By Renée Tse
It’s hard to believe that only just a few hours outside of Toronto lies a splendid country house retreat known as Langdon Hall, located in the quiet town of Cambridge. As you drive up the winding driveway, the main house comes into plain view in all its architectural grandeur. And if you’re wondering why the house looks familiar, you may recognize it from Drake’s 2016 album, Views.
As a member of the esteemed property group Relais & Châteaux, you can expect nothing short of top-tiered hospitality from the time of your arrival to when you depart. I’ve been fortunate to stay at Langdon Hall a few times in the past few years, and each time has been a great experience. So when I was looking for a local escape after being cooped up at home, I booked the Country Retreat package at the country house hotel, which includes one-night accommodation, three-course dinner and a morning breakfast.
THE ROOM
Langdon Hall has 60 rooms and suites on the property, each one beautifully furnished with feathered beds, spacious bathrooms and wood-burning fireplaces. During this trip, I checked into one of the stable lofts, which overlooks the lily pond and the orchard. (You can also choose from the traditional country house-inspired rooms in the Main House or the more contemporary, modern rooms in the Cloisters.)
The three-floor room I stayed in can sleep up to four people with a queen-size feather bed on the second floor and two single beds in the alcove, perfect for me and my family. Adjacent to the main bedroom was a cozy living room with a fireplace and flatscreen television where I caught up on shows while enjoying a cup of coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine.
One of my favourite things about the room is the master bathroom, which is connected to a sizeable wardrobe area. Apart from the walk-in shower and a therapeutic soaking bathtub, it’s worth mentioning every room is stocked with a Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, complimentary toiletries from The White Company, and plush robes and slippers for guests to use. In other words, a little slice of beauty heaven.
THE SPA
After the long drive to Langdon Hall, I always like to book a treatment at The Spa, located in the Cloisters next to the Main House. While I love the facial (the Spa uses products from luxe Swiss beauty brand Valmont and I recommend any of the treatments with the addition of the full Valmont Collagen Face Mask), I opted for a Relaxation Massage this time around to deal with some knots that needed to be tended to. Unfortunately, some of the spa amenities like the whirlpool, sauna, steam room, showers and gym were temporarily closed for safety reasons.
THE GROUNDS
Post-spa treatment, it’s a ritual of mine to walk the grounds of the estate. If you’re an overnight guest, you’re welcome to enjoy any of the amenities on the 75-acre property. If you love nature, take a nice stroll on the 12-km worth of walking trails with a complimentary bike or snowshoe rental available by request. If you prefer something more active, play a friendly game on the tennis court or take a dip in the outdoor pool. My favourite place to escape is Langdon’s famed vegetable and flower gardens. Embracing its British origins, they perfectly complement the main house’s Victorian style. As you walk through the Secret Garden-esque wooden door, you’re greeted by a charming garden. Depending on when you visit, you can find a garden filled with cucumber watermelons, baby carrots and cauliflowers before the fall harvest, or florals in full bloom during spring. No matter the season, it’s never short of magical.
THE FOOD
The five diamond cuisine is helmed by Chef Jason Bangerter and inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients (and what’s available in the estate’s gardens, bee farm and forests). Think: an amuse bouche featuring baby cauliflower in a pot of quinoa, a summer risotto featuring green garden vegetables and honey mushroom, or a halibut featuring sweet peas, glazed radish and a lemongrass velouté. And these plates don’t just have a pretty face. Every dish is bursting with flavour and more delicious than the last.
When it comes time for breakfast, Langdon Hall wasn’t serving its usual beautiful buffet spread. However, the à la carte menu did not disappoint. The staff set up tables out in the picturesque courtyard overlooking the lily pond where I enjoyed my lobster and champagne eggs, along with French toast-inspired brioche and strawberry plate. And just like that, my dreamy 24-hour escape came to an end.
