It is hard to believe that this recently refurbished stately home lies just between the M1 and Luton airport – not somewhere you would expect to come across 1000 acres of stunning fields, woodland and lakes.

In fact records filed at Coutts show that Luton Hoo was one of the first and largest projects taken on by famous 18 ^th Century landscape designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

The £60 million renovations were completed at the end of last year, opening to the public for the first time in ten years. And what a refurbishment it has been. Driving up the long driveway, the mansion suddenly appears in all its magnificent glory, looking as you can imagine it might have done hundreds of years before.

And the inside does not disappoint. Each room is exquisitely decorated in the style of its former splendour, so that guests staying in one of the five state suites and four principal suites, for example, will literally follow in the footsteps of esteemed former visitors such as Queen Elizabeth II and Lord Mountbatten. With silk lined and panelled walls, marble fireplaces and ornate ceilings, the house has been transformed into a luxury weekend getaway.

The food is equally luxurious. Guests can take afternoon tea in the drawing room or for a more formal dinner, experience the Wernher Restaurant, which was formerly the state dining room and is covered in stunning tapestries. Just remember that men are required to wear a jacket and tie for dinner.

For a more relaxed dining experience, Adam's Brasserie is housed within the historic stables building, just a stone's throw from the pool and spa area.

Leisure time doesn't disappoint at Luton Hoo either. What is one of the longest 18-hole golf courses in the UK, provides a fantastic backdrop to the hotel, as well as many hours of entertainment. The spa, opened just a few months after the hotel, offers a full menu of pampering treatments and includes a hydrotherapy pool, heat therapy suite and a state of the art fitness studio.

However, with so much stunning scenery, it almost seems a shame to be working on the treadmill indoors when there is so much to see and do outside. Hours can be spent strolling the phenomenal estate and with two 'all weather' tennis courts, clay pigeon shooting and angling available, there is plenty to get you out and about.

Other features on the estate include a sunken woodland and rockery; hidden like a secret garden by hedges and trees and Italianate formal gardens with the centre piece to the fountain having been fully restored to full working order for the first time in 50 years.

Ultimately it is the glamour and the history of this beautiful mansion that will be most appealing to visitors. Bought at the turn of the 20 ^th Century by the man who went on to found De Beers diamonds, the connection with Sir Julius Wernher led later to Luton Hoo housing one of the largest Fabergé collections of jewellery and ornaments. While the collection is no longer housed at the hotel, one of the banqueting suites is named Fabergé in honour of the collection.

And that glamour has continued over many decades. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip spent part of their honeymoon at Luton Hoo, as personal friends of Sir Julius' daughter-in-law, Lady Zia.

Just a year later, Sir Winston Churchill addressed a crowd of 110,000 people assembled outside the front of the house and in more recent times, the estate has been the location for Hollywood movies such as Eyes Wide Shut, featuring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Luton Hoo is a truly grand mansion house and is perfect for a weekend away, a luxurious way to start a holiday abroad or just to visit for fabulous food.

Deluxe double bedrooms start at £275 per room per night, including breakfast, with suites ranging from £400 - £850 per night. For more information visit www.lutonhoo.co.uk