A Spectacular Lift Off at Luton Hoo

A surprise flypast by a rare Second World War Spitfire was the highlight of the opening celebrations at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa last Friday (April 11th).

After 350 guests gathered outside to watch the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Samuel Whitbread, unveil a commemorative plaque and a march past by the Hertfordshire-based Minden Band of the Queen’s Division, the Spitfire made a spectacular appearance over the mansion rooftop, drawing cheers from the crowd and assembled members of staff.

The display had been kept top secret after being planned by Elite Hotels Managing Director Graeme Bateman and only a couple of members of the management team knew about it. The distinctive blue and white striped plane swooped over the mansion and estate and gave a display of somersaults and manoeuvres. Now part of the Hangar 11 collection in Essex, it is the only airworthy example of a Supermarine Spitfire MK X1. Between 1944-1945 it carried out 40 missions over occupied Europe with 16 Squadron RAF and has been the subject of a book called Spitfire in Blue

It was a fitting tribute as Luton Hoo played its own role during the Second World War. Estate owner Sir Harold Wernher, a brigadier, helped mastermind the Mulberry Harbour project that was instrumental in ending the war. When Vauxhall Motors in Luton suspended car making and dedicated the production line to the Churchill Tank  they were tested in the grounds of Luton Hoo and Winston Churchill paid a visit to inspect them. Hollywood actor Douglas Fairbanks Junior also lived on the estate when it was commandeered for Eastern Command Army Headquarters and he was assigned to British Commando forces as part of the allied officer exchange programme.

Guests at the opening celebration included Norman Costin, Leader of South Bedfordshire District Council, representatives of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire business communities and contractors and craftsmen involved in the Luton Hoo refurbishment project.

The Lord Lieutenant told guests that Luton Hoo represented the rebirth of one of the county’s most important houses and praised Elite Hotels for restoring the 18th century mansion to its former glory and giving it a new lease of life that would benefit the whole of Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

Mr Bateman entertained guests with a potted history of the massive refurbishment project. “For me personally, as I am sure it is for many of the people involved, it has been the greatest achievement of my career to be formally launching Luton Hoo Hotel today,” he said.   “There has been many a sleepless night over the past nine years, but somehow today they pale into insignificance.”

“Looking to the future, we have the basis of a truly first class hotel that will capture business from many corners of the globe.  Indeed, business on our books to date comes from as far a field as China, Latin America and Australia.   Key to this will be our ability to meet the expectations of our guests for whatever reason they choose to visit.   We are also committed to establishing Luton Hoo as a key player in the local community.”

After the opening guests enjoyed afternoon tea, musical entertainment, a display of Fabergé jewellery and objets d’art and the opportunity to tour the hotel’s public rooms and Lady Zia guest suite, complete with the original 4ft high safe that once housed the magnificent jewellery collection belonging to Sir Harold’s wife. The day ended with a private gala dinner and firework display on the hotel lawn.