled, festival feel; sustainability reflected in own fruit & vegetable garden and rewilding of the property; and animals on site. There are also many things you can do with wonderful staff - great gym classes (included in price), pottery / foraging / other workshops / Ruth did wonderful tour of grounds; there is music / art room. Plus lots of space to do work / take calls if needed. The staff were also very helpful. It is true that food is on the expensive side but in my mind it covered a lot of things you don’t pay for - such as the spaces / workshops / free gym classes / beautiful grounds etc Recommended for a weekend away that is still super easy to get from London

Stayed here last Sunday and spent both days experiencing different activities. The people at the reception were very welcoming. It was a very pleasant start to a much needed weekend away. You could feel that they wanted to help and they even offered to take us on a quick tour to find our feet. While the other half was getting a massage I spent my time editing by the bar. Really enjoyed the environment also there hub is a cosy space to work or relax in. The restaurant was amazing! honestly you must check it out: The zebra riding club. Service was on point and the food is incredible. Everything had so much flavour. The waiter really made an effort to explain the wine and the dishes. I forgot where I was this environment was so relaxing but fun at the same time. Me and my other half then spent the evening by the wood fire outside under blankets they provided. Was the perfect evening an unexpected romantic getaway. Definitely check out the Pottery class, had so much fun making things and learning a new skill. Thank you for making the experience a good one. Probably best night sleep I’ve had in a while, I forgot to find out what mattress it was ha. So much more happened that was great, go and experience it for yourself, work or chill it’s the perfect place for both.

We stayed at Birch for a couple days in The Riding club family room. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. The events, staff and chilled out vibe they create is truly unique. Our kids loved it. The staff were particularly good with my autistic/ADHD teenage daughter. And the food is the best we’ve had in ages. Yes, the rooms are basic (air-con major plus) but it’s meant as a base to explore the gems within the grounds. Well done team Birch - we love what you’ve created and will definitely be back. Justine & James